ShoppGirl

It took me like a week to have to go even with medicine and then it was all pebbles. I added Walmart generic of benefiber every morning a heaping spoonful to my crystal light and after a short time that got me regular.

4 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

yep - boredom eating here too (I'm six years out). This pandemic has been a struggle since we've been trapped in our houses for much of it. When I can, I get out of the house when boredom hits - walk, bike, etc. I also try never to let myself get too hungry. I also keep things like SF popsicles, SF Jello, and raw vegetables like baby carrots and celery around all the time. Doesn't always work, but it does sometimes...

Just picked up my Walmart order and I added on some raw veggies after your post earlier. I haven’t been buying cause I was eating such small quantities but I can eat a bit more now and I guess If I have to waste a little I just have to. Better than gaining weight cause I eat something else. Thanks for the tip.

36 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

I'm still pre-op... I'm dreading/fearing the emotional changes because I have bipolar disorder and my meds are totally stable but I know this will be throwing me a curve ball as my hormones go crazy when I'm losing weight. I'm also dreading/fearing possible diarrhea from eating random things. I spent years with IBS/diarrhea from my meds and it's so terrible to not know when you'll need to find a bathroom IMMEDIATELY.

The emotional changes were my biggest fear pre surgery because of bipolar as well. I was pleasantly surprised though that the mood swings were not too bad. I was expecting way worse. It sounds like you will be a good advocate for yourself though if you do need to talk to someone or get any med changes. Fortunately I did not need any additional help. I had a couple lazy weeks where I took more naps and I was a little more sensitive but that was it for me. I haven’t had any diarrhea at all either. Hopefully you will be the same.

Just now, lizonaplane said:

Update: I heard back from the surgery coordinator and they have submitted the prior authorization with a weight that has a BMI of about 43, so I'm cleared to lose weight again! Yay! Now, if only I hadn't bought that tub of ice cream...

Can you give it away to a friend or neighbor??

On 8/8/2021 at 1:20 AM, GreenTealael said:

Found these!!! It’s too much bread for me in one sitting so I’ll likely not eat any (but my family will 😅) Has anyone else tried these yet?

What stores have you seen these? I have such a hard time finding healthy options. I live in tiny town and no one carries the healthy stuff.

Post surgery, what part of this process has been your biggest obstacle? Pre surgery, what are you dreading the most?? I am 5 months post op and my absolute biggest obstacle is boredom eating. I battle it daily!! I have had one appointment with a specialist but she is super busy and I don’t talk to her again for two months….I am just curious what, if anything others are struggling with or have struggled with and any tips on how to deal with these things.

Bariatric Advantage has a chewable multivitamin with Iron and calcium citrate chews that are both pretty good. The fruit flavored calcium chews are sorta like starburst candy. I take two of each a day and 3 month labs were great.

19 hours ago, Stephen2 said:

Congratulations! If you haven't made plans for it yet, consider finding a therapist with experience in behavior modification (addiction, etc.), too. Starting that ahead of time is a lot easier than post-op. Most of us don't get to our pre-surgery state of being through Enlightened, balanced living. Dealing with the underlying habits and emotional layers is an important part of the journey for most of us.

I agree. I didn’t realize I have any food addictions/ emotional eating tendencies until after surgery and now I am rushing against the clock to work on these with a therapist while my tool is still working.

2 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

LOL! I love it. Too bad my height is recorded already in my chart because my doctor is part of the same system.

Also, they didn’t have anything to measure height at the hospital when I went. It was just a scale. Who knows if yours will but they may not. Mine was more of a scale thrown in a random room as an afterthought.

2 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

@Candace76 Said not having her doctors mention her weight and that made me think of something... every time I have a medical issue, whatever specialist always says it's related to my weight, and I just need to lose weight, even if thin people often have the same problem. I'd like to say, "well, how would you treat this in a thin person?" But I always just start crying and can't say anything.

Having not bad any medical issues as a result of my weight except joint pain I can’t say I know exactly how you feel but I having dealt with most other prejudices due to my weight I can certainly empathize. I don’t think the doctors do it on purpose. I think it’s because they work on the “rule out” theory. If someone has this, rule out x cause and it must be y. Well they can’t “rule out” weight as a cause unless you can lose the weight and still have the issue.

I think an even better question would be if I came to you tomorrow 50 or 100 or whatever pounds lighter with the same issue what would you be considering. I’m sorry that you are so upset that you haven’t been able to ask that question. Perhaps losing the weight will take care of the issues but if not, at least the doctor will look for less common causes after the weight is no longer an issue.

What’s sad is they they all are aware of prejudices that obese patients face and that it is a huge issue in the medical field yet they have done very little to change it other than some people just try to ignore our weight alltogether and all the issues it does cause neglecting things rather than talk about it which may seem polite but isn’t the answer either. I am glad we won’t have to deal with this much longer but am still hopeful that someone comes up with a solution for those who haven’t lost the weight.

1 hour ago, Candace76 said:

I'm not sure if GENEPRO will taste good in Water, but I think some people add it to skim (fat free) milk. It is supposed to be flavorless, but there is a subtle taste to it.

You can add it to sugarfree Jello, too.

It tastes terrible in Water. Don’t try it. Lol

Im so sorry. I can’t imagine having been delayed by even a day once I had my mind set on my surgery date. The good news is that most insurance companies will take notes from the supervised diet and all the other appointments that you already did so you won’t have to do that part over once you finally do get more insurance. This may seem like the end but hopefully it is just a setback and you will find a way soon.

Listen to your body. You just had major surgery. If you feel tired take a break. I took naps even.

My doctor had me write out my list of reasons WHY I wanted WLS and what my non scale goals were and I often turn to that list when I need to regain focus.

6 hours ago, successboundNP said:

Hey all of my sleevers! I figured this group has the freshest memory on healing and wanted to ask a question.

I was suppose to be having surgery 8/10 and it was moved three weeks out. I’m freaking out because I start school in two weeks.

For those who have had the sleeve, is it doable to be back in classes three days later?
I go to classes for 8 hours a day and would have to be present three days post op and have two hospital clinicals a week that would start when I’m two weeks post op.

In your experience am I being realistic to continue on with the date given?

Thank you!

It’s so hard to say how your recovery will be that early out because you could still have gas pains which are terribly painful yet like real gas they resolve almost immediately once the air is gone. I didn’t have any gas pains at all after surgery. I don’t think my dr pumped any air inside me. Not sure if it’s because I was smaller BMI and my liver looked good so he had enough room to do what he needed or he just doesn’t use it. Anyways, I felt like I did about 1000 crunches after surgery so I needed the bed rails to pull myself from lying or seated position to standing but that was the only “pain” I felt. Otherwise I was pretty sleepy but I was off pain rx right away and just on Tylenol at hospital then nothing at home. Those meds make you tired though so if you do need them you may be Even more tired. Long story short, even In the best case scenario you are looking at fighting uphill through a very long day. But, I’m sure you have worked through a headache or a cold before so whether you can handle it is another story. Worst case, you just CAN’t do it, what happens then? Only you know. You could ask your dr if he uses the air. That seems to be the number one complaint and like I said I had none.

37 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

Thanks! 13Sep2021!

Finally!! 👏🏻

1 hour ago, Cleveland Clinic Mika said:

I'm having surgery in like 2 1/2 hours and I want to call it off 😬 I've been hearing so many negative especially about gaining acid reflux that I don't want to do this anymore. This has been a loooong back and forth journey for me! Has anyone else experienced these emotions?

I was super nervous as well. It’s totally normal before a big surgery.

Well like you said the restriction is still there so your “tool” is still working you just have to use it properly. And it sounds like you are doing all the right things. I honestly think you will be okay. I think you did well to post here. I have found tons of advice and support from people here.

Wow. Amazing transformation. Just keep doing what your doing!!

19 minutes ago, Beetie said:

Hi! I’m scheduled for the 17th! I’m so excited!

🥳

I am five month out and I eat about 8-900 calories per day. Like catwoman said, The loss has slowed a bit but I am still losing.

Can’t say I HAVE gone through this process without a working scale, but I bet it would be a great approach. Honestly the most stressful points were the stalls and not knowing of them would have made it so much easier.

I just realized that my weight and the way it made me feel we’re keeping me from living as my true self. My aunt knew how my weight was keeping me from wanting to do things and she knew someone who just got the sleeve and she introduced me to her. After seeing her success I started researching like crazy and made my first appointment shortly thereafter.

On 7/31/2021 at 9:44 PM, LouLouM said:

I'm so excited and just have to share the news that insurance has approved surgery! I have been going through all of the motions since January and am so excited!

A little about me: I'm 46, mother of two kids (10 & 7), and I teach 6th grade. I had medullary thryoid cancer and my thyroid was removed in 2008. Even though my thyroid hormone levels are within range, weight has been a problem ever since the removal of my thyroid.

Have I mentioned that I am SO EXCITED?!?

Congratulations 🍾

I was supposed to get mine too but I called gyno and he told me how to tweak my BC pills so that I got it the week before. I have read from people on here that they have pads ans special underwear from maternity that they have you wear though so you will be okay if you can’t avoid it.