HashiHope121

These are all amazing responses! I strongly second doing something you love- I’ve never enjoyed the gym but I love my yoga studio & the community there. I also love walks in my neighborhood and skiing. The best tip I ever heard was go for 10min, if you still don’t want to work out after 10m then you are free to go home. But 99% of the time you are going to want to continue.

I’ve been happy with the Perfect Locks clip ins

Congrats! I hope it went well!

Yep! No problem, I would have been bored otherwise. I was actually on an important project with HQ at the time and I don’t think anyone noticed. I went back to work 2 days after surgery, working from home. It was totally fine.

Hey there! I started with a lower BMI and had lots of success! I am 5’ 5”, started at 209. Within 6mo I was WNL and a year later I was about 145lbs & am happily staying there. I have actually heard that lower BMI (30-35) has more long term success with the sleeve, in part because folks at that level tend to not have as many food addiction or unhealthy habits. There are some studies going on to demonstrate the success of lower BMI folks, with the hope that eventually insurance will cover lower BMIs more often. (I just eeked in at BMI of 35 at my highest- may have purposefully gained a few to do it.) IMHO the trick is to track what you eat and have a balanced diet (not another low carb, highly processed fad nonsense diet that’s just going to fail long term.) So, yes! Lower BMI patients absolutely have a ton of success. And potentially have greater long term success. So go for it! You will do great.

I had similar issues before and after surgery. It was rough. Prescription medicine was the only thing that worked in the beginning. But incorporating daily fiber helped then and in the long run. I take Fiber Well gummies. I think a lot of people like that brand too. The good news was this was my worst issue, all else went really well. Good luck.

Like some of you I was lower BMI. I was healthy but I had struggled for 10 years, my deciding point was when I realized that I didn’t want to suffer for another 10 years and then get the surgery. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself & recommend it to anyone struggling. Good luck!

Hummus & steamed carrots!! (Then cool them)

I think you’ll be OK. I was happy to be alone & just rest after surgery. My surgeon sent a visiting nurse a few times, which made me feel safe. I slept in my bed but with some body pillows to help. I hear the medical lazy boy style chairs are awesome to sleep in & can be rented. I didn’t take the pain meds, I didn’t need them & the constipation wasn’t worth it. As for standing, I don’t think you’ll need help but, I would slide off the couch or bed and stand from my knees. You can do this, it’s not bad. The dentist is worse IMHO. Good luck!

If you didn’t have an insurance option I would 100% say go pay for it! A year out now and I only wish I did this sooner. It is worth its weight in GOLD. That being said, I did wait for my surgery (& gained a few LBs) so insurance would cover it, mostly because I was terrified of the bills in the event there was a complication. I think it also depends on your timing in life, if there is something pushing you to get it now, that may be another factor in the pay column- I was moving cross country and couldn’t have waited another year. I think you will be happy in the long run either way & either way you will have this for the rest of your life. Good luck!!

Here’s my opinion & it differs from others: I am 1y post op & have surpassed my goals. I believe that a lot of my issues with weight gain came from diet culture. Now, I live in the land of balance. I absolutely have had Mac & cheese (I like the reduced guilt from TJs & have it with Tuna). I think long term health & success comes from eating a healthy balanced diet. I do not ban anything, and never ever plan to diet or ban foods again. I eat a ton of Whole Foods, lean protein, Veggies & fruit. I feel and look healthy & fabulous. What I avoid the most is processed foods. I also tracked for the first year so I knew how many carbs, protein, calories and fat I took in & that helped me learn good habits. It also helped me learn what was not worth the splurge. So, IMHO, eventually you can have some Mac and cheese- once in a while. I realize everyone is different but this is my opinion & experience. I hope this helps.

This surgery to me is about getting away from unhealthy diet culture & finding balance, fuel and nutrients. So, Yes, I eat carbs & am happy to not be afraid to put a carb in my mouth. The carbs I eat are high quality and mostly unprocessed. They provide important nutrients and I need them to stay satisfied. I worry about surgery centers pushing no carb as a way to get faster results, but not as a way to finding long term success. As always, everyone is different but this is my humble experience & opinion.

Same!!

I used vitamin patches for the first few months. I found the chalk vitamins disgusting and there would be too many to take. Now I eat a lot of fruit veg & take gummy vitamins. I knowwww they aren’t as good as other vitamins but I don’t forget to take them everyday bc I like them and my levels are perfect. I vote patches in the beginning!!

I only told my immediate family that I was considering it. I didn’t need anyone else’s (uninformed) opinion & it’s really not anyone’s business. It’s been over a year, and when people say I look great, I just tell them thanks. If someone asks how I did it, I’m honest, briefly share my reasons & experience (under 600 cal/day for ~6mo, under 1200 now). Now that I’m post op, I’ve only gotten positive reactions, I feel like I’m actually educating folks (reducing fat/VSG prejudices) & have yet to hear any dieting advice nonsense. But, In general don’t think it’s anyone else’s business, just like any other medical surgery or issue.