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!

I had the surgery at Blossom on 5/5/2021! I can’t say enough good things about the docs and the surgery ! I had NO pain .. NO nausea and NO complications . Very professional group of physicians and staff . Very compassionate , very supportive. I would highly recommend this group to anyone . The only regret I have about the surgery ... is not doing it sooner .

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.

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!!

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!!

How are the June 2021 people??

Hey there! You are not alone! I had surgery at the end of June and am down 59 lbs (which is great!) but having lots of stalls and losing very, very slowly. I am sticking to the plan, keeping calories no more than 1200 a day and exercising 30-60 minutes a day. I feel like I should be making more progress. Sigh.. I am just keeping to the plan and hoping it'll come off eventually. Congratulations on your 50lb loss!

I want to be honest, since I see so many success stories here and I know I can't be the only one struggling.
I am not doing well at all. I did lose about 50 pounds, which was great, but since then, I have been stuck at around the same weight since November. I haven't really gained any weight, but I also haven't lost any since then. It's strange. My body is just stuck. So, I have hovered between 250 and 255 since November and cannot get out of that area. I cannot seem to get below 250.
I'm not sure if this is my body rebelling. Because prior to last year when I reached my highest weight of over 300 pounds, I had weighed around 250-260 for about 5 years or so.
It's frustrating because it feels like the surgery was a waste right now. Maybe I will be able to get out of this rut soon and start losing again. I don't know. I feel like I am losing hope.

I am celebrating! I finally reached a 100 lbs. down since surgery. Yay!

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 took solid tablets about 2 days post-VSG (but check with your surgeon).

That is an amazing loss, you are definitely doing something right! I am also not too focused on weight loss at the moment, or should I say I wasn't - going to get back into it, been giving away all the chocolate and alcohol I was given over Christmas and New Year (I'll admit I did sample some of them 😉) I think I have had one piece of pizza since surgery, potato chips are my weakness but i always measure out a serving - like 14 chips and do not over do it. I'm not a sweet person, very savory and salty is my way to go. Happy New Year

I've tried the adventure fit, I HATED the lifting your knees part - wonder if I'll be any better at it now?? I think I had it on easy too 😎 That is an incredible loss, well done you. Food regrets.. not being able to eat as much as you want and then be in food coma the rest of the day - however I found a solution, I ate everything I would normally eat in the 1-2 days over the course of a week. Small bit of steak here, different type of potato salad everyday (my tummy doesn't like potatoes but it's my favourite food, so a mouthful every other hour mwahaha..)
Happy New Year

That's amazing you haven't had any reactions to food, I'm so happy for you! I use to have a protien shake every morning for breakfast but 1. they are starting to make me nauseous (I think the smell not the taste) and 2. I can be lazy haha. Since it's summer where I live the last two weeks or so I have mostly been eating salad based meals. Not much protien which I know is naughty but I tell myself I get enough in all the cheese I eat 🤣. I have quite a few foods that my body no longer tolerates. one is the curried eggs that we only ever get made for us on Christmas day! last year I ate a dozen easy over two days, this year I ate half of one and felt terrible afterwards! Booooo very sad no more eggs. Ah well
Oh and congratz on the weight loss! Slow but steady and as long as your not gaining in my eyes is a win!!

Down 110 pounds since surgery on June 20. I’ve decided this week to not worry about losing and just maintain. I’ll start losing again next week.
I find that I can eat absolutely anything, just not a lot of it. Yes…you CAN have three dessert ( answering the above post), but just one bite of each. Not every day. Not even every other day. But once in a while.
I have begun to try and eat more normally in the past four weeks. I get in my Protein and nutrition….but I’ve begun to eat pizza and an occasional cookie or maybe tortilla chips with salsa. But I have two bites of pizza, one bite of a cookie, or 11 tortilla chips. I’m eating it all but very very consciously.

Another June gal here. I'm down 40 lbs (but that includes the liver shrink). I have 10 lbs to get to my doctor's goal, but 20 to get to where I'd really love to be.
I was doing really well until I had a severe sciatica episode Thanksgiving weekend. I've had back issues for 10 years or so, with a few flare-ups, but this was the WORST. The nerve that controls my right leg was pinched and I couldn't use it at all. And unfortunately, I tried to stand on it and ended up falling and messing up my knee. Long story short, I was given a mega-NSAID by urgent care until I got to see the pain doc a few days later. And of course, I took it because I was in too much pain to care. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
I'm able to walk now, but the only exercise I'm doing is PT. So hopefully I won't be tempted to go too far off my eating plan and gain. I've been cheating and eating more carbs than I'm supposed to. It's so hard when you don't feel well. Carbs are my comfort foods. But at least I can only tolerate a small amount of them.
Best to all of you!

Team June 2021, I hit my 6 month mark today!

Since surgery, I am down a little over 80 pounds and a little over 100 pounds. Overall, I feel so much better! My daily feelings vary though. Some days I feel on top of the world (very healthy/slim) and other days, I feel like I have a long way to go and wonder if I will ever make it to goal (very fat). I have more good days than bad and I am happy for that. I move much better and exercise daily, either walking 3 miles, lap swimming, or playing adventure fit on the nintendo switch (aerobic exercise). I also lift weights three times a week. I thrive on consistency and I track everything.

In regards to the upcoming holidays, it has brought on emotional feelings and this is the first time I have had doubts about having surgery (so I can never eat three different types of dessert at one time again...like ever?) It has come on in the form of anxiety and I know my hormones are out of whack; I can quite literally feel them coursing through my body it seems. I am working through this and I think I figured out this wave of emotion is because I previously associated celebration, family, and relaxation with food very deeply. So, while I have no cravings or real fear about making healthy choices, I clearly need to re-read chapters that cover emotional eating and relationship with food.

May this holiday season be everything you desire - time with family, time alone, rest, a time to get pesky tasks done, inspiration to set new goals - whatever you need!

Take Care All!

I also have not been nauseous, AT ALL, I have not found a food I ‘can’t tolerate’, BUT I don’t ‘try crazy different foods’, I stick with what works for my schedule and routine. I know we are supposed to ‘switch it up’ so we don’t get bored. That’s NOT me, I’m boring, Protein Shake for Breakfast, tuna n cheese stick for lunch. Supper ‘varied’, usually chicken breast, and a carb smart ice cream for my ‘sweet’!

I’m a juney! I’m still hanging on! I’ve lost 54 pounds, total since the beginning of my journey ( august 2020) is 111pounds. I’m not losing ‘very fast’, but I’m totally OK with it. I’m not perfect, but I aim for my Protein and Water, and get them in MOST days :) exercise at the gym at least 3 times a week.

Hello fellow June-eys! How is everyone doing? Are we nervous/excited about all the yummy food coming up for Christmas that we cannot eat? 🤣 I am still having alot of issues with trying food and tolerating it post surgery, so all the food over Christmas and New Years will be an interesting challenge.

Oikos Triple zero yogurt - 15 grams of Protein, P3 protein pack Snacks - they have about 12 to 15 grams of protein, grilled shrimp and green Beans, Protein Bars - typically about 12 grams of protein, and cheese with crackers. When I am working out I carry the Gatorade zero with protein.

Excellent idea! Sometimes we forget what works and need someone to remind us! [emoji1433][emoji1433][emoji1433]

What is your go-to food? I can't find anything that inspires me to eat anymore.

@ClarkKent
It is a tough journey but I still know that this is the best decision I ever made weight loss wise. If anyone dare say to me I "took the easy way out" I swear I will slap them! Jk 😉