makemyownluck

OMG!! You were sleeved the day before my bday, so I have a can really sense what a short amount of time ago that was! GOOD FOR YOU - tell me all your secrets!! Rock those 18s!!

yes it is! there are people here (like me) who have a lot more than that to lose! it's all about the effort you put into it. You will get out of this journey what you are willing to put into it. Good luck!

been making this for yearsssss. I like to use leftovers for soup, gives it a southwest kinda flavor. Like tortilla soup (wo tortillas). add in whatever veggies you like, the left overs and some chicken stock. Let is simmer and it's a brand new meal!

do you have PPO or H.M.O.? I have bcbsil as well, H.M.O. and I'm wondering what the process is... I got a referral to a surgeon approved, IDK if I have to still get surgery approved beyond that? I used to work for bcbsil PPO for individual plans. I don't think I understand the reason you were denied. Did you get a letter? What did it say? Have you called them?

I'm sure you don't want to wait, but I would if I were in this position. It's not exactly the same, but a position just opened up at my job, a position I've wanted for the past 4 years I've worked there, but I'm not posting for it because I know that I want surgery more. But I'm wouldn't risk my current job to have the surgery, either. I have, however, told my boss about contemplating surgery. She's very supportive... I think you might get more support than you think - and yes, if you're in the US, you are covered by FMLA for 12 weeks per year. If you haven't used any FMLA time for the time off you've already taken, you can still use it now. Talk to HR - you don't have to give them specifics of why your asking for them to tell you how the process works. I guess, I just think if you could put it off until Jan or Feb like you were thinking you'd have to do anyway, then in the long run it's probably better to hold on to your job. Good luck!

get it, girl. Let her be mad about how good you look - beautiful women are always gonna have a hater or two throwing shade around them. You look great!!

This has made me seriously consider switching to the PPO coverage instead of H.M.O. that I have now!! WHY does everything have to be so complicated when it comes to insurance? :\ IDK if PPO would even be any better! I'm going to a surgeon over an hour away, it worries me that if I have complications that I'll have to go that far to be seen.

Well, it looks like there's a chance I could get referred to surgery sooner than I expected!!! I had been planning on having surgery at the beginning of next year, but I saw my doctor today and he said he was going to submit the referral this week and see what they say! My insurance requires a 3 month supervised diet, but my MD doesn't have a scale that can weigh me, so he's gonna see if we can bypass that requirement and get me referred now. If not, I only have another 5 weeks until my 3 months would be up anyway, so it's not that far off if it gets rejected. He said I shouldn't have a problem at the 3 month point, but he'll see what he can do to speed it up. :D :D Oh em gee! I still don't know exactly what happens next. I guess I'll find out, though. This is getting kinda exciting! Ever since I left the Drs office, I've been daydreaming. A friend of mine is going to a Halloween party tonight and I was invited to this party but declined. I don't have the self confidence to meet strangers anymore, much less the confidence to put on a costume and let people look at me! But this time next year could be totally different! EEEEEEEEEKKKKKK!! I'll let ya know if the referral goes through! Wish me luck!

Hi Amanda! I'm Andrea. I am higher weight as well, so high that my Dr. can't weigh me so I don't even know how heavy. I'm guessing 440, but I really just pulled that number out of the clear blue sky. I only know it's over 400. My goal is also 170 (are you 5'10.5" too? lol). I know it's a lot to lose, but I think as weight comes off, I'll be motivated to exercise more. As it is, I want to, but I'm afraid to push myself too hard. I want it to come naturally, and I think VSG is a happy medium between bypass and band. I don't want nutritional deficits and I don't want a medical implant. If we stay on track, I don't think it's any less possible to lose weight with a sleeve. I don't have a surgery date, but hopefully it will be soon! I look forward to hearing more about your journey!

Did you have surgery? How are you feeling? Wishing you a speedy recovery!

So after going all weekend thinking I was going to have to settle for RNY because of my insurance, I got the happy news today that I have been referred to a new surgeon that does VSG. HOORAY!! *happy dance* I have been referred to Dr. Ayloo at UIC. Anyone familiar with her? I'm going to the required informational seminar on 11/5 at 5pm. Any other Chicago area people going to this seminar? I'd love to meet you!! I'm back on cloud 9. Now, I just have to hope that all the pre-op stuff I've done under the direction of my PCP will be acceptable for this surgeon. I'm so excited - I wonder how long til I could get a surgery date? eeeeeekkkkk

I've never had GERD, now you've worried me because you said you never had symptoms! I'm hoping to have VSG, but rny is my back up plan. I don't know what to do. haven't had an endoscopy yet, tho. Good luck!

thanks everyone! I got a new referral today to a surgeon who does VSG. She also does rny and the band - so in 2 weeks I go to the informational seminar, and hopefully will be able to make a decision from there. I am so on the fence. I feel like bypass will make the losing easier because of malabsorption, but I'm just nervous to have a potential deficiency for the rest of my life because of it. the sleeve seems safer to me. I just hope i'm successful with it, if that's the route I choose. TOO MANY DECISIONS!

So, I've been in the process of approval for WLS since July, but I was set on having VSG. Now I find out that might be hard to do - so I'm reconsidering RNY. I can't find what I'm looking to know about post-op lifestyle. With VSG, you can eat normal foods again. With RNY, do you ever have any semblance of a normal life again? For instance, will dumping be a possibility forever and ever? Will I be able to have A BITE of birthday cake again? Don't get me wrong, I know change has to be made - I'm just wondering if I'll ever be able to indulge again? I guess it's possible, since some people regain their weight eventually. Also, how do you deal with nutritional deficiency if you're not able to absorb them? I'm just confused about how you actually LIVE after doing something like bypass to yourself. VSG just made more sense to me, because you could absorb nutrients after that the same way as before surgery. Does anyone know about this? Or of any good links about the topic?

I found out this morning that I was approved for a referral to see a surgeon for weight loss surgery. I was able to celebrate this "first submission approval" for approximately 30 minutes. I called the MD, made an appointment, and then the woman who scheduled my appointment called me back to advise that the surgeon does not do VSG surgery, he only does RNY and lap band. So, I called my MD office and talked to the girl who does the referral submissions, and said, "Hey, the surgeon doesn't do the surgery I want to have done. What now?" She had no idea. She said a message had been left for the nurse (why? IDK!) to call me back to discuss it. She asked me what surgery I wanted to have done, and asked me to repeat it THREE TIMES before telling me she had never heard of it and they only do referrals for rny and the lap band. After that unsuccessful call, I called my medical group (I have H.M.O.) and they said that my MD would have to submit a determination of benefits to see if this surgery would even be covered. Now, I know for a fact that BCBS covers VSG - their medical policy is available online AND I used to work for blue cross doing these exact approvals, the only difference being that I worked for PPO, not H.M.O. Absolutely NO ONE I'VE TALKED TO HAS EVEN HEARD OF VSG. They act like RNY and the lap band are the only options for weight loss surgery! Besides VSG, there's also the duodenal switch - I've worked in insurance for years and know about all these options. Why is it that no one else seems to have heard of anything else?! The medical group also advised that once they verify that the surgery is covered, they would have to request out of network benefits to see a surgeon out of network that performs this surgery. What an absolute nightmare this is turning out to be. I tried calling back to talk to the woman who does the referrals at my MD office and she won't take my call. It doesn't look like the nurse is planning to call me back either, since the office closes in about 6 minutes. I've honestly been bawling about this for over an hour, I have a headache now. I feel completely devastated and lost. The only option I can come up with at this point is to change my medical plan at work to PPO in January. I really don't WANT to have a ppo plan, tho. I'm so completely depressed. This is NOT how I wanted my weekend to start. I guess I'll go lay down and cry some more now. :*( I really, really, really, really, really don't want rny. Is my alternative to just get that surgery instead?? Or a lap band (which I've always been totally against!)? Defeated. Crushed. Inconsolable. Lost. That's me.

thank you all --- I don't know what my Drs office did exactly, but they called me with a referral to a different surgeon. One that does VSG!! So, I'm back on track. I go to the seminar in 2 weeks and then schedule an appointment with the surgeon. I'm hoping the pre-op stuff I've done with my PCP will carry over to the surgeon so I won't have much to do after this.. fingers crossed!

You're familiar with what this surgery is, right Tiffany? They do take your stomach. 85% of it, anyway. You keep your stomach with the bypass. (or band)

Oh, I have so much on this list! I would ilke to: fit in a booth at a restaurant. fit in an economy car WITH a seatbelt! cross my legs see my collarbones. I KNOW THEY ARE THERE. Basically, to see all the bones most people see that are covered in fat - like my ankles, kneecaps, etc. I'd love to ride roller coasters again. I loved them when i was younger, but can't fit on them now. I want to roller skate again. It was my favorite mode of transportation when I was a kid, but I'm too big and uncoordinated to even try it now. I'd love to go snorkeling/scuba diving. Heck, I'd like to FLY somewhere. i've never flown! I know if I can't fit on a roller coaster, I'm gonna have issues with a plane. Haven't even bothered trying! I want to buy clothes in regular stores. As it is, I have to order pants off the internet. :\ very inconvenient, and embarrassing. AND - I wanna date! I want just a shred of self-confidence to put myself back on the dating market. That's just a short list!!

I found out today that my h. M. O. Approved my referral for surgery. However the surgeon they referred me to only does rny and lap band!!! I'm so saddened. I have to see if my md can find a surgeon in my medical group that does vsg, or else wait until january and switch to a ppo plan. I'm crushed. After being so overjoyed about the approval a few hrs ago. Any suggestions on what to do next are welcomed. I have h. M. O. W bcbsil. Thanks!

Hi!! I have an exciting update to this- idk what my drs office did, but now I've been referred to Dr. Ayloo @ uic. Gotta call the office to see how soon i can get an appointment! She does vsg, so I dont have to settle for rny after all!!

Im in aurora, il. About 45m west of downtown. Hi neighbor!

I'm starting to warm to the idea of rny - I think I'll be more successful with it. It's just a scary surgery to do!! I have a LOT of weight to lose - 200 or more lbs. I think with VSG, I'd probably have to have the surgery converted down the line - most of the people on VStalk are a lot lighter than me to start out with. From what I've researched, I'll be on a multi-Vitamin, Calcium w vit D, a Fiber supplement (unless I can get my diet to include enough) and b12. Any other Vitamins that you guys have been told to take? Are you required to take an anti-acid? I have no GERD issues now... if that makes a difference... I really appreciate all your responses, guys! Keep em coming!

LOVE how you start a post that we can end it - then spend the next TWO posts bringing up things that aren't really relevant to the discussion, and dismiss everything I say by bringing up a different point. Very creative debating skills you have. I agree that this isn't necessarily the forum to discuss these matters. Good luck to you. I'm glad you have the money to pay for the surgery you want. I wish you well.

yea plain greek yogurt is about as delicious as plain sour cream - very bland by itself. But the texture is great, so mixing in Protein powder is a great way to make it more palatable, plus get you some extra protein. Also, eating it more regularly, you develop a taste for it. I used to hate all kinds of yogurt, but now I love Greek yogurt!