STLoser

I had my first visit with a surgeon in March, then all my pre-op testing got canceled. Then the hospital let that surgeon go. I decided to go to a different surgeon at another hospital in June and ended up getting surgery on July 23rd.

I love my surgeon. I had another surgeon originally, but the hospital let him go because of COVID. I could have gone to his partner, but I decided to go to a completely different place and I'm so happy I did. My surgeon is Darrin Minkin in St. Louis, MO.

I was cash pay and my Loop DS was 21, 800. That includes all the post op visits for a year. I live in Missouri, so things are a little less expensive here.

I made pork carnitas last night. This is leftovers with 1/4 avocado, 1 T ff plain greek yogurt, 4 grape tomatoes, 1 T cotija cheese and Cholula hot sauce. I had this for lunch today.

I felt like this often the first couple weeks. I drank Gatorade Zero and it seemed to help some.

Oh, good to know! Thank you!

I use Vital Proteins collagen peptides. I tried a few unflavored whey protein powders and couldn't stand the whey taste. My dietitian recommended this and it barely has any taste.

I was definitely a little scared of the risks, but at 48 years old, 5'3" and 393 pounds, I knew the risk of me not getting the surgery was worse. I was diagnosed with NASH and hepatic fibrosis, and had just developed high blood pressure. Diabetes runs heavily in my family. By some miracle I didn't have it even though my mom did at a younger age than me and my cousins developed in their early 30s. I have a 9 year old son and I want to be here for him as long as I can. I was willing to accept the risks, knowing they are very unlikely to happen, for the chance to live a longer, healthier life where I can be active. I'm so happy I took the risk. I know it's sobering to hear the risks but just remind yourself why you're doing it. And ask yourself if the benefits outweigh the risks. Only you can decide. Good luck to you!

Thank you! I will definitely be trying this!

This looks delicious! Would you mind sharing how you make it?

Since I was self pay, part of the cost was visits with my surgeon up to a year. After that, I plan to see how much it would cost to continue to see him yearly. If it's too much, I'll just see my primary doctor.

I had a 2 ounce pork Chop last night and did fine, so I think I ate too fast when I vomited, but I do notice pork feels heavy in my stomach when I eat it now, so what you say makes a lot of sense!

Taking a hot bath helps me. I also like a nice walk, and doing crafts or anything involving art. I really love painting my nails and doing nail art. It relaxes me. Also, organizing things is relaxing to me. I clean a lot when I'm stressed.

I was allowed only caffeine free coffee for the preop diet and the first 3 months after surgery. I just have it up because I don't think caffeine free tastes right. I just passed 3 months and I'm so happy to have my coffee back! [emoji23]

To me, as a nurse, it sounds more like an infection and I'd mention it to the doctor.

Mine was in 10 days and was pretty sore by the time I got it out. Once it was out it felt so much better. As long as it's not swollen, red, or having any foul drainage it is probably just irritated.

I know for me, I was once overweight at 170ish pounds, then in the low 200s, then 250s. I always thought I could do it on my own. I'd lose some, then gain more back until I eventually ended up at 393 pounds. I wish I would have done this when I was in my 20s and in the 200s instead of waiting until I was 48. I'm not saying you can't do it on your own, but if your story is anything like mine, it could be exceedingly hard. Even WITH surgery, it's hard. This is just a tool to help you. I just know if I had done this years ago I might not have ended up at almost 400 pounds.

I was 5'3" and 393 pounds with a BMI of 69.9 when I made the decision to have my surgery. It was a decision that was over 20 years in the making. I never had insurance that covered it so it had to be self pay, and I never felt I was in poor enough health to do it until I was diagnosed with liver disease in January. I was a new RN in the late 90s when they really started doing wls more often, and I saw people die, so I was always scared of it. I had my gallbladder out in January and that surgeon recommended wls. He said he didn't see many people as big as me live past 60. As a nurse, these are all things I knew anyway, so I wasn't shocked to hear that. A lot of people in my family have died young. I don't want to join them. He explained to me that having your gallbladder removed is riskier now than wls. I hadn't heard that before and he explained how unlikely it is for someone with a BMI as high as mine to lose weight and keep it off. I have actually researched a TON over the years and it really is almost impossible for someone to lose all their weight and keep it off. There are also so many mechanisms that cause us to be overweight. It's not as simple as willpower, or calories in/calories out. I had to decide if the benefits outweighed the risks, and for me, they did. I turned 49 right after my surgery 3 months ago. I'm so happy I did it. I'm 309 as of today! Only you can make this decision for yourself. It sounds like your husband is just really scared. Just give him all the information you can. In the end, it is your decision.

This actually was my first time having pork carnitas from that restaurant. I normally get my favorite food, tacos, but since it was takeout I knew they wouldn't be good once we got home and also, too many carbs. The pork was kind of greasy so maybe that had something to do with it, along with how fast I ate and not chewing thoroughly.

Also, I usually reheat my food. One thing I'm picky about is my food being hot! ( or cold if it's supposed to).

You had me at coffee martini. [emoji23]

My mom actually bought me a candle warmer to set my plate on.. Now, I actually haven't used it except for candles [emoji23], but it might be something you can try.

I'm a woman, but I told my 9 year old son. I didn't want it to have to be explained to him if anything happened to me. I've told him everything about the surgery and also explained why I was having it. He was totally fine it all.

I started the process in March, got derailed by COVID, saw a new surgeon in June and had my surgery date on July 11th. I had surgery July 23rd. I didn't have to jump through a lot of hoops because I was self pay.

St. Louis, Missouri!