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I remember before my surgery thinking how I didn't care what I looked like, I was going to love my body because I would be so much thinner. HAHA 7 months post-op and that's not the case. I used to love my breasts. Even though they hung down, they looked awesome in a bra and they were just great. Well not they are literally just flat sacks of skin (and i'm only 1/2 way through my weight loss!) So literally the one part of my body that made me feel sexy and that I loved, I am embarrassed by bcecause they don't even look that great in a good bra anymore. Having said that though, I am finding other parts of my body that I am taking a second look at and going- hey that/those are pretty sexy, I like those! (Like the way my legs/thighs look in a skirt now for example). I have been single for 3 years and am so ready to start dating again. I am feeling AMAZING after surgery already- I am still me, but i am a completely different person in a lot of ways as well. I find a lot of men who are into me on dating sites because I work out- but I feel like they associate work out as a nice way of saying, "someone who is thin and always has been thin". I feel like it's misleading when someone just thinks I am super hot curvy girl- and then to see my without clothes on- the scars from surgery don't bother me, it's that I have a LOT of saggy skin. i mean it feels cold and kind of neat to touch- but how do you prepare someone for seeing that? Do you tell them RIGHT before you jump into bed? Do you tell them on a 3rd or 4th date? Do you never say anything? Do you put it out on the table before the first date? LOL I probably didn't help did I? I would love to see answers to your questions bcs I was asking it to myself too Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have anthem BC of Cali and used 4 months of visits with my endocrinologist for my diabetes, where she recorded my weight every visit, then I did two visits with the Nutritionist. Anthem approved within 5 days of receiving my medical records. Do you have any consecutive 6 month period in the last year where a medical professional (or a few) recorded your weight monthly? That should be all you need.

I asked my insurance to mail me the requirements for BS and luckily a supervised diet is not a requirement. I plan on going in being brutally honest and proving I'm committed to this life change and hopefully my appointments can be mad as close together as possible. June 8 I have an appointment with the surgeon, the nutritionist and I have the psychological evaluation. I have fingers and toes crossed. Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my post Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had mine a week before surgery, then I got it again 2 days after surgery... I am now 5 days late and know for sure I am not pregnant. I also stopped my bc a month before surgery so I am sure it's all out of whack.

Yes, I've been bleeding off and on for the 4 weeks since surgery. But, my doc also had me stop my bc pills, so my hormones are basically just all screwed up right now. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Lovelymilena, this forum is terrific for support, but what I think is the most valuable thing is....we (nicely) call each other out on our BS when we make excuses, whine without really wanting to change, and wallow in the Land of Poor Me for too long. Don't get me wrong, everyone is extremely supportive when going through physical pain, concern, worrying about something....it's a really kind, helpful outpouring of love from people who know exactly what you're going through. But people here also know when it's time tell you to get back up on that bike and ride again, if that makes sense (metaphorically). Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

This is absolutely just me saying this, and I'm definitely some random stranger on the interwebs, but what I was told and my research has born out is that the whole "if I do X, I could stretch my sleeve" stuff is complete BS. My doctor is a nationally certified training doctor for bariatric surgery. He said that many doctors use scare tactics on their patients that they feel won't listen to actual logic/facts like "your stomach will not stretch out if you overeat/drink soda/whatever, but you shouldn't do it" because all most people hear is that it is okay to do whatever (it's not, but mostly folks don't listen or they don't take to heart what the doc is actually saying most of the time). So they say things like "you'll stretch your stomach or cause a leak or kill yourself if you do X!!" hoping that the patient actually listens to them and doesn't do things that are discouraged. Scare tactics work, because most people unfortunately do not listen to doctors' advice unless they think it will seriously harm or kill them. All you have to do to prove that point is check out the numerous threads on here about never drinking with a straw because according to my doctor it can cause a leak/blow up your stomach/you will DIE...AAAAAAHHHHH! panic crap. A straw. Seriously. (granted, this is anecdotal evidence, but still) Carbonation is just gas. Gas can cause discomfort. If the gas gets bad enough, it can cause you pain and you'll probably feel bad and want to burp or take some gas pills and feel bad for a while. But it is biologically impossible once you are healed for it to stretch out your stomach from drinking a few sodas of beers. Which is not to say you should do this, just pointing out the logic fail there. What will likely happen is a person develops a tolerance for the carbonation and starts drinking regularly again? They'll be introducing lots of carbs, sugar, high calories, and caffeine in the case of sodas, and a fast ticket to dehydration (since both alcohol and soda can dehydrate a person easily). And you're wasting precious stomach space on empty, addictive junk basically. So yes, you shouldn't drink them, but not because you will cause serious damage; because they are not good for you. And if the doctor just told you that, it would be much easier for a person to ignore their "advice." Which is why some resort to scare tactics. So totally understand if you steer clear of them based off of what your doctor told you, but other doctors do actually say differently regarding the reasoning behind avoiding things like carbonation... and often differ on other hot button issues as well. And it never hurts to be aware of some doctors using scare tactics to keep their patients in line one way or another.

I will have to look in to that @@OutsideMatchInside My SW 246 CW 180 GW 125 I'm 5'2 my BM before surgery was 46. No doubt I think the tea and seeds are effecting me. Thank you all for ur support and help. And I totally relate to carrying around 69lbs bc the more I lose.. The more I think I did I manage with all the extra weight on me.

Hi Shaydi.Laine, Thank you! I appreciate all you've said. I'm also going to take your advice very seriously. I live in Victoria. BC and was sleeved in Mexico. I lost 10 pounds on the pre-op liquid diet before I went to Mexico. My surgery went very well, but the trip home was very very long and I wasn't ready for it. When I got home I slept and was pretty out of it for about 3 days. When I felt alive again I found I had developed Thrush which made eating and drinking difficult. Since that got cleared up I've been feeling great. I'm full of energy. I think I should have been more explicit when explaining my circumstances. Eating is torture and that's why I feel as though it's something I wish I could avoid. After I eat the meager portion that I do it I feel tremendous pressure in my chest and pain in my shoulder blades. The only thing that alleviates it is burping...something I've always had difficulty doing. I walk after I eat to aid in this. Over the past 24 hours I've read that pain in the shoulder blades could be a sign of gallstones. I've booked a Monday morning appointment with my GP. I am committed to doing my program as prescribed as diligently as possible. I definitely don't want to lose my hair!!! Sent from my SM-N900W8 using the BariatricPal App

I take my BC pill just as I did pre op. My surgeon never said there would be any issue whatsoever. 18 months post op and I haven't had any issues at all. I've taken Yaz since I was 18.

Yes u guys can! And that is what was hard for me bc it was like I couldn't have it so I wanted it that much more!!! It is definitely a mental thing...u got this!!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

About a month and a half ago I was diagnosed with PCOS. Ever since my daughter was born two years ago I couldn't lose the weight. I would lose some, gain a lot, lose some, gain a lot. Before I knew it I was heavier than I was when I was 9 months pregnant. I feel like crap all the time. Body aches, chronic fatigue, constantly feeling sick to my stomach, hair growth on my face, hair loss on my head and oh god the acne. My periods were nothing short of a nightmare and when I went two months without getting it that's when I knew something wasn't right. I moved and changed insurance recently so when I made an appointment with an obgyn it took a month before they could fit in a new patient. She sent me for a sono and a blood test and it turned out PCOS was the cause of all this. Without really explaining much about the condition she sent me on my way with a script for provera(to induce a period) and necon(super strength BC). That's when I decided I really wanted to get the gastric sleeve done. Six hours into my day I eat for the first time when the nausea subsides, no matter what I eat or how little my body is storing fat like I'm about to hibernate for a decade and after five minutes on a treadmill I feel like I'm about to pass out. If I push through it and make it 30 minutes or more I feel like someone beat the crap out of me. I'm so easily winded. I wasn't like this before my daughter was born, I was at the gym 3 nights a week and walking 3 miles to work and back every day. It's frustrating and depressing. So I made an appointment with a PCP and explained the whole thing to him. He said he wanted me to come back in 3 weeks and 1 week before the appointment come in for a blood test. I asked if he would want my obgyn to fax the blood test I JUST had two weeks before and his response was "It's ok". Whatever. I was ecstatic. I got the process started. I did what I was told. I came back for my next appointment and the doctor told me he wants me to eat oatmeal every morning at 8am and a piece of fruit every hour until 12pm when I have a sandwich and again until dinner and also join weight watchers. I said "but.. Don't you think the sleeve will help me? With my PCOS symptoms I mean if I lose the weight my hormones will regulate and the PCOS can go away" He said "No that surgery stuff is no good. I wouldn't recommend that stuff to my patients. All it does is shrink your stomach and you can do that yourself by doing what I told you. These surgeries all they do is make you throw up and it's messy and you will have a miserable life". He went on to tell me some story about one of his patients who had 27 surgeries and I just stopped listening because honestly I could've just cried right there and then. Why couldn't he just have said that in the first placr instead of wasting 3 weeks of my time? He told me if I really wanted it I would have to call my insurance and find a new doctor. So I went home and called my insurance. I told the woman on the phone I was looking for a new PCP and please give me the number to every single one who takes Aetna in this town, the next one, give my the whole county and then some. She gave me three numbers then started saying "Hello? Ma'am? Are you there? I can't hear you" then eventually disconnected the call. The first number I called told me they weren't accepting new Aetna patients but they do recommend patients for the sleeve and if I change my insurance to Blue Cross they can help me. Second number said they weren't sure if the doctor recommends the sleeve because she's on vacation. They took my info and said the will call me in a week when the doctor returns. The third number was an answering service and they didn't even name the doctor that the insurance woman gave me. I felt so defeated, depressed and hopeless at that point I couldn't gather the strength to call the insurance company back and ask for more numbers. I'm not really sure where to go from here. I can keep calling doctors. If that fails I could try changing my insurance and hope that by the time I get blue cross that doctors office is still taking new patients. And also hope that I can find a good pediatrician for my daughter. I'm also not sure if I can get blue cross considering I get my insurance through medicaid. I feel so miserable now. My optimism deflated. I don't want to give up. Sent from my LGMS395 using the BariatricPal App

I am going thru the same thing ...I am almost 4 weeks post op...I hate the puree meats so I eat the meat regular and just am sure to chew it up really good...the doctor told me I can have anything the consistency on soft serve ice cream but I really do test it...I am so tired of the liquids bc of the 10 day pre op diet and then the diet after surgery was killing me Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

I have got a lot of things like sippy cups bc I'm one that ends up getting three sips rather then one. Little food containers and ect. But what kind of Protein do you buy? And what brand? I know my taste will change but I don't want to spend a pay check on the powders does anyone know any good deals or know of any coupons? Thank you Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just threw up my first meal bc I ate wayyyyyyy too fast! Is this problem happening with anyone else? Or does anyone have anything they do to slow themselves down? I was so use to shoveling food in before not worrying and right now I'm paying for it! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I used to be an ER nurse, and I was constantly amazed at how little people know about how their own bodies work, and how little they pay attention to any teaching you give them. The stories I could tell... And some docs are worthless. I had to fire mine after years of her pooh-poohing all of my physical symptoms, to her since the lab tests didn't show anything, it was either depression (she fed me anti-depressants for years) or my weight. After I fired her, I went to a doc who listened to my history and immediately sent me for a sleep study, which showed significant apnea. CPAP fixed a number of my physical issues. I also ended up needing a heart procedure several months later which we now suspect may have been building for some time and causing problems. So a couple of years ago when I was having aches and pains that didn't make sense and responded ridiculously well to steroids, I wouldn't take no for an answer when my bloodwork came back "within normal limits". I ended up with my auto-immune arthritis diagnosis in a record 5 months because I wouldn't accept a non-answer and demanded a referral to a specialist when no one could give me a good reason I would need more than 10,000 mg a week of ibuprofen to take the edge off my joint pain.

You are gonna be buying smaller and smaller scrubs. The final day I worked before going out for my sleeve/hernia repair was filled with funny stuff. It ended with me getting off work and stopping in the men's room on the way out....by the front entrance. It'd been a very long day and all my peers were long gone....I'd stayed over to get some administrative bs done in preparation for my 3 weeks off. I looked up in the mirror as I was washing my hands and saw myself wearing a polo styled short sleeve shirt that had been well worn.....loved the fit and style of it. It was my "skinny shirt". Something about that damn shirt that always made me feel good wearing it. It began life as black....but was a washed out charcoal by then. Anyway......I peeled it off and threw it in the trash and walked my jiggly beer gut ass outa there and across the parking lot to my car. That was 7 months ago. The shirt was a 6x. I just ordered some new work shirts yesterday. They are sized in 2xlt. I've done nothing special....nothing extraordinary. I've simply followed, for the most part, followed my surgeon's plan. You will be loving those next level scrubs in your near future !!!!!!!!! Life is good.

I have to say, I think my bariatric group's procedure to obtain surgery is great; but every single person I have worked with has been a bit of a flake and not specific AT ALL about the nitty-gritty. I followed their outline to the letter and did everything required on my end within a month; necessary labs, sleep apnea test, using CPAP machine, support group meetings, follow-up appointments, etc. HOWEVER, the psych evaluation was kind of a joke -- a VERY young psych who weighed maybe 100 lbs gave me Bambi eyes and rattled off questions from a screen. I asked very sincere questions about follow-up psychiatric care/counseling as I don't think you get to the point of needing surgery without some underlying emotional issues -- and not only did she say she didn't do that kind of counseling, she had no referrals to anyone who did -- nor did she make any effort whatsoever to FIND a referral. The NUT was a no-nonsense, again, very thin (which is only appropriate,) woman who looked over my food diaries, chastised me for eating a cookie (warranted,) told me to cut down on cheese to only one meal a day, and had me go back for the required 3x, then passed me for surgery. I asked the NUT about what macronutrients I should shoot for, what ratio of carbs/protein/fat, to which she refused to answer and said we'd go over that post surgery. I was then given a folder of copied suggested healthy foods and given the bum's rush. Met with the surgeon, had the personality of naval lint, and asked about lifting restrictions (I have two 40-lb toddlers) and being out of work (self-employed from home, desk job,) and was met with a flat expression and told "If it hurts, stop." Um, thanks so much. That is so totally unhelpful. I asked pointed, detailed questions -- and got bupkiss. I have learned more from this site than anyone affiliated with the bariatric "team." Heck, the most informed person I have talked to that spent TIME answering my questions was the CPAP rep who fitted my face mask! I know it's annoying to read the same questions over and over, but I DO think there's a lot of grey area that isn't covered. As well, there are still the lazy slugs who want to be spoon-fed the information or be told they are the exception and; yes, you can still drink soda, eat chips or crackers, etc., at X interval after surgery without consequences, LOL.

I remember a nutritionist during a diff diet I was doing a few years ago telling me a Protein shake before bed is good bc it keeps your metabolism burning during your sleep and sustains something with the sugar so you don't get s drop while you sleep which then makes you burn while You sleep. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sorry but that is pure BS ... I am an adult female and my mother had been supportive from the start. She asked me why ..stated her concerns ... she went with me to the first few appointments and each concern was addressed by my doctor.. fast forward 3 years after having the band removed .. her first thought to me was.. so our next step is a conversion? While it does suck that there are mothers who can only think about themselves and are toxic for their children ( yes i know many) not every mom is like that... A lot of times mothers and fathers alike are the only ones who have your back.

I just spoke with my endo and surgeon about this and because Vitamins, nutrients, birth control, etc. won't be absorbed as well as before, they prefer you have another form of BC. I think I'm doing the iud as well. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My granny knew a lady who got gastric bypass and drank she ended up dying but it was a every other day thing for her.... So idk it really doesn't seem worth it to me if you are with your friends you haven't seen you shouldn't need a drink bc there are so many things to talk and laugh about, shouldn't need a push to do it Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My nutritionist said not to worry about calories but to focus on getting the fluids and Protein goal achieved and watching carbs. She said she understands for some people it's hard to get enough calories bc they aren't handling solids as well but you should not be trying to minimize calories if you loose all your weight at 300-500 calories you will need to maintain a 500 calorie diet for life in order to just maintain your weight and at that point it will be nearly impossible. She referenced the biggest looser contestants that they just had this big article about how the wrecked their metabolism by loosing like that with such small caloric intake. Now the grown man has to have a 500 cal diet to just maintain needless to say he's gained all his weight back. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I decided against getting a case manager for UHC but now might ask for one after all.....BC on the phone they told me no waiting, but they told my surgeon's office that I need 6 monthly visits, UGH. Why would they tell me NO wait over the phone then tell my surgeon something different???? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have BCBSIL and asked them to send a a copy of the BS requirements and no they do not require and type of weight loss program before surgery I was sooo happy to read that. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App