babyblues4all2c

I have two more weeks of options (bakersfield). I have all my labs done. I have been told that it takes a couple weeks for the referal to the surgeon before we can meet with them. I'm not sure about your area. I think it would depend on how busy that location is.

I don't have my date yet. I have two more weeks of classes for my insurance before I can meet with the surgeon. I'm expecting sometime mid August.

I am most looking forward to: *Babies *not being compared to my sisters weight *Being able to eat in front of my grandma instead of hiding in the kitchen to eat *going to events at the local convention center and being able to fit in the seats *actually start living my life

That will depend on your insurance and what your individual group will cover. I work in a dental office and I see some plans that will cover braces for only dependents under 19 or 26, some I see no age limit. The best way to find out is to call your insurance company and find out.

I was where you are at a year ago. I was thinking about having surgery, but wasn't gun ho about it. I ended up not doing it. Something in my head just clicked one day and that was it. I am over half way done with the classes that my insurance has wls patients take. They have a great support group. Maybe you could look into a bariatric support group in your area. The only regret I see anyone on here have is not having done it sooner. Every person that I know that has had the sleeve done says the same thing. And I wish that I had done it a year ago, because I see where I could be right now.

My nut gave me the breakdown for my class today... Multi- chewable or liquid w/ minerals 1 or 2 times daily (depending on directions) Calcium Citrate- taken in divided doeses 1500mg per day Vitamin D- 1000 iu day (usually enough in calcium and multi) B-1 50mg 3x a week b-12 1000 micrograms sublingual 3x a week (or injections once a month)

I met someone in my options class that the surgeon told her that she could cut the premier protein with water because it was to thick for her. Just get a gallon jug of water, put how much water you need in a day and pour in the number of protein drinks you need for the day. As long as you finish by the end of the day, you will have consumed the right amount of protein. She said this works for her. I plan to try it if I am not able to tolerate the thickness of the premier.

amber_bamber Add me, I need more active friends. I had a bunch this time last year, but a lot have fallen off

per 2 scoops http://images.vitaminimages.com/cdn/sd/pdf/L029655-AE.pdf

I start my options class with Kaiser tomorrow. I am excited. I know that I have lost a little weight since my orientation on the 17th, but I am going to weight to update my info until after my weigh-in at my class. I can not wait to be through this class. I also got good news today. After my surgery I will be getting more hours at work because one of the girls is leaving and I will get her position =) I was expecting to hear that news anytime, so I am so excited. Things are finally starting to look up. This also means that I may have to push for a sooner surgery date to make sure that I am healed before she goes. Lets hope my insurance works with me xxfingers crossedxx

So I called my insurance (Kaiser ***) to find out what my copay will be when I have the surgery, if it can be done outpatient, it would be $200. Or it will be $400 each day I’m in the hospital. I have two questions: Has anyone had the sleeve done as outpatient surgery? Do you have to pay upfront or will hospitals bill you? I have never had any type of surgery, so I’m new at this.

I'm having it in Bakersfield, CA. The hospital is less than 5 min from my house. I'm not sure which Dr is doing my surgery yet. It will be one of three from Bakersfield Surgical Associates (thats what my insurance uses)

My coworker asked me what size I'm going to be when I get out of surgery. She thought I would go in the size I am now and come out way smaller. =p

I'm hoping to be a mid August sleever, if everything goes as planned =)

I'm trying different shakes to see what I like. The one I have right now is the body fortress chocolate peanut butter. I mixed one scoop with 8oz of skim milk. I didn't mind the taste so much, but I have felt sick since finishing it. It feels real heavy on my stomach. Is this normal?

I would start slow and ease your way into it. Just listen to your body, it should let you know if it is too soon. I love zumba =)

Went to my first class today. According to their schedule, I should have everything done during the class. So all that will be left will be meeting with the surgeon and surgery =)

A little about myself: I am 28 years old and I have been struggling with my weight all of my life. I am tired of being the girl that has a pretty face. I hate how I feel about myself. I have been toying with the idea of doing some type of weight loss surgery for the last few years. For years I was encouraged to get the lap band, which I seriously thought about for a while. Now, after the long term effects of it have come out, I am so glad that I did not do that surgery. In May of 2011 I went to the bariatric orientation at my local Kaiser office. That is when I first learned about the gastric sleeve. My insurance requires everyone to go through a 12 week class before getting any type of weight loss surgery. The days and times that the classes were on conflicted with my work and school schedule so I wasn’t able to start the classes. At this point I wasn’t ready mentally to go through with any type of surgery. So I started counting calories and exercising. In four months I lost about 26 lbs. When I started school I stopped counting calories and didn’t make time for exercise. Now I have gained back each pound that I lost along with an additional 6. I have come to the decision that I now must take drastic measures for my health before I develop any major health problems, while I am still young(ish). On April 17, 2012 I went to a second orientation at Kaiser (my first referral expired). Now I am making time for myself. I start my 12-week class on Tuesday, May 1st. As long as I make each class, which I will, I will be done with the class in mid-July. I should meet with the surgeon late July/early August and hopefully have the gastric sleeve done by mid-August. I have to quit smoking… I started that journey, and it is way harder than I thought it would be. With the future ahead of me, I am determined to get this done. After all, I AM WORTH IT. I have been lurking around for about a week and feel like I have learned so much. I can see what I have to look forward to and I am excited.

I'm in California. I thought they had you do all the testing and evaluations before the end of class?

I have started to use a smaller plate to help with my portions. I also have started to eat protein first. You could try to set your fork/spoon down while you are chewing and take time between your bites. That way you will know when you feel full. It is how we will have to eat after surgery, so I'm trying to get in the habit now. What i struggle with is grazing inbetween my meals. I've also been counting my calories using myfitnesspal.com.

One of the requirements for my insurance is to complete a 12 week class (start on Tuesday). My insurance also wants me to lose 10% of my weight (38 lbs.). I heard a story of a girl who recently went through the class and lost about 50 pounds and when she went in for her surgical consult the surgeons said that she had done so well with her weight loss on her own that she couldn’t have the surgery. I’m worried that I am going to do well with my weight loss and the same thing will happen to me. I basically had no life last summer and lost almost 30 lbs. I also gained it back. I have yo-yo dieted for so long and I am just tired of not getting the results that I need. I in no way want to hinder any weight loss that I want. I have thought about working out less and just eating right, but I want to lose as much weight as I can before surgery. I just don’t want to get my hopes up and not be able to have this done. I’m not sure how much longer I will have my insurance and need it done now while I can. Has anyone else heard of going through all of the loops that insurance companies have for you, just to be told that “you have lost too much weight, do it on your own”?