Kathryn

What protein bars are considered low carb? Do you have a preference?

22 pounds is great! I have not had the surgery yet, and no date in sight, but what I suggest is getting something that weighs 22 pounds. Like some weights to see how heavy that really was on you! Or, go to the grocery store, and put 22 pounds of butter in a basket...just look at that! Proud of you, keep going!

I have UHC, and my surgeon put me with a nutritionist that is keeping track of my weight. I don't have to count calories, but I do have to "count" carbs, its kind of like the weight watchers system. She said she expected me to walk 3 times a week, and I would lose 1/2 pound each week. So far, really nothing has come off, but I am following her rules. I also am seeing an exercise guy, he does not weigh me and said he doesn't expect me to lose anything and does not keep track of it. He gave me a few exercises to do, and I do them until I see him again and he gives me more to do. I had my psych evaluation last week, it was painless. The appointment took 2 hours, first hour was on the computer answering true and false questions. The next hour was us sitting down and he was asking things like "Did you have any major abuse as a child" and other normal things that could be considered major events. I was asked about smoking marijuana, and I told the truth that I had several years back. He asked if I knew what the complications are during/after any major surgery, and he was impressed with my answers. He also asked the big question of "Why?" I had good answers for that, first was my health second was wanting a family. He asked if it was just for looks or clothing, again I did not lie and I said that shopping for normal clothing would be a great benefit because Lane Bryant is so expensive. He was really on my side, and said that I didn't show any significant signs for being denied at all. He never asked specific things, just wanted yes and no answers basically. He even asked about my work history. It was more of an interview if anything, and it was easy.

I'm 25, at 230 pounds right now. Having my first nutrition meeting this week, I hope someone has an encouraging thing to say about the skin. Then again, no one will see me naked except for my husband. I also have a large pouch in front of me...no kids, its a genetic thing in my family.

I believe that the 1-300 refers to the mortality rate, but that rate (.3) is the same for any WLS. Or general surgery that involves going inside to mess with our organs. My surgeon (mind you I have no date yet, and starting nutrition in April) explained this number to me in great length. http://youtu.be/Fmx7gwgIxYQ This is my surgeon, and the mortality rates and other information is in here. This could be different for your surgeons, but this is the information that I got and I review it every now and again.

I have UHC, and I paid so far only for my Nutrition stuff in advance ($40.40 per time, over $200 total), and will pay a $20 bill to the fitness professional every time I see him (7 times before surgery). Have not started anything, just had blood work done, saw my surgeon, and waiting to see if I have to pay $625 for a sleep study out of pocket (some kind of fee). By the way, hello, my name is Kathryn and I just put my first post up to introduce myself in the "Tell Us Your Story" part!

Hello Forum! My name is Kathryn, you can call me Kat if you'd like. I am 25 years old, and 5'3" but I am going to get measured again and see if I am shorter than that, can't hurt right? I am currently living in Amarillo, Texas. My home town, my husband is prior Air Force, and we just moved back here from Okinawa, Japan, still getting acclimated to the american way of life. I went to a small seminar about the procedures, and I was glad to know that I could get the VSG done in my home town instead of traveling. I just had my consultation with the surgeon (Dr. Brent Bell of Amarillo Baptist Saint Anthony) yesterday. I had a NINE vial blood draw today, that's a lot of vials. I am trying to get a sleep study set up because who knows if I have sleep apnea, and if I have a medical condition, that will make it that much easier to get the surgery date (weird thinking I know, but if I have it, weight loss will take care of it eventually). I have UHC, mine will do 90/10. I am still learning a lot about insurance, because before this we had Tri-Care and they took care of everything no need for paperwork or referrals. I will be copying and pasting this in my own topic so I can put the little hoops I have come across, no chance to jump through them but I am one determined girl. I am currently 230 pounds, and have been fighting morbid obesity all of my life. I do not have proof of this, but I do have pictures and family that can vouch for me. What made me get on the ball after all this time? First: Insurance will pay for it, and the Tri-Care would barely want to treat you for sprains unless you were military. Second: My gynocologist said that without losing my weight, becoming pregnant will be hard for me. I want a family, my husband wants a little him running around, its a life that I want. I also want to be healthy enough to carry a baby and run around to keep up with him/her. Its not about "looks" for me at all, and I hope my insurance can see that. I have always been comfortable with myself, but when your knees begin to hurt and you can no longer work for long periods of time on your feet? Its time that I change something about myself. I have a 40 BMI, and no conditions (unless sleep study says otherwise). Ok, this was way more that I intended to write, but I hope that I can continue to find great information here!

Might as well put this here, if its acceptable, I will bump this when I have an update. Unless there is a better place for a "chronicle" type posting about myself? First Hoop: The sleep study was going to be tomorrow for me, due to a cancellation. When I got a 3rd or 4th call from the place getting my instructions and directions, they said that they needed "pre-determination" from my insurance company (UHC). They said that this usually takes a month to complete, and without insurance paying for it it would cost me $1890.90. With insurance, I would pay an estimate of $625 no matter what, and I do not have a co-pay yet, this is some kind of fee. Most expensive "hotel" I would have ever stayed in, if I get to do it. I keep getting the talks from everyone about how important it is, and how I could die on the operating table if I do not get this done. Wouldn't they take precautions to ensure that I get enough oxygen? Assuming that is the issue. Second Hoop: Not much of a hoop, but I payed over $200 for all my nutrition dates in advance (7 in total, 6 month required diet by insurance). Every time I go to the exercise person, I pay him a $20 bill that is another 7 appointments ($140 total over time in cash). In total, my bill before my out of pocket because of the surgery date that does not exist yet, is $965. That is with the insurance paying for the sleep study. I sure hope all this effort is worth it, and I don't have to do an appeal, although I see on here that having to make an appeal is rather common, and I will be coming here for help since I do NOT have "proof" of a 5 year thing from a doctor.