Hetera

I'm in NY & CT. I was told by HR that Obamacare covers it only if you have an health management organization which we don't have it my firm. Or something like that.

Thanks, Chubby Toes!

Woo-hoo!!!! Great job!

Look you need to figure out why you feel this way. This is the hard part. But only you can figure this out. In the meantime, go back to square one, and follow the rules.

My boyfriend lost a lot of weight very rapidly on his own, and yes, his hair fell out about 4 months in. He has thick, wooly hair. It all grew back, though.

Great job!

I'm 90% sure I'll be there (unless my employers change to insurers who will cover it). I'm pretty sure I'll be going alone, though.

Could it be your gallbladder? People often get gallstones from weight loss. I've heard of a pill called Actigall that is supposed to help prevent them.

There's a very good book I'm reading (I'm 2 weeks pre-op) called "It Aint Over 'til the Thin Lady Sings" by Michelle Ritchie, who is a certified substance abuse counselor and who had WLS surgery and really understands the ins and outs of compulsive eating. I struggle with it myself. I use food to decompress, and to "anchor" myself upon arrival, i.e., when I arrive at a friend's house, or at work, or home after work. Eating for me has historically had NOTHING to do with hunger. This book makes you do some serious soul-searching. You know what they say, it's not what you're eating, it's what's eating you... Anyway, I like the book, and it's important to do some serious exploration of why we overeat. Restriction is just a tool. I get so sick of hearing that and reading it, but it's true. You can build a house with a hammer, but you gotta swing it, baby! I feel pretty sure you'll get back on track. Just don't chew your paw off, the stress will only make it worse.

Really looking forward to being part of this group. I'm scheduled with Dr. Arial Ortiz in Tijuana on April 30 (unless my firm changes insurance companies to one that will cover surgery, I'll know next week!).

I think My doctor is trying to kill me with these awful Vitaleph shakes. Three weeks of it. He wants me to lose 14 lbs in three weeks. If I could do that I wouldn't need surgery. And supplements: ch-ching!! $250 for the shakes and pills. What can I say, it helps me to kvetch...

Lisa, COPD is usually caused by emphysema, which is caused most often by smoking. If you don't smoke, COPD isn't likely going to happen to you. If you have had other surgeries on your stomach, organs, etc., it might not be a good idea for you to have more. Do get a second opinion, though.

Damn, woman,,, you look FABULOUS! Young and healthy and happy!!!

Look, you're panicking. STOP! Everything will be better when your commute gets shorter. You need to slow down and focus. If you are often anxious, talk to your doctor (gp). Carve out 2 hours of time for yourself at least every other day. Take the kids out for a walk. Make sure you have the sugar free ice pops on hand, and if you're gonna binge, binge on them. Just take it EASY, breathe deeply 5 times when the stress begins to choke you. Everything is gonna be ok.

It's really interesting hearing everyone's input. I'm pretty sure that if something went wrong down the line, my US gastroenterologist would treat me. I'm insured for any complications, just not for the actual surgery. Thanks everybody.

In my area (NYC) it costs about $25,000 to have sleeve surgery. In Tijuana, it's about $6500, tops. Believe me, if I could afford to have it here, I would. Dr. Weiner in Detroit Medical Center is very good, but he's $11,000. And guess what, I do have insurance through work, but it doesn't cover ANY bariatric surgeries. So, Mexico, it is. However, my insurance does cover any emergency situations (after I pay the deductible). Thanks for all your help, people. I appreciate it. I'll check try to find the Mexico boards.

Congratulations on that baby! Of course you'll get to your goal. You've got the know-how, and the equipment. All you need is the time in the brain space, which I'm sure is in short supply with an infant! work your sleeve!

I've been drinking Premier protein from Costco. It's pretty tasty and it's not terribly expensive. It's premixed so it comes in little cartons. I throw it in Nutri bullet with a banana, or pare or papaya, depending on the flavor of the protein drink, and it really comes out very tasty. I haven't scheduled my surgery, but I'm trying to knock off some weight before hand. So far I like this drink quite well and replace two meals with it per day. Congratulations on your own weight loss! And on the exercise! Bravo!

Hi! I'm excited for you! I'm still trying to get my courage up to pay the deposit. Where are you having your surgery? I'm sure you'll be fine, just walk as much as you can stand it, to help with the gas pains which I understand can sometimes be uncomfortable. Good luck, and let us know how it goes! Robin

Hurray!!! Best of luck!

Charlie, thank you. I'm thinking hard. Scared to death as I am desperate to get my life back, but terrified of "giving up food." I laugh because I'm willing to do ANYTHING to lose weight (um.... except stick to a diet and exercise regime). Truth is, I hurt inside and out. Walking around in the am hurts my feet and back and knees. I'm too easily winded, I feel bad and I look bad. Depressed. I feel better, for a few moments, when I eat. Then I feel even worse than before. It's the classic scenario. I can only enjoy sedentary activities, and I feel guilty and ashamed of myself all of the time. I have no wear-withal. I've been overweight my whole life to one extent or another. Who am I if I'm not ?

Mdlange, what protein drink are you using?

Change is hard. Healthy food prep is a HUGE commitment of time, energy and money. If you are used to eating fast food, if that's part of your scene, it will be challenging to drop that habit/mindset. All diet/reduction plans, including WLS, are only as successful as the strength of your commitment to which ever one you choose.

Penny episode was maddening, but clearly there were deep psychological problems there. Denial, persecution complex, controlling. Wasn't she physically/sexually abused as a child? More to be pitied than to be censured. Head hunger is a tough problem, but you must believe that change is POSSIBLES, challenging, but if you have faith in yourself, absolutely possible.

Folly, I'm not even scheduled for surgery yet (self pay), but I think about these things -having been fat/overweight most of my life, well frankly all of my life, to one extent or another, I pretty much define myself as a "fat" person. The jolly, joking, apologetic, please like me, funny girl. I weigh now about 280, i'm 5'9" tall, and luckily I carry my weight better than a lot of sorter women, and I am an opera singer. I bounced around 240-255 lbs for a long time, and I carried it off (I was "zaftig"), but this last 30 lbs has really taken its toll on my knees, feet, back, and breathing. I often wonder, and worry, about how I will feel, if I will even feel like myself, if I lose 125 pounds, or so. I'll still be insecure about my body, about whether people like me or not, about whether I'm good enough, whatever that means. In my mind, I have always slept being overweight hold me back, I'm not sure if we've used it as an excuse, but I know that it is contributed to myinsecurities, and low self-esteem. And those things and held me back from doing what I want to do, and being more like the kind of person I want to be. I just so strongly identified with being fat that I don't know what to think, who will be if I'm not fat? And how will it be, not being able to just feed myself, to numb the bad, sad, mad emotions? So answer your question, I think some people do struggle with these identity issues. I look forward to reading more of your posts, and hearing your insights and observations. Take care.