I was asked in another thread how things were going after surgery, so I thought I'd post it here. It's been an interesting experience, so I'd be happy to go into more details later if anyone is interested, but I don't want to bore you either. If you have any questions, just let me know. . .and don't be shy about what you ask--I'm a very open person and I'd be happy to share the experience. Anyway, to date I've lost 42 pounds (the surgery was November 15th). I feel good and have been tolerating most foods pretty well. As a matter of fact, I tolerate the things I shouldn't eat very well, so I'll have to watch it!! People have always told me I had nice hair, but (as expected) the surgery has affected it. It hasn't thinned out much yet but has lost it's body and seems drier. I can expect to start losing some of it, but it should re-grow during the next growth cycle after my body has once again gotten more protein intake. My most interesting self-observation has to do with "food as an addiction". I have believed for awhile now that food can be as addicting as other things, but what I experienced the first week or so after surgery made me realize how much of an addiction it is. I actually felt like I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms!! I went through this intense desire/craving for food to the point that I was almost ready to shove it down my throat even if it jeopardized my health. (I had to stick to liquids for 10 days, then pureed foods until the end of the first month). Just days after surgery, before any of my insides were anywhere near being healed, I was standing face-to-face with a Heath bar, and let me tell you, it took every bit of will power to put it down!!! But then, by the time the 10 days of liquids were up, I lost that intense "need" for that food. It was as if my body had "de-toxed". Well, that sums up most of it until now. I appreciate all of the prayers and well-wishes and concerns. Don't hesitate to ask me about the procedure if there's something you want to know
I am so glad to hear you are doing well. I have a money question if you don't mind my asking. Is this covered by insurance or do most turn it down? I am sure it can't be cheap. Also how long were you in the hospital? Thanks. Beth
Thanks for the update. I have thought about you from time to time and wondered how ou were doing. So glad you are doing well.
glad things are going well. I understand about the craves. When I did adkins after sometime some foods I just wasn't interested in anymore. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the update! I've been thinking about and praying for you also! Glad things are going pretty well, and hope they continue to!
Some insurances cover it, some don't. I don't know what the percentages are as far as "yes" vs. "no". I know someone who had it just under 2 years ago and she just got in under the fence. Now, her insurance company no longer covers it. I ran into a former neighbor who is a fireman and wants to have the procedure but his insurance doesn't cover it. Someone else I know who has a government job with the county got the surgery covered. When an insurance company does cover it, they have different requirements. It can become a lengthy and frustrating process for people who are anxious to get the weight off. For example, they might require so many years of documented weight-loss failures, they might require you to go on a diet for a certain period of time prior to the procedure, they might require a psychological exam. In my case, we have Medical Mutual of Ohio. Normally, they cover $10,000 of it but in my case, my husband's union specifically excludes this procedure. (In the booklet, it refers to it as a procedure to "enhance appearance or improve emotional state". I guess it doesn't matter that I'll probably end up off my blood pressure meds, will avoid diabetes, heart conditions, etc!). The cost varies from place to place, and also depends on factors such as whether or not it's laparascopic (5 tiny incisions using probes and a TV monitor to perform surgery) or "open" (they cut you open to perform surgery). I had laparascopic and I had to pay $19,000 up front before surgery and then had an anesthesia bill of $1925. There have also been a few smaller bills come through for various surgery-related expenses. The bariatric center where I had it done now requires all patients to have a psych evaluation, regardless of insurance requirements. Fortunately, this was billed in such a way that my insurance company doesn't know why I had the evaluation done, so it was covered by insurance. All-in-all, it will end up being about $22,000. For self-pay patients, this cost includes coverage of treating any immediate complications following surgery and the first follow-up visit. The 4 subsequent visits (over an 18-month period) are not covered. When a patient is a self-pay, they still try to run as much as possible through insurance. Luckily, the medication I need to take for six months to prevent gall stones is covered because it would otherwise be over $100 month. My husband borrowed against his annuity, and the rest we put on credit cards and it's nothing short of a miracle that we were even able to open up enough lines of credit to cover it. We are so scared about being able to hold it together financially, but my husband and I feel it's for my health, so it's worth it. I hope this info helps. . . .
Glad to hear of your progress. I pray that you will continue to see positive health benifits. As far as the 10 days of torture I can somewhat relate. I was a gestational diabetic during both pregnancies. Both times it took about 10 days for my body to adjust to the lower carb diet. All of the stuff one wants to load up on when pregnant was off limits. I even tapered off early during the second pregnancy knowing full well that I was going to flunk that glucose tolerance test. No big bowls of cereal, no grabbing a bannana and a glass of orange juice together. No happy meals with a coke. No pigging out on CHinese food with rice, the crunchy things and egg roll etc. No more mexican rest. with the tortillas and salsa, rice, refried beans, etc. When you are in that point during your pregnancy when you need to eat alot more, yet are still not up to eating just anything, losing the carb foods is tough. I so wanted to eat a big bowl of cereal, some bread, etc etc. The afternoon craving for a nice bubbly fountain coke was the worst. I WANTED THAT COKE !!!! It was hard not to give up and just eat whatever those few days. They only way I got by was that I was also very tired. I would eat my nice little meals and go to bed. After the first 10-14 days things got much better. My body was more used to the fact I was not on the carb roller coaster, and I started to feel better. Overall I felt great during the rest of the pregnancies and came out both times 10 pounds less than I was when I got pregnant. I can remember feeling compassion for alcoholics, drug addicts and other addicts. I can remember thinking that I was so glad that I had not started smoking, drinking or other things, realizing that I would be a real mess had I ever done so. I understood that I would be so week toward addictions and cravings that I am no different than those who are addicted in that regard.
Vantage, I agree with you and feel sorry for anyone trying to break an addiction of any type. My DH and I "argue" often about different types of addictions since he is a smoker and I'd love for him to quit. My slim, trim, smoking European husband thinks he's the epitomy of health just because he's in shape. He also scoffs at my argument that food is an addiction. I often tell my husband that smokers, alcoholics and drug addicts don't need those substances to survive, so once they do break free from them, they can live without them but the hard thing about food addictions is that we can't just quit food. Tell a smoker to take only one puff, or an alcoholic to take just one sip. It would doom their success, no doubt. So I try to get my husband to understand why it is so hard for people with food addictions to take just a few bites, then stop. The deal I have with my husband is this (his idea by the way): When I hit 160 again, he will quit completely. It used to be 170, but since I took the surgery approach he took off another 10 pounds! I know it's going to be rough for him, but he has given me such a hard time about the eating that I'm kind of looking forward to seeing him sweat it out!! Isn't that awful!! As bad as he has made me feel about food, he seems to forget that 10 years ago I quit a 3-pack-a-day smoking habit cold turkey!!
Good for you! Wow! You've made some life-changing decisions! Yes, I've thought about you, too, and prayed that things were going well. Your progress is a true inspiration. About addictions: I have a friend who gave up both cocaine and smoking, and she claims that smoking was the harder of the two for her to quit. Your theory about taking just one bite explains why it's easier for me to fast for several days rather than just "cut back." I just want to congratulate you on making it this far, and I know you'll meet your goals.
It's been awhile, Kyzg, since we've had an update. I thought maybe hearing some encouraging news from you could inspire the rest of us, some of whom seem to be lagging a bit on our weight-loss/healthy-eating progress. Are you down to 160 yet? And you mentioned hoping to avoid gall-stones. Is rapid weight-loss condusive to forming them? (You said you didn't mind questions, so I hope this is OK.)
I had no problems with gall stones or anything else, but I wish I were much closer to my goal of 160 than I am now!! I will hit the two-year mark in November so I am pretty much done with any rapid weight loss from the procedure. The rest will require an old-fashioned effort, although the changes to my anatomy will make that effort a bit easier (in terms of portion sizes, etc.) I am down to 202 from a pre-surgery weight of 294. I have heard of so many people who have dropped over 100 pounds in less than two years and I think I have not had those fantastic results because I have not been as strict as they recommend. I tolerate alot of foods better than some people can after surgery, and I drink with my meals more frequently than I should. But. . .I feel so much better, look better, etc. and as long as I continue to lose, albeit slowly, I am glad I had it done. As a matter of fact, I'm kind of glad I can still eat alot of the foods that should be "no-nos". Pre-surgery, I was so afraid I'd have to live this completely different lifestyle and the way things are right now, I feel totally normal. The good thing is that I simply cannot eat as much as I used to, and I do believe that my cravings for some of those foods have diminished. I prefer proteins and savory foods over sweet things now. Could it be physical???? Feel free to ask me anything! I will try to post some before and after pics.
Here are some before and after pics. The "after" pics were at about 215-220 pounds. I have since gone down to 202.
Beautiful! You have come far! Ninety-two pounds! Wow! I am clapping and cheering for you!!! It's great to hear that you can still eat the foods you enjoy. I think about you from time to time and have wondered how you were doing. Two years ago I entered one of several stressful times of my life and gained 40 pounds. Getting that off and continuing back toward a healthier weight has given me more energy. So, I can imagine what losing over twice that much must have done for you! Keep up the good work, friend! You're over half-way there! Be sure to let us know when you reach another one of your goals, so we can celebrate with you!
Amazing. Especially the changes in your face. My face and neck are as plump yours were and I am about 30-35 pounds over weight. It is encouraging to see the difference.
I really do not post much on this board but had to jump in on this thread. I want to offer you my congratulations. I had RNY in Jan 2006. I cannot see your pictures ( guess I do not have the right permissions:roll But I know what a difference 90+ pounds make. I bet you look fantastic. Just wait until you hit the 100 pound mark - that is a great achievement. As far a food addiction. I think this is the absolute hardest. You have to have food everyday and everyday is a choice and a struggle to eat the right thing, make the right decision, put the protein first. Wishing you continued success!
One other thing I meant to post was about vitamins. I hope you are on a good vitamin regimne and that you are having lab work drawn every 6 months. Biotin should help your hair - but you may be in your next cycle by now.
