kcarroll

I tried that too..hmm, I think I did it for eh, 2-3 weeks. I wanna say I lost about 9-10lbs. It's okay, but I remember having to adjust some of the foods I ate bc I'm not a fan of tuna or bananas, which might be why I didn't lose more? Good luck with it!! -Kay

Thank you so much!! You hit the nail on the head with what you said about people thinking we are "giving up." If they knew or cared to research anything about it, they'd know that the surgery is only a tool. We have to change our habits, and learn about healthy living - the change has to come through us. The surgery may jumpstart everything, but at the end of the day, it's up to us! Do you have a date yet, and are you staying within the U.S.?

So I posted last night, and got a few replies - thank you everyone for your thoughts! Now..once I receive that money..the only thing standing in my way..is me. Whoa..crazy concept. It's weird how much you want something and know it's the right choice for you, and then all of a sudden, when you begin to realize it's within your grasp, you have these major doubts and inner conflicts! I'm forging ahead but geez..who knew that once it came down to it, I'd be the one giving myself such a hard time! I've decided not to make the surgery public, which is scary, as I know in all the books and research I've done, everyone tells you to have a good support group, people to lean on when you're going through recovery, but my family just doesn't understand. I know there will be ups and downs, struggles and victories along the way, which I'm okay with; I've come to terms with it..but whew.. This is still kinda huge, and if anyone has any encouraging words from sleevers out there, they would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks to my heart..I have horrible credit. I started dating "him" when I was 28. I'm now 32, single and my credit sucks..big time. I'm not sure what I was thinking..or maybe I do, and I don't want to face it..but regardless....it's bad. So, my choices are saving up, 401k loan, or.... I've been working on getting my credit rating back up, but it's going to take me awhile. I can't wait as long as it'll probably take to get my credit up, to do something about my health. I've researched and decided I'm going with a sleeve. I've decided on Mexico. And there are some great deals out there..I have some savings, but not enough. Is there any company out there that would work with me as far as a payment plan? Any advice..and yes, I realize that I might get a lot of people saying, "you just have to save it up!" If that's the case, okay..but I figured I'd ask just in case anyone happened to know something that I couldn't find on google. Ps- please excuse my run on sentences, bad grammar and misspellings. (:

WHOA!!!!!!!!!! This is absolutely nuts!! No wonder I am the size I am.. Well, all this keeps me moving the right directions!! I still have yet to set the date on my surery, but this is just the kinda stuff I love!! Thanks for sharing (:

Hey there.. Don't be hard on yourself. This is not about what color shirt to go with those shoes, ore should I go with black nail polish, even though my fingers are stubby.. THIS IS YOUR LIFE! And its definitely not to be taken lightly. Maybe you should try to think about why you want to have the surgery in the first place. Maybe the reasons have changed?? You have to be completely and totally okay with everything, but also understand that everyone that goes through this process probably has the same feelings one time or another. Just breath, take a minute and trust yourself to make the right decision in the end. Hope this helped a little!!

Hello there! I am also in the philly area, and I was wondering if you had your surgery yet? What did you decide to do? Mexico or the U.S., and if you went with the U.S., who did you use? I, myself, have decided to have the sleeve surgery, and am trying to find someone.

Milkd- thank you so much! that was very helpful!! I have a stupid question.. When I called my insurance and asked if wls is covered in my plan, they yes.. 80% after a 2000 deductible. My question- "out-of-pocket" isnt the same as deductible, right?? so, i'd have to pay a deductible, and then the put-of pocket?

HOLY CRAP!!! Thanks to everyone who read and put in their two cents!! All this info is awesome, and please... KEEP IT COMING!! My next step, reread every post, write questions and call my insurance co back.. Ha, I pity the person who takes that call (: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Okay, so my next question........ Self-pay.. Do you have to do that all in one shot, or can you make payments.. I have some savings, but I don't have enough to write a check for $13,000 and be done with it!!

Thanks Wheetsin and Erin! Quick question.. Self-pay...what is it?

My name is Kendra, hi all! (: I literally just decided to have the sleeve done. This is pretty exciting moment for me. I have thought/fantasized about having wls, but never really did anything about it. I guess it just always so risky. After doing some research about the different kinds of wls, it seems to be old hat for a lot of people. So, I figured if they can do it, so can I!! But...I have no idea where to go from here. I am 29 and I recently moved out of state for work and am living in Philadelphia. No family or friends in the state, so this should be interesting to say the least! First thing I did, last night at about 10pm (told you I literally just decided) was check with my insurance provider to see if they cover wls and voila! They cover 80%, which is a good thing, I think. The next step- Find a doctor and tell him I want wls? Is it really that simple..and by simple, I mean probably one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do! I know that once I find a doctor and we've talked about it, as well as all the options, and cons and pros, that everything will seem a little more on track..but for right now.. what happens next? How long is the process from this point until surgery? I've read about special diets that doctors put you on before the surgeries.. What’s all that about? I've also read that you have to talk with therapists afterward? I have tried to narrow down pricing for the sleeve as well. I realize that a lot of factors are involved with a surgery like this, but can anyone give me actual pricing?? I've read that it can be anywhere from $10,000-$13,000, while another website said $17,000-$25,000!! WHAT THE HECK!! Clarification.. That’s what I need!! So, any help at all, would be wonderful!