STLoser

You do not have to tell anyone.. It is none of their business. I did tell everyone, but I'm pretty much an open book. And I only know a couple people lol. The funny thing is my respiratory therapist in the hospital (I have asthma) was one of my son's classmates moms, and the xray tech was another of my sons classmates moms, so I couldn't have hid it too well if I wanted to. It really is a personal decision though.. If people ask why you're losing you could say you're eating healthier, which is the absolute truth! I know people probably judge me for having wls but I don't care. If someone hasn't had a weight problem they don't know what it's like. I figure by being open about it, maybe I can educate some people. Luckily, people have been very supportive so far. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I was allowed mashed potatoes. Every plan is different. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had it 6 months ago. My high weight was 393, my surgery weight was 368, and I'm currently 269. I'm hoping to lose at least enough to get under 200 pounds. Ideally I'd like to be 160 or less. I feel great and would do it again for sure! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my SADI—S 6 months ago. I started out at 393 pounds. I was 368 on surgery day, and as of today I am 269. My surgery went great but I did experience nausea and some vomiting the first few days and had to stay in the hospital 3 nights. After that, recovery was a breeze and I barely had any pain. My scars are pretty small and have already faded a lot. Most importantly, I feel amazing. I am hoping to get under 200 pounds. I love the restriction from the sleeve part of my stomach. My biggest problem was always portion control and it's wonderful to feel satisfied with such a small amount of food. I am so happy I chose this surgery. I would do again without question! I'll be glad to answer any questions you have! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I mean, the purpose of the preop diet is to shrink your liver for surgery, so I would say definitely no alcohol. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Mine was two weeks of clear liquid and protein shakes only. It sucked, but I got through it. The hardest part was I don't like sweet stuff too much, and I don't like broth either lol. I survived. It was actually harder for me after surgery because I had to do 3 weeks of clear/shakes, then one week of full liquids. My taste changed and the protein shakes tasted disgusting and it was hard to get them down, but somehow I got through it all! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I started the process in March, but I was self pay. Because of COVID, it got delayed and the hospital laid the surgeon and dietitian off, so I went to a different surgeon and hospital on June 15th. I had my surgery July 23rd. I had already had the EGD with the first surgeon, so I didn't need too much more done, and since I was self pay it went pretty quickly. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Actually, getting my gallbladder out is what led to me getting wls, because when the surgeon was in there my liver looked awful and he recommended wls, but had I not had it removed, my bariatric surgeon said he would have removed it at the same time as my wls. You should be fine! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh, I do have to take calcium separately, and I take extra vitamin D and K. The Loop DS requires more vitamin K though, and I was deficient in vitamin D before so I take extra did for that reason. Calcium and iron have to be taken separately so there really isn't any vitamin where you can have it all. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I take Procare Bariatric vitamins. They are fantastic.. They're are capsule and they include iron.. They do have a chewable form too, but I like the capsule. I had a Loop DS, and my bariatric surgeon recommended these because they are one a day. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I know! I'm a heretic! [emoji23] [emoji1787] Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, I understand. I wanted the surgery for many years and never had insurance that covered it, so I never planned to get it. When the surgeon who took my gallbladder out told me my liver was so bad he didn't think I'd make it to 60 if I didn't lose weight, I decided to get the money out of my 401k. It wasn't something I'd ever considered doing because I wanted to save that money for retirement, but hearing that surgeon's words made me realize I would never be able to use that money if I was dead anyway! There's no way I could have come up with that money if it weren't for the 401k, though. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I really didn't have much pain at all around the incisions and I was able to sleep on my stomach the first night. I think I got lucky! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I buy otc vitamin D from Amazon. My vitamin D was deficient way before I had surgery, so I take 10,000 iu a day. I had labs a month ago and it was 56, which is great! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

*cook Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm gonna sound like a nut, but I'm used to that, so here goes.. I don't like pizza! But, since everyone else in the whole world, including my husband and son, loves it, it's hard to avoid at times, and I'm not a very picky eater so I will eat it if there's nothing else available or I'm too lazy to cool. I'm 6 months post op Loop DS, and I have found so far I can eat just about anything, but certain things that are too fatty will give me diarrhea. I think had pizza at around 4 months post op. Most of the time, I just get a salad instead. I have to say, I LOVED the ricotta bake, and didn't find it to be like pizza, but more like lasagna, but if you're a pizza lover it definitely could pass. It's delicious! My husband who is not a wls patient loved it and ate it right along with me! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my Loop DS 6 months ago. I was almost 400. I weighed 393 at my highest, which is a lot for my 5'3" frame. I was 368 the day of surgery. I weigh 272 now. I'd be THRILLED to get to 160. For now, my goal is to be under 200. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I know that is so frustrating and discouraging to see those words in black and white. I've lost 120 pounds, and it's gonna take another 100 or so for me to be out of the obese category, but I've just accepted that and try to just think of the word obese and another medical term, like the asthma or liver disease they write in my chart. Be proud of how for you've come. It is an amazing accomplishment, and your doctors know how well you've done! They just have to put diagnosis codes in your chart. Focus on the complements they gave you, which were well deserved! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had surgery 6 months ago. I had already been experiencing hair loss, but it had had finally slowed down, then around 3 months post op it really started falling out. I have lost so much that my ponytail is now about the size of a pencil. I can't believe how thin it is.. I've always had very fine hair, but a ton of it, and it's curly, which also hid any thinness. Not anymore! The good news is, the hair loss seems to have slowed in the last month or two. My hair still doesn't seem to be growing yet, but at least it's not falling out so much now. I am 49 and also seem to be starting menopause, so I don't hold out much hope of ever having the head of hair I once did, but I'm hoping some of it will grow back. Until then, I have bought some hair toppers off Amazon, and one of those scrunchies made of fake hair and I put my hair up with it. I also use tinted dry shampoo to conceal my scalp. I hate the hair loss, but I would rather be completely bald than as fat and miserable as I was. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Also, it was totally worth every penny. I paid 21, 800 out of pocket.. My surgery was 6 months ago. I started at 393 lbs. and a bmi of 69.9. I'm am 272 now and I think my bmi is 49.8. I still have a long way to go, but I am so happy I chose to pay out of pocket. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Our insurance plan did not include wls, and there was no way they would cover it, even if I tried to appeal that it was medically necessary. Unfortunately, I had to pay out of pocket. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I make meatballs in my air fryer. They come out great! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm not military, but thank you for your service and good luck on your surgery! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

This has been the hardest part of surgery for me because I'm a big water drinker and gulper.. I'm 5 months out and I've gotten pretty used to it now. It definitely gets better with time, and I can at least drink more than I expected to be able to now. Hang in there! It does get better! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes I measured myself pre-op and I have several times post op. I just measured again recently as it had been a while and was shocked at how many inches I lost! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app