fattymcfatterson

I technichally have UMR, but the network is UHC CHoice plus. Is that what you mean?

My surgeon told me that the weight chart said I should weigh 105 (bwahahahaha) at 5 ft 1. My current weight is 230. He said that most people sleeved lose about 60-80% of their excess weight. So my total excess weight is 125lbs, 60% of that is 75lbs or realistic goal weight of 155. I would have no problem with that. If you absolutely stick to the "rules" you can lose more..

That is so ridiculous! Insurance is crazy!!! First of all, I would get what the policy is in writing. From the insurance company and from HR. There are many people who have had the sleeve on bcBStx so maybe someone is not understanding? I called my insurance five different times and got five different responses so I finally got it all in writing. Did the surgeon submit the paperwork or did you call? Did you actually give them the procedure code? If there is a written exclusion, get it in writing and then be ready to appeal. Don't give up!

I am sorry you felt that humiliation. Sometimes I think these things happen to solidify our decision of getting sleeved. My preschoolers graduated this Friday and I had the full intention of being BEHIND the camera.. Well, that changed. There I was in my most unflattering work polo shirt, my sports bra boob smooshing bra and no gut sucker underneath. Out of nervousness i seemed to keep my fat little arms unnaturally close to my body, like that cartoon dinosaur from I think meet the robinsons "I have a big head and little arms." Anyways, it was horrible to watch. I did some creative cropping on the video to try to limit the constant side view of Miss Fatty McFatterson.... But, I am now forever etched in the videos of the class of 2012. (Thank GOD preschoolers don't judge you by your weight!!!) I am more then ready to get this done when my 6 mo diet is over. I guess my point is don't let humiliation have the victory... The victory is this will be the last time you experience this and when you are flying skinny you will probly look for the girl who is facing humiliation and rescue her. You will always have compassion because you lived it. I pray your surgery and recovery go textbook and look forward to joining you on the losers bench, where we ALL fit!

LOL... People are so funny! My friend who is pretty consistent in the size 10-12 range had posted she was selling some of her size nine clothes. When I saw her at church I said "hey, if you end up just giving those clothes away I can take them for after wls." She said to me "You better not get smaller then me! I don't want to be the chubby friend!" I laughed and gave her a hug and said so what size am I allowed to get down to? She said a 10. heheheh I am fine with that lol!!! My surgeon said the ideal weight for 5 ft 1 was 105. I laughed. He continued with saying that most people with the sleeve lose 60 % of their excess weight which puts me at a goal weight of 156. Fine with me. SHould still be able to keep that friend... heheheheh

Meg, I love your real food approach.. I know Protein is important but when you are eating "clean" I think the body absorbs more of what it needs. It is my goal after sleeve when I have a wittle tummy to eat clean and I will definetely be trying your bean idea. Gonna finally put my blendtec to good use!! I personally would love to follow a sleeved "real food" thread or a blog if you know of any.. Diane, my surgeon's instructions say to do 3- 1/4cup liquid meals per day, 64 ozs of Water in 1/4-1/2 cup increments every half hour, and every hour between meals 1/4 cup Protein drinks. Maybe short goals will work for you in getting it down. I have also heard of people eating ice chips, shaved ice or using a medicine dropper. Or for some drinking something warm lessens the pain. I haven't been there yet so I can't speak from personal experience, just from reading this board for the past year. Don't wait to long to get checked for dehydration, you may need a bag or two! Keep us updated.

I am pre-sleeve but happen to have my instructions for phase 2 handy. I really like how his instructions break it down. *Consume 2 ozs (1/4 cup) every hour. This phase consists of three 1/4 cup full liquid meals and 1/4 cup protein beverages EVERY HOUR between meals.. *Try to drink 64 ozs of fluid every day. Drink 2-4 ozs (1/4-1/2 cup) water every half hour while awake. Then it lists what I can have and if I can eat it with a fork it is too thick. I purchased a baby "powdered formula dispenser" so i can put a smaller serving amount of protein powder in each "slot" for ease of use at work. I like my protein drinks fresh so I don't mind the 1/4 cup thing. I hope this helps you in SOME way and I pray you start to feel much better..

I LOVE the vitafusion gummy chewables. They taste like candy! Not expensive at all. Costco has them for a great price and I believe walmart carries them too.

Check out this link. It is an additional option you can start doing anytime to help with sagging skin. I actually plan on starting the habit before surgery. http://t-tapp.com/success/michellep/index.html Oh, her exercises are also fantastic. I am just to heavy with no energy to do them right now.... excited for september!

That is awesome! And it is nice to hear a story with a happy ending, especially after watching 2 season finales tonight!

I feel silly asking this but I can't find the answer anywhere! If my first visit of the 6 month stupervised diet was Feb 21, would the July visit count as the last one? Or is it "7" visits therefore August would be the last... Thanks for your help!!

UMR

I see you are in Fort Worth.... Do you have a max out of pocket and how much is your deductible? I went through Dr. David Kim and he required a sleep study. The sleep center he used accepted what the insurance paid as payment in full. That covered my "out of pocket max" of $2200 and the $500 for my out of network deductible. If you have any questions feel free to pm me. What surgeon are you using?

I don't think you would be starting over and have to wait. Those are requirements for your insurance company usually. Send some emails to other surgeons tonight explaining that you are considering another surgeon. Tell them what you have already done and ask how long it would take to get surgery with them. Maybe you can have an answer by tomorrow!

Research other surgeons if you are not comfortable with this one! Just find one that does not have any additional hoops to jump through. I would not go with someone I was hesitant about. Try to find one with lots of experience doing the sleeve. Good luck!!

That sounds like something my husband would say, and I would probly react them same way, but what he might really be trying to say is "You have come this far, I am noticing a gain that you might not see, and I would not want to remain quiet about it and see you realize it 20 more pounds later and beat yourself up." You have been married to him for 34 years, so he probly is not a jerk, just a man. They are NOTORIOUS for having good intentions but saying it in a man way. I know mine does. You are doing great! Take his comment as a re-focus and don't let those 5-7 lbs become more but also don't starve yourself. Work your sleeve sister, forgive him, and remember, he is a MAN!

I am 5 ft 1, 232, 40 and won't have surgery until after my 6 month supervised diet. Last date is either july or august. Not sure if they want 6 visits or 6 months after the first visit. Right now I am not scared. Everytime I eat I think about what will be different after surgery. I read TONS every day and have started a notebook with all the info I want to remember later (recipes, suggestions, a weight graph, my lab work etc). I believe I will be successful at losing (finally) and have a goal for an average of 2lbs per week. I look forward to being able to enjoy some of my old faves tweaked and in wayyyy smaller portions. I am VERY excited!!

I did not see your age, but let me share with you what happens in the blink of an eye. I turned 40 last June and have been significantly over weight since at least 25 (over 200lbs at 5ft1). I always was "fat and healthy", so I thought. In the last year I have had to start on bp meds, i am right at the border of becoming diabetic and, I have most likely lost my opportunity to have a biological child. I am not sure how old you are, but let me tell you, if you are under 40, DON'T WASTE TIME!!!!! You don't want to wake up one day ready to finally deal with it and find out you are too late for some lifelong dreams you had. Where is your doctor going to be then? This is YOUR life. Your decision. I pray the BEST for you!

Amy, who is your surgeon? I am south of Fort Worth and debating on changing surgeons based on my past experience with certain protein shakes. My current surgeon insists you use either Optifast or Bariessentials ($200 for 2 weeks!!!!). I have heard good things about another surgeon who lets you eat real food rather then shakes pre-op. I have a few more months to pray about it.. I hope you get a better option for your shakes!

I was recently asked if I could find a place to donate a used CPAP machine that someone had. I called a friend of mine who is the director of a free health clinic in my town and I also called my respiratory therapist. They both said donated CPAP's are like GOLD for people on Medicaid/Medicare or have no insurance. Apparently there are many people in nursing homes who could really see improvement if they had a CPAP. So, my goal is: to have my insurance pay for my cpap, use it religiously, get my sleeve, get off it, and donate it. IF you are done with yours and it is just taking up space, please consider donating it to someone who could really use it to change the quality of their life.

I started with the the nose pillows one and would feel like I was being smothered if those "pillows" were not in there just right. Every day i woke up and it was off. I JUST switched over to the one that is just on the nose and have done much better. I thought I would hate it because of the way it was at my sleep study (so tight it bruised my cheek and the tech never came when I turned my light on). I could not do the one that covers my mouth because I felt weird not being able to scream if I had to. All I can say is try every different mask until you find the one that works. It is no use to do this if we can't keep our masks on. Since having a mask that works I am having VERY vivid dreams. Also, maybe have them recheck your pressure. Maybe it is blowing too hard. Good luck!

This is exactly why I am questioning my choice in surgeon. I could go to a surgeon who requires a 2 week of REAL food, meat/veggie/protein/low carb or a surgeon that doesn't give you an option of which protein to use and is 2 week liquid. I am 2 months into my supervised 6 month diet so I have time to change my mind. They are both highly regarded surgeons and insurance pays. This gives me more to consider. Best of luck to you.. I will follow your posts to see how you do.

Could it possible be your body ridding itself of yeast? I know on sugary/carb filled diets (my current diet) the body can get systemic yeast infections. When that changes it can go through detox. Whenever I take antibiotics I ask for a script for diflucan because I inevitably suffer a yeast infection of some kind. And I am sure you were pumped full of antibiotics during surgery. But of course, I am not a doctor. I pray your hairy tongue/throat gets better quick!!

Yes. Dr. Kim is my surgeon... I am in my 6 month supervised diet phase and would consider changing surgeons just based on the pre op diet thing. There are very few protein powders I can stand and he is adamant that you use optifast or bari-essentials. I would MUCH rather eat lots of fruits and veggies! I would enjoy it way more and it would probly NOT cost me $200 for the 2 weeks!! I may call them on Monday. THANKS!!!!

Amanda 3.0- Who is your surgeon? That pre op sounds way better then what I am facing. I wouldn't be so worried if I was able to pick and choose my protein powder but I am forced to spend $250 on 2 weeks of what he sells. Have not tried it yet