Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

My sleeve journey



Recommended Posts

I'm starting this for my records :)

I'm 5'6 A wife. A mother of 4 boys. Highest wt: 285 current wt: 269 Pre Op starts March 5th for Gastric Sleeve, my surgery date is scheduled for March 12th.

Lately it's been hard to keep losing at the same time mourning some foods I'll have to say goodbye too for a while....lol

And also for some reason I've been noticing how big I really am! I guess I was in denial and now my eyes are becoming clear, the fog is separating, and everyday I want my surgery more and more, and it's actually helping me stay focused.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well good luck on your jourey.....its never ease to pretty much start over but I think you will do fine...just remember to take it one step at a time

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Post op! On losers bench! So excited, it was horrible coming out of surgery , I was like , can I do this?!" I was sooo much in pain, but it subsided in an hour or so and then when I got moved to my room for the night I've been feeling so much better every single minute! I went pee twice it's been 6 hours since surgery and I waked 4 laps around hospital and I got I've got ice chips . I cried for a moment when I was in huge pain kinda just releasing my frustrations of the pain, now I'm excited to start my adventure! I don't really have the gas which is great j

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Glad all went well with ur surgery. Good luck with ur continued journey :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello, Im new here. I have come searching for answers...I have been on the sleeve journey for over a year now. I have been going to my surgeons office 2 times a month for the year and done everything I was asked to do. The whole time, being on hubby's insurance BCBS of VA, every appointment has been covered minus copay, every procedure covered, until the scheduling of surgery. After losing 30 pounds on my own, and ready for this whole life change...The surgeons office submits it, and calls me to let me know, its not covered and that I dont carry the Obesity rider on my policy. UGH FRUSTRATED--so me being the proactive person, contacts insurance to find out how this has all been covered until now. They proceed to tell me its all been preventative care and Im not diagnosed as obese. OH HELLO< all my paperwork from the surgeons and Dr's office states I am, my BMI is 40.5. Which BCBS doesnt require it. So I contact hubby's HR and they are willing to do an exception letter, BCBS says no it has to be for everyone on the policy not just me--MY WHOLE FAMILY isnt fat just me. Who takes out a policy years ago planning to be fat and having surgery? Apparently there is nothing I can do with this policy, not even an add on policy. I could understand if I wasnt able to do all of this for a year and none was covered. Now, I am thinking my only option is to wait another 60 days, and take out another policy with United Healthcare through my employer since they only require a BMI of over 40-scared to lose anymore now. Can anyone help me??

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello, Im new here. I have come searching for answers...I have been on the sleeve journey for over a year now. I have been going to my surgeons office 2 times a month for the year and done everything I was asked to do. The whole time, being on hubby's insurance BCBS of VA, every appointment has been covered minus copay, every procedure covered, until the scheduling of surgery. After losing 30 pounds on my own, and ready for this whole life change...The surgeons office submits it, and calls me to let me know, its not covered and that I dont carry the Obesity rider on my policy. UGH FRUSTRATED--so me being the proactive person, contacts insurance to find out how this has all been covered until now. They proceed to tell me its all been preventative care and Im not diagnosed as obese. OH HELLO< all my paperwork from the surgeons and Dr's office states I am, my BMI is 40.5. Which BCBS doesnt require it. So I contact hubby's HR and they are willing to do an exception letter, BCBS says no it has to be for everyone on the policy not just me--MY WHOLE FAMILY isnt fat just me. Who takes out a policy years ago planning to be fat and having surgery? Apparently there is nothing I can do with this policy, not even an add on policy. I could understand if I wasnt able to do all of this for a year and none was covered. Now, I am thinking my only option is to wait another 60 days, and take out another policy with United Healthcare through my employer since they only require a BMI of over 40-scared to lose anymore now. Can anyone help me??

Hi, I'm sorry your having a hard time, but I know that it's not un heard of that people change insurances all the time , just to find the right insurance that covers it, it takes time but worth it, if this is what you realty want , hope that helps

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok so 1st day at home was rough, I had a lot of pain, and the liquid medicine for pain was horrible!! It actually made me almost have heart burn! And it burned going down :( I had to take pills for acid reflux for 3 months for preventative , so I figured if I can take that pill why can't I take a pain pill? Lol so I called the nurse and they gave me pain pills, and I also got zofran"nausea" dissolvable tablets( these are amazing) what a difference that pill makes, I feel so much better!

Now day 4-5 I'm doing better every day, it's true it does get better, it's hard to image when your in pain and can barely get a sip in, but it's true.

I drink Water, then cream of mushroom Soup 4oz then I drink Water n more water, then another 4oz of Soup and then water , I tried Protein shake but I could barely get it down, too thick & too much, I can only take 4oz at one time.

But I feel good today, I did get horrible gas from yogurt! Ugh it was so good, but immediately my sleeve didn't like it! It said no lol I suggest don't stock up on nothing, try it first then you'll know

Oh and yes I still have muscle pain from the way I was in the surgery table, my back is very sore and my incision where they took out tummy, other than that I'm good :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was the day after you. I would agree with everything! I'm scared to try yogurt. Maybe tomorrow.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was the day after you. I would agree with everything! I'm scared to try yogurt. Maybe tomorrow.

I tried regular Yoplait, tomorrow I'm gonna try Greek nonfat yogurt chocolate/raspberry I hope my sleeve likes it! Lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello i am newbie. I'm 8 days post OP. The 1st nite was truly hell, dealing with gas& heartburn. I didn't have a lot of incision pain, i was nauseated & dizzy from anesthesia. After that its just been trial & error. Iv Learned , to only bite a dime size amount. Chew to oblivion... Lol. I am down 8lbs post op on 3/10/14. My ankles are not swollen, my rings are to big for my fingers now. My work jacket is no longer to tight. I feel Good just wish i could keep my energy levels up all day.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello i am newbie. I'm 8 days post OP. The 1st nite was truly hell, dealing with gas& heartburn. I didn't have a lot of incision pain, i was nauseated & dizzy from anesthesia. After that its just been trial & error. Iv Learned , to only bite a dime size amount. Chew to oblivion... Lol. I am down 8lbs post op on 3/10/14. My ankles are not swollen, my rings are to big for my fingers now. My work jacket is no longer to tight. I feel Good just wish i could keep my energy levels up all day.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×