Tiffykins

I pretty much take the BMI chart with a grain of salt. The one thing that the BMI charts/calculations can NOT take into account is bone density. My surgeon explained to me that due to years (over a decade) of being huge, morbidly obese with a BMI of 50, my bones have grown more dense thus weighing more than other naturally thin women my age. I do have huge knee, ankle, and elbow joints. I'm also barrel chested (meaning my rib cage is huge). So, for me having my BMI in the normal range wasn't all that important. My goal weight kept me in the overweight category. For me, a healthy body fat percentage is a better gauge on overall health. I think right now by the caliper test I have a body fat percentage of 20-21%, and I'll take that. . . If I would unass the recliner, and move more with formal exercise, I could probably get it even lower. I would love to have that Water test done to determine true body fat, and then go from there. I would be interested to know how much muscle, bone and skin I have vs. fat. That would really put things in perspective for me. Now, that I'm in a "normal" BMI range, I really don't consider it an extraordinary feat, it's just where my body was happy. I have bones protruding in some places, but I also have excess skin on my stomach, upper thighs, upper arms, and I still have belly fat. So, the bmi chart (at least) for me does not give me as much satisfaction as getting my body fat % lower. Just my .02 cents.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Glad to see ya around here. . . You've done so amazingly awesome, and I am so proud of you ! ! !

It is not covered by Tricare outside of Military Treatment facilities. If you can get a referral to a military base/post hospital program, you'll be covered, but it is NOT covered by Tricare Prime or Standard outside of MTFs that offer the sleeve. If you are near Balboa Naval hospital, I know they accept standard patients there, and will perform the sleeve. I know one friend of mine that switched to Prime, got the referral, and the process went faster, and more smoothly for her at Balboa. I've fought with Tricare for 2 years, had more friends get the run around, and jumped through every hoop, appeal, and even a congressional complaint to get the VSG with a civilian surgeon. To no avail, they were all still denied VSG with civilians but never had issues getting it covered at a military hospital that offers the sleeve as one of their procedures.

Usually it's the skin on the upper arms, and they use the same "eating" tactics I use. I move my food around the plate, I separate food into categories etc etc. The chew, chew, chew thing is "tale tell" if you know what I mean. Plus, if it's someone I see on a regular basis, their drastic change in diet, how they eat, the food types they eat, the rapid weight loss, the mood swings etc etc. I've had 2 weight loss surgeries and I've been around WLS patients for 10 plus years. I obviously do not say anything, but that's where my whole attitude of "we're being judged" or "people will speculate" with or without details. I'm extremely understanding that people want to keep it private, and would never ever ask someone if I had suspected they had WLS.

I have a lot and y'all know I'm long-winded so grab your favorite cup of "whatever" and enjoy. . . 1) I am the only person responsible for what I put in my mouth 2) I am the only one that will endure the consequence or victory from what I choose to put in my mouth 3) This constantly cold thing that everyone experiences isn't forever. My body temperature has regulated, and if it's 30 degrees outside, it's perfectly acceptable to be cold. 4) Skinny bitches eat Cookies too. I'm gonna have a cookie occasionally. 5) hair grows back. Not always the same texture, but it grows back. So freaking out over it, isn't going to do anything, but make you freak out. Embrace it and honestly I gave up back fat for a little temporary hair loss, I think I'll deal with hair loss. 6) Follow the guidelines set forth by your medical professionals. It works. If something isn't working, tweak it to make it work. Your body is individual to you. Your needs might be different than mine. Respect your body because we didn't for years. Now, we've altered it, so treat it right, and it'll return the favor. 5) Weight loss surgery does NOT have to be a cookie cutter world. 6) Everyone has a bad day here and there. You have 2 choices: 1) wallow in the guilt/self-pity 2) Suck it up and move forward 7) Being skinny is not the only perk to losing weight, but sure makes life a hell of a lot easier. 8) Cherish every early out victory because once you're in maintenance, those little NSVs and SVs are non-existent and it's easy to take the little things for granted 9) Immediately after surgery, your weight is going to fluctuate, you are losing Water weight, if it's difficult to get in fluids, you will retain fluids, they pumped you full of iv fluids so don't freak out. It's not physically possible, nor is it logical to gain 5lbs of fat overnight. All you're doing is setting yourself up for disappointment and heartbreak, fears of failure are going to set in and you'll just sabotage your efforts. 10) LET YOUR BODY HEAL. . . Cheating is one thing, being irresponsible and reckless can result in complications. You can live on liquids for a couple of weeks. It sucks, NO DOUBT, but you will not wither away and die because you don't eat something crunchy for a couple of weeks. 11) Stop comparing yourself to every other sleeve patient. Refer to #6 12) You will hear many opinions throughout this journey. Remember opinions are like assholes and are pretty shitty. Stop allowing other people to dictate how you feel. No one can make you feel a certain way unless you allow it. 13) Pull up your big girl/boy panties/undies and stop making excuses as to why you can't take a high quality, adult Vitamin. Yes, some taste horrible, they are a pain in the ass to swallow, they might not be your favorite thing in the world, but your body needs them. Vitamin deficiencies suck. You can prevent it, you can make the choice. 14) Get your labs done regularly. Adjust your intake, vitamin/supplement regimen based on how your body is doing. 15) Loose, wrinkly, excess skin is fairly inevitable. Suck it up. I punished my skin for years being morbidly obese. Why should I expect miracles in the skin bouncing back department? ? ? Do I like that about me? Noper, not for one minute, but I'll take my wrinkly inner thighs, saggy skin bags I have boobs over being fat and miserable for the rest of my life. 16) If you do not change your relationship with food, don't think surgery will fix you. They operate on our stomachs, not our brains. You can still cheat, eat around the sleeve. I do it, and I know why I bounce around on the scale. Either I accept it, or I choose to follow the basic rules that proved to be so successful for me during my losing stage. I choose to live a life of moderation, and I wanted normalcy without hardcore dieting for the rest of my life. The trade-off I make is that I bounce on the scale up or down 5-7 pounds. I have a good relationship with food/drinks, and I reap the benefits of this life. 17) Every clothing store is different. Learn to love trying on clothes. For jeans, I wear size from 0's to 5's, for shirts I wear from a size XS to a Medium. Even being this size, I have to try everything on. The only thing that is guaranteed is leggings, and tights. Even panties are hit and miss because every cut is different. 18) Being skinny does not completely fix self-esteem or self-worth issues. If you don't think you are worthy of the best at a size 22, being a size 2 isn't going to change the way people treat you. I demanded to be treated with respect, and common courtesy at a size 22/24W, my core personality is the same. 19) If your marriage/relationship is rocky, or not solid, and you've allowed your spouse to treat you like crap for the last XX years, guess what? ? ? Being skinny is not going to magically make them treat you better. If anything, you'll realize that douchebaggy behavior is not acceptable anymore and you begin to resent them and start demanding better/more from them. However, their behavior isn't going to change just because you decide you deserve better. Again, it's a choice. You choose how people treat you. At the end of the day, you deserve nothing less than everything from your partner. If you aren't getting it at 250+lbs, being 125lbs isn't going to change it. 20) Therapy is a fabulous tool. If you have food demons/issues, recognize, address and conquer them. If you can not do it on your own, seek help. There is zero shame in asking for help. 21) Choose the path you want to take. If you fall off that path, pick yourself up, dust off, and move forward. I cut my own path, and while I have fallen off, I've never fallen far enough off that I couldn't find my way back. If you want to follow a similar path, do it, but don't expect to have the same identical results as anyone else. What worked for me, might not work for you. 22) Habits are just behaviors that we have established, and continue with over time. To rid myself of a bad habit, I had to replace it with a good (or better) habit. These habits are not permanent and engraved in stone. My habits, food triggers, and issues are just mine. We might share the common thread of surgery, and how I conquer my issues is what works for me. I can share what I did/do, but it might not work for you. Don't be disappointed, just find what works for you. 23) Exercise does NOT make me feel fabulous. It's a chore just like scrubbing a toilet. I wish this was different, but I hate it. I loved it early out, but now, I absolutely hate it. If you hate it too, find something you do like. I know that I need formal exercise of some sort. I choose to dance (Zumba, Hip Hop Abs, Just Dance2 for the Wii). I enjoy it, but still am not super excited to do it. I just know my heart, bone and lung health need it. Finally! ! ! 24) I will always be a fat girl on the inside. I still have cravings, and love food. I still never experience true hunger, but I still want food. There are good days, and not so great days. I take it one day, one meal at a time.

I've heard mixed answers on this one. I was not secretive about my surgery, but I don't go around announcing to the world that I chose WLS. If someone asks, I'm open about it. I think a lot of has to do with being judged, but for me, I feel like judgment came my way just because I was fat. I would rather cut them off at the knees instead of the rumor mill running rampant and people speculating on my weight loss. Gossip mongers are going to talk regardless of what excuse/reason we give them, it's an inherent trait within that person. Plus, I can spot a WLS patient in about 10 seconds. I've had 2 of them so I've been about the block a time or two. I have zero shame in my decision. I do not carry the WLS card that allows for cheaper meals, or being able to order off the kid's menu as I feel that's absolutely absurd. I do not hide it on my FB, nor do I deny having surgery. I do think it's a disservice and only perpetuates the negativity surrounding WLS when people are ashamed of making a life changing/improving decision. I always figured if I had found a lump in my breast and sought surgery to remove it, not one single person would question my motive, and believe WLS should be viewed the same way. I do not consider this elective surgery. I tried to lose weight and maintain my loss. However, along with the other 95% of dieters that failed miserably, I finally decided to make a permanent change. I believe the answer of "cutting portions and exercising" is great, but I have found that being open about my surgery has led 5 of my friends to the sleeve, and they are so success and have thanked me for being open and honest because of me, my success, them being able to watch me from about 3.5 months out to now has given them hope that they can be successful as well. I understand not wanting to hear the negative, or deal with questions, but I also believe there comes a point in our lives when we stand up for ourselves, have pride in our choices and decisions, and take responsibility for our health and future. No one can make you feel a certain way unless you allow them to do so. When I finally accepted that my life is my life, my health is my health, and my choice is my choice, I never allowed anyone to defeat me.

WOot Woot ! ! ! Pure awesomeness . . .

You meet the standards for bariatric surgery with the 2 co-morbidities. As for getting the sleeve, I don't know what the rules are for Balboa, but they shouldn't make you redo all the pre-op stuff. Just take your records with you. As for the 6 month wait, in the grand scheme of things, a lifetime with the sleeve vs. a lifetime with RNY is well worth the 6 month wait to have the surgery you want and that is best for you and your life. That's just my opinion. I would not settle for a surgery that I didn't truly want for the rest of my life. Strap some ankle weights around your ankles under bootcut jeans and throw your BMI to 36-37. I know that isn't very "morally sound", but I'm sharing with you what others have done to get approval.

Many good thoughts, prayers, and speedy recovery vibes heading your way ! ! !

I eat huge amounts of red meat over a weekly period. It's my go to Protein source, and NO, there is not one single food that I can not eat. I literally do eat anything and everything just in moderation and smaller portions. Literally, nothing is off-limits.

Every word here is correct, 100% hitting the nail on the head. I can literally eat shitpots of chips, sorbet, Cookies, junk food, and there is no restriction. All of these foods slide right on through so if you want to binge, you'll find a food that you can binge on, and you'll eat until you are done binging mentally. Until you resolve the eating disorder, the sleeve is only going to do so much for you. I honestly do not believe surgery is the answer in the least, and you will only be more miserable.

I'll throw out my experience just for s&g's. . . I've been drinking soda for a year, and have zero ill effects from it. I rarely drink diet soda because most are sweetened with aspartame which I hate. I recently found Diet Shasta cream soda which is sweetened with Splenda so this one is doable. I can say without a doubt that drinking soda has not changed my sleeve capacity in the least. Nor has it effected my weight loss in a negative manner. My restriction is the same as it was a year ago unless I cheat (take longer to eat my meal, sip throughout my meal, drink a glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage before my meal, drink hot fluids like coffee or tea before my meal) to get more in. I don't even let it go flat before drinking it. Early out, I would get a gas bubble, burp and it was over. The whole soda leaching Calcium from our bones is obviously a concern, but in my opinion, moderation is key. There is ZERO scientific evidence that soda drinking causes stretching. Even for RNY patients, there is no proof that soda causes the pouch to stretch. We have a normal stomach with a pyloric valve intact. The fluids, be it soda, Water, crystal light, all go in, hit the pyloric valve and dump into our intestines. It isn't like the soda is sitting in there brewing for hours on end. Plus, there is NOT enough tissue left to stretch out our sleeves if the surgery is performed correctly. There is only so much stretch that can occur. It isn't like the stomach tissue regenerates, or can stretch back to pre-op size. It just is not physically possible. Not that I'm advocating going against any particular surgeon's recommendation, but this has been my experience and my opinions on soda drinking post-bariatric surgery.

I will keep you in my thoughts during this difficult time ! ! ! Please keep us updated on your progress, and you know if you need anything, please let me know ! ! !

Absolutely fabulous, and super sweet of your husband. It sounds likes he's showing his love and pride for you with gifts. My husband is the same way. If you haven't ever, I highly suggest reading the book "5 Languages of Love". It really gave me insight to how my husband communicated his love for me. Before WLS, it was taking me to my fave places to eat, sharing his sweets with me, never mentioning my weight, and doting on me while I sat on a high pedestal that he perched my fat ass up on. Once I dropped the weight, his gift giving was different, and he told me he was proud of me more than I could count, but he didn't verbalize it very well. He did things to make my life easier to compensate for his lack of actually saying it. Enjoy these moments, and make sure you communicate your love to him in whatever manner he'll recognize that you appreciate all of his sweet gestures. That was the most difficult chore for me was to "tell" him I loved, appreciated, and was thankful for his efforts/kindness/willingness to help in a manner that he could understand and recognize. He needs "acts of service and words of affirmation" to see love, while I need "quality time and physical touch". We communicate and receive love differently, but because of that book and the pointers it gives, we have really learned to "talk" with one another.

It's pretty common, and if you're taking Tums or Rolaids the lovely Calcium carbonate and sugar alcohols are probably responsible for the gas and rebound reflux. I would get back on a true PPI, take it on an empty stomach and wait about 30 minutes to eat anything other than liquids.

That's pretty much the same statement that Medicare is giving so they are still following suit behind Medicare. It's just not going to happen yet. I know I sound like a negative nelly, but they are not gonna do it anytime soon from everything I've read and been told. I hope this does help get congressional complaints approved because that's going to be the only way that it's gonna happen with a civilian. Fingers crossed something changes soon. When I called last week, spoke with a case manager, and a patient advocate, I was given the same song and dance that it would be October (the military fiscal year begins) for them to consider it. But, who knows anymore ! ! !

Chicken was my arch nemesis for quite some time, and even now I will choose red meat over chicken. I started eating seafood, and scallops were/are my go-to swimmer options. I just can't handle things like salmon. Tilapia and mahi mahi are other seafood options that I can tolerate, and actually enjoy. I promise these things come in ebbs and waves. One day something will just click, and things will taste good again. food will not be a chore, and eating won't be a simple "have to do". I still do not like sausage with the exception of kielbasa type sausage. Patty or breakfast link sausage is still pretty revolting to me, and I'm not sure if it's the actual taste or texture. For me, I found that because my capacity was so restricted that I wanted food to taste good. Unfortunately, it was combination of 2 things. Major restriction, and ketosis potty mouth. I did low carb so I was in ketosis for a good 4 months, and this definitely affected my tastebuds. I know things changed for me around the time that my surgeon wanted me to slow down my loss, and I begrudgingly added in more carbs. I still rarely ate over 50-60gr of carbs per day because I just didn't have room for them. Plus, some life stressors diminished around this same time (husband returned from Afghanistan) and this really helped me emotionally. Even today at over 20 months out, some days food and me just do not get along. I have found this to be especially true when eating out. I'll order whatever I want, and thinking it's going to be fabulous, then I am severely disappointed in how little I actually like it. Hang in there, and get creative.

Happy Valentine's day to you too ! ! !

I use chewables not for any other reason than I like them. I can swallow horse pills and have been able to do so without issues since about 5-6 weeks post-op. I just like chewables so I stick with them. Some surgeons have restrictions on swallowing pills immediately post-op. The reason I went to the Celebrate brand is because I can knock out all my Vitamin requirements with just 4 chewables. 2 multis and 2 calcium citrate. With all the other calcium supplements, I was having to take 6-8 pills per day on top of 2 multis. That was just a pain in the as$ so I switched over to Celebrate chewables, and Calcium citrate. You can order samples from them for free to see if you like them. http://www.celebratevitamins.com/component/chronocontact/?chronoformname=sample In the comments, fill in that you've had VSG, and need samples. I personally use the Multi complete because it has Iron in it, and calcium citrate I use is Calcium citrate plus 500. You can't take iron and calcium within 2 hours of each other.

I'm over 20 months out with absolutely zero food tolerances. I can say that pork chops (regardless of how they're prepared) still sit heavy in my stomach. I can eat them, but I feel like they are "heavy".

I personally believe that most humans should be on at a bare minimum of a good quality, adult Vitamin, but that's just my opinion. I highly believe bariatric patients need Vitamins. We especially need a sublingual B12 because the portion of stomach that is removed is the part of the stomach that makes the intrinsic factor which breaks down b12 and makes it absorb in the intestines. Since we are missing the intrinsic factor, we need to supplement with a sublingual. You can pick them up at Walmart or any other pharmacy for around 5bucks for a 60-90 day supply. I personally take Celebrate chewable multi complete. They're 20 bucks for a 30 day supply, and I take 1000 mg of calcium citrate via Celebrate Calcium Plus 500. I spend about $48 per month on vitamins including shipping costs. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to other health issues, and once you're deficient, it's not an easy task to get the numbers up.

Unfortunately, these Vitamins are lacking in Vitamin A, E, B, K, and do not have enough Iron in them, the numbers are close, but still lacking in some areas. They're also lacking in the copper, selenium, zinc. You will still need to take a sublingual B12 tablet because the stomach portion that is removed is what is responsible for the intrinsic factor that helps B12 breakdown and be absorbed properly. You can pick up b12 sublingual for $5.00 at most retail pharmacies. I get mine at WalMart, and it's a 60 or 90 day supply. The Calcium in this vitamin is useless because 1) it's carbonate 2) Iron inhibits the absorption of Calcium so even though it's on the label, it won't be absorbed properly. You need calcium citrate my recommended dose during my losing stage was 1200-1500mg per day, now I am down to taking 1000 mg of Calcium Citrate per day. Vitamins and Minerals: (% Daily Value/Per Serving*) Vitamin A 1875IU (37%), Vitamin C 45mg (75%), Vitamin D 500IU (125%), Vitamin E 7.5IU (25%), Thiamine 3mg (200%), Riboflavin 425mcg (25%), Niacin 5mg (25%), Vitamin B6 500mcg (25%), Folic Acid 200mcg (50%), Vitamin B12 140mcg (2333%), Biotin 150mcg (50%), Pantothenic Acid 2.5mg (25%), Calcium 300mg (30%), Iron 7.5mg (42%), Iodine 37.5mcg (25%), Magnesium 100mg (25%), Zinc** 7.5mg (50%), Selenium** 17.5mcg (25%), Copper** 0.5mg (25%), Manganese** 0.5mg (25%), Chromium** 30mcg (25%), Molybdenum** 18.75mcg This is the multi vitamin I take, it's by Celebrate. They're 20 bucks for a 30 day supply. I also take their Chewable Calcium Citrate 500 plus, and the calcium is also $20 for a 30 day supply which gives me additional Vit D and Magnesium.. I'm not trying to sell you what I choose to take, I just wanted to post what values my multi gives me. I wouldn't take a vitamin that has a mix of calcium carbonate and citrate along with Iron. There is no way for the Calcium to be absorbed because of the iron, and carbonate doesn't work for us so it's wasteful and useless.

There's 2 different ways to post pictures into a topic. 1) Upload the photo to photobucket.com then there will be links given for "sharing". Copy the "DIRECT LINK" code, come back here and at the top of the reply box there is a little box that looks like a landscape picture, like a mountain with some Water. It's on the same row as the FONT (Bold Italics Underline) boxes, it's 2 over from the Smiley Face Icon. If you put your mouse over it, it will say "INSERT IMAGE". Click that box and PASTE that code into the box, hit enter. The photo will pop into the topic box. 2) If you have the picture saved, say on Facebook, or any other website, you can Highlight that photo, right click hit COPY, and then come back here and right click to Paste the photo directly into the topic. If you upload the photo to your gallery, you can also use the copy/paste technique from there. You'll just need to open a new tab or window so you can click back and forth between the 2 pages.

I just mixed it with water, or grape juice. I would always allow it to just sit on the counter for about 10-15 minutes after the initial stir in, and then there was zero texture. I never really noticed it having a flavor, but back then, not much tasted good/right anyways.

YAY YAY so amazing ! ! !