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I LOVED broth when I went through that. It was a godsend. Now I can't even stomach the smell of it. I still make myself a cup once in a while bc I loved it so much and one sip makes me want to die. It's amazing how good it is before and how it is the actual devil after! Keep it up! We got your back!!

I emailed them to set up a consult, and was able to schedule one within a week of initially contacting them. The consult consisted of visiting with the doctor performing the surgery and a nurse, and filling out their intake forms about prior history. Within a couple days of the consult visit I was able to schedule a date for the procedure, also through email, and had to put an initial payment down to hold the date. The cost is $16,000 total- if you need to split it into payments it is one payment of $6,000 and another of $10,000 due no later than a week before the procedure (I think, I don't remember specific instructions). Hopefully after submitting the claim to insurance I will be reimbursed, but I know that I cannot be guaranteed this. So initial consult was in June or July, date of procedure was scheduled for about 5-6 weeks after. The cost includes 12 visits with the weight loss clinic, which consists of nutritionist, therapist and doctors you can visit (each person you see counts as one "visit"). There was no prep work before hand, I did not need any tests done or to visit my primary care or anything. I had to visit with the weight-loss "team" for the initial visits prior to the procedure - they conducted metabolic testing and a body composition estimate, the doctor did blood work but that was after I asked if they could to check my blood sugar (which I wasn't sure about), I don't think it was standard. So the intake visit with 4 people counted as 4 of my 12 included visits. I have a follow up in 2 weeks with the therapist, it's up to you to choose who to visit for the best results for you. They really stress that this is about reprogramming how you eat and your attitude about food - yes the medical part of forcing your stomach smaller is going to have an effect on how much you eat, and therefore your initial loss, but it's really about you continuing to apply these smaller portions on your own afterwards. The procedure itself is so very minimally invasive, there was never any concern about dangers during the procedure other than the anesthesia. Pain was never really bad, and has gone by now. They prescribed me pain meds (a liquid Tylenol-codeine), but honestly the pain level was never really high. Very sore throat the first 2/3 days, some discomfort with stomach cramps/spasms (but they give you something for that too). My stomach hurt initially- but nothing like I had expected. I took the pain meds the first day and second to help me just sleep through the discomfort. Honestly I didn't feel any pain at all after 2 days and haven't needed the pain meds since the second or third day. (I had my gall bladder removed last year, and even that hurt worse than this, and that was a very easy procedure to get over after a couple days) So within 4/5 days afterwards, no pain, hardly any nausea (depends on what you eat- you have to pay very close attention to how your body reacts to everything now, before during and after eating anything). My biggest issue is trying to get enough fluids and to eat anything at all- even several small sips makes me feel full, and food just doesn't seem to sit well. At one of my visits the nutritionist gave me a 3oz cup (the paper kind that you would have in the bathroom or at the dentist to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth)- this is the approximate size of what you can eat. A sample menu from he nutritionist includes drinking fluids, then na hour later eating 2 tablespoons of something like yogurt or a smoothie - 2 tablespoons is considered a "meal" at this point. You are to alternate liquids and puréed food over the course of the day, waiting an hour in between each. The doctor said I should expect to lose 40-50% of the excess weight over the course of a year. There are no staples - The sutures are expected to dissolve around 9-12 months, after which your stomach can return to normal size over time- again they stress this is about relearning how and what to eat, so that you do not fall back into the same patterns as before. I did not tell anyone other than my SO and parents (although I believe my mother may have taken it upon herself to tell other extended family, which I am not thrilled about - under the guise of "how happy they are bc they were so worried about my(my) size" which I do not believe, it's just gossip for them), but there is no way I could've hidden that I was in the hospital or had something done if anyone had seen me that day or the next. The procedure was on a Friday - on Sunday I skipped my friends wedding shower, even though I probably could've gone and just hung out for a hour or 2 just sitting around, I would not have felt up to participating or socializing much so I skipped it. I was back to work Monday and so far this week, but in short periods so I can go back and be around home in case I have a bathroom emergency..... All in all, super easy physical recovery as far as pain/nausea - but very very difficult to figure out how to eat, even with their instructions and guidelines and availability to help...shopping ahead of time didn't help much, as I can't tolerate the broths that I got (the only one I could get through was the blandest ramen broth possible, without the noodles), and I'm not ready yet for the protein drinks...right now it's a couple small bites of baby food, pudding, or yogurt ( which I just tried today) hours apart and forcing yourself to sip on Gatorade/liquids.

I never ever have mine because I take my BC back to back with no gaps. Was sleeved on the 23rd and it sort of started on the 22nd and definitely did the night after surgery. I still have it and I'm taking my pills. I also have tons of mouth ulcers related to my autoimmune disease. I think my body is just totally thrown off and pissed at me.

Yes im feeling better but i still have to take my pain meds but besides that im good hopefully i get loose fast even i did a revision from sleeve to rny because of severe gerd ..so far no acid reflux episode on my chest ..the only burning i experience now is bc of the uti which im taking antibiotics for that.

Hi peeps, I had sx on 8/9. Was back for readmission last week bc of dehydration. At first my weight loss was slow. Now it seems to be about a pound a day (or more). But I feel it's all muscle that I'm losing, not fat, and I'm worried. I'm definitely NOT getting in all my fluids or protein- maybe 40ish grams of protein and 32 oz liquids. I'm also exhausted and dizzy. I can't eat/drink anything with artificial sweeteners/flavors since they make me sick. I'm also a vegetarian. Last week while inpatient my labs showed I was in ketosis. Now I'm on phase 2, so full liquids and purees. Still getting in a protein shake each day, plus eggs, and some carbs like potatoes and sweet potatoes. I'm hoping that any muscle mass I'm losing will be able to regain once I can exercise. Is this how it's supposed to go?

Congratulations!!!!!!! That's Awesome... My Dr. just submitted my Gastric Sleeve claim for approval to Fep BC/BS for approval! Do you know if there is anyway to check the Status of the Surgery Claim on the Fep Blue Website instead of calling? Who do you call and ask the question to?

My Dr. just submitted my Gastric Sleeve claim for approval to Fep BC/BS for approval! Do you know if there is anyway to check the Status of the Surgery Claim on the Fep Blue Website instead of calling? If you do call, who do you call and ask the question to?

Honestly this isn't an easy surgery to go through for anyone.....some heal faster than others and some don't. Some people can get majority of their liquids in and others can't even meet half of their daily intake. It's a mental thing all around. Take longer walks through out the day to get your mind of the pain or just do extra things around the house. If your just moping around then that makes u think more about the negatives. 3 weeks out is a pretty decent time where u should be able to be out and about with friends. And reading your never going to eat your favorite foods again is bs. I know people personally who've had a successful surgery and have dropped over their goal weight and still have cheat days. It's all about you controlling yourself and saying ok I'm full I'm not going to continue eating this. When your able to eat regular foods again, meal prep for the week and then Friday or Saturday have a cheat meal and then get back on your meal prep the next day. Because if you just give up and just binge eat on all the bad foods that got u where u were before the surgery then the surgery was just pointless you know? It's all in your control! Just think of your goal weight and where u want to see yourself! Or even buy an outfit that u want to fit in by next summer and that can be another motivation for u! Don't give up because I'm rooting for you and I know you can do this...be strong for yourself and push through! [emoji1377][emoji171]

You're doing fine with weight loss. I wouldn't worry yet. I'm 3 mos post sleeve and only went down one pant size, but everyone comments on how much over lost. Sometimes it comes of differently. My face looks thinner and my bra size went down. As far a food, make sure you're eating slow, if I eat you fast its easy to eat more than you should and feel sick. Remember just because it's on your plate does not mean you have to eat it. My co worker laughed at me yesterday for leaving three bites of my chicken from lunch, she was like, "you seriously did not leave three bites of chicken. " I know from experience that those three more birds would make me feel like crap. I said it'll make a nice snack later before I go home. She said that is not enough for a snack, and I said wth it is if you've had a protein of your stomach removed. You'll have to learn to listen to your stomach and at the first feeling of yeah I may be full, stop and leave it bc one or two bites have made all the difference in walking away fine out walking away in stabbing pain. Pre op I was originally 256# right before surgery was 231# now I'm 3 mos out 189#. I notice a difference and feel good. Also avoiding carbs has left me feeling more flat in the stomach, when I would eat alot bread Pre op it would leave me feeling bloated.

I was told to wean off the Gabapentin before surgery. I don't know your situation though. Maybe cut then in half to help and try swallowing one every 15 mins. Take your nausea med before your pills as well to help keep them down. I felt regret as well I the beginning. It'll definitely pass once you get through the crappy first few weeks. I agree with sleep and sip bc your body is healing and the sleep helps. Be sure to walk as well though when you are awake. Good luck.

I wad told no carbonation bc the air bubbles in the smaller stomach may cause discomfort. I used to drink the flavored carbonated water but the ones in the can were so bubbly thatI could only drunk half a can or I'd get a stomach ache pre-op. Everyone would probably be different one this one.

Same place. I'm 5 days post op and struggling. Regret decision to go under the knife. I've lost lots in the past but regained it time and time again. So I think I could have done it myself but in reality I couldn't bc I never have. But this isn't as easy as they made it seem. I am famished. Reading all these posts help. It's done and I can't go back but I sure am doubting my choice.

Hi Daniel - I had my surgery on 11th August and i feel exactly the same. getting fed up with pureed food and feel that I probably could go on to the soft food stage now but I'm too frightened! I haven't had any reflux or 'overfull' feelings since the op. If you speak to your nurse, let me know what they say as it will stop me having to call :).

I didn't take my vitamins for about 30 days. I tried, but got sick each time. I had to go to a group appointment of one-month out people. No one was taking their vitamins bc of pain or nausea. It's slightly better since I can take the capsule now. At the second day, I didn't think anything was easy! Maybe ice chips. I just concentrated on trying to get one ounce down at a time. Good luck! And I hope you don't float away!!

Hi I know this is going to be a crazy question but I need to know which surgery I had. I had my surgery in 1979 when I was 18 years old. It was done in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Mount Sinai Hospital. I am now in my late 50s and my health is failing. I guess the reason I never knew which surgery I had was because I never had great medical care beyond the day I walked out of the surgeon's office. I spent years of throwing up my food and not losing much weight. When I asked other doctors about malnutrition they just laughed at me and asked if I had rickets. They made me feel stupid so I never pursued it further. I didn't have great medical care beyond that. I never had the energy or stamina that other people had, I just thought I was lazy and I pushed myself harder. Other people thought I was lazy too, and they never understood my eating issues. My teeth started breaking off and became painful in the back from all of the throwing up I was doing, which impeded my eating habits even more. I got pregnant several times and became very ill and I was not offered any medical help to get through the pregnancies. My husband was very upset about how sick I was he did not want lose me to not getting any help and did not want me to go through with them. My final pregnancy I spent 7 months hospitalized and tube fed because of malnutrition. That was 25 years ago and after I had my daughter again no doctor would presued the malnutrition issue they just told me that pregnant women had worse issues in third world countries. I went on from there to live my life until the last 4 years when I started getting too sick to even go to work. Finally I got social security disability but because you don't get actual medical insurance for two years after you start disability I did not get medical attention again. I am told by other people that the malnutrition issue is well-known however it seems to be unknownby any doctors I am seeing. So anyhow back to the original question all I know about the surgery is I have a large scare from the top of my abdomin to my belly button, I was told they had to take my stomach out to work on it, the staples show up on x-rays or scans and something was done with the opening to the intestine, I think it was moved to form scar tissue to slow down the emptying of my stomach. I have attended seminars given by bariatric doctors and when I pose the question to them about which surgery I might have had they tell me they can't help me. So what was the name of my surgery and what was done to me? I hope someone can give me some help here.

I just had my two week post op apt Wednesday and asked the same questions. My surgeon told me cardio is fine now but core workouts like Pilates, TRX, barre should be at least 4-6 weeks out. I'll be going back to my weekly Pilates at 6 weeks out, starting back with a one on one with my instructor before going back to my group class. At our bariatric support group on Thursday, this also came up. The bariatric nurse from our local hospital was there and she said it is imperative that we get protein in before and after our workouts. I'm a little freaked out to go back to orange theory bc I can't seem to get all my water in and those workouts make me want to down water like crazy. I was thinking taking a protein water to orange theory with me. I think I may start walking my 3 mile loop for a couple weeks first and then hitting orange theory. I'll be three weeks out tomorrow and am definitely feeling like I'm not moving enough. 5'7 HW: 256 SW: 248 CW: 235 At 2 week post op GW: 150 Fantasy GW: 135 Sleeved 8/7

Yes I'm drinking room temperature liquids. Did that feeling go away for you. I feel like I'm constantly swallowing bc I feel like I have something in my throat. Hopefully it gets better.

One other thing I haven't given up yet - I have gotten rid of MOST processed foods from my diet. However, AMERICAN CHEESE slices are still in. This weekend I had grass fed, organic 90% lean ground beef. I weighed it into 3 oz patties and made 5 for the week. The quality of the beef was fantastic - and what did I top it with? Half a slice of American cheese :-) But it's really amazing to think about what I have given up - bread (MAJOR TRIGGER FOOD), rice, pasta, sweets, chips - no problem. I don't have an issue with it - I just think it's kind of comical what has stayed in the diet.

I also want to add something that I have found to be true based on my experience. At first Intuitive Eating was really hard and scary. I thought I was going to blow up huge for SURE. I had to be so brave to even try it. At first I was negotiating with myself a lot. Like... I will try it for a week so I can enjoy my vacation.. or I'll try it but if I gain weight at all I will resume dieting. In the beginning I only managed short periods of time eating freely and then would restrict again. And it was like that for some time. But!! But. What happens is ... as you continue, the times where you let go- they are sooo good. You aren't overeating or binging, you are just eating enough.. and it feels soooooo good in your mind and body, that after awhile it feels more worthwhile than being super skinny or pleasing society or some stifling ideal. Being fed right is an amazing feeling, and it becomes harder and hard to go back to restrictive food behaviors. Over time my stretches became longer and longer and as I sought out more support and also saw my body remaining in a stable weight and started working on my body dysmorpia... everything just fell into place more and more. Suddenly you start to realize, wow I haven't thought about food intake or dieting in awhile! And wow what a freedom that is. Lifting that oppressive mindset and hunger out of your world is like coming out of a cloud. Life is so full and beautiful. Weight isn't what defines your happiness- health is. Mental and physical health. Food will make or break you for sure. Too much and your body and mind will suffer. Too little and your body and mind will suffer. It takes the right amount to be truly happy and ONLY YOUR INDIVIDUAL METABOLISM AND BODY can determine what that amount should be. I'm not writing these feed to threaten or undermine you. I'm not bragging about my success or weightloss. I'm offering out a hand to those who feel they want or need to try something different. If dieting works for you for now, great. But know that should you want something else, there is this. I want to give others what I have found and share my experience. I truly believe, in fact I KNOW dieting cannot be a sustainable practice for lifelong happiness. With dieting there will always be the highs of weight loss and the deep lows of weight gain. With intuitive eating, there is just consistency and underneath that freedom and joy.

Hey all! Update on me. (And thank you all who have been supportive by the way) I'm doing AWESOME. My weight is extremely stable. I don't weigh myself if I can avoid it (I find numbers upsetting and triggering and pointless) but my clothes all fit and my measurements are the same. That said it's honestly a non issue because I don't care if I get smaller or bigger or whatever because weight just isn't what defines my happiness anymore. I've just finished my second round of plastic surgery in Mexico. I had a lower face lift (for a slight turkey neck and early jowling) and a Brazilian butt lift and I had fat added to my hips to give me a more womanly shape. I LOVE the results I am seeing. In my eating disordered days I always wanted a stick straight and boy like model body. I have changed that mindset and am embracing my Latina heritage and embracing what my body is more inclined to look like. Through the surgery I continued eating intuitively and my recovery has been wayyyy easier this time. I feel it is because I am much healthier and my body is well nourished and strong. I have repaired a lot of the damage dieting did to me. I'm in a new relationship and he has been super supportive. In my dieting days I would tend to pick abusive assholes. This time I have picked someone who supports my choices and builds me up. It's amazing what a well fed mind can do!! I don't live on the edge any more and I don't keep people around who encourage my self esteem and body image issues. My eating behavior has not changed. Once in awhile I will loosely tally up my calories (sadly I still have every single item of food calories burned into my brain) and I find I eat around 2000-3000 calories a day. Usually right around the 2500 mark. I don't do this by thinking about it. That just seems to be what my body needs to be satisfied. What funny is I actually TRIED to put on some weight for my Brazilian butt lift and I FAILED. I don't have much fat in my body, which they needed for the surgery, so I tried to eat more by adding in breakfast and higher calorie foods for about a month before my surgery. I didn't do anything that felt harmful or excessive- just encouraged myself to always eat breakfast, a lot of avocado, adding cheese and mayo more, that sort of thing. And.... Nothing happened. No weight gain. In fact it felt like I LOST weight. [emoji23] In my dieting days with a wrecked metabolism I was able to put on 5lbs in 3 days!!! My body is now at its set point and it just won't allow me to change that so easily. God knows what I would have to do to gain weight at this point. Anyway my butt lift isn't as big as I would have liked it but it still looks great! A few weeks ago I also went on a cruise with my kids. It made me extremely sad to see all the people on the boat gorging themselves and looking so miserable. I've been on 3 cruises in my life. The first one I was 27 thin and bulimic- I threw up everything I ate on the ship and was super sick. The second one I was 33 and obese. I ate till my stomach was going to pop and was super miserable and depressed. This time I'm 37 and a healthy intuitive eater. I ate whatever I wanted to satisfy my hunger and tried not to worry about the food at all. And I was happy. Roughly what I eat: Bagel with avocado for breakfast (Or something like an omelet with tons of Ketchup my favorite food) Maybe some Thai food or tacos or fried calamari for lunch, or salad and sandwich (usually eat out for lunch) Dinner I eat out a lot too or at home rarely. I like all kinds of restaurants. I don't like too cook, it takes up too much time and I work a lot. I like Italian, Mexican, sushi, salads... whatever. [emoji4] so I get a salad and an entree. Entrees are so crazy huge, I almost always have leftovers. Big snack at bedtime. Either the rest of my dinner or a burrito or sandwich or something. This is probably my largest meal of the day. Sometimes dessert. I eat chocolate a lot at like 3 am. I dunno why but my body craves it. And wine. I love wine. All though I have been cutting back lately because it does make me tired and not sleep as well. I'm attaching some fun photos for you all and much love and many blessing to you in your journey!!! It's a journey worth taking to get healthy with food. My life is 1000000x better. Trying to get that booty haha!! Bahahahaa. Cruise photo. All of these are taken within the last month.

There are so many things... shopping for new cloths bc the old ones don't fit anymore... my whole body not hurting at the end of the day... the energy to play with my 5 kids... going up and down stairs without being afraid my knee is going to buckle with every step... not taking 7 pills every morning when I get up. oh and not feeling like all regular bathroom stalls are made for kids because i barely fit!!!

LOL after all the research I've done this is definitely not the easy way out. But ppl think that the surgery is magic and u just lose weight without any work. We still have to eat right and exercise bc the weight can all come back plus more. While going through complications, pain, etc from having a surgical procedure. This is definitely a lifestyle change. And Im almost certain everyone who decides to have this procedure done isnt just doing it for cosmetic reasons, its because their health is at stake and theyre over it. Of course we all wanna look good who doesnt? But health is first. And easy way out? Nothing about this has been easy, not even the approval process!

so I was denied they said some of my NUT notes were missing and my mental health notes were missing... ALLLLL BS but my surgeons office resent everything all over again so another 7-10 business days

Yes, all of my primary care drs would annoy me too with "eat a low calorie diet and exercise" which is clearly what Ive been doing lol. I researched PCOS and I literally had every symptom, so I brought that to their attention and I was told I didnt have that either by my pcp. So I saw an endocronologist who specializes in pcos, weightloss, hormone imbalances, thyroid issues, diabetes etc. He diagnosed me, but after years of trying to lose weight on my own and seeing that a symptom of pcos is weight gain and its harder for us to lose weight I knew that's what I had and after I was formally diagnosed is when i decided to have the surgery. I can lose 10lbs and gain 15 more it was a never ending cycle that needs to stop bc it is now affecting my health.