Sleeve_Me_Alone

There is no right or wrong answer, only you and your wife can decide what is right for you. BUT, I consulted 3 times and backed out every single time, before I finally decided to go the self-pay route and had surgery. All the appointments, the doctor supervised diet, the insurance requirements, etc etc etc. wore me down and stressed me out, so I always bailed. Opting to go the self-pay route got me a surgery date immediately and that was exactly the push I needed to follow through. My only regret is not having done it sooner.
Is there any chance you could seek out of network reimbursement? That way, you can get surgery sooner and potentially cut down on the out of pocket cost?

I didn't buy any travel or catastrophe insurance. I got a quote and it was crazy expensive. I figured I had done my research and made the decision, so the insurance was a bit overkill, but I completely understand why some folks get it.
I've posted here a few times about my surgeon and experience, so I won't bore you with the details, but feel free to check out some of the other posts for personal experiences!

Hi I'm 4 weeks to being 12 months from my OP I'm 112 lbs down and feeling pretty good could do with losing a little more but my dietitian said if I stayed at that he would be made up with me because I already had the sleeve before I wouldn't lose as much as just having one OP the surgeon told me I would only lose about 3 to 31/2 stone so I think I've done really well

I’m doing way better then I expected. I’ve lost 137.5lbs weighing in at 142.5lbs. I never really set a goal weight with my surgeon and nutritionist it was more of I want to be able to get off most of the medication I was taking so that’s what we were focused on and it let me not worry about the scale so much. I’m happy to say I’m off all meds with the exception of my AFib meds which unfortunately I’ll never be able to come off of and I’m ok with that. But I think I have finally reached my first stall hard to believe lol as I’ve been stuck on 142.5 around 3 weeks now and again I’m ok with that. Just ready for the next step of skin removal surgery.

They always say those last few pounds are always the hardest to come off. So don’t beat yourself up to bad. You’ve done a great job so far and some don’t even make it that far so be proud of yourself. It’s definitely the way I’m trying to look at WLS as a lifelong process and one that takes work that’s for sure lol. Whoever said this was the easy way out surely has no clue lol.

How is everyone doing??? I'm 6 weeks away from exactly 1 year and honestly, feeling a little defeated that I'm not further along. I'd really hoped to be at goal (about 25lbs to go) or AT LEAST have hit 100lbs down (about 11lbs to go). The weight loss has slowed to a creep the last couple of months, so I'm fairly certain neither will happen. In fact, I'm starting to wonder if I'll really lose any more weight at all!
Of course, I have to look back and be grateful for how far I HAVE come and what I HAVE accomplished. Nearly 90lbs lost, better mobility, back pain gone, asthma significantly improved, some 47 inches lost across my body, labs all perfectly normal and within healthy ranges, finally feeling at peace with my body..... The list truly goes on and on.
This is the work of WLS though, isn't it? Balancing the good with the bad, the hard with the joyful, the work to be done with the progress already made.
How are you all doing?

How is everyone doing??? I'm 6 weeks away from exactly 1 year and honestly, feeling a little defeated that I'm not further along. I'd really hoped to be at goal (about 25lbs to go) or AT LEAST have hit 100lbs down (about 11lbs to go). The weight loss has slowed to a creep the last couple of months, so I'm fairly certain neither will happen. In fact, I'm starting to wonder if I'll really lose any more weight at all!
Of course, I have to look back and be grateful for how far I HAVE come and what I HAVE accomplished. Nearly 90lbs lost, better mobility, back pain gone, asthma significantly improved, some 47 inches lost across my body, labs all perfectly normal and within healthy ranges, finally feeling at peace with my body..... The list truly goes on and on.
This is the work of WLS though, isn't it? Balancing the good with the bad, the hard with the joyful, the work to be done with the progress already made.
How are you all doing?

How is everyone doing??? I'm 6 weeks away from exactly 1 year and honestly, feeling a little defeated that I'm not further along. I'd really hoped to be at goal (about 25lbs to go) or AT LEAST have hit 100lbs down (about 11lbs to go). The weight loss has slowed to a creep the last couple of months, so I'm fairly certain neither will happen. In fact, I'm starting to wonder if I'll really lose any more weight at all!
Of course, I have to look back and be grateful for how far I HAVE come and what I HAVE accomplished. Nearly 90lbs lost, better mobility, back pain gone, asthma significantly improved, some 47 inches lost across my body, labs all perfectly normal and within healthy ranges, finally feeling at peace with my body..... The list truly goes on and on.
This is the work of WLS though, isn't it? Balancing the good with the bad, the hard with the joyful, the work to be done with the progress already made.
How are you all doing?

Your loss is really impressive and you should be incredibly proud of yourself. I started at 385, though my highest weight ever was at least 400 lbs (my scale didn't go higher) and am now at the same weight as you (not losing nearly as fast as you have - and really slowly now).
On the one hand, I feel so amazing. Physically, I feel so much lighter than 271. I feel spry. Things are so much easier and I don't automatically feel limited. I am enjoying physical activity and exercise. I have SO MUCH ENERGY and have been so productive in my personal life. Medically lots of things are better. But, even with that, I know I am still fat and that's how everyone around me sees me - as the fat lady. It's tough because on the one hand, I am so proud of what I have done and how hard I am working, but on the other, I still have SO MUCH FURTHER to go and I know society as a whole still sees me the same way as it did before. It's like being in mile 13 of a marathon... so proud of managing 13 miles but dreading and a bit depressed about having 13 more to go (and worried I won't make it).
I'm not sure that I feel significantly differently in public situations, since I am still obese. But, I feel more "normally obese" if that makes sense. I don't always feel like I am automatically the biggest person in the room. I am not paranoid about sitting on chairs (will they hold me? can I get on the stool?) like I used to be. I'm less worried about what my butt is running into (I have a booty, it is/was a real concern). But, I am still obese and I know judgement abounds.
Not sure I am helping in any way, but it is a weird place to be in.

I had a 2 week long liquid only pre-op diet. I lost 9lbs, for a total of 20lbs pre-op. The most immediate goal of the pre-op diet is to reduce your liver size to make for a safe operation, but it sure is nice to see that number go down! Sounds like you're doing a great job!

Yay! I'm officially under 250 I can't remember the last time I was under 250! So excited! This also brings my total weightloss to 63lbs. Another number I have never hit! Good start for the first day of school!

Do the INTERNAL work first, and don't stop. Counseling, books, support groups. Do whatever you need to so that you are in a healthy place mentally and emotionally BEFORE surgery and then keep going because you WILL need it after. I did a ton of work before surgery and felt like I was in a really good place, but I didn't keep up with most of it post-op and really struggled for a while. The hormonal changes, body changes, and lifestyle changes all add up and suddenly I didn't recognize myself or my life anymore. this is a lifelong process, you will be a WLS patient for the rest of your life, and making sure you are taking care of your WHOLE self is so, so important.

Do the INTERNAL work first, and don't stop. Counseling, books, support groups. Do whatever you need to so that you are in a healthy place mentally and emotionally BEFORE surgery and then keep going because you WILL need it after. I did a ton of work before surgery and felt like I was in a really good place, but I didn't keep up with most of it post-op and really struggled for a while. The hormonal changes, body changes, and lifestyle changes all add up and suddenly I didn't recognize myself or my life anymore. this is a lifelong process, you will be a WLS patient for the rest of your life, and making sure you are taking care of your WHOLE self is so, so important.

As of today, I am exactly 3 1/2 months post sleeve surgery and have lost 61 pounds!!!! I can't believe it!!! I still feel like I'm fighting for every pound, but I also knew PCOS would do that to me. Still, I'm so so happy that I hit that weight. I know it's going to get tougher the more time that goes by, but the fact that I'm losing and not putting the weight back on is huge!!!! I'm so excited. My next goal is to hit 320 (that will officially put me at a lower weight than I was with Keto - even though I lost 100 pounds then, and it'll only be 67 pounds now, because I went into the surgery a lower weight than I was at when I started keto). After that, my next goal is to hit 299 and be under 300 for the first time since 2005.

Hello All.
The scale moved again this morning and my BMI also moved: down to 30. What does this mean?
Well, according to the CDC, I am no longer obese. I am just OVERWEIGHT!
Who knew that being labeled overweight would be cause for celebration? I may have some extra chicken. 😁
So now the goal is to lower my BMI to under 25. This is the healthy range. It is only a matter of time.
I love to read about all of your successes. Thank you all for sharing.

Day 1-3 were the worst for me. By day 4 I found a routine that worked and my body settled in. I had a very strict 2 week liquids only, which was ROUGH, but I survived and was really proud of myself for being compliant. Agree with others - use the calories you're given! Don't skimp. It'll be over before you know it!

Do the INTERNAL work first, and don't stop. Counseling, books, support groups. Do whatever you need to so that you are in a healthy place mentally and emotionally BEFORE surgery and then keep going because you WILL need it after. I did a ton of work before surgery and felt like I was in a really good place, but I didn't keep up with most of it post-op and really struggled for a while. The hormonal changes, body changes, and lifestyle changes all add up and suddenly I didn't recognize myself or my life anymore. this is a lifelong process, you will be a WLS patient for the rest of your life, and making sure you are taking care of your WHOLE self is so, so important.

I'm 10 months out and sometimes I still catch myself eating just a bit too fast. The first time I did it, I got terribly sick and have been MUCH more mindful since. Its a hard habit to get into, but it is a MUST post-op. Just keep trying. Count chew or sends if you need to. Eventually it will be come second nature and won't feel so weird.

I had surgery on a Tuesday and was back to work (desk job from home) on Monday -so almost a week. Pain was fine but I was SO TIRED. I had to take breaks to rest frequently, and took a nap every single day after work for at least the first week back. I would say, if you have a good bit of flexibility and can rest when needed, you'll be fine. If not, a full 2 weeks might be helpful.

Gas station finds- Cottage cheese, yogurt, Protein Shakes, cheese cubes, hard boiled eggs, Peanut Butter or nut butters, and maybe pecans chewed really well (they’re a softer nut to tolerate). Travel plazas compared to regular gas stations will have more options to choose from.
Taco Bell/taco places- refried Beans with cheese or maybe taco meat
Panera or Subway- scoop of tuna salad. Panera also has yogurt tubes, bananas, oatmeal, and smoothies (although high in sugar)
KFC- chicken pot pie (remove the crust and either really chew or don’t eat the chicken
McDonald’s- during Breakfast you can get just scrambled eggs. They also have sausage patties you can order individually as well but that might need more time.
Wendy’s- chili might be okay
Tropical smoothie cafe- they have wraps and stuff for everyone else to choose from but you can get Protein Powder in a smoothie there and reduce or omit sugar in them as well.
Sit down places- baked fish, some Soups, and maybe spinach dip without the chips would be ok choices I’d think. If you go Italian you could order lasagna and just not eat the noodles.
As always, try things before you go if possible because unexpected dumping on a road trip isn’t fun.

For restaurants, Soup is pretty much always a safe choice early on. You could also do something like a meat loaf and just chew the tar out of it, chicken breast, similarly chewed to oblivion, or maybe something like tacos that you just eat the meat/beans and toppings of. For Snacks - cheese, Protein Shakes or bars, soft fruit, yogurt, and eggs are all good bets. As always, just be very careful. I had a similarly restrictive post-op plan and stuck to it fairly closely, but did make the occasional concession when needed.

For restaurants, Soup is pretty much always a safe choice early on. You could also do something like a meat loaf and just chew the tar out of it, chicken breast, similarly chewed to oblivion, or maybe something like tacos that you just eat the meat/beans and toppings of. For Snacks - cheese, Protein Shakes or bars, soft fruit, yogurt, and eggs are all good bets. As always, just be very careful. I had a similarly restrictive post-op plan and stuck to it fairly closely, but did make the occasional concession when needed.

These are great suggestions! I will definitely check them out.
I really like Fitness Blender (YouTube or website) and FitOn (app).

These are great suggestions! I will definitely check them out.
I really like Fitness Blender (YouTube or website) and FitOn (app).

Day 1-3 were the worst for me. By day 4 I found a routine that worked and my body settled in. I had a very strict 2 week liquids only, which was ROUGH, but I survived and was really proud of myself for being compliant. Agree with others - use the calories you're given! Don't skimp. It'll be over before you know it!

10lbs of regain is COMPLETELY within the normal/expected bounds of maintenance weight fluctuations. Most all folks will regain a handful of pounds after hitting their lowest weight and going into maintenance. I am shocked that any doctor would prescribe weight loss meds, particularly Plenity, for a 10lb regain at 18 moths post op. You are exactly right in that it expands in the stomach to limit your intake, which is exactly what WLS did (limit intake). I would be concerned about malnutrition, blockages, and all other sort of potential complication. Was the prescribing doctor your bariatric surgeon? Have you discussed this with your bariatric team? Have you tried working with a registered dietitian who specializes in bariatrics?
Additionally, the resurgence of hunger after WLS is very normal and often coincides with maintenance. All that to say, it sounds like you are actually exactly where you should be given your status post-op and weight loss meds are probably not the best solution.