fattymcfatterson

I will just be starting the whole process myself. I have United Healthcare pro also. I will be praying for you and would love to hear how things go.

Melissa- Who was your surgeon? 2 day pre op diet???? That sounds good!!!!! I Am looking at James Davidson in Dallas...

My husband always says "I may be fat but I still have muscle".. I have to wonder if the pain you felt was the cutting of the muscles you probly still had considering your prior "shape". I am not a nurse and have never had surgery but I think if I ever saw someone I cared about have blood going into their iv I would be freaking out!!!!!!! I am very glad things are better for you! And THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY!!!!!!!! :usa2:

I would call your doctor... Mine had me on 2000 per day.. But if I had to actually go somewhere where I could not freely get to a bathroom QUICKLY, I didn't take it. Sounds like you are monitoring your levels with a blood glucose thingee so i would do that after you eat each time, and see if anything you are eating is causing an increase. I am no pro, but that is what I would do.. Maybe add another 30 minutes of exercise into your day and more water. I would also make sure you are spreading out the met throughout the day. I can't WAIT till i don't have to take that stuff with those awful side effects! Please let us know how it is going for you!!

I have a meeting at the office on Monday with Dr. Craig Ferrera of Fort Worth. I also have a meeting on Thursday with Dr. Wade Barker in Dallas. WHat is the best advice you can give me on making a decision? They are both in network and work with my insurance. Dr. Ferrera is only 45 minutes away from my house compared to 1.5 hours with Dr. Barker! DO they let you know your out of pocket expenses at your consultation? That of course would make a difference... And what about the anesthesiologist? Is there a way to make sure you get one who is in your network? I have NEVER had any type of surgery before so I have no idea how this works. But I do know I do not want a big BILL that could have been avoided if I did more research. I have also read that Dr. Barker's office is slightly unorganized and plan on being there a long time. That is not encouraging.. But, if it is because he is the bast, I have to consider that. I have questions for both of them, but if any of you have any questions you had wished you asked before making your surgeon decision, please let me know!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi StacyS! I have not even been sleeved yet, so I can't totally relate to how your feeling... But when I do get there, I will think upon these things: The positive of a stall or slower weight loss is working on the elasticity of the skin to prevent super sagging. check out this story: http://t-tapp.com/su...llep/index.html I have not done alot of research on what to do for sagging skin but I am familiar with skin brushing.. There may be some creams out there that can help too.. I would also think that our bodies are going through an adjustment.. I Have heard that during my dieting adventures and have seen my body reset to its new weight. Once your body sees that you are consistently giving it those 900 calories per day it may loosen up. I would think that initial loss the body was like "oh yeah, I don't need this", but then it may be like "wait a minute, am I gonna have enough?" Our bodies were created to survive so let your body know it's ok, I am going to take better care of you now... (I think that is more for you to hear then your body ) You will be ok... MInd your stress also... If you are stressing about not losing weight you could be assisting in the weight hanging on.. Breath, relax, and let your body catch up to your goals! I look forward to seeing your success in the next 6 months!!!!

How exciting for you!!! Congrats!! I am also curious as to the "best" protein powders... I will be watching for answers with you!!!!!

drain tube? This is the first i have heard of a drain tube... Can someone give me a briex explanation, please????

Congrats PENPEN!!! Who is your Doc? I see you are in the DFW area, me too!! I have my first meeting with Dr. Wade Barker on Thursday JUne 9. I also have UHC choice plus (something, the most expensive one!!) They say I am covered at 90% and my BMI is 41.4. I am curious if I am going to have hoops to jump through! Maybe I will be right behind you! I live south of fort worth, where are you? I am very happy for you!!

Hi everyone! I turn 40 in 1 week and I have been over 200 lbs on a 5 ft 1 frame for over 15 years! I am currently 219 and my highest was 230. I have tried many diets and can never stick to them because they always leave me feeling hungry. I recently called my insurance company and asked them how they can help me since we pay them soo much money every year. My option: Weight loss surgery covered at 90%! I had never considered weight loss surgery but after 15 years of struggling, I think it is time. I told my husband that I never wanted to face my 40th (39th, 38th, 37th etc) birthday still fat! It would be nice to actually take a picture I did not want to burn (hah, or delete or photohop). 15 of my 40 years fat... And I have never been able to get pregnant. So, I thought if I can't have any biological children, then I might as well do something for me to help get thin and be HEALTHY for my stepsons and husband. So he gave me the ok to research it. At one point I thought "Maybe I can have a bypass of the mind and just eat small portions and fight the hunger." hahaha NOT. I did not have an issue in eating the small amounts, mentally, but physically I was a ravenous beast!!!! I can lose weight at 1200 calories per day, I just can't stand the ravenous hunger. I am hoping if I get sleeved then the ravenous will disappear. I kind of like the idea of slow weight loss. I do not plan on telling everyone what I am doing so slow loss won't be as obvious that I did something drastic. I also want to try dry brushing of the skin to help with elasticity. I have seen AMAZING photos of skin brushing success!! I have a consult with Dr Wade Barker in Dallas TX next week. I do have a few questions I would like to ask some experienced sleevers... * I like to make a "taco soup" in my blender.. It is tomatoes, carrots, cilanto, taco seasoning, sharp cheddar cheese, Water and chicken bouillon blended together. SCRUMPTIOUS... Is this the kind of stuff you can eat after the clear liquid broth stage? We love creamed Soups and it is a great way to get flavor... I bet i could add some Protein powder int hat too.. a small amount (gag) * Can you add Protein Powder to fruit smoothies? I have a fruit smoothie mix I like to buy from costco. It is perfect. And if i can add some protein powder (gag) to it I might just make it. It is fresh fruit with some frozen yogurt in it (Jamba juice Razmatazz in 8 oz servings with 4ozs of juice added) mmmm... * The thought of staples, little metal titanium staples in my body kinda freaks me out. uhm, do you feel them in there??? I know, it is probly a laughable question but it is something I just need to ask!!! I have this vision of a poking sensation or rust.. (hahaha I know.. I just have to ask!!) * I have watched a few youtube videos of the surgery and when they start pulling out the excess stomach I gasp and say OMG everytime. I wonder what size beast I have in my belly! Is anyone willing to share how much excess stomach they had excised??? I hope this is not too personal of a question. And if it is a sleeve "faux pas" please forgive me!!!! If I get this done I am going to ask the doctor to take pics for me.... And my insurance is through United Health Care plus choice. SO if anyone has any experience with this please let me know what I have to look forward to. Thank you so much for reading this and I appreciate your responses.. Hopefully I will become a part of the sleeved family! Crystal AKA Fatty Mcfatterson

Libbe, I enjoyed your vlog... Gonna try it too!! If not just to talk out loud about this stuff!!! Everyone else, thanks for the responses!! I am curious if I can avoid Protein powder!! That would make me very happy!! Debby01, check out this link http://t-tapp.com/success/michellep/index.html It shows a great story on the brushing and you can learn more on the website!! Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW! This was a very encouraging thread! Thanks to all who shared!!

So does insurance cover plication? WHen my insurance told me they covered WLS I don't remember them naming this procedure...

Hi everyone! I am a 40 (well, a week from tomorrow I will be) year old female who has been over 200 lbs for the last 15 years currently 219-230 was my high). I can't stick with a diet, the hunger takes over (ravenous), and I am just too tired all the time to exercise. I also have PCOS and a family history of heart disease and diabetes. Oh yeah, and I am only 5 ft 1!! I have never been able to conceive and actually had a doctor tell me 5 years ago "if you just lose weight you should be able to get pregnant". Gee thanks lady.... Anyways, I finally decided that at 40 it was time to make a change. I called my insurance for help and the ONLY thing they cover at 90% is weight loss surgery! Really?? So, i have begun my journey of research... At first i thought the lapband was the way to go. I have a few friends who have done it and one is a year in and says it is the best thing she ever did. The other had hers done in April.. But oh man, have I read alot of stories of trouble with that thing. It kinda freaks me out... So then I was weighing towards the sleeve, but the staples are kinda scarey and the fact it is major surgery, which I have only had stitches on my foot one time.. THen I saw a youtube video showing the plication surgery and I said YES!!! THAT IS WHAT I WANT!!!! hah!! Doubt it is covered by insurance yet based on what I read and I am not going to go out of pocket when i can get it done with insurance.. So, does anyone have any idea or experience with having this done with insurance? If you have a "band gone wrong" experience does insurance pay to fix it with plication? Wonder if I should hold out until insurance does approve it. I will keep researching but any feedback would be appreciated.. Thank you!!!