Posts by Benjamin Sanchez51

One symptom could be dealing with more intense, long-term iron deficiency. It gets "overlooked" all the time, especially with women... yeah, that's one of the first signs

This virus is the real deal 👍👍👍

Never been one to get dizzy, but here I am... feeling totally spun 😁😁🤣

Day four for me and I'm finally turning a corner. Kinda sucks though, because it means I actually have to go back to work tomorrow. Really wish I could just coast through until 😁😁

But hey, if I wake up with a fever, I should probably skip the office and hit up a doctor instead, right?

Honestly, I’ve been killing it lately with clean eating and staying healthy, so I guess that’s why I'm bouncing back so fast. Used to be stuck in bed for like eight days every time I caught a sniffle. So, yeah... props to me. 👍👍

That’s basically what I was thinking. My husband spent the whole weekend playing nurse, and tomorrow I’ll probably be feeling fine enough to actually hit the office :-) Some kind of horoscope nonsense, I guess

Feeling a tiny bit better today. Instead of burning through ten packs of tissues, I’ll probably only need seven 😁 And tomorrow? Maybe just two. RIP me

Gotta admit, it’s been a minute since I’ve been this sick. I even know exactly who gave me this bug and when 😁😁😁😁 Haven't had those dizzy spells in a while... though I was being stubborn and avoiding everything except Advil, figured I'd let my body toughen up a bit, right? 👍 Okay, lie, I took some Advil and Neo-Angin for my throat because it's killing me... but nothing like Tylenol or heavy stuff, because that just drags the sickness out... then it hits you again ten days later... seriously people, just stay in bed, drink tea, and stop throwing money at useless pharmacy crap 👍

Hey, caught a bug. Fever hitting 100.4, head's spinning... totally wiped out. How long does this usually last on average? I know plenty of people were already on antibiotics before me, but I'm not taking anything. Just wondering how this thing plays out... throat started scratchy on Thursday, by Friday I couldn't even talk and had a mild fever, then Saturday it spiked to 100.4 and now the dizziness kicked in. Honestly, hoping I'm still sick enough by Monday to call out of work ;-)

What’ve you guys been through?

Let's talk compliments... how do you guys handle them when people comment on your looks? Does it feel good? Do you wish they did it more? Or is it just annoying? How do you even react? ....

So, people are starting to notice I've lost weight. They haven't quite put two and two together yet, but they're telling me I look great—even my boss asked if I changed my hair color (he's a guy, of course)!!! Honestly, while it does look good, it actually makes me pretty uneasy. Generally speaking, any talk about my appearance, even positive stuff, just bugs me. And whenever I get stressed, I start eating to cope :-) so I guess I'm hitting that stage where everything gets complicated...

I'm basically a pushover when it comes to what others think. Even though I won't admit it and try to defend myself, outside opinions really get to me. That's why I haven't talked to anyone about the weight loss balloon or mentioned it to anyone, not even my immediate family. I just don't think it's anyone else's business. I don't care what people think, good or bad, and I mostly just want everyone to leave me alone :-) Maybe it's because I've worked with people for years and I'm just burnt out on it... eventually, you reach a point where you just want to move to a deserted island...

Anyway, I can see a problem brewing because people are going to keep noticing the "new hair color" :-) and I have no clue how to deal with it... I just want to be invisible....:-) just like I was when I had the extra pounds...

@Karen Young17 - :-))

Anyway, besides what Karen Young17 said, they actually give some people a balloon first if they need a sleeve but are too freaked out to go straight for it. Just to get them used to the idea... I know someone who was 450 lbs and went the balloon route because they were terrified. Six months later, they're finally ready for the real deal—the band or the sleeve. Makes sense...

Justin Davis2—honestly, you could knock this all out in like 3 or 4 trips to Washington, D.C., and after that, it’s just a check-up once a month or every couple of months. None of those old ladies at Medicare would even know what's happening since you aren't going there for paperwork or anything. It's all handled at the hospital. You just need solid referrals from your primary doctor and you're set. Medicare just settles the bill directly with the hospital... it has zero to do with those local clerks at Medicare.

Anything over a BMI of 35 plus other issues—like joint damage from the weight, which definitely counts—gets covered by Medicare. By "other issues," I mean things like high cholesterol, blood sugar, PCOS, high blood pressure, fatty liver... stuff like that. I doubt anyone has a BMI of 35 without hitting at least one of those marks...

If you're serious about this, call Nikolić. Book an exam and ask if they can process everything (GI and pathology) the same day, then have him schedule you for Wednesday, because Mirkovićka has her clinic on Wednesday afternoons... Once he gets you in, call her, explain the situation, and see if she can squeeze you in for a consultation or blood work the same day. (Usually, the exam and blood work are separate, but you can try to beg her to cram it all into one visit). After that, you just have the psychologist left to deal with!

And then there's the actual surgery day. That's it. If you think you can swing those 3 or 4 days... it's doable.

Hey, just had my colonoscopy and honestly? It’s nowhere near as scary as people make it out to be. I’ve dealt with way worse pain from a massive toothache than what happened during the procedure. Plus, if things get awkward, they pause for a second... you just tell them you're ready to keep going and it's fine. A friend of mine went through the whole thing and she’s still kicking, didn't die from the radiation or anything.

The point is, they don't just order these tests for fun. Trust me, nobody is wasting money on scans just to mess with you. Just get it done for your own sake... it’s really not that big of a deal!!

p.s.
If you’re actually sick, you’ll just end up back at the doctor getting ten colonoscopies instead of one. Better to do it once now and prevent it, rather than getting sick later and being forced to do it ten times over... just be brave

Where'd Andy, Ruzy, and the rest of the "candidates" disappear to? Did everyone just bail at once??? 😁

Anyway, I wanted to drop some actual wisdom about deciding whether or not to go through with the balloon procedure. Honestly, I went into it half-heartedly, just along with everything else I was doing. I kept telling myself—hey, I'll do the research, I can always back out later. Even that day I was sitting in the hospital, I wasn't even sure if I actually wanted the balloon or not. I was basically out of it for a few days after the procedure... it took until XX days before it finally clicked that I made the right call.

Actually, now that it's been a month and a half, I'm thinking it might be one of the BEST DECISIONS I've ever made! Because there's zero chance I could have dropped this weight on my own... and even if I only lose a tiny bit, it's still massive!! So, ladies, if you're hesitating and wondering "is it worth it" to lose those 10 or 20 pounds when you're carrying an extra 80 or 100... yeah, it's worth it!!! You're definitely going to shed those pounds, but more importantly, you're going to CHANGE YOUR HABITS and learn how to eat like a "normal" person.

After just 1.5 months, I'm seeing huge changes, and I can only imagine what things will look like in 6 months. And when I say change—I don't mean the scale—I mean habits, diet, my relationship with food, my appearance, myself, the whole world around me.... no diet out there can give you that.....!!!!

My message to all of you who are still "thinking about it"—JUST DO IT 👍

...for those people who speak English but don't actually know anything...

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eye-conditions...cani_balon.htm

Thanks 🙂 Ma Nikša is honestly the best :-) I’d love to just take him home with me, but he won't allow it :-))) He’s not always sunshine and rainbows, though. At my first checkup, he told me I could have lost twice as much weight instead of just those four pounds. But he said it so gently and politely, which I really appreciated. If he’d actually yelled at me, I probably would’ve never shown up to his office again (that's just how I am)... I would've walked out crying and ended up having my gastric sleeve removed in an ER in a year or two.

Like this, Nikša 😍😍😍😍

I have to admit, I haven't really had any chard, just green salad, and I didn't have any issues—even though a buddy of mine who also has the sleeve says leafy greens aren't great. Not sure why, especially if they're cooked... but whatever...

Anyway, if that vomiting thing happens again, CALL NIKOLIĆ AND TELL HIM. Don't feel like you're bothering him! Everyone else bothers him, but YOU ARE HIS PATIENT and he LOOKS OUT FOR YOU.... mention it at your next checkup, and if it happens again, definitely CALL him and ask what to do next. Seriously... some girl I know got an infection and had similar symptoms.....

I don't want to freak you out, but honestly, the vomiting part worries me because I ate way more than you did—and I ate EVERYTHING (including takeout, fries, pancakes, all that stuff)—and I never once threw up... I'm telling you, if it happens again, call him and go get checked out... assuming you're near NYC, obviously... if not, it's trickier... but at least bring it up at your appointment!!!👍

You're alive 👍👍

Seriously, try to hit at least three meals a day... pack something for work, even just some yogurt!!! I bring stuff from home and eat at my desk, works fine for me. Stopped hitting up 😁😁😁 restaurants altogether. Or if I do go, I'll just grab a latte while the coworkers eat 😛

Yesterday, being totally spacey, I ate five spoonfuls of beans. I barely ate anything, honestly—thought such a tiny amount wouldn't be an issue. Just soup, some braised meat, and those few spoons of beans as a side, no oil, no sauce, nothing... Man, I felt so bloated I thought my stomach was gonna pop. So ladies, DO NOT EAT BEANS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! OR ANY OTHER LEGUMES FOR THAT MATTER! Trust me on this one! :-)

My diet is getting better and I'm feeling good about it. Finally dropped below 100 yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :-)👍 Down 18 lbs in a month and a half. Hopefully I can push it to 26 total by my next checkup, though 33 would be plenty for me. Gotta keep Niksa happy too 😂

Autop, did you call Nikolić? Hope you did! And hope you’re feeling better!

I’m doing fine, and honestly, I eat way more than you do, so if things are getting weird, you probably need to check in with him and see what's actually going on. I knew this one girl who had issues with her balloon and ended up in the ER... I can't remember the exact medical term... don't know all the details, but there are all sorts of complications... it’s not just about the balloon popping...

I just remember everyone in the ER losing their minds when she told them about the balloon 😁 because they had no clue what kind of balloon it was, who put it in her, or why 😁😁 Personally, I’d just tell them—aliens abducted me and implanted it 😂 😂

Venia, you still alive?

Wait, nobody else has gotten a balloon yet? ARE YOU KIDDING ME...

Anyway, I decided I'm allowing myself one coffee a day, though I'll try not to make it a daily thing. Hopefully the balloon can handle it... taking my chances!

rowdywalker34, man, really sucks to hear that... you were actually killing it too. hang in there, you'll get through this. just some chamomile tea and maybe some toast... give it a day or two, hope things look up soon

You should definitinvo call Nikolić because if you're throwing up, something's definitely wrong. Seriously, get ahold of him and see what's going on!!!

I don't have any issues, except for the occasional burp, but honestly, that's probably just from eating too fast when I overdo it. Not exactly dropping pounds either, but hey... I will do better.

Anyone here actually drink coffee? Or teas? Maybe fruit ones?

I gave in today... just had one. Can't help myself. I know the acidity isn't great for me, but I indulge every now and then. Not every single day, obviously!

What's the verdict on fruit teas? Do they mess with my acid levels too?

Beef broth is everything right now. Plus a soft-boiled egg :-)) Finally getting back on track and feeling pretty good about it, go me! Haven't hit the gym at all, but at least I'm getting my steps in :-)

I feel like you’ve actually got a totally healthy relationship with food now. I’m either all in or completely off the rails—that's my whole problem. It's so hard for me to take any criticism or comments at face value, especially since ever since my session with Nikolić, I just feel like I’ve already blown everything anyway... so why bother?
I'm gonna keep telling myself it's not over yet—I still have 4.5 months left!!!! Might just print out a calendar so I can stare at it and visualize the end goal... :-)

Is leg magic actually legit? Does it, like, mess up your posture or whatever? I think I need one of those rowing machines instead... do you know anything about them? There are tons of different types, but I need a solid one... I'm stronger in my upper body, legs and glutes aren't really the issue... starting swimming this Sunday, woohoo!
Might not seem like much to some people, but when I actually stick to a routine, it's a miracle!!! The results are killer, skin gets tighter, definitely recommend it to everyone.

Man, all this obsession... the endless scrolling, the constant debates with random people online... it just gets in my head. Now I can't stop thinking about food. And when I think about food, obviously I want to eat it... :-) Work stress is killing me too, but let's be real, there's always going to be stress with a job like mine. I just have to find a way to deal with it. Guess I'll have to step it up a bit 😠😠

I actually know someone else who has a balloon and even lurks on this forum, but they never jump into the conversation. Some people just love keeping their lives private while knowing everything about everyone else—that’s how I see it. Especially when it comes to weight stuff, then it's even more obvious. But whatever, if we want to talk, we talk... and if some people just want to watch from the sidelines, fine by me...

You got a blender? You blend your meals?

My biggest issue is organization... or lack thereof. I realized I need to pack my lunch for work just to make things sustainable... otherwise, I end up eating out at a restaurant, and lately, I've started ordering dessert too!!!

Rule number one for me: NO RESTAURANTS AT ALL 🙂

Anyone know what the average weight loss goal is supposed to be for us?

10 pounds? Vaughn :-))) Congrats, seriously!!!! Nice work!!!

I’m done with the scale for now because I get obsessed and start obsessing over every little fluctuation, which just kills my vibe. Anyway, instead of overthinking it, I packed lunch for work today and I'm sticking to your rule—nothing after six or seven! Whatever I eat before then, I eat :-)

It sucks that we have a cafeteria at the office because I got way too used to eating there. At first, I was doing soup, salad, and an entree with no sides, but that felt like too much. Then my stomach stretched out and I was eating everything in sight. After that, I tried just the entree and a side without the soup or salad, but I just couldn't find a rhythm 🙄🙄

So, now I'm gonna try skipping the cafeteria altogether and just bring yogurt, whole grain crackers, and fruit, and see how that goes...

Though, honestly, I feel like fruit might not sit right with me... do you eat it? What? I had a peach, but somehow... hm... Maybe I should stick to making homemade fruit infusions? :_)

Besides, I have this stupid obsession going on. I'm about a month and a half into this project and I feel like "I've already ruined everything" because I wasn't perfect at it. I still have 4.5 months left, but that voice in my head keeps saying "you won't succeed anyway, you already messed up," which is why I've binged a few times... yeah, gotta work on my mindset :-)

Hey rowdywalker34 :-) (what else am I supposed to call you?)...thanks for the reply and all the input, you're the best! :-)
I totally balked when I saw you're only doing three meals a day, because there is zero chance I could cram five meals into me. No way. I actually have stuff to do!!! Can't just live to eat.

Tried that whole five-meal thing over the weekend, but honestly, you spend your entire life eating. You're snacking every three hours. At that rate, half a yogurt would count as a "meal," which might work, but—let's be real—I have a life! This whole plan needs to be sustainable even after the hype dies down, and five meals isn't doable now, later, or ever :-) at least not for me.

Plus, for me, five meals means five actual MEALS, and that doesn't include the soup they mention in those handouts they gave me... feels like they need to modernize their approach a bit. It's like everything is designed for "perfect conditions" where the patient (that's us, lol) does nothing but focus on being sick. AHA. RIGHT.

Women are working, cooking, cleaning, laundry, wrangling kids, driving them around, dealing with husbands, in-laws, and a million other things. So yeah, I think we're all doing just fine :-)