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North Carolina BC/BS here. Sorry I'm seeing this post so late. Did you already get the sleeve done?

Well I have not gone through surgery yet, but my pre op diet my general BS number is 130’ish. What was your avg reading during your pre op diet phase? that should of been like a general base line to what your post op will look like for awhile

There was absolutely nothing to my psych eval. It was more of just a bs session. She did ask me how I felt about myself. I told her besides my weight, I felt good about myself. Other than that it was just small talk. I guess each one is different but I think she was more or less summing up my state of mind. As far as the surgeries, I don't think that will hinder you at all. You didn't say where your hernias were ut I have had a ton of abdominal surgeries and it didn't impact the outcome in any way. I have BC/BS of Illinois and they paid 100%. I did have to do a 6 month diet first but that's about it. Hope everything goes well. Good Luck!!!

Sending positive vibes your way!!! I have fed bcbs and it took about 2 weeks to get approved. Good luck

I just read that my surgeon asks that his patients stop all birth control pills/ Estrogen/ Progesterone 2 weeks before surgery....would this include an IUD/ Mirena?? I just got that sucker in there and my body used to it! Heck...I haven't even had the opportunity to take it on a "test run"....please tell me I'm not going to have to remove it and go through the serious pain of having it reinserted! <I, of course, will talk to my surgeon about this at my next visit...but I thought y'all might have some insight or perhaps have had the same issue come up >

@@sleevedtbd - do you have regular yearly gynecologists appts? They should have documented your weight. If you are on BC it use to be brought up (weight) years ago when I was going. At the time I was not overweight but my GF was and she was seeing the same doctor. You didn't show your height but if your BMI is under 40 you may want to also see if you may have comorbidities like if your BP was a little higher...are you pre-diabetic...do you have sleep apnea? That was a concern for me as my BMI was just over the minimum. I am a lot older but they also said my HBP and pre-diabetic state would override the BMI. I also thought I was 5'8" and some change...turns out I am now just UNDER 5'8" so if they listed me as 5'7" my BMI was actually higher...

I can't believe that it's 85%. Yes many places say that it increases, but that is usually bc the relationship wasn't healthy to begin with. Many, many people on here have relationships that handle the surgery just fine, mine included. Your fiancé is going through a tough time. It'll gets easier the further out she is... That still doesn't mean she should be saying hurtful things to you. Talk to her about how your feeling at a time when she's in a normal state of mind (not upset about eating). Explain what you said to us. Try not to blame her bc that'll just make her defensive. Maybe you can have some sort of code word to use when she's upset and becoming hurtful to you, it'll clue her into when you are feeling hurt without extra talking that she could misinterpret. I would also recommend you talk to her about a therapist or joining a support group after you've been able to successfully talk to her about your situation at least once. If she was understanding about your feelings, she will probably be more receptive to hearing about her needing some extra support from you as well. I hope you've gotten some info that'll help you on here. Keep coming back with any questions!

I live in Jax as well. I'm into my fourth month of my 6 month supervised physician wt loss per BC/BS. Dr Baptista will be doing my surgery hopefully in early august. Welcome to our forum.

Are we allowed to eventually eat lettuce? Is it bc it offers no nutritional value? I don't see it mention in any of the bariatric pamphlets or online. Just wondering! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I have 2 friends who have preceeded me to WLs, one sleeve and one RnY, seems strange in a city of 18,000 there aren't more. I can tell you in my own city and county there are MANY who could profit from bariatric surgeries, we tend to,be "corn fed" I would love to lecture them on the wisdom of Bariatrics then I remember I would not have appreciated it before. I took suggestions of weight loss as a personal attack, after all I was good enough a person already. I think you have to come to the decision for yourself, it is not something you are ordered to do!! My thought: You reach a point where surgery is less fearsome than continuing to live obese, sad and feeling society's rejection everywhere you turn. You are at best 2nd class citizens, bullied and reviled for nothing more than taking up more space in life than they are willing to grant you. Often they do not see the "you", they see a fat shell instead.I don't think I've been normal sized since puberty, and before that? Pudgy ,on the high side of average at best. Shoot at 1 year.I was 36 inches& 35 pounds, I was drafted into obesity before I was old enough to enlist. I was always "Big for Her Age" until puberty when the kindness stopped and I became only the Fat Red-headed chick on the outside of every group and clique around. I seldom dated,no guy wanted a girl who weighed more than them, not even the football and wrestling teams. And they all missed out,because even then size be d*****d I was and still am a wonderful person to know,smart, witty yet kind-hearted, if they had only given me a chance! But still I went on, if I couldn't be pretty, cute and perky,I could,be smart so I buried myself in books where I couldn't be misjudged. Anybody looking for someone who can recite the US presidents, name the 88 Ohio counties and tell an important fact about each one, recite the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence? No one else did either. At one time I could recite every Ohio Governor from territory through statehood and quote the length of term. But dance? The only ones willing to dance with me were my girlfriends, when a guy finally asked,me to dance I had an embarrassing tendency to Lead, well I always been the tallest so....... One said to me' Stop trying to lead", my answer was" One of us has to and I'm not too confident of YOUR ability!"Needless to say I was on the side lines, with all the other wallflowers soon. Now,after all the dings of life, bearing more than few scars , I present myself at the altar of Bariatric Surgery,begging to be granted an audience and the surgery I so earnestly went. Will I have success? I have every intention of it, a wise woman, I believe it was@ proudgrammy, said "There is only Do or Not Do, there is no Try! " So I move forward with the hard won courage of my life toward the Target, not running but firmly stepping each step to the conclusion.[emoji13] I can but hope there are others who will cheer me on but if not-- I am still,persevering . And I will be the very best ME I can be for at the finish,this is truly My Own Victory[emoji304],[emoji573]alone. [emoji13][emoji295] Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I guess it depends on what your goal is or how much you want to lose? I chose bypass for max loss quicker ( although sleeve can slower people have lost equal weight in long run), also BC I had reflux . I also saw many converting from sleeve to bypass and I didn’t want two surgeries to be a possibility at all. So I guess it depends on your preference and medical factors. Plenty of people with both surgeries here with a lot of success. Good luck with your decision.

Yes, I felt the same.... didn't want to go to Mexico until I found Dr. A. Where I'm from... kinda complicated question. I live a rotation of two months in Vancouver, BC, and then four months on a cruise ship (cruise ship employee). I fly home on the 18th, spend two days at home, and then fly out to Mexico for my surgery. It's going to be crazy, but I'm so excited! Not sure if you have a WLS facebook account or not but if you don't, I highly suggest that you create one. Feel free to add me if you want. (Timzor Canada). There are a bunch of amazing people out there to meet and get info from. YouTube is also a FANTASTIC resource.

Your job not accommodating and letting you go after drs documentation soubds illegal and potential ADA lawsuit!! I'm sure your doctor is just concerned that you are in a good mental state to face major surgery and overwhelming change... Do you have a therapist or psychiatrist. If so, it might help if your therapist in particular speak with your GP I signed releases si my gp, surgeon and psych ppl cab talk. My surgeon, even though their psychologist cleared me wanted letters from my psychiatrist and therapist showing tgey supported the surgery and my mental health was stable bc I have bipolar l and PTSD. They had no problems with this and it cleared the air. I knew I was ready but they have to feel you are ready and when you breakdown, gethispitalizedhospitalized, have difficult dx,etc... they worry.. Loosing your job is a serious stressor too... and the grounds you lost it on sound wrong to me... Be upfront with your GP, tell him how you feel, tgat your meds are helping and allow him to talk to ur mental health docs... That can go a long ways Worse case scenario... your surgery gets delayed....

Sooo I've decided to go through with weight loss surgery and hope to join you all on the journey! I meet with my surgeon tomorrow and I have no idea what to expect. This will be my very first appointment so I believe he's going to just give me the options and go over more of the basic things. (Seminar is the in on the 15th & PCP is seeing me on the 30th) I feel like I'm doing things backwards lol. I've done research for so long so I do know that my insurance covers the surgery and will be requiring a 6 mo supervised diet He'll probably be going over that too, then after I hope to get most, if not all, appointments in between. My ultimate fear is that my insurance denies me. Since I am at a BMI of 40 and have 6 months of diet, I feel that I will drop under 40 and with no comorbidities (that i know of yet) I will not get the surgery. I've done everything I can at this point regarding weight loss and at 21, I have only gained more after all the dieting I have done since Highschool. I'm the heaviest I have ever been and I notice the change in my breathing, I can't stand for long periods of time, and my menstrual cycle comes and goes away for months (no bc) My health is only worsening which is why I'm choosing to go through with this. Love to hear any advice, expectations and/or your experiences... -Cori

Orgain Grass Fed Protein Chocolate.

So I went to my doctors yesterday and got on the subject of birth control. I originally started taking birth control because I have PCOS and thought it would control my symptoms and horrible headaches. Turns out it hasnt fixed my headaches and according to my doctor birth control is probably what is making my headaches WORSE. (JOY)..Im debating on after getting my surgery if I should go off of my birth control ( Ive been on it for over 2 years) Maybe it'll be good for my body? Im just worried about possibly gaining weight from the pill after being off of it for 2 months and getting back on ,. Also I never had a regular period until I went on BC cause Im over weight, but I wonder if my body will equal itself out from me losing weight gradually with the sleeve...then I worry about becoming extremely "fertile" (OH MY LANTA!!) That would be horrible haha...Is there any ladies out there who decided to stop taking the pill after the sleeve and had good results or vise versa?! Thanks gals

You're right. that was a guess...everything i eat in essence is very lean and very low fat to no fat. I pretty much eat a lot of leaves and lean grass fed meat. In any sense, you're right. I started using my Baritastic app again and ive been feeling better about everything. The headaches are coming on but nothing im not used to thanks for your input. its appreciated.

Today was the big day!! Hubby and I arrived at the hospital for 7:30am, and about 10 minutes later I was taken to pre-op to change, get hooked up to all the lovely machines, etc. The nurse was incredibly sweet and gentle, but she couldn't get a vein. My veins roll and hide a lot, and today they were on their worst behavior. She used a numbing agent first so she could poke around without hurting me too much, but I now have 3 bruises on my hands and arm! There were two little surprises- a shot of blood thinner in the belly (which I'd read about on these boards but my surgeon never discussed- thank you for the warning everyone!) and a creamer-sized dose of a nasty antacid. Hubby kissed me goodbye, I got the relaxing agent in my IV, and I was off to the OR just after 9am. I remember my arms being strapped down away from my body and breathing into an oxygen mask, and I woke up in recovery around 11:30. The pain was a little more than I expected, but not nearly as bad as my disc surgery a few years ago. Another lovely nurse fed me ice chips, got a bedpan under me because I thought I needed to pee (didn't happen), and got my pain to a 2-3 before I went to my room. I was slipping Water slowly, drifting in and out of sleep, and got up to take a walk not even an hour later. It took me 4 hours of repeatedly walking and resting before my body was ready to pee. I guess the pain meds can sometimes slow down the bladder (as well as other things), and I'd get the urge but nothing came out. Once I finally peed, I was in my clothes and out the door 15 minutes later and home by 6:15pm. Hubby got my pain meds from the drugstore and helped me into bed after a walk with the dog. Our couch is too soft and deep, and we don't have a recliner, so our high bed is the best option for me as long as I'm really propped up with pillows. I just have to get in quickly and not stop or it hurts too much. Now I'm sipping water, taking brief walks to relieve the gas discomfort, and peeing quite regularly :tongue2: All in all, a great day. The staff at Baystate Medical in Springfield, MA is exceptional- every single person I was in contact with was friendly, helpful, and excited for me. This weekend is supposed to be 95 degrees, so hubby has one more task- getting the AC unit in the window! These stories really helped me before my surgery, so I wanted to give back, too. Feel free to ask me any questions, especially if you're going through PVSA and Dr. Fiallo. Oh, one more thing. I was on liquids for a week before and didn't weigh myself because I figured they would weigh me the morning of surgery- they didn't! So I don't know my pre-surgery weight. Not the biggest deal, but I was curious.

Me too. At virginia hospital center. 8:30 am. I'm super grumpy - almost mouthed off at work yesterday to some lady being difficult. Had to send in admin proffesional to finish w/ her bc I was all out of F$7@'s to give at the moment. allons-y

I haven't met him yet, but he is going to do my band surgery. The Pinehurst Center is a BC/BS center of Excellence, if you BC/BS you get a discounted rate. I believe it is also a Bariatric Center of Excellence. Everyone I have met so far is super nice.

okay so i am only 6 days postop but i am starting to regret getting my band! being so young, i am nervous about complications and band erosion/adherence etc... i know i need to give it a chance and all but i feel like a two yr old throwing a tantrum bc i want it out! i guess i will feel better once i am able to actually chew something but this is awful! additionally, i feel this tightness in my chest and a lump in my throat allll the time!! it's horrible! i just have this feeling that ive made a mistake in getting the band :/ its a terrible feeling to have... however i will say im sure i will like the results once i am able to really experience the band. i see a lot of success stories but im also worried bout the excess skin! i dont want a million cosmetic surgeries! why the heck do some people get to eat anything without gaining an ounce!!!! lol lastly i will admit ive realiZed how much i used to eat just bc i wanted to and not bc i was hungry! since i cant eat and im on full liquids, i do feel like i want to eat everything in sight lol but ive noticed that i want everything even if im not hungry! such an eye opener! its crazy to think i used to order whatever came with the biggest portion just to have the most and eat in excess bc i wanted to have it before it was gone and now it will be about actual taste and health, not portions! thats the biggest realization ive had and since i am a food addict, i dont like the thought of this yet but thats part of the mental relearning! anyway just needed to rant i suppose?! frustrations from a newly banded 24 y/o new mom! lol

Those commercials bother me too. Just creepy, sappy BS.

Is it bc we had surgery or change in diet??

I have a friend who is set to have the endoscopic procedure in July. We are in boston and there is only one surgeon who performs this procedure and her insurance has denied coverage bc they say the procedure is still experimental. She had rny about 13 yrs ago and had success but weight regain after two pregnancies. The dr explained that the outlet (stoma?) was significantly enlarged and food was just washing through leaving her always hungry.