Drinkwine28

Mine was 100% private pay. My insurance would not cover it all. totally an exclusion. Blossom is available after surgery but only if you need them and reach out. I never really reached out or had any complications. I follow them on social media and read lots of people having questions, etc. I have to say, I think he follow-up could be better. My GP was very hesitant to just "take over" when I got back. Doctors don't want to be responsible for someone else's surgery. Makes sense. I also knew it would be discouraged from going out of state so I never disclosed or told GP office what I was doing. My point is when she would ask me questions about aftercare I would be like "uh I don't know" she would ask what about follow-up? I was like hmm, I guess there really isn't any. No binder, no regular calls or direct contact. Luckily, I didn't need it though. My GP said my case made her more interested in it and learn about the follow up and tests needed, etc. Also makes sense, if insurance covered it, I would likely have a bariatric team and all my tests and follow up would be with them. The actual recovery was really good and seamless for me. I followed all the directions in Vegas. I was prepared for the worse. I walked and woke up every few hours with my daughter's help. I never had to horrible gas pain people talk about. Plane ride was super awkward with the fancy leg pumps. 😜🤣 Once home, FLUIDS! Alex explained, you can live 10 days without food but not water/fluids. I was tired the first week. I just listened to my body. I moved around as much as possible, but didn't push myself either. I will be blunt about MY ONLY complication. CONSTIPATION is real! And it's awful! Never had this in my life. Quite the opposite. So my advice, always keep track so it does not get away from you. Use the stool softeners and fiber. After two years, I still have moments but I have a good routine to treat it. On the other hand, I have read people have the opposite, so listen to your body! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to hear how you do. What is your date again?

Hi! I went to Blossom June15, 2021. I am down 125 pounds. Loved every minute of my experience with them. I traveled from Illinois on the private pay fast track program. I know I have commented at other times on my experience. I felt like it was more like a spa than an elective surgery. So many employees there have had the surgery and share their experiences with you along the way. I prepared for the worst pain wise and I think that is why I did so well. When I was preparing, I watched every video they had on youTube. Remember, the hardest part is deciding to make the call. Keep fighting for yourself and you health. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about my decision and my progress. I worked too hard to get where I am now. It's been a long time since I have been on this page. I'm going to update my info!! Keep us posted how you do!

Hi JUNE friends! I get notifications when there are posts and how emotional I was to see all the NEW 2022 Junies posting! Made me reflect on everything that has happened to me in the last year. Recorded my highest weight in NOV 2019 at 305 at 5ft1in at the doctor's office. Cried and talked with her about surgery. She was all for it. Let that sit and fester for another year, what was the rush? I have only been thinking about this for the last TEN years. Finally, Nov 2020, my levels were prediabetic. I was on two high BP meds. I knew I needed to stop this. My insurance sucked and conventional route was not going to happen. MANY MANY insurance companies DO NOT cover bariatric surgeries any more. WHICH is ridiculous since it is the only elective surgery that reverses or ends so many mortal diseases. Why wouldn't they pay? Between HBP and soon to be diabetes, probably need knee replacements, and on and on!! I had to find self pay. I was too nervous to look at Mexico, and found Blossom Bariatrics in Vegas. I started my Pre-Op diet May 25th, 2021. Surgery was June 15th, 2021. Best DECISION I EVER MADE! We have all been there. Should have done it sooner, hmmm-ed and hawed for months and months once my doctor and I talked about it. Then there was covid. The delays never ended. But to all the new people.....TRUST THE PROCESS, LISTEN to your body. It will know what to do. If you do the work, it will follow. I consider myself a SLOW loser. I was not, will not, and won't ever be an exercise lover. I couldn't fathom doing any exercise when I was 305lbs. It was a terrible cycle. I can't walk and move my body because my knees hurt, my back hurt. I didn't walk much when I started this journey but then, after the tiredness subsides, you think wow, my knees don't hurt. I can go for a walk with the dog. Then, I WANT to walk the dog. For me, everything was baby steps. BUT, suddenly the pants are looser. You start to see your face change. Then, those close to you start to notice. Slowly, but SURELY, it comes off. The ONLY WAY to lose this weight is by calorie deficit. It is the ONLY WAY we can all do this. It is NOT EASY. Having surgery is NOT easy. We still have to change the way we eat. We are still have to fight those old habits and desires. I read everything I could, joined this group, and a couple on FB. I read all the advice. I am here to tell you a few of mine. I HATED pictures of any kind. I didn't take many before or after surgery. DO TAKE PICTURES!!! I love seeing people's before and afters and transformations and I just can't go back. and POOP. No one talks about the POOP or lack of it. It was my biggest side effect and still an issue. HAIR LOSS, it happens, just start those biotin pills NOW! SO, sorry for this long post, it was kind of emotional and I needed to just write it all out. You took the first steps. You got this! I still feel like I just did and am in the stages you are. But, as I close in on my first anniversary, I am overwhelmed. I hit the 100 pound lost mark. Then, this week, I hit ONEDERLAND. Lots of milestones all at once. I am anxious to see what my pounds lost will be on June 15th! Trust yourself and the process. There are NO steadfast rules. I hate when I see posts and people are so adamant and actually rude about stuff. In the end, you make the rules. I'm an open book and will answer any questions. You can message me or post. Literally remind yourself, it's ONE day at a time. Best wishes Junies!!

I DID! 👋 I was 6/15/21. I was very impressed with everything there. I was a fast track patient from out of state. I stayed in the hotel provided and had driver services as well. Everyone at Blossom treats you like a star. I too wish I did this years and years ago. But, the point is we DID it, finally.

I was a Blossom patient, June 15th. Best thing I ever did. You hear in the posts "wish I did it sooner" and I do!! Blossom and everyone there are SPECTACULAR. No one is crabby or rude and treat you like a celebrity. Also amazing is how many have it VSG done there themselves, so they share their stories and make you feel SO at ease. My insurance would not cover it and I started googling VSG without insurance and they pop up. I also saw lots in Mexico but felt more at ease being in the US. I did the online information form ONE YEAR ago! You can get in rather quickly, but I knew I needed to go once school was out and picked June. Hope that helps! DO IT! 😁

How are we feeling Junies?? Mine was 6/15 at Blossom. I see and feel the changes. Biggest complaints are CONSTIPATION and the dreaded hair loss. I'm still doing 600-700 with 60-70 protein with the 30 shake. I'm not sure how I would do it without the fairlife shake. Fluids are still hard for me, I premeasure 64 oz but I never finish. I give myself some leeway since I fill up on ice throughout the day. I always weigh on Tuesdays so hopefully I will be around 235 tomorrow.

I'm june 15th. I have lost 50 since my all time high. Had a stall, starting the hair loss step! Not thrilled. I am still tired a lot of days. I wish I had more energy because I am not doing any worthwhile exercise. Eating has been ok, never dumped or had trouble with what I've tried. But, I definitely know when to stop. I hiccup and have the running nose effect. I'm still thankful I did it and looked forward to more milestones! good Luck JUNE BUDDIES!!

I was sleeved June 15th. The stall really really happens and it sucks. Just keep doing what you know is right. Don't let your thoughts consume you. I kept telling myself I was at the right calories and water intake and especially protein. Lots of people on the blogs reminded me that we are actually STILL healing and our bodies go into repair mode. I knew there were changes because my clothes felt different and other signs. Take measurements. I know mine are not very accurate because lord knows it's awkward taking them, but they did go down! Then, all of sudden after 2.5 weeks, the scale moved! Here is a picture i got somewhere (either here or another page) that helped me a lot!

my surgery was three weeks ago. I am 3 weeks out and have stayed the same for the last week. I did do inces today and there were loses there. I have read from many that this happens but it is still annoying. I mean eating 400-600 a day and to not see it move is just disheartening. I am also so tired still I don't how I would be able to walk and walk for exercise . Anyone else?

6/15th too! I don't think anyone could have prepared me for how hard these two weeks would be. I have zero energy probably because i can only get like 300 calories in a day at most! I just had such an easy recovery and then this is really hard. I am drinking fine but the shakes are hard to get down. Talked to the nurse that said to try greek yogurt which was good. I love SF popsicles so she said use protein water to make popsicles and get more protein that way. he also said it was okay to try a pureed soup or jello. I made my own jello and added protein powder to it. I am really looking forward to trying eggs and then some tuna.

I am HUNGRY! I feel the pains and I didn't think we were supposed to. It makes me concerned. I've been doing well with my water and liquid diet but it is HARD to get 60-80g of protein on liquid.

YES!!!! I thought we were going to lose the hunger pains. I am also VERY tired because I fell like I am getting very little protein. I just can't get thru a whole shake so I try to split it up in the day, but that gives me only 30 g. I have been doing popsicles for something different. I tried jello yesterday and it was great but only 10 cal and no nutritional value. I know we are supposed to let the stomach heal but I have a week to go and just cannot even imagine another week of this!

It's quick! I called in October and still needed time to decide. Once I did, I needed it to be in June because I wanted my kids to be done with school before I went. Karissa was my coordinator and she answered all my questions and made my schedule. I'm not sure if they have busier times over others, but It is a matter of a month or two I would guess.

I am 6/15 surgery date and am just plain ole TIRED! I did great after surgery and had very little pain. No pain meds since day 2. I think the not eating and having a hard time getting more than 30 protein in makes me weak. I can't wait to eat something real.

What day was your surgery?? Sounds wonderful!

I just had surgery on 6/15, I will follow up with my GP with a letter from my surgeon. There are labs to be performed. My BP is already lower from losing pre-op weight and having surgery so I need to see my GP asap. I called the office before I went to vegas for VSG so they know what I am doing.

I started my phone calls to BLossom after my insurance denied my surgery locally. I learned that many insurance companies do not cover VSG because they are deeming it cosmetic. Ridiculous! So I googled bariatric surgery without insurance. of course, Mexico came up and others in US, but BLossom appeared the most professional. Some of the websites of others literally looked my ten year old made them. Once I got the courage to call and ask questions, I had a fastTrak coordinator. Blossom is top notch from the first phone call. I watched every video they had on youtube. I felt like i knew everyone ahead of time. THey provide blood work, ekg, stress test, EGD to check esophagus all before surgery. During surgery, they repair any hernias that might be there since obese people usually have one. The night of surgery, a night nurse comes to the HOTEL and gives you IV fluids and checks on you. Day after, another in person IV treatment and central line is removed. Everyone is so kind and supportive. I am SO glad I went. I am only 4 days out and even though I am tired, I have no regrets. BTW, when I went 6/11-6/17, covid restrictions were lessened, so your companion can come to visits and surgery now. In our hotel, I had groceries delivered so i had my shakes and food for my daughter.

You haven't had food yet since June 1st? I had surgery June 15th and now I am on liquids for two weeks. The Dietician said "please! give me two full weeks. The stomach has to heal. Even if you feel you can take a bite don't." Then I start the soft foods phase. Right now I am tired, no pain in the incisions or stomach. But, because I am not really getting much protein, I feel weak. Sugar free popsicle was awesome. 10g Protein broths I bought are okay but I can't eat all 8 oz. Same with protein shake, it takes a long time to SIP 8 oz beverages. I think fluffy scrambled eggs might be my first bite!

I'm going to Blossom too. Surgery is 6/15. I will keep you posted. I love the blogs but have to admit they have given me some anxiety too. I want to heat the good and the bad, but some of the "worst pain ever" and regret ones are freaking me out.

Glad you are doing so well. I think I have gone overboard watching youTube videos and have myself pretty scared. Did you suspect you had the hernia before they told you? That seems to be the most pain for some people. Did you have surgery in Vegas? I am scheduled on the 15th there. Keep us posted!

I started my Pre-OP diet 7 days ago and have lost 9.6 pounds! I have to do a 21 day versus a 14 day because of my BMI. The first few days were harder as everyone has mentioned. I think we are just set in our routines and think "i have to eat now." My nutritionist recommended not drinking the protein shakes as long as possible after I wake up before my first one. So, I drink my first one around 1pm. Dinner at 6pm and then I stop. If I am still really hungry, I do the 2nd shake. I have read people say this is harder than the surgery and it could be! I keep reminding myself that the vsg will help me not feel hungry. I am already doing well not eating and telling myself "nope, can't have it" I wish my family (hubby and 3 kids) were more understanding. I don't want to clean their messes in the kitchen when I can't even eat! I also realize how often someone is grazing in the kitchen! I leave for my surgery out of state on the 10th and surgery is the 15th. I am very excited but also nervous! Getting these first TEN OFF are a huge motivation boost! Good Luck everybody!

I hope everything is okay. Was it something with the surgeon?

My surgery is June 15th. The reason for the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver which they have to lift during the surgery. Maybe because your BMI is so low, you don't have to.

Hi Myran, I am newbie as well. I just joined the forum yesterday!! I am scheduled for gastric sleeve on June 15th at Blossom Bariatrics in Vegas. I moved beyond "what will people think" and decided this is for me and only me. I have to put myself first. I will not hide my surgery when my success starts becoming obvious and people ask "what did you do?" I don't think surgery is cheating and WE can educate people that it is not. Our WHOLE life is going to change. Our way we eat and live will change. This is NOT going to be easy. This is the hardest thing I have and probably will ever do. So, remind yourself if you are living your best life, those in your life will benefit from it too. I a tired of being tired and missing out on all the things I can't do because of my size. YOU DESERVE THIS and frankly, it's no one's business how you get healthy!

Hi Everyone, June 15th is my day. Very excited but ANXIOUS! Look forward to seeing how all of in June do and appreciate being able to have others to share with! ❤️