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I'm 4'11, 185 pounds BMI 37. I might not have a very high BMI but my co-morbidities tell the story of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease...I am sure I am forgetting something. I should have never waited so long to do this, honestly. If I was 300 pounds, I would be a dead woman, I am sure of it. I am a walking stroke. You are young, do this while you can. FED BCBS approved.

(I accidentally posted this question to the wrong board--it should have been here, not in the complications board! Derp!) Hi guys. Can you help me brainstorm a medication "hack" please? I need to try to maximize the amount of time in my potential new "tummy." I know when we have RNY our "tummys" are MUCH smaller and we also have shorter duodenums. I'm taking an anti-cancer drug that is highly dissolvable/highly permeable (BCS Class 1) and is very quickly absorbed in the tummy and intestines, but it is a fat soluble drug rather than a Water absorbable drug. I know it isn't dependent on the pH environment for absorption. So my goal would be to get my drug to "hang out" in my stomach as long as possible. So to me, that would mean, I should probably take it with dense Protein, once I've healed to the point of being able to eat dense protein. But in the short term when I'm able to eat things like yogurt, ricotta, and cottage cheese, what do you think is the one food that I could "take a bite of" to get the pill swallowed that will stay in my pouch the longest amount of time (anti-slider food)--which is why I don't want to swallow the pill with water or other liquids? The drug I'm trying to max out on tummy time is letrozole (Femara) and is a tiny orange pill that is not enteric coated nor extended release.

Hi guys. Can you help me brainstorm "hack" this please? I know when we have RNY our "tummys" are MUCH smaller and we also have shorter duodenums. I'm taking an anti-cancer drug that is highly dissolvable/highly permeable (BCS Class 1) and is very quickly absorbed in the tummy and intestines, but it is a fat soluble drug rather than a water absorbable drug. I know it isn't dependent on the pH environment for absorption. So my goal would be to get my drug to "hang out" in my stomach as long as possible. So to me, that would mean, I should probably take it with dense protein, once I've healed to the point of being able to eat dense protein. But in the short term when I'm able to eat things like yogurt, ricotta, and cottage cheese, what do you think is the one food that I could "take a bite of" to get the pill swallowed that will stay in my pouch the longest amount of time (anti-slider food)? The drug I'm trying to max out on tummy time is letrozole (Femara) and is a tiny orange pill that is not enteric coated nor extended release.

Hey sleeve twin!! Yeah, got a little overzealous with my excitement yesterday. Woke up today, took a sip of water and am now totally nauseated and the thought of eating sounds awful. [emoji20] I haven't started exercising yet other than walking because I can't get enough water in to do the workouts that I used to do pre surgery (so loved being the heaviest one in there[emoji849]), and I am terrified of throwing up mid class. I don't have a scale at the house bc I know myself and I'll obsess, like to the point of weighing multiple times a day, but I think I've hit a stall. I'm sure it's from not getting enough water and calories in. I've read so many people hitting stalls and were able to get it moving again by upping water and calories but I am fighting water daily. I haven't been weighed since my two week post op but have another md appointment in 3 weeks so I'll know my weight then. How has your loss been? Any suggestions on what you can eat that seems to sit well? I love the cauliflower pizza idea. I've seen those already done at the grocery store. I'll grab one this week. Here's to getting through this!! [emoji173]️ 5'7 HW: 256 SW: 248 CW: 235 At 2 week post op GW: 150 Fantasy GW: 135 Sleeved 8/7

My bs used to do the same thing before having WLS. Now I am golden. My bs hasn't gone above 115 after a meal since 3 days after my surgery!! My fasting are in the 70-85 range every morning!

This is a very good point. I always pair my berries with 4oz of yogurt which has some protein and fat. Honestly, I am amazed at how well my body processes carbs now. In the past if I ate say one baked potato, my BS would remain elevated for 3-4 hours and the rise was unacceptable 40-60 pts. Now I can eat basically anything and my bs behaves like a non-diabetic. I don't eat junk though, no way am I going down that road, but a serving of whole wheat pasta does not spike my BS and this is such a change for me.

These are some of the common abbreviations used on this website: ACL = Anterior cruciate ligament AGB = Adjustable gastric banding AMRAP = As Many Rounds As Possible (crossfit) AT = Aspiration Therapy BB = belly button bc = because BCBS = Blue Cross/Blue Shield BED = Binge Eating Disorder bf = best friend BM = bowel movement BMI = Body Mass Index bp = blood pressure BPD = Borderline Personality Disorder or Biliary Pancreatic Diversion bs = blood sugar btw = by the way C25K = Couch Potato to Running 5K CBT = cognitive-behavioral therapy CC = common channel c diff = clostridium difficile cos or cuz = because CPAP = continuous positive airway pressure CRNP = certified registered nurse practitioners CT = Computed Tomography (commonly called CAT Scan) cw = current weight CXR = Chest X-Ray DDD = degenerative disc disease Dr. = doctor DS = Dumping Syndrome or Duodenal Switch EBT = Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies EGD = Esophagogastroduodenoscopy EKG = Electrocardiography ER = emergency room ESG = Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty ff = fat free f/u = follow up GB = gastric bypass GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease GI = gastrointestinal GIF = Gastric Intrinsic Factor GNC = General Nutrition Corporation store GP = general practitioner or family doctor HBP = high blood pressure hr = heart rate hw = highest weight ICU = Intensive Care Unit Idk = I don’t know IGB = intragastric balloons IF = Intrinsic Factor IMHO = in my humble (honest) opinion IMO = in my opinion IUI = Intrauterine insemination LAP Band = Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band LES = lower esophageal sphincter lol = laughing out loud LSG = Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy med = medicine MFP = my fitness pal MGB = Mini Gastric Bypass msg = message NAFLD = nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NASH = Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis nf = non fat NG = Nasogastric NP = nurse practitioner NSAIDS = Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSV = non-Scale victory (“scale” means “weight scale”) NUT = nutritionist OA = Overeaters Anonymous omw = on my way Onederland = a magical place or destination for those trying to lose weight. It might correspond to attaining a weight in the hundreds or losing a hundred pounds. op = operation OSA = Obstructive Sleep Apnea OTC = Over the counter Oz = Australia PB = Productive Burps PCOS = Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCP = Primary Care Physician PICC= Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter PM = private message (email) PMS = premenstrual syndrome POSE = Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal postop or post–op = post-operation or post-surgery PPI = Proton Pump Inhibitors ppl = people preop or pre-op = pre-operation or pre-surgery PTSD = Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PVC = Premature ventricular contractions RA = Rheumatoid arthritis RH = reactive hypoglycemia RN = registered nurse RNY = Roux-en-Y RTD = ready to drink Rx = Prescription medicine RYGB = Roux-en-Y gastric bypass SADI-S = single anastomosis duodeno–ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy s/f or sf = sugar free SG = Sleeve gastrectomy SIPS = stomach intestinal pylorus-sparing surgery smh = shaking my head, scratching my head SO = significant other SOB = shortness of breath sw = weight at surgery tmi = too much information TPN = total parenteral nutrition TT = tummy tuck TTC = trying to conceive Ty = Thank you. [but according to the urban dictionary “Ty” is also an abbreviation for “a total stud with a massive carrot”.] u = You UGI = Upper Gastrointestinal VSG = Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Vit = vitamin wks = weeks WLS = Weight Loss Surgery WOD = Workout of the Day w/o = without wt = weight

Day 4 pre op Went out last night to my sister's birthday party and packed my protein shake, crystal light, and made my cream of mushroom. I ate my soup quietly and the only ppl that noticed were my table mates. My bff and immediate family already knows amd when I told my cousin I was on a liquid diet she left it at that. I didn't want to bring attention to myself at my sister's big day and everything worked out, my family and true friends are very understanding bc they have seen me go from the skinniest to the heaviest sister in almost 20 yrs. The food I brought was enough to last me the entire party. However I went to bed with a tickle in my throat and woke with a tingle in my sinus. Really hoping it's not a cold. I will be drinking a lot of tea today. My youngest woke with a runny nise and he's my allergy kid so it might just be allergies (hope.) Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

My hubby had to get his A1C down to a 7 before they would do surgery on him. But with his 1st surgery, his Lap Band removed and a failed surgery to a RNY. That Surgeon never said anything about his Blood Sugars. So it really depends on who you are going to. They also wanted him to lose 15#'s. Which when he did get his BS under control his weigfht would go up and then when he had his weight going his BS went up. The poor guy couldn't win. He finally went to Mexico. This was in 2013 to 2016, Finally he had the Sleeve. It wasn't what he wanted but that is the one they could do.

You can read Medicare's coverage determination at the following site: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/ncd-details.aspx?NCDid=57&ncdver=5&CoverageSelection=Both&ArticleType=All&PolicyType=Final&s=Iowa&KeyWord=bariatric+surgery&KeyWordLookUp=Title&KeyWordSearchType=And&bc=gAAAABAAAAAAAA%3D&%20CMS%20NCD%20on%20bariatric%20surgery

Hang in there! Pain meds combined with all the gas they fill us with creates all sorts of odd sensations. Head hunger sucks and came back really early for me too. You'll feel more satiated when you can have shakes. Hang in there! The first week is tough bc you're having all these new feelings, mentally and physically plus narcotics are involved! You got this!! [emoji173]️ 5'7 HW: 256 SW: 248 CW: 235 At 2 week post op GW: 150 Fantasy GW: 135 Sleeved 8/7

Well, it'll be 4 weeks for me on Monday, and I officially cannot eat. Tried a soft scrambled egg, got through two bites. Tried a super soft, ripe avocado, cldnt even get two teaspoons down. Even made the ricotta bake, nope. Just turning me off. I need to drink more water but it has to be super cold or I get nauseated. I'm terrified weight loss will stall bc of this. I've read how getting calories up to close to 1000 and staying hydrated is key but I just can't. Protein shakes cooling in the fridge so my goal is two today. I guess I'll just keep drinking my bariatric hot chocolate made with milk, despite it being over 100 degrees here today and my protein waters. I want to get my nutrients from whole, real foods but I just can't. Never thought I'd complain about not being able to eat but am terrified of my hair falling out bc of poor nutrition. ☹️[emoji20] 5'7 HW: 256 SW: 248 CW: 235 At 2 week post op GW: 150 Fantasy GW: 135 Sleeved 8/7

I had a rich dinner that I should have avoided that was too many carbs. 30 mins later I started to get fuzzy vision and black out / faint. No diarrhea or vomiting (that said, I'd had diarrhea earlier and had taken Imodium). Has anyone on here ever passed out / blacked out bc of dumping syndrome? I also had the sweats.

I have been having a really rough time on the liquid diet part hopefully next Thursday I can go on puréed foods. I am also getting down because people make me feel like I will never eat again. I have been craving sushi like crazy and a few people said well keep craving it cause you will never eat that again. I mean why be so cruel. I hope I can def eat sushi after surgery. Some people say oh well you have to wait at least 2 years to eat sushi. It's making me feel like I have to defend myself all the time. My family is super supportive and always tell me I will eat my favorite foods again it's just a matter of time. Other people make it seem like I have committed myself to a death sentence. Are these people right? Will I be able to eat sushi in a few month or years or never. I'm just getting so fed up. I also love pasta and rice and they make it seem like well that's off the menu forever. I don't want to eat it always but knowing every once in a while I can have it makes me feel better.

@DakiniNo odors at all. Shower with deodorant soap and then use deodorant. I sweat much less bc I'm not carrying the extra weight. Definitely stool and gas odors so I'm very careful what I eat in public and carry certain sprays (I've tested a ton of them) to deal with it. You learn what to eat & when and then it's manageable. It hasn't hindered me at all. No one knows I've had WLS.

Great news-closed mouths dont get fed[emoji23][emoji23]. Best of luck on your journey!

What do you do when your stomach is clearly full, but you still feel hungry? I know I'm full right now bc I can feel my stomach is a bit uncomfortable (I only ate me alloyed portion-I didn't overeat), but I still feel hungry in my guy. Someone, anyone, help me! Also-side note, I just finished a workout.

Dreamingsmall- the other thing I meant to say - sorry- this is getting long- is that you really need to eat breakfast and lunch- if you're skipping meals then that's probably why you're stalled. Your body will hold on to weight if it feels like it isn't going to be fed- even if it's just a yogurt or glass of milk - get your metabolism going in the morning by have something when you first get up. Your metabolism won't start up it's engine until it's challenged by food (or a liquid supplement like milk or a protein shake)- otherwise you're telling your body to only metabolize for half the day- and you want it to burn all day- it's your "fat furnace" for lack of a better term Anyway- I hope that helps- it will make a big difference if you have something every 3-4 hours - and that means protein- Keep it up! Just eat more [emoji4]

Pizza is the one food that drives me crazy post op! I always enjoyed it but now, I see it, even the cheap cardboard kind, and want it. Ironically, 3.5 weeks out, I'm struggling with getting my allowed food in but if I could eat pizza, I am worried I wld. I left a party bc of it! I went home and had a shake and once I was away from it and had some protein in my system I was ok but man, I feel ya! I never craved it before surgery like this. I think it's the hot, savory goodness I want. I did make the ricotta bake and that helped. Once I'm healed I'm looking forward to trying the plant based crust bc I think I may need to stay gluten free. 5'7 HW: 256 SW: 248 CW: 235 At 2 week post op GW: 150 Fantasy GW: 135 Sleeved 8/7

Hey! We are in the same boat. I am 3.5 weeks out and can barely stomach food. It's really catching up with me too bc I'm running around after two 8 year old twin boys, driving all over town, and my energy had plummeted. I was doing fine until this week. I cannot seem to get my protein in or all my water. Yesterday I was so fatigued and weak that someone asked me if i was ok to drive home! One trick that has worked, though it takes me forever to get though a mug, is that bariatric hot chocolate that has 15 grams of protein. I mix it with 8 ounces of milk bc cup of milk has 10 grams of protein so 25 grams in a mug. The taste is pretty good, it's just kind of rich and takes me about 1-2 hours to get through. As I write this though, not having eaten anything yet, the thought isn't appealing. (Who ever thought I would not want food??!!!) my biggest concern is losing my hair if I can't get my protein up-omg trading in one insecurity for another!!!! Last night we went to Thai food and I ordered soup made with coconut milk to up my calories and added soft tofu. I got a little down. I'm right there with you! I have even thought about puréeing a protein bar into my shakes. You should see my front room-Amazon delivered powdered peanut butter (PB2), bars and shakes. It looks like a protein store and I want none of it. Holding your hand from California! I'm here with ya! 5'7 HW: 256 SW: 248 CW: 235 At 2 week post op GW: 150 Fantasy GW: 135 Sleeved 8/7

The preop diet and clear liquids were so hard for me! Honestly, it was the hardest part of the whole process. I'm 3 weeks out and it's easier bc we have a new stomach that needs to heal. But, before surgery when our stomachs are still normal and we can still tolerate our old diets, it was HELL for me too!!! Omg-hardest part!! You're almost there!! The first 48-72 hours are tough but you'll have pain meds. You'll also feel yourself getting better and better every day. Head hunger still sucks but those two weeks preop were tough! Hang in there!!!! Take a lot of naps! I made myself sleep so I wldnt think about it!! 5'7 HW: 256 SW: 248 CW: 235 At 2 week post op GW: 150 Fantasy GW: 135 Sleeved 8/7

I ended up having a massive hiatal hernia that he fixed while in there so I tell people I had hernia surgery. I'm really close with a group of ladies I've been taking Pilates with for a couple years, and I'll be out for about 6 weeks bc of my "hernia surgery." They keep asking where I am and if I'm ok so I told our instructor and she passed the info on. 5'7 HW: 256 SW: 248 CW: 235 At 2 week post op GW: 150 Fantasy GW: 135 Sleeved 8/7

my projected surgery month is December... I am hoping to get it done b4 the first of the year bc my deductible is already met. my doctor is aware of that so we are trying...

I was in the same boat. I had a 7 Lb window that I HAD to maintain - that was the hardest thing to do. I was lucky that Federal BC/BS only required 3 months of Nutrition and what not opposed to other company's 6 months. But we've made it! Trying to stay in my window, I really tried to watch what I ate, which I always try to do. Since I was approved, I was now told that I can relax - just don't go crazy. I another night of all you can eat crabs, a steak dinner with all the sides, another night at a Fondue restaurant, another visit to a winery, and then to a brewery. That's it - Not that I won't have these again, well not anytime soon , nor in this quantity. Just in case my taste buds change and don't like these things anymore, I want one last taste. Did you have to track what you were eating for a week to see how much protein you were eating? I could not believe how little I consuming! What an eye-opener! Someone had told me to freeze Protein drinks - Like Muscle Milk/ Premier Protein to have high protein popsicle snacks. I guess you could do that with Greek Yogurt too. I think tonight it will really hit me..... What is your Pre-Op Diet? Mine is something called Robard - it's 4 meal replacement "Things" a day. Shakes/drinks/soups/pudding.... and can drink Gatorade, low sodium broth as fillers

My Dr's office submitted my packet to FEP BD/BS Delaware around noon. I received a phone call from My Dr's office at Noon today saying that last night they received my APPROVAL. I was approved in less than 6 Hours!!! She called them first thing this AM to confirm that I was approved, and was told that it was correct, It's a Go! She scheduled my FINAL surgical clearance with my surgeon for 2 weeks from today! I am still sitting here in shock 2 hours later. My goose bumps are still here! I was all prepared for a fight... have a Primary care appointment set up for the appeal, I have requested all my medical records to send to Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy/ Weight Loss Appeals in California - I was going to hire them for the appeal. Now none of that is necessary. I'm scared, nervous, happy.... So many emotions. I am so ready to take the next step. I wish everyone a speedy approval process. IF you are denied, definitely consider Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy/ Weight Loss Appeals in California - they have a 90+% success rate of overturning denials. It's free to talk to them For me, it would have been money well spent.