The Greater Fool

Not really terrifying... I slept through most of it.
Good luck,
Tek

If they cover the procedure, then aren't they compelled to give the reason(s) for denial? I've often seen simple/stupid reasons for denial that were easily overcome. Even if not simple/stupid it gives a clear target to overcome. But a simple 'Denied' seems like a problem in itself.
Good luck,
Tek

I try not to reply to these threads before other folks because my experience is nearly two decades past and my personal experience was anything but normal. But here we are.
I lost a bit more than 500 pounds so yeah, I had a little extra skin. I had initially planned for abdominoplasty and thigh-plasty whatever it's Latin name was. Others I would then ponder later. I say initially because after the abdominoplasty I hemorrhaged and died briefly when they ripped me open to fix the problem. I was supposed to end up with a virtually invisible scar, but that ship sailed when they had to open me back up. Once I woke again my recovery followed a pretty normal trajectory for the time: 15 pounds of skin removed and lots and lots of pain. Lots and lots of pain wasn't unexpected as everything I read beforehand indicated such would be the case. And yet the reality of it was a bit overwhelming. After about three weeks, as I recall, everything became manageable and life began returning to normal.
I'm not sure how much the methods and pain have changed, I'll leave that to others.
I honestly can't see how my experience or recovery would have been different from a woman's experience and I certainly didn't ignore anyone's experience in my research.
I lived in Las Vegas, NV at the time I had surgery, but there wasn't anyone in town that was able or willing to do my surgery, so I ended up having it done at UCLA Medical Center in Southern California. So, I can't really name surgeon's that might help you.
Good luck,
Tek

"We all have issues, some of which where will power alone can work. Then there are other, more complex issues where will power alone is simply inadequate. My long term obesity is one of these, so I've gotten help where my will power is rewarded with success. Another example would be people not being able to think before they speak. Too bad there is no surgery to help such people, poor dears."
Good luck,
Tek

I'm four-square in favor of undergarments. It's just the way I roll.
The only time I did compression garments is when I started running after loosing give or take 400 pounds. Can't have all that skin going one way when I want to go another. Otherwise, I didn't bother. Since the Tummy-tuck even less need to bother.
Let's see, at goal I still just wear what is comfortable, but with a risqué piece here and there. Comfortable pre-op had far fewer choices for different needs than now. I like now better.
Oh, I'm a guy. Pronouns are whatever, you'd be surprised the variety that I hear.
Good luck,
Tek

It wasn't the RNY that was tough, it was the "open" aspect that was. Open surgery means they made a long incision from my sternum to just above my belly button. It gave the surgeons a clear view of what they were doing. I found out that I was used as a teaching tool, there were 3 extra surgeons looking on. It took them 35 staples to close me up. 35 staples from hell.
"Comparison is the thief of joy" is now mine. Sorry folks, you'll be seeing it a lot.
Good luck,
Tek

It wasn't the RNY that was tough, it was the "open" aspect that was. Open surgery means they made a long incision from my sternum to just above my belly button. It gave the surgeons a clear view of what they were doing. I found out that I was used as a teaching tool, there were 3 extra surgeons looking on. It took them 35 staples to close me up. 35 staples from hell.
"Comparison is the thief of joy" is now mine. Sorry folks, you'll be seeing it a lot.
Good luck,
Tek

Just by way of alternatives:
My plan never included Protein Drinks. I'm one of those folks that gets their Protein from "food." Google it if necessary. My plan from day 1 was/is 3 meals per day of 3-4oz protein + 1oz veggies. First 6 weeks it was pureed. Granted, I never completed a meal until about 5 or 6 months post-op, but I did the best I could and my team was happy with that.
At any rate, just a different take on the whole protein thing.
Good luck,
Tek

You are threatening the status quo. That can be very scary and can change existing safe relationships dramatically and not always for the best. Generally when people don't want you to improve yourself there is something in it for them for you to stay as you are.
Maybe not. It will take some soul searching to discover the truth.
Good luck,
Tek

All things are possible. Not all things are probable. Horror stories are least likely of all. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and focus to doing your best either way. I've only had Bypass so I can't address going from Sleeve to Bypass. But I am responding because I do have some of the issues you fear...
I dump on both sugars and fats, and it doesn't take exceptionally large quantities to kick in. I actually wanted to dump so that sugars and fats wouldn't be things I could eat with impunity. I hoped dumping would put my body to work for me on this and I have to admit I'm very happy with the result. It took an amazingly few dumping episodes for me to change my habits.
Throwing up is an entirely different beast than pre-op. The only time I throw up is when food get's stuck going down. Again, it took an amazingly few episodes of doing it wrong to learn to take my time and do it correctly. I can't recall the last time this was an actual issue. Once the food goes down, it's pretty much impossible for me to throw up. If my body insists on it, I just end up with dry heaving, which is less fun than it sounds.
On balance things could be worse.
Try not to borrow troubles from tomorrow.
Good luck,
Tek

Since it's so early post-op it sounds like the extraordinarily common '3 week stall' which happens 1-6 weeks post-op.
The one sure fire fix is to get off the scale for a while.
Good luck,
Tek

You've lost 75 pounds. Why do you believe you need a diet product like this?
Tek

Since it's so early post-op it sounds like the extraordinarily common '3 week stall' which happens 1-6 weeks post-op.
The one sure fire fix is to get off the scale for a while.
Good luck,
Tek

You've lost 75 pounds. Why do you believe you need a diet product like this?
Tek

Restriction doesn't always wear off. I'm about 20 years post-op and my restriction is about the same as it was at about 6 months post-op. I honestly don't know if it's something my surgeon did, or I did, or just dumb luck.
Keep the good habits, don't push your envelope, and continue to bask in your successes.
Good luck,
Tek

"We all have issues, some of which where will power alone can work. Then there are other, more complex issues where will power alone is simply inadequate. My long term obesity is one of these, so I've gotten help where my will power is rewarded with success. Another example would be people not being able to think before they speak. Too bad there is no surgery to help such people, poor dears."
Good luck,
Tek

"We all have issues, some of which where will power alone can work. Then there are other, more complex issues where will power alone is simply inadequate. My long term obesity is one of these, so I've gotten help where my will power is rewarded with success. Another example would be people not being able to think before they speak. Too bad there is no surgery to help such people, poor dears."
Good luck,
Tek

Get off your scale. Follow your plan.
If you follow your plan you will lose weight and you will succeed. You don't need a scale to succeed.
But because of a number on a scale you are asking if you should change your plan. This is how scales can screw you up. There is more happening in your body than what you eat. You just had surgery with all sorts of fluids and drugs pumped into you, then you started effectively starving yourself (per plan). You're body will respond in all sorts of weird ways to get back to a normal that it will likely never achieve. It will eventually arrive at a new normal, very soon.
Good luck,
Tek

"We all have issues, some of which where will power alone can work. Then there are other, more complex issues where will power alone is simply inadequate. My long term obesity is one of these, so I've gotten help where my will power is rewarded with success. Another example would be people not being able to think before they speak. Too bad there is no surgery to help such people, poor dears."
Good luck,
Tek

"We all have issues, some of which where will power alone can work. Then there are other, more complex issues where will power alone is simply inadequate. My long term obesity is one of these, so I've gotten help where my will power is rewarded with success. Another example would be people not being able to think before they speak. Too bad there is no surgery to help such people, poor dears."
Good luck,
Tek

"We all have issues, some of which where will power alone can work. Then there are other, more complex issues where will power alone is simply inadequate. My long term obesity is one of these, so I've gotten help where my will power is rewarded with success. Another example would be people not being able to think before they speak. Too bad there is no surgery to help such people, poor dears."
Good luck,
Tek

I would advise you to get rid of the scale. I say this a lot and it's difficult to say it in new and interesting ways. Let's see...
We don't need the scale to follow our plans. We can follow our plans to the letter and stall or even gain a pound or three, as is very common. In such a case it's easy to start considering "changing things up" to get the scale moving again.
in the first several months we could completely abandon our plans and still lose weight. Looking at the scale will give many of us confirmation that we are doing well when in fact we aren't. Again, the scale is a poor guide.
We should measure our success on how well we are following our plan. Are we feeling better? How is our mental attitude? Are health issues resolving? How about those clothes? Are you more active? Is it getting easier? There are all sorts of measures of success without a number on a scale.
I was too large for a home scale so was only able to weigh in at monthly follow-ups. I'm confident I had stalls or even days where my weight was higher than the day before. I never actually experienced them. Every weigh in was lower than the month before. Never a temptation to "get the scale moving."
You are at the beginning of this adventure. Focus on the things you can control. You can't control a number on a scale.
Damn it, not new. Let's see if next time I can come up with a Hanzal and Gretel fairy tale where the witch is a scale...
Good luck,
Tek

Everything is better with cheese. Extra cheese.
Full fat, since I can't eat much of it anyhow.
Also from, well, day 10. I couldn't eat much of anything before that. The dairy industry's stocks went down as a result.
All things in moderation, including moderation.
Good luck,
Tek

Everything is better with cheese. Extra cheese.
Full fat, since I can't eat much of it anyhow.
Also from, well, day 10. I couldn't eat much of anything before that. The dairy industry's stocks went down as a result.
All things in moderation, including moderation.
Good luck,
Tek

Everything is better with cheese. Extra cheese.
Full fat, since I can't eat much of it anyhow.
Also from, well, day 10. I couldn't eat much of anything before that. The dairy industry's stocks went down as a result.
All things in moderation, including moderation.
Good luck,
Tek