devonaravenhold

Good evening everyone! First, thank you for taking a second to read this, and thank you extra special for answering. I am a canidate for Gastric Sleeve here in Texas. I am currently under Amerigroup Texas Medicaid Star program, and I have a few questions for others who are familiar with how this works. 1) What pre-qualifiers did you need to be approved? 2) Were you able to use your PCP as a Dietician, or is a Dietician a necessary route in conjunction as your PCP? 3) What all was necessary for you to do in order to be approved? Currently I am 5'0" and weigh 238.7 lbs. Medicines helped me a lot to get to this high number, and it's something that I have been fighting over for nearly 20 years now. For some reason, my body refuses for me to loose any more than 30 lbs. I did Atkins, and a multitude of other diets...but with my last round of Atkins (I've done it 3 times thus far), I did the plan straight from the book, never strayed, exercised at the rec center 5 days a week...and in 3 months lost 30 lbs. I continued exactly what I had been doing...nothing else happened. NO more weight loss. No matter what I did. I only drank Water the entire time, even cut out coffee, tomatoes and onions. I continued the plan for an entire year. Plan and exercise. Nothing more was lost. This is a re-occurring theme for me over the past 20 years. It would seem that it is time for a different approach. I need serious help. I have High Blood Pressure (158/98), and am on 2 blood pressure meds, GERD, severe joint pain, Migraines triggered by the high blood pressure, irregular menstrual cycle, BMI of 46. Any help in my approach for gaining assistance to save my life is so very appreciated. Thank you all. Have a gorgeous day!

Thank you!

I have to say, I didn't think I'd be able to come back to this lovely site again, and actually begin to use it in earnest. Ok, so why would that be, you're probably asking right now. I FINALLY got my doctor to say yes, and FINALLY got the call about them beginning the paperwork for my referral to Dr. Manuel Castro. I'm psyched. I've already started my whole change in mind set...writing a journal, changing some of my eating habits. It's freaky when you keep a journal. I have been noticing things that I've never noticed before. Like, I'm a night eater. Had no realization of that before. And now, instead of horking down my food, I'm chewing and chewing and chewing, taking tiny nibbles of my food. Just to get used to things. Heck, I almost used to swallow my food whole. How attractive is that? Anyhow, it's just the beginning, but I have full on high hopes that this will help a lot of my heart issues and other stuff that I have going on.

Hey all, Sorry if this is in the wrong place, just basically had a question concerning vacations such as Disney world and eating on those vacations. Right now, I'm still in the fight to be banded. Just trying to find a doctor to do it, because this is a new benefit being added to my insurance as of March. Anyhow, I have a trip set up (and deposit put down for, YEA!) for Disney in October. I'm thinking that the surgery will happen in May at the latest, but here's my question. What can a person eat a Disney through the day that won't kill the work just done, and if you've already been through this, how much would you say that you spent on food for yourself during your trip? I'm going only from the 10th to the 13th. Me and my two sons. Can't wait, but I'm really big on planning and especially budgeting these things. Any suggestions, links, advice...much appreciated. Best of luck to everyone and God bless! Dev

I had read where others had ended up bringing some snack bars and such with them for the day...but doesn't the airlines frown on that? Or is it just taking it onboard from the outside? I know that I've seen them make people toss food and drink before they got to the gate areas before. Hrm, that's thought provoking really. Could hide some goodies in the luggage that goes under the plane. -beams with hope!-

Haha, I can understand, and really it's something that I'm kind of fearing/dreading. Not really knowing 'right now' when to stop, how much pain will I be in at that time after the surgery when I'm able to eat normal again. Scary thoughts. But hey, if they let me order from the kids menu, I'll be just fine off then! Ooh, this is giving me so much hope. Thank you so much!

I'm definitely going to have to ask about that card, it just seems like a really good thing to have on hand for emergency...or for a possible cheapskate like me on vacation. :frown: But I've thought of the whole 'split a full meal with the kids' thing, and when I started researching into that, I've heard more times than not, they won't let you do that at Disney. I don't know, has anyone else had that problem? What kinds of problems have been encountered eating wise at the mouse kingdom?

Thank you so much for the advice. It helps to hear that I wont' be stuck with ice cream and bread products the whole time. Lol. I didn't know about any card that they gave you after surgery though. That could be a great way to go really! Once I get a doctor (whenever that happens, heh) I'll definitely ask about that one. I'm just having a very hard time envisioning paying 35.00 for a sit down meal, and only eating 5 bites of all of that food! I can't stand to waste things. Lol. Perhaps that's one of the many things that helped me get into this size jeans? Hahaha.

As of March this year, the anwser is yes. But call to ask for the specifics on this. It's a new program that's being offered. Best of luck to all!

Jo Ann, You have my complete and total admiration! 3 10 pound children? Wow, that's quite an accomplishment. I only have two boys, both born at 7lb 6oz. But they were back to back. Feb 12th and May 12th. Aside from them, have you heard of any specific lotions that work better than others maybe? Like Aveno vs Jergens? Any info at this stage is great. If there's nothing special, then heck, I'm gonna use the tons of pretty lotions that I have around here. Like my Victoria Secrets lotion. Mm...sexy.

Has anyone out there had any trainers or perhaps dietitians that have taught them ways to firm your skins elasticity up before going into surgery? My thought is, after such dramatic weight loss...there will be some loose skin issues for some of us. I have a fear, I'll be one of those. So, what my thinking process is...is there a way to at least alleviate some of this if not all? Maybe you have some tips to share, or some reality to shed on us. I'm sure that this is a question on a few of our minds that are pre-surgery patients! Dev

That's something I've been thinking about myself, those yummy treats in the recesses of my pantry. Then I decided, once I've got my final yes on the surgery, what I'm going to do is donate anything unopened to my local food shelter. Surely there's a lot that can be redistributed to the ones that really need it. And the rest that has been opened, trash can. Just a thought to where the extra could go to.

I have to say, I didn't think I'd be able to come back to this lovely site again, and actually begin to use it in earnest. Ok, so why would that be, you're probably asking right now. I FINALLY got my doctor to say yes, and FINALLY got the call about them beginning the paperwork for my referral to Dr. Manuel Castro. I'm psyched. I've already started my whole change in mind set...writing a journal, changing some of my eating habits. It's freaky when you keep a journal. I have been noticing things that I've never noticed before. Like, I'm a night eater. Had no realization of that before. And now, instead of horking down my food, I'm chewing and chewing and chewing, taking tiny nibbles of my food. Just to get used to things. Heck, I almost used to swallow my food whole. How attractive is that? Anyhow, it's just the beginning, but I have full on high hopes that this will help a lot of my heart issues and other stuff that I have going on.

See, I don't expect to have much firming, myself. I mean, I can do some weights and whatnot to get some toning in before hand, but I really have to wonder just how much good it'll actually do once the banding is done? Which by the way, I FINALLY got my doctor to say, YES! Yea! However, after all of my expected weight loss, I know I'll have saggy skin issues. So I'll start saving up for some surgery. Let's see. If I start seeing my band doctor next month, and I'm not banded for another 6 months, then add another year until I can do the surgery...wow, hope I can save that much. Lol. Anyone know how much it may cost to get all of this 'extra' skeived off?

I wanted to wish you the very best with your surgery and recovery. I will definitely keep you in my prayers that all goes well, and that you totally kick lards booty! Hehe. Keep on girl! You're on your way now! Teresa