920amy

John, I feel your pain. I also went through all of the hoops and hassle, incurred many out of pocket expenses trying to work with a bariatric surgeon. My husbands insurance changed over to a Cigna plan in the middle of my process, and I, like you, found out the hard way at the end that Cigna does not cover bariatric surgery in any form. I was undeterred though. I ended up going to Mexico. I did self pay, my cost was $4,750. If I would have self paid here in the states, it would have been $16,000. That would not have covered any hospital stay either. I know self pay in Mexico isn't always an option for everyone, but I want to say good for you for writing this letter, and where there's a will, there's a way!! Don't get discouraged! You will find a way!! Good luck!

My scale is a professional liar. It should play poker instead of trying to tell me how I 'rate'. I was frustrated with my dial scale, when I was around 2 months I was in a long stall for about 2 weeks. My dial scale would say I was 222 one day and 214 the next. I realized that (like me) it was crabby when it was cold outside, so it would tell me I weighed more on cold days and less on warmer days. So after 2 weeks of knowing I weighed something between 214 and 222, I went on a quest for a NEW scale! I decided I was going to get a digital one! I took my husband with me and we looked at an entire aisle and a half of scales at Target. My husband was less thrilled than I was by this adventure. I couldn't decide on a glass one with sleek metal feet, on 'The Biggest Loser' scale, on a weight watchers one...I finally narrowed my choice to the scales that not ONLY measure your weight, but also tell you your percentage of fat, water, muscle and bone mass. This way I thought I could figure out if I was dehydrates, and also be able to better gauge my fat content besides fretting over BMI. I excitedly chose one for 49.95. It was more than wanted to spend on a scale, BUT it was going to tell me all KINDS of information, measure my weight in .2 increments, AND I could even save up to 8 'profiles' on my scale so other people could use it!! I was so excited! I got home, popped in the batteries, read the instruction manual (I never had a scale with an instruction manual before!!) I carefully entered in my height, my age, and gender. I saved my profile and could HARDLY SLEEP knowing that the next morning when I weighed, I would have a WEALTH of information to better guage my weight by. The next morning, I woke up, peed (you know you all pee before weighing!), took off my socks and stepped on my brand new scale!!..!!..I waited...216.4 it read. Then, it started with my percentage of fat 53% (53%?!?! Is that even possible?!!?) water 47% (so I'm all fat and water..!?) muscle 8% (What The?!!?) and bone mass 3% (3%?! I AM NOT A WALKING JELLO BLOB!!!) I was mad! I am mad! According to my scale, as the months have gone on, I have gained .2% of bone, and lost 1% of fat...the point is, these scales, these measuring devices, even BMI uses a set measurement made by some crazy scientist by which to make people compare themselves to others. If you don't fit exactly into their little ratios, you are given a label 'fat' 'obese' 'slim' 'underweight'. We need to STOP labelling ourselves, and worry about how we feel. Do you feel good? Do you feel like you've lost weight? Are your pants looser? I am still a slave every morning to the dumb thing that tells me I am growing bone...albiet .2 percent at a time...but I also guage my clothes, the compliments I get in a day, the way I look compared to old pictures, and you know what? I know this surgery was worth it, and I know I will prevail, even if I am just fat and water...

...a loaf of bread might as well a heroin filled syringe LOL! We all have our weaknesses! For me it is potato anything now! chips, french fries, tator tots, keep them away!! During my pre-op I made my husband eat away from home. He was delighted to have fast food every night for about the first week, by the time surgery rolled around he was sick of it, so it did some good, he doesn't want fast food now after a month long binge, and I can't so things are working out well!!

My smell and tastes changed drastically! I am almost 3 months out, and there doesn't seem to be any subsidding for me yet

Trust me, you're not the first or the only one to get last minute jitters I thought between the 3 day clear liquid diet only that I was on and the anxiety I might murder or severely maim someone...but I got through it, and for me, the worst part was actually the last 3 days leading up to the surgery. I thought the surgery was a breeze and far easier to recover from than I thought initially!

I got service, but it cost me .50 cents per minute to talk, and $1.00 per text message to send or recieve. I have Verizon. Some people buy a pre paid Mexico phone, I ended up downloading an app that let me make calls through Wi-Fi, and I told everyone if they text messaged me I would shoot them Good luck!

It's true. many complications can arise from any surgery. Not to scare you, but there are many worse things besides blood clots. Talk to your surgeon about all of the possible risks. Even 'minor' surgery has risks. You just have to decide for yourself if the risk outweights the reward. Good luck whatever you decide!

can you get some lead weights and sew them into the lining of your clothes? I know this sounds ridiculous, but maybe some lead fishing weights...couldn't hurt :*(

Yikes on the bad labelling of those cookies! Dang! Don't stress it though. We all make mistakes, no one is perfect, and if you beat yourself up, you'll only feel bad. Just say oops, and move on. You are doing great with your loss so far, so keep it up!

Relax! You are going to be bloated from IV saline still which has tons of sodium and sugars, and also, your body is starting to adjust! Give it a week or two. I know myself I lost 9 lbs after the first week, I purposely didn't weigh myself right after surgery because I knew I would feel crazy like you are feeling! Just take care of yourself, follow the instructions, and before you know it you will be dropping those pounds! I weigh every morning and get frustrated too when my scale is stuck, or I feel like I had a good day the day before and it inches up. The best advice I have for you is to measure yourself. Even when I go through a stall, I still lose inches. It personally gives me a little sanity. Good luck!! ~Amy

kputman09, Don't stress your passport and crossing card. If you only have a birth cert and drivers License you will be fine. I have lived next to the border my entire life and can promise you they are not holding US citizens for not having their passports. Yes, you should have these items, but if you don't, you'll be fine. There are plenty of people on here who have crossed back and forth without.

I agree with Laura-ven, don't strap yourself financially and certainly don't get into anything you can't handle. Especially if you are going to be putting your transportation up for collateral, only do this if you know you can afford it for the duration. Otherwise, this surgery will wait for you when the time is right financially. I am a huge believer that everything happens for a reason!

Jesser, I am in Finance, and can tell you from my experience, a company that may take your car for collateral, and loan you the amount you need depending on the circumstances would be Springleaf Financial. I have had clients that were able to borrow from them within less than a year after foreclosure and bankruptcy. Maybe give them a shot? http://www.springleaffinancial.com/partners/loans.html?CSCALD=30167&gclid=CKKU0Yf8_rQCFSTZQgodLQoAcA Best of luck!!

Jesser good luck to you!

I have long used 'bath sheets', and even as I slim I will still use them at home, they are super huge and comfy...but to be able to go to a hotel and not have to worry about 1/2 of you sticking out and not getting covered will definately be nice!! I can't wait for my calves to be thin enough to wear knee high boots!!

What are you scared of?! You can't be scared of losing more weight and being successful! Just swallow your nerves and go for it! You will feel so much better after the consult! There is nothing to be terrified of! Best of luck!

It hurts for me also.

I cut it off today! I now have 14 inches of gorgeous (slightly thinner) brunette hair to donate to locks of love! I am about 2 1/2 months out, and I've noticed more and more hair going down the drain, getting left in my brush, on my clothes...so before it started coming out in long sad clumps, I cut it this morning. I have to say ladies, it feels great! Don't mourn losing your hair, if it's going to happen, rock it! Just like we're all going to rock our awesome new bodies! I got it cut into a super cute pixie style, and I love it! I see so many of us feeling sad and suffering through hair loss, but it doesn't have to be sad or full of suffering! I hope I can inspire at least one more of you to take control of the inevitable and donate your hair so that someone else can benefit from it. Here's the link to the PDF to fill out if you decide to donate, or know anyone else who can: http://www.locksoflove.org/HairDonationForm.pdf

Personally, I went with the sleeve because I did not like the idea of my intestines being re routed. Also, from what I read, there seems to be less complications, less need for vitamins long term, less issues with malabsorbtion and dumping. Also, with the sleeve, you can be revised to the by pass, or Dudial Switch at a later time if you feel it is not effective enough. I would discuss and research the pros and cons of both surgeries, and see what your surgeon suggests and why, but I am pretty sure most all of us here will be just a little more biased toward the sleeve Good luck on your journey whatever you choose!

NSV is Non Scale Victory. It is like a mini goal that isn't tied to what the scale says

I have done medifast about 3 times, the first time, I lost 40 lbs, then gained it back, then I lost 50 lbs, gained it back, and the last time, I lost 68 lbs...and gained it back My husband and I both did it this last time, for 6 months. I was cold all the time, hungry all the time, cranky, irritable...it's a miracle my husband and I didn't kill each other! The shakes are not bad, and neither are the foods and bars, BUT when you are eating those things for 6 months, they get to taste pretty gross. If you are going to try it, I would suggest buying some to try off of e-bay, it's cheaper. Good luck on whatever you decide!! ~Amy

I think I could be a clothes hoarder...I honestly can't remember prior to this surgery when I got rid of clothes. I knew I would be able to wear them all again, and woo-hoo I was right! I am slowly shrinking back through my closet, and my auxilary closet. I am going through this weekend though, and getting rid of all of the clothes I have shrunk out of so far, and hanging up more small ones for inspiration. I have all sizes from 2-24 since I used to be small! Congrats on your loss, and enjoy Vegas!!

I also was told 6 months, I have read one or 2 experiences on the boards of people that far out experiencing leaks. So I think the main thing is, be careful, don't over eat, and don't do contact sports until you're clear.

Don't worry, what you are experiencing is PERFECTLY normal. I think we all had it, and some are envious of the time you are having now, as once you move to more solid foods, things can slow down tremendously. Essentially you don't really have anything in you right now so in one end, out the other. Don't panic, it will slow and stop. Congrats on getting sleeved!!

How far out are you? You should not be eating until you vomit. If you are within the first month or two, you need to follow your NUTs diet strictly, otherwise, you could bust a staple and be in serious health trouble, also, eat and drink very slowly. If you are further out, and are suddenly having issues, you need to see your Dr. ASAP, maybe even go to the emergency room NOW! No matter what stage you're at, it's not ever 'normal' to vomit, ever, and it is typically because you are eating too much or too fast.