jess9395

Well dang! Guess I need to start exercising earlier in the day! I'm a get my kids off to school and then exercise gal. Hmmm...

This is so true! No one judges what a thin or even average weight person buys in the grocery store or what they eat. I was chatting with a woman in the store the other day as we were reading labels on an item. We were bemoaning the number of calories and sugar grams and looking at the serving size when she says to me "not that YOU have to worry about that". Hit me like a ton of bricks! Say what??? Yea it's exactly why I used to eat in secret. And when I'd make a drive through visit I'd order two DIET sodas (ha ha) so the cashier would think I was taking home the food to share! I find myself wanting to share the "good news" of WLS and proselytize, but that's being judgmental too. It's an interesting eye opening change of perspective! This is so true! No one judges what a thin or even average weight person buys in the grocery store or what they eat. I was chatting with a woman in the store the other day as we were reading labels on an item. We were bemoaning the number of calories and sugar grams and looking at the serving size when she says to me "not that YOU have to worry about that". Hit me like a ton of bricks! Say what??? Yea it's exactly why I used to eat in secret. And when I'd make a drive through visit I'd order two DIET sodas (ha ha) so the cashier would think I was taking home the food to share! I find myself wanting to share the "good news" of WLS and proselytize, but that's being judgmental too. It's an interesting eye opening change of perspective!

Add me to the chorus! C section was way worse pain wise!

And I was just meaning in comparison to what the OP said about not having copays with NP or PA.

It depends on how they bill and how the practice is set up. When there is a team approach, you have an initial visit. That s typically with the surgeon, the nurse, NP, PA and nutritionist. Follow ups are then with the team and typically at a lower rate of service. However your copay often does not change. The change is the total amount of the office visit bill. The copay is based on your insurance company's regulations. Depending on insurance a certain amount of post op follow up may or may not be included in your surgical bill. For example I have Keystone 65. I had a $200 copay day of surgery, but did not have any copays for my 2 week, 6 week and 3mth f/u appoints. After that I went back to my regular copay fee for my 6mth appt and I will have a copay for my 1 year f/u in a few weeks. According to my plan I have a copay of $15 for my primary and ANY specialty visit is $45. It doesn't matter if it's an xray, or I see the orthopedist. The lone exceptions are eye doctor and dental visits. My advice for anyone looking into bariatric surgery is to look into everything it entails. Some decisions are made by the insurance company and others by the medical practice. Oh I just meant in general. All I ever see for Gyn care is a nurse practitioner. Ditto dermatology. And it's all the same copay as when I see an orthopedic surgeon. Specialist is one and GP/ObGyn another. But doesn't matter if it's an MD of NP or PA. And I had copays for follow ups for my WLS, my Wrist surgeries, my gallbladder surgery... Not for the first follow up but everything after that for all surgeries.

Got it

Thanks that's good to know! Oh the phantom itchiness!!! Just started that!

Yeah definitely not normal. Seek a second opinion.

They can do AMAZING alterations!

Congratulations!!!!

Yup, but again those are all reasons for attrition in any medical study, but the numbers in this one are significantly higher and that makes the statistician in me look for an explanation. Believe me I'm as optimistic as the next guy, but I'm looking for a logical reason a WLS follow up would have higher attrition rates than a study on, say, knee replacement.

I'm sure that happens a lot, it does in all medical studies, but the dropout rates on this are much higher than most studies. If it were only people relocating then the numbers would be similar. I have an advanced degree in statistics, it's the higher than normal/accepted attrition rates that worry me.

This is my daughters favorite style! She loves to shop here: www.uniquevintage.com www.pinupclothing.com

And of course my fear is the people who dropped out had more weight struggles and wanted to disappear-- typically the less successful a person the more they want to hide the fact.

It's nice and easy with digital cameras and phones these days! I got black Shorts and tank top and stood against the same wall once a month wearing them (got to keep downsizing but a simple black tank and shorts were easy!). I had my teen pull up the old photos on my phone to compare and get the same angles!

Dang so sorry @@hollyr hope things improve soon!

Yeah corn doesn't sit well with me either that's one of the reasons j love these!

My garden has been soooo prolific with only two zucchini plants this summer I've been searching for recipes. I've done and loved zucchini tots and chips and noodles... But this is my latest obsession I thought I'd share! Zucchini tortillas! I use them for quesadillas, wraps, soft tacos, etc. one warning, in my oven they take about half the time listed. LOVE THEM! http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/zucchini-soft-taco-shells/

Dang! I have the same co pay wether I see a doctor, NP or PA and I have a "Cadillac" Blue Cross plan.

There's a whole thread on costs of plastic surgery in that sub forum you should check it out!

@@jess9395 how cool is that may i have your autograph?? are you still going to speak to us "little" people you should feel very proud of yourself and those great pics you lost 136 lbs that's one more lb than you now weigh holy moly!! great transformation pics bud keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life good luck kathy Yes I lost another me! And we're all the "little people" here these days isn't that the point?

Wish it were cold enough to wear leggings here! You look great! I'm sweating in shorts and a tank top!

That was normal for me at that stage. I had to do several Protein drinks a day to get my protein and calories in. Getting close to two years out and I still need a Protein shake most days And occasionally two to get in the protein and calories I need

Greatest thing about eating out post sleeve? LEFTOVERS! You will get there. Don't try anything NEW at a restaurant (I still can't eat certain things, they make me sick and you may have some of those too, don't discover it away from home!) and split a meal or order sides or appetizer portions. This stage you are in isn't forever!

I do a scoop of protein powder (usually vanilla occasionally mint) sometimes some torani and two packets of Starbucks via! I will blend it if I can or if I am on the road do it in a shaker bottle and pour over ice!