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Weight Loss Institute Blog
 

Insurance Coverage & Candidacy Concerns Over Weight Loss Surgery

By: Michael J. Orris, D.O., M.B.A., FASMBS   Many weight loss patients in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale and Tucson come to our bariatric surgery practice seeking to improve their health through surgery. Like bariatric surgery patients across the U.S., many are concerned about the cost. Insurance coverage for these procedures varies by state and provider, and many other factors are also considered.   Most insurance providers, including Medicare, require patients to have thorough documentation from a doctor that says surgery is medically necessary. This includes your weight history and BMI, your obesity-related health conditions and medications, and a detailed description of how your weight affects your daily life.   Companies also often expect a patient to have made dedicated efforts at weight loss before surgery. They may want to see gym membership documentation or require participation in a medically supervised weight loss program for up to 6 months. Another consideration for coverage is where a patient can have the surgery performed. Some providers require patients to have their procedures done at facilities with the highest standards and success rates.   Your weight loss doctor can be a resource to help you get your surgery covered. Most practices have finance coordinators who can help you navigate the complicated insurance considerations. If you do not qualify, many practices also offer other financing options such as payment plans to help you get your health back on track.   Concerning Weight Loss Surgery Candidacy   Patients often want to know what qualifies a person for bariatric surgery. All patients must undergo a thorough screening from a physician to know whether surgery might work for them, but here are some factors that might make you a candidate:   · What is your BMI? Obesity is measured by calculating a patient’s body mass index, or BMI. Bariatric surgery patients typically have a BMI above 40, or above 30 if they also have a medical condition related to obesity, such as diabetes. You can determine your BMI by using a BMI calculator.   · Have you tried and failed with other weight loss options? Most insurance providers and reputable weight loss surgeons require that you have made a concerted effort to lose weight using more traditional methods before you undergo surgery. You should be eating a good diet and exercising regularly under the guidance of a bariatric specialist. If your doctor determines that such methods are not enough to improve your health, you may be a candidate for surgery.   · Is your health at risk? If life-threatening medical conditions related to obesity are a factor, you may qualify for surgery. Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea often result from obesity and can be relieved by bariatric surgery. If you have one of these medical concerns and think you may be a candidate for surgery, talk to a bariatric specialist.
WLI_Arizona

WLI_Arizona

0
Travelbug1955's Blog
 

Egg Salad (perfect for when you start soft foods)

I made this for when I started on soft foods. Delicious and low carb since I use Duke's mayonaise which has 0 carbs. I don't have a serving size, just eat one tablespoon full and it fills me up. Bring to a boil 6-7 large eggs in a pan with water covering eggs. When boiling begins, turn off stove, remove eggs from heat, put a lid on the pan and let sit 20 minutes. Bring eggs to sink and run cold water over them so peeling will be easier. Dice eggs and place into a bowl. Measure 1 cup of Dukes Mayonaise, 1-2 tablespoons mustard, 1 tablespoon grated onion, 1 teaspoon pickle relish, a dash of salt. Add a dash of cayenne pepper if you want to add some heat. Sprinkle with paprika if desired. Mix with spoon or mixer until blended. Enjoy! I put this on celery for my husband and he loves it!
Travelbug1955

Travelbug1955

2
Making My Own History
 

Lost in the Sea of Me

Surgery complete. Half way to goal. Happy with the results thus far. But how far am I going? At the moment, I am just adrift in the currents of change and weight loss. Not a bad place to be, for now.   Societal pressures say I should be rail thin. The BMI (to which our insurance companies enslave our health standards to) says I should be very thin, when going by the ideal weight for all of my 63". My boyfriend would like for me to keep some curves. My doctor wants me to lose at least 80lbs, no more than 100. Everyone has an idea of where I should end up, and what I should be. What about me?   Yes, I know. I know. I should get to a place that makes me happy. But where is that? I know I don't want to be rail thin or too thin. I like having curves, but I don't want too many curves. That's why I got the surgery in the first place!   I'm half way to the Doctor's goal. I have time to figure this out. I have time to discover the new physical me that emerges. In the end, fat or skinny, I am still me. I like me. I didn't like the way I looked, but I like ME.   So, here I go, adrift in the currents of change and weight loss. Enjoying the journey.   To thine own self be true.
Museum-Mama

Museum-Mama

1
Jouselle's Journey
 

Week 1 Review

Well, it's been a whole week since that fateful appointment with the surgeon last Monday, and even though I haven't done perfectly, I have managed to make some changes.   I dropped soda like a rock. I'm proud of that. I got a bottle of water with ounce measurements on it and I'm up to drinking all the water I need to. I've cut my carb intake in half, I think. Burgers without buns, breakfast without toast, things like that.   But, I still have some hurdles to jump.   Drop carbs completely. Drop sweets completely. Count calories and stay under 1200.   So, I'm not perfect, but I could be worse. I'm not gonna weigh myself every day or every week. That will make me nuts and my scale's not that accurate anyway. I got it at Wal-mart, after all. So, I'll update my weight each month, when I visit the doctor and use their vastly superior scale.
Jouselle

Jouselle

0
My New Life
 

Alcohol be damned!

I did something I didn't think I'd EVER be able to do Saturday night: I attended a bachelorette party for a good friend, jumped on a party bus with 11 other ladies and didn't touch a DROP of alcohol the entire night. Well, ok, there was ONE sip at a comedy club after my friend sent her margarita back twice claiming it had soda in it so I just had to see for myself how truly hideous it was. And it WAS. But that was it! We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant. My FAV food in the world. Not a chip passed my lips. No beans. No rice. Just some grilled chicken with a bit of salsa on it and a few black beans. The moral? If I can spend 7 hours on a bus full of crazy drunk people, pass on Mexican, (oh and did I mention there was cake?), pass on cake (I shall leave the "shape" of cake to your imagination) - I CAN DO THIS. Just how tough was this? Oh so hard. Normally I'm the life of the party, and at my current height/weight I can put it away. Bottom line - WILL POWER. One week until surgery. I've turned down fruit, beer (gulp), chips, etc. My size 0, 19 year old daughter left a 1/3 eaten Snickers bar on the counter the other day (who DOES that?!) and I wrapped it up and stuck it away for her later. I wasn't even tempted to finish it as I would have been a month ago. I want to be healthy more than I want the 2 second gratification of tasting chocolate. The other thing I'm learning is that food is for FUEL, not for emotions. Old me: "Hey! It's sunny! I need a bowl of cereal! Oh crap, it's raining, I should probably make a pot of pasta and have 3 huge bowls. Look at that, I'm sad - better grab some chips and dip" (you get the idea). Now I'm listening to my tummy for cues that it needs fuel. Let me close this post by saying - to know me is to know how hard this has been and will be for me. BUT I'm doing it and so can you. Stay positive - eye on the prize.
smryan

smryan

6
vsginkc's Blog
 

What a difference a day makes

Hello friends! Thanks to all who posted the kind, encouraging comments. I can't tell you how much it means - really helped snap me out of the funk. With the caveat that I'm always happier in the morning (vs. evening when I'm hungry and tired), I will say that today it all seems bearable. I stuck to the pre-op diet perfectly yesterday (although I had more than one sugar free popsickle...!). Today, I am committed to doing it again, no matter how hungry and headachy I get. If you guys can do this, I can do this too!   In other news: I've been watching the Aug. 19 thread and it is so exciting to see those with whom you've been watching for the past week go through the process. They seem to all be nervous and excited. That's how I feel too -- I have to go to sleep 3 more times before it's time for the surgery. Can't get here fast enough as far as I'm concerned! Also, a shout out to all those who are on the other side of surgery and have posted their great results on the comments to this blog and on the larger forum. It is such an inspiration.   Lastly, there was a huge article in my local paper today (Kansas City Star) about the dangers of visceral fat. Visceral fat is the fat that we carry around our internal organs. (If you are considering sleeve surgery, trust me you have it). Reading the article was added motivation and comfort that I am making the right decision for myself and my children by having this surgery.   One recommendation to others who are nervous and always second guessing: remember how dangerous it is to remain overweight. I get myself into trouble when I start saying "I don't care if I'm fat...I am used to not looking good and having to buy big girl clothes." This is not a cosmetic surgery for any of us. It is truly a chance at a long and healthy life vs. a life of heart problems, knee problems, other inflammatory disease problems, etc. We are doing this for the right reasons. And the risk of this surgery is less than the risk of gallbladder surgery or knee surgery (I looked it up to give myself some comparisons).   Okay, back to work. Feels good to post a positive blog entry!   Have a great day, Angela
vsginkc

vsginkc

1
Roo101769's Blog
 

Mind reset

If you have been reading my story though my blogs you know I have only been on my journey a short amount of time. Well, to be honest I have lived the heavy part for many years now. But the road to healthy weight has only been traveled in earnest since June. That was when I set my mind on changing my life and my body. I started making calls and doing research, the first call was to see if my insurance even covered the surgery. Once I started I have gone full steam ahead. I talked with my PCP and got a referral. I went to a seminar, scheduled a consult. I got clearance from my vascular doctor and hematologist even before meeting the surgeon the first time. I scheduled my psych evaluation and my nutritional counseling the same week, Heck, I even had my pap test done for good measure. All hurdles have been cleared. I have checked things off the list one by one. There is just one more thing I must do before the paperwork is submitted to my insurance. My surgeon wants me to have a pulmonary evaluation because I have had two separate events of pulmonary embolism, the last being this past May. I am not concerned there is any problem with my lungs, it is just a precaution. They referred me to a pulmonologist and I called to schedule an appointment, and that is when the brakes were slammed on for me. I cannot get in for even the initial consultation until Sept.9th. Any tests they want will be scheduled after that. Four weeks. Four weeks of nothing. With everything else going so quickly and easily this was certainly an abrupt slow down. I have been really hoping to have the surgery in October. With work and the holidays etc. that would be the best time for me. It was looking pretty good for me to achieve that before this. Given it is my last hurdle to clear before the paperwork is submitted to my insurance, it is possible I may still make my October wish date. It will all depend on 1)how quickly I can get the pulmonary clearance 2) how quickly insurance responds - and if favorably and 3) my surgeons schedule. I am motivated by so many factors to get the surgery soon. Of course there is the number one factor, my health. The sooner I have surgery the sooner I will get to the healthy weight I have been dreaming of. (and the sooner my body can get relief from all the weight related issues I have) Second is financial. Since I had the issue with the blood clot (DVT) and the embolism earlier this year, I have met my financial insurance obligations for 2013. If I can get the surgery this year it will be at little to no cost for me, which is a huge plus. And of course timing...The holidays are right around the corner. My birthday is Oct.17. Then there is Halloween, followed a few days later by my daughter's birthday. Three weeks later is Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I want to be physically healed before everything starts kicking into gear. And my work is supposed to have a new computer system go live on 12/1. My boss wants me at work during the process. So I cannot be off for surgery and recovery in December. Needless to say I felt a bit of stress over the situation. I was a bit down and depressed when I realized how close things are being cut. I admit I went off the rails a little. I have been getting used to a diet high in protein and low in fats/calories/carbs since the beginning of August. In 19 days I have lost 13lbs. Friday I took my daughter out and I ordered food I should not have. All that did was make me more depressed Saturday. So I got myself back together and got back on track. It didn't really make a dent on the scale, but it did effect me emotionally. So I am hitting the reset button. I am going to start back to the Y this week to get in pool time. I also want to start walking more. And my hand weights I ordered should be delivered soon. All these things were stressed by the sports physiologist and I plan to make good. So I am getting back on track. I will use this extra time I have to get myself in the best possible pre op shape I can be. That way, hopefully I will have a smooth surgery and recovery when I do get there...
Roo101769

Roo101769

2
MWilliams42's Blog
 

THE Scale, PMS, and MOODINESS!

The scale...is NOT my friend. I'm about to throw it in the lake and watch it sink to the bottom. I am thankful I have LOST and not gained 21 pounds, but the scale has stayed the same for the last week or so...I'm eating such little amounts, I'm actually feeling great AND exercising. I just don't get it. I am anxious for Mother Nature to pay her visit, maybe that will make the numbers change! But what I can say is this...during PMS, post surgery, that was my time for chocolate, and salty kettle chips. My brain is still telling me how much I want them, but logic kicks in and reminds me that I will probably not like what I put in my mouth if I do that. I've had 2 episodes with trying something new and not being able to take the pain in my chest. So, I'm not willing to go down that PMS road again and give in to what I know got me in this mess in the first place. Not worth it. I can't take anything for my cramps, so my mood, OH my poor hubby!!! This has got to get better! My mood is directly linked to the monthly, which then gets pissed off when I get on the scale. It's like the scale is there taunting me every morning...just get on, maybe you lost some more, maybe I'll have a different number for you today...just maybe you should take a flying leap into the lake!!! I can make that happen!!! I NEVER used to weigh myself before, and now what the heck am I doing!!! I always went by how I feel in my clothes...never knew my weight until I started going to the Dr. regularly. Now that I have had this surgery, it seems all I want to do is weigh myself. How in the world do I break that cycle? Anyone else feeling like that? It's like I know I'm feeling better, I know I'm looking better, and I know you can be losing inches and not weight, but I haven't seen that damn scale below 200 pounds in so long, I have 7 more pounds to go and BAM...it will be under...will that make me feel better or will I be itching to get it lower??? I guess it helps that they told me that the more weight you have to lose the quicker you lose in the beginning, so I rely on that advice...working, right??? I've begun to find other things to do with my hands instead of eat, now I have to get my mind there, One period at a time!!! My family is trying so hard to be supportive, my hubs...well every time we are getting ready to have dinner I get that damn question, "are you allowed to have this", "what CAN you eat"???? He is a smart man but it's pissing me off, he can do the research and please don't ask me again if I can have that! My mom, she is my best friend, but her approach is that of a drill sergeant ...do this, don't do that, don't eat that, are you seriously thinking of eating that, that's what got you in this mess!!! She has the BEST intentions, she loves me and doesn't want to see my diabetes get worse, she wants that to go away. She knows that diabetes runs on her side of the family and I was the one that got it, and got it really bad. She doesn't want my life cut short, but being strong and constantly having my game face on in front of her is something that I'm trying to do...it just gets hard sometimes. So...I will be strong, I can get through this "funk" and I will come out on top. I have a great support system and I really am thankful that there is this site as well as all the wonderful people on here that offer their words of wisdom.
MWilliams42

MWilliams42

0
Gastric Sleeve Surgery - An Unexpected Journey
 

Pre-Op Diet and Worries About Being Thinner

Well, it's official. My surgery is on the 27th.   The good news is that my pre-op diet is only for 5 days and it won't be too much of an alteration of my current eating habits. From my research, I already had a good idea of what the pre-op diet was going to be like, just didn't know how long I would be expected to be on it. I had prepared myself mentally for a 2 week liquid diet. So it was really a surprise to hear that it is only 5 days and I can drink as much of the high protein/low carb shakes as I want and eat soups (like chicken noodle) as long as they don't contain high carb vegies like potatoes.   I've already figured out a combination of dutch chocolate EAS carb control shakes with 1 scoop of Total Soy (chocolate) that tastes great and has a combined 30 grams of protein and 11 grams of carbs per 20 oz shake. I highly recommend getting a shaker bottle with the little ball spring inside. It really breaks up the Total Soy powder making a smooth creamy shake. I bought a 2 pack at Sam's club for $12, and I saw them at Wal-Mart for $7 each. But with the 2 pack I can keep one at work and one at home.   I figure I'm having the same thoughts and feelings as others in the pre-op stage. So I wanted to share a moment I had last week that makes me laugh at myself now. I had a small panic attack until I realized how stupid it was. I actually got worried that post op, I wouldn't be able to eat as much I as I could in the past. Stupid, right?   But I guess it plays on my basic fear of change. How am I going to handle being thinner and how people will react and treat me at work and socially. As it is, I have 40 years of knowing how people treat the fat me. Now, I have to worry about how people will treat me as a thin person.
joatsaint

joatsaint

5
Fibro Diva's Bariatric Blog
 

First Family Event Post OP

Well yesterday was my first time attending a family function post op. It was a luau, there were lost of food and alcoholic drinks to be had by all. I am so proud of myself, I was phased by anything.   On a side note, I made 4 cheese cakes, 2 white chocolate and 2 mocho, this weekend for my children and wasn't tempted.   Question: Is this just a fluke or is it normal 2 weeks post op not to be bothered by one's trigger foods.
FibroDiva

FibroDiva

4
vsginkc's Blog
 

Confession-There's no point in sugarcoating it (pun intended!)

No sense lying on this blog. I went on a carb bender last night. I'm scheduled to be sleeved on Aug. 22 and am supposed to be on a liquid diet. Note: if you are thinking about posting a comment telling me that maybe I'm not ready for surgery (mentally or physically) or how dangerous this is, etc., please do us both a favor and refrain. Nothing you could say could make me feel worse than I already do.   Not looking for excuses but instead explanations so that I don't let this happen again. I still have 4 days to eat clean before surgery. Here's what I discovered:   The quitting smoking/drinking has been weighing on me. Those were two of my favorite coping mechanisms and they are gone. Yesterday, I took my son, daughter, and two of their friends to an amusement park for my son's birthday. I was exhausted. My brand new CR-V died on the way home from the park. I took the boys out for Steak and Shake dinner while I sipped water. All the sudden, an overwhelming feeling of aloneness and self pity snuck in. (I know...I know... I should be feeling GRATEFUL about the privilege of having this surgery). I ate a pastry crisp. Then another. Then another. Then another. Then a PB&J. Then drank some milk. It was HORRIBLE. It brought back all those feelings of the past 10 years of feeling completely out of control when it comes to food. For me, once I put carbs in my body, I am sunk -- the cravings are insane. So...I did what I've been doing for the past 10 years -- beat the absolutely hell out of myself mentally and woke up feeling absolutely defeated.   Some lessons from the experience:   1. Don't let myself get too exhausted mentally or physically. I felt like I "had" to take the kids to the amusement park because it was my son's birthday, but I probably shouldn't have tried that under the circumstances.   2. I'm going to have to be super gentle with myself through this process. On the liquid part, I am consuming less than 700 calories per day. I'm also super emotional and on edge because of the surgery coming up. This all means that I need to slow down and cut myself some slack. Sit and watch TV. Troll the internet. Whatever...I don't have to clean, cook, run around town for these next few days.   3. In contrast to the "be super gentle," it's also time to get really firm about some things. It is time that I am going to have to exercise some discipline and self-control no matter how hard, how emotional, how much of a bad day I'm having. Food, smoking, and drinking aren't acceptable answers any longer. Period.   That raises the issue of asking, "Ok, but as a practical matter, HOW am I going to do better?" I resolve to:   a. Type a call for help on to this forum and wait 30 minutes before I eat. b. Drink a big glass of water, Isopure, or crystal light while I'm waiting. c. Make a list of at least 3 things that I will enjoy about being healthier. d. If I still feel like eating, chose something with no carbs and no sweetness.   Here's to a diligent, self-controlled Sunday....   -Angela
vsginkc

vsginkc

4
...Redeeming Journey...
 

Trust

This would definitely be my word for the weekend. Perhaps its been the word of my life! I don't know how to fix it, other than to look at it with a fresh approach every day. Most of the time this is what gets me to my breaking points, where I want to look my best, do my best, feel my best, go for the "whatever it is that I never thought that I could reach before" goals, because it hurts me and challenges me to believe that I can be something better than this word has proven to be over the course of my life. If I could specify exactly what parts of my life has caused me to have such poor trust, I would. I cannot share it all. I cannot share in it's entirety, unfortunately. Perhaps that is my biggest problem, that I don't define the situations that have sent me so far against the word. Would I like to not have it crowd my mind? Would I like for it to know that it gets the best of me every single time it creeps in? YES. YES. When I look at myself in the mirror I see someone trying to survive. I have learned to be a lot more patient with the word. I have learned to be a lot more open minded as well. Will this change the way that I look at the word; how I define it still? NO. I pray daily for the strength to move forward. I ask my higher power to guide me when I am feeling lost and out of control regarding the word. I have gotten angry within the past two days. I have asked myself what I have done to claim the feelings I have, what I have done to be so destructive with the word towards myself and others? I want to 100% love myself again...I want to have no second thoughts, no fleeing desires. Just when I feel like I get there...when I feel like things are beginning to change it creeps up and most of the time I am vulnerable when it does. Then I begin the failure all over, of seeing myself reaching that point of opposition again! Wanting to write this tonight to allow myself to understand that it does get better, that my higher power will take me all the way to my desired destination, if I allow Him to. If I leave it all here with this entry and rest well knowing it's no longer as deep of a feeling as it used to be, that the more and more I admit it, claim it, face it, change it...the more and more I will heal and arrive at the place of longing I want to be. I am blessed. I am blessed to have the Holy Spirit come over me and comfort me and help me to see this word as a good....a great...a terrific thing. Please pray for me friends, as I seek wholeness. ~Missy~
Redeemed36

Redeemed36

1
Patty's WLS Blog
 

Girls Day Out on Day 11 Post Op

Today was a girls day out.....and we scrapbook together......I brought my meals....I'm still on full liquids.....and thought I'd be all set......then dinner was brought out..........total head hunger.......   I nearly reasoned that I could have a bite if I chewed it very, very well. Note: I've had this dinner before....it's not that great LOL But I still wanted it.............desperately..........and no, I wasn't hungry.....haven't been hungry since being sleeved.   I sipped my protein drink.....still wanted the dinner..........so I left the room and called my hubby........You're probably sick of me saying this, but I've come to far to screw this up.............After taking a walk, chatting with hubby, I was able to put this behind me.....just needed a distraction to focus on.   We've heard it before......and it's worth repeating.......whatever struggles we experienced before surgery, we will have them afterwards......and they need to be worked on/addressed.......the sleeve is only a tool, not a magic wand..   I'm glad I didn't give in to my old habit "a bite won't hurt".
PGee

PGee

2
vsginkc's Blog
 

4 days til surgery and I'm not ready for this!

Hello friends. I'm feeling very out of sorts and scared at the moment. I am on Day 3 of the pre-op liquid only diet and I am feeling INSANE. I'm hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. And it is making me question everything about this surgery. I gave up smoking and drinking for this surgery and it is really hitting home how much I have used food to comfort myself. I know these are all healthy, adult changes to make - and I just turned 40 -- it's time to GROW UP. At the same time, maybe I have bitten off more than I can chew (pun intended). Many folks on this forum have said, "If you can't do the pre-op, how will you do the post-op?" I'm wondering that myself today....   Sorry to be such a downer, but I think it's important to blog my real experience. And today that experience sucks!   Hopefully by tomorrow I will be in a better place to post something more positive...!
vsginkc

vsginkc

2
My New Life
 

Low carb is working

I'm down 10 lbs. in 1 month. I started this process on 7/16. Amazing what not eating carbs will do for you. I'm hyper-sensitive now to reading food labels. Went to Costco yesterday and was shocked by how many carbs there are in everything I love to eat. Doc has me on a 20 grams or less of carbs per day until day before surgery and then it's liquids only. I can eat unlimited protein. The shakes are saving me as I really don't have much of an appetite. I weigh myself once in the morning and then log it and my food intake on myfitnesspal.com. Love that site and it's really keeping me on track! I keep telling myself I can DO THIS! I'm excited to be healthier, to be able to walk (eventually jog/run), wear different clothes, etc. Tonight I'm going to a bachelorette party for a friend and it's going to be tough to not drink, but I have a ton of support from the friends that will be there.
smryan

smryan

0
Proper diet
 

Food, food, food ..

So I am now 5 weeks post-op and I've managed to lose 20 pounds the first 4 weeks, but now I kind of feel like it's not going anywhere. I think it's my diet that's all wrong. I got my operation done in Belgium, and now that I am back home I'm no longer following the rules. For starters I feel like I'm not drinking enough water, because for some reason ever since I had the operation, drinking plain water makes me want to throw up, so now I just mix it with lime juice. Also, I found this frozen curry soup with vegetables and chicken pieces, and that seems to be the only thing I eat now. If I try to eat anything other than that, I start feeling nauseous and suddenly whatever I ate seems to stop at the middle of my chest. It's like a huge ball of food stuck inside of me and it makes me feel so uncomfortable and sick. Sometimes I'll even throw up. Is this normal? Or is it simply because I am not eating the right food? I would really appreciate it if y'all could share some of your post-op diets or any experiences of the such?   Thank you,   Hanna
HannaBanana

HannaBanana

6
Elliejmiller's Blog
 

Left overs = happy dogs

3 weeks out and doc gave me the green light on mushy to normal food... Not to overdo anything. Obviously lol   I have been doing small meals through the day.... 2 bites and in the fridge it goes. Soup, mashed potatoes, chicken salad, chips and salsa (3 chips)   I have not got myself to do fruit yet because I can't do the banana or apple that cost 89 cents a lb and take one bite and have to toss it.   Dogs are loving this tho. All the extra gets to them because I have so much left over    
Elliejmiller

Elliejmiller

4
Chaparra's Blog
 

6 month follow up visit

Had my 6 month follow up visit today. At my last visit, at 3 months, my surgeon made me feel very uncomfortable with how he was very flirty with me. After that visit, I was relieved to find out that my 6 month visit would be with someone else. Boy, how upsetting my visit was. I saw just an RN and she had the worst bedside manner ever! Nothing she said to me was encouraging. It was so bad that I totally wanted to walk out of the office and started giving very short answers to her questions. I'm supposed to have labs drawn right before my 9 month follow up, but I walked out of that office with out making another appointment. I refuse to go back to a place that doesn't make me feel comfortable and be seen by someone who has a very negative attitude towards me. I'm just going to do all my follow up care with my PCP since I have had absolutely no complications with this surgery. It is so frustrating to not feel comfortable in a doctors office when a person is going through as much change as anyone goes through during this process. I felt completely unsupported. I felt like I was being told to do things that although I know I should be doing it (drinking more water) it's just hard. She tells me that I am supposed to get 40 grams of protein per meal. How am I supposed to do that when I can only eat 2 ounces of food at a time? If I eat any more than that, it hurts badly. Oh, and no mention about how great I am doing at my weight loss even though I have lost 58 pounds in 6 months. Then, she tells me to up my exercising, like I am not doing enough. I used to do 4 days a week on the elliptical for 30 minutes. Now I do 3 days and spend 2 to 3 hours dancing on Saturday nights. Sorry for rambling, but I'm just fed up with this office and I hate being made to feel like I am not doing anything right when I try hard to do the right things.
Chaparra

Chaparra

3
Jouselle's Journey
 

My Weight's Life Story

Once upon a time, I was an egg. 8 months later, I was born, yay! 5 lbs. I was so cute.   A few years later, I was a kid. I wasn't as big kid yet, but I saw my really big Mom, and really big aunts, and put two and two together. When I grew up, I was going to be fat.   Fast forward to High school. I was at 160 lbs. I thought this was fat. I thought this was my fate, and did my best to accept it. I didn't think I was ugly, because I still had pretty good success dating. I was a resolved and proud BBW. At the time, my younger sister wasn't far behind. I just thought it was something to be accepted. It was in our genes.   Onto College years. I was a starving artist with no car, so I got down to a nice 140 lbs. Too bad I didn't appreciate it, because I had a roommate with body image issues that rubbed off on me. In pictures, I see that I looked amazing, but I didn't feel amazing then. In fact, I was in such a bad place mentally, I had to leave college early and take medications.   Then, I moved back home from college. Yes, home to Mom's and Sister's cooking. Combining good food with different mental medications, I went up to 170. I thought, "Okay, this must be me fat now. I'm gonna be okay with this, accept it and be proud to be different."   Then, I got a job in a cubicle. The money was great, but my weight was not. I got up to 210 lbs. I was very upset. I busted past 200. But I was in a very committed relationship, which helped me accept it. My fiance was wonderful to me, and called me beautiful every day.   Notice I said fiance? That's right, a wedding was coming up. And we were both quite overweight, so we counded calories for the months leading up to the wedding. He lost 25 lbs, I lost 10, but it was something. It was just enough to make me feel beautiful again for our wedding.   The year following our wedding, things went to hell. My mental illness got incredibly worse, what I thought was just a couple stomach bugs due to stress turned out to be a full-blown permanent problem, adding more medication to my list. I went through tests after tests, and they found nothing. So they blamed my weight. Then I had another medical scare, a bump was found and they had to do a biopsy on it. And, since I missed so much work because of all the medical crap, I lost my job.   Back to my parents' house. Back to 210 lbs. Back to misery.   Then, my husband met a guy at work who had the Lap-Band surgery a year ago and lost 100 lbs. He learned that the guy was very happy, and that the same health care we had paid for it almost in full. My hubby brought this information to me and asked me if we should do this together. The only time I ever said yes faster in my life is when he proposed to me. I didn't pause, I didn't mull it over. I wanted it more than anything.   So we made our first trip to TrueResults. The people there are very nice, and very informative. Sadly, I was 2 BMI points under what qualified according to our health insurance. I had to gain 16 lbs. I thought it would be fun. I started by having an extra treat here and there. But I wasn't gaining the weight fast enough. Eventually I was eating candy and fast food every day, drinking more soda than I could stand, and I will hate Twix for the rest of my life now. But after 6 weeks, we went back, and my BMI read 40.7. I did it. But then my mother suggested we see other doctors too and learn more about things. Around this time, I started walking every day with my mother and sister.   My husband and I went to a few other doctors and found one who was less nice and harder truth. And instead of gaining weight, they want us to lose weight before the surgery. We were given a strict diet and careful directions to follow. This was good, because I ended up gaining more weight and was up to a 41 BMI.   And that is where my journey began...
Jouselle

Jouselle

0
Rainicornicopia: An Unabridged History of the Rainicorns
 

I miss the adjustable hospital bed, lol

Waking up at 2am and trying to get out of bed is painful as hell.   I don't have a normal bed with a frame that's all purdy. It's a bed and box spring. No headboard or nothing.   I kinda miss the remote for the bed, it would help me stretch and move the gas around. Now i have 6 pillows propping me up, lol. One of those pillows is used as a cat guard. They've been trying to lay on me.    
A_New_Lily

A_New_Lily

2

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