jjinWA

Issue executive orders just like our president

his happened to my daughter as well. She has Aetna. The surgeons coordinator said the only chance we have of getting it approved is to wait and submit after the qualify BMI date and 2 years have expired since then. For you it sounds like that would be April 2015. For my daughter, because she did not have any co-morbidities, she has to be over 40BMI for 2 years. We gave up. Going to Mexico. With Aetna they will find anything to fail you. If it is not one thing it's another. You cannot lose weight and get below required BMI... You cannot gain any weight while working with the NUT, and so on and so on.

I did not even fill out the questionnaire. Just asked Carolyn what the fee was for a sleeve with someone under 50 BMI. She came back with a price immediately. When I told her both my daughters were going together she suggestion they stay in same room and a discount would be applied. She was very easy to work with and answered every question I asked her. We are looking forward to the girls' surgery date in Dec!

Search for your surgeon's name and you will see posts referencing his/her name

Also keep in mind you will be escorted via the medical van. You will not be alone.

I know that may be a dumb question at this point because I have 40 or so pounds to goal to goal, but when I told my daughter I had lost 51 lbs so far, she asked me how will I stop losing weight when I reach my goal? I was not sure how I could answer that cuz I am so focused on losing at this point. I am hoping those of you that reached your goal could share your thoughts on how you went from loss mode to maintain mode.

Stole her heart away ????

I just hope I get to goal and maintenance becomes a final part of my journey????

Well that was my thought.... Just keep eating like I normally do and up the calories slowly till I level out. I hope that is a Problem that I have and not the other one where I can't seem to reach goal in the first place! ????

I wonder if we registered out weight loss in %s it might be an eye opener for soom who think their weight loss is slow. They do that on the 'Biggest Loser' TV show. For example, I weighed 226 at the beginning of my journey. I have lost 51 pounds. Some days that seems like a small number compared to what I want to lose but in reality so far I have lost 22.5% of my body weight! Surgery was 6-17 so almost 4 months out. I think the percentages may give a better picture of our success.

I know that in a year or so I will need to have another colonoscopy done... As I am required to do this every 5 years. Has anyone had this done after WLS? I am wondering how our new tummy handle the liquid drink you have to take to prepare for the colonoscopy.

I am in Gig harbor but more then happy to meet up north. Anyone in my area willing to carpool let me know and we can work something out once the date is set and the meeting site is published here. I would love to meet up with the Washington group!

Thanks for your response. I can't imagine drinking all that stuff. Was hoping you would say you only needed half or less. ????

This made me cry. Really! I am so happy for you and I know everyone around you is proud of you! What a great accomplishment. It is often times hard to even think that I might reach my goal weight, but with success stories like yours I know I can get there too!

I could not agree with you more! Insurance companies also need to get out of the relationship between drs and their patients. It amazes me that a non medical person can decide against what our dr believes is for our best health.

Don't compare!!!!!! Best way I know of to get discouraged. We are all individuals with different ages, height, weight, activities, lifestyles, etc etc etc! Set your OWN goals and celebrate when you reach each one. Make sure your goals are NOT based on reaching them in a set time frame. I have met several of my own goals, and am very pleased with how I am progressing. I did not make a timeline and simply enjoyed my accomplishments as they came along. My next goal... To reach 160. I am 175 now. I want to be in a size 10. I Will reach those goals, I am confident of that. I will reach those goals when my body is ready for me to get there, whatever timeframe that may be. Have faith in the plan and more importantly in yourself!

What hospital are you in contract with, and do you perform sleeve surgery robotically?

I get in the required 64oz plus more each day. I am amazed at how much I crave water now that I am used to drinking so much. I get very bitchy if I am walking and don't have my water with me. I carry my water cup with me everywhere I go. I never drank water before this surgery.

I started out exercising right out of the gate. Did what my body tolerated, which was walking. I used my fit bit as my motivator and gradually increased my steps each day. First week was happy to get in 2000 steps. Moved up to 4,000 then 6,000 then 8,000 and so on. 10,000 steps = just shy of 5 miles. Today, at almost 4 months out I average 22,000 -24,000 steps each day. I break up my walks into two sessions in order to reach that average. Overall time spent walking each day ranges between 2-3 hours total. I have lost 50 pounds, weighing today at 176 pounds. So now I need to up my game. I fear that I am not getting in enough cardio in high level heart range. I do own a recumbent bike and elliptical so I could change it up a bit. Until now all my walking has been outside. In Washington we live outside every minute we can during the summer, before we go back into the rainy season. Ha! I take my dog on my walks. Even she is losing weight! ????. I would love to join the YMCA and get back into lap swimming, but I don't have the funds for monthly fees. Make too much money for low income discounted rates, and not enough money to pay bills AND join gym! I do have a WII and love the Zumba program. I think that will be my next addition to my walking program. Regardless, I know it is important to keep moving as much as possible. I am fortunate that I have the time available, since I am retired. I feel for those that work full time and have kids at home. That makes getting time in for yourself very hard! For me it is just me, my husband and my doggy. Hubby walks with me a lot and he has lost 30 pounds with no surgery!

My hairstylist told me to have my hubby massage my scalp! She said it brings blood to the scalp and will help generate new growth. First I have ever heard of that but will try anything! Besides it feels good. ????

I can relate here. I certainly have eyes bigger then my stomach. I think I am putting small portions on my plate but I still end up leaving much of it cuz I am full! Crazy how little I eat now compared to my past life. I do still crave crave my breads, pastas, etc. I avoid them most times, but once in awhile I will have a bite or two of my favorite carb dish or bread item. That's ok for me. It helps me get past the craving because just a bite or two satisfies me now. I still always make sure I get in my protein first at any meal. Of course by the time I do that I am full and the carbs are not so tempting. I reached one of my goals today. Hit the 50# loss mark this morning. Yeah!!!

Funny... I was scared for myself when I had the surgery 3 months ago..BUT knowing both my daughters will be going through this in Dec has me petrified. I keep telling myself that everything will be ok, but there is always a nagging thought that comes back in my mind... What if either or both have complications!!! Going to Mexico to have the surgery makes it even more worrisome. I now what lays ahead for both girls once they get on the losers bench. Good things! I want them there to join me in this journey. I can only pray that all goes well for both of them.

I want to see respect in the eyes of others.... More importantly I want to respect myself.... And once again love myself.

Dec is the best time for work schedule. Always slows down just before Christmas and good time for surgery and recovery. Clients are more focused on Christmas activities, etc and not so much about productivity. January they come back with a vengeance. ????. Need to be well healed and ready to go by then.

The whole process can be overwhelming. I remember lying on the gurney waiting to be wheeled into the surgery room. I was shaking and in tears. I was scared to death! My husband and daughters were in the waiting room and I was in fear that I would never see them again. But I had researched this surgery and had all my questions answered before I made the decision to move forward. I knew the risks, but more importantly I knew a new life was ahead of me. I just had to put my faith in the God that I believed in. And I was sick sick sick of being overweight and unhealthy. No matter how each of us deals with this decision no one can fault you for changing your mind at the last minute. It is your body and ultimately you must make that final decision. And remember this decision does not have to be made forever. You can come back to this journey if and when you are ready to move forward. Until then I wish you the best. Just be sure to love yourself. You are worth it!