GreenEyes604

@@Ky89 Sweetheart it is quite normal to be nervous and afraid, but I promise you the last thing you need to worry about is an airplane crash. I am a certified meeting professional, and I have planned meetings all over the world, requiring me to travel to places like, China, India, Korea, Italy, Germany, just to mention a few. I used to have the same fears as you about long flights. That was until I watched a documentary on everything that an airplane is put through before it is allowed to carry passengers and take flight. Not to mention all the stress tests that every part of the aircraft are taken through. After seeing that, I no longer had the looming fear that something bad was going to happen. Even in the event of some unforeseen accident aboard an aircraft, you would be stunned to know everything that can be done to avoid any serious accidents. I have been on planes that have caught fire mid-flight, de-icing systems have completely failed, and even flew all the way to the United States from Paris, France after the electrical panels of the plane blew out of the rear of the plane, and the engines had to be "jump started". After your flights are over, and you are safely back at home, you will look back and laugh at yourself. Don't worry about your flights. Worry about where you are going to get all the money from that you are going to need to buy all these new clothes that you thinner body is going to need. You will be fine my dear. Don't put unnecessary stress on yourself. YOU GOT THIS!!

That's fantastic news! I know you're excited.

Who is your new insurance with?

@@joliemarie88 Check out this thread where we have been talking about this subject, and you'll also find some awesome recipes. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/323028-protein-powder-recommendations/

You Go Girl!!!

Your entire situation saddens me tremendously, and I pray that everything works out positively for you. You are not the first person that I have read about that has been or are experiencing a lot of the same issues as you. This is another reason that I thank God that I'm divorced right now, because I certainly couldn't deal with someone else's emotional issues with everything else that I'm dealing with during this process. I just tell myself all the time that I don't need a man, I've got JESUS!!!

Thanksgiving is just another day of the week. If you were sick, or had a really bad cold you probably couldn't care less that it was Thanksgiving. Girlfriend, you need to forget about Thanksgiving and start your new life NOW! Thanksgiving will be here again next year, and you want to ensure that you will be too! GO FOR IT!!!

Fingers crossed, toes crossed and prayers sent up for success and a speedy recovery.

@@Kate M I am sorry that you've had to experience this. I can certainly imagine the frustration that you are dealing with, because I know I would be horrified myself. I currently do have a case manager at my surgeon's office. I see her for a few minutes right before each one of my doctor's appointments. She goes over everything we've done so far, and let's me know if there are things that I still need to do. She was very proactive when it came to making sure all my pre-op stuff was done. She even contacted a sleep doctor, and in turn that doctor's office called me to set up my first sleep therapy appointment. I was shocked (in a good way). I don't know if its because my program is at one of the leading Centers for Excellence in Bariatrics in the United States, but I've never felt more comfortable and secure than I do right now. I pray that things turn around for the better. All this stress is the last thing that you need at this time.

**************UPDATE*************UPDATE************UPDATE************ I spoke with my surgeon's office today, and the coordinator informed me that they are going to submit my paperwork for early approval today! She is going to call the insurance office and let them know that they are submitting my paperwork for early escalation, and see what they say. I'm so excited, but I'm trying to keep my feelings and emotions under control. I don't want to set myself up for a big let down if they deny me. I'm just trying to stay positive and realize that even if I do get denied, I only have 2 months to go and I will have my full 6 months in. Everything else is done and completed. Please say a prayer that my insurance company accepts my early request. If they don't, continue to pray for me that I'll have the patience, strength, and fortitude to see this waiting period through. Much love to all the people here that are so encouraging and thoughtful. I know that my views on different things are quite different from a lot of people, but I truly appreciate being able to come here and express my own opinions without being berated or judged (at least not publicly ) I continue to pray for everyone here that your journey be smooth, and your pains minimal. ***************************************************** K, let me calm down for just a second here…. I don't want to get myself too worked up and then crash and burn because it doesn't work out. But…. I had my 4th of 6 required visits with my physician on Tuesday. I have no officially completed everything I need to do to qualify for surgery except for my last 2 doctor visits. My insurance company (UHC) requires 6 months of consecutive appointments, unlike others that accept 3 months or none at all. Anyway, she and I were talking about how much it sucked that everything was done, but I still have to wait 2 more months. She suggested that we submit it early and see what they say. She was pretty confident that it would be denied, but it was worth and try and if it didn't work out, I just had 2 more months to go. Well I got it in my head to call my insurance company and ask if this is something that they knew right off the bat that they would deny, or if was even worth the time to submit my request. The nurse on the BRS Team said that if my doctor called them and submitted a "Request for Escalation" I could possibly be approved right away. Normally if the doctor submits a letter of medical necessity, the insurance company will allow you to move forward, however UHC does not accept those letters. I immediately called my doctor, and she is going to make the call and then send over my paperwork and we'll see what happens. I would be so incredibly happy if I could have my surgery sooner rather than later, as this would also be a better time for me to be away from work, and waiting another 2 months with nothing else to do seems like it would take forever. I'm curious if there is anyone else that has UHC insurance and has gone through this process, and if so, what was the outcome. Hoping and praying for sooner, but if its later, I'm ok with that too.

This is amazing news! I'm am extra, extra excited for you. Keep us posted on your day-to-day if you're up to it. Praise God for your continued healing.

Prayers and best wishes to you my sista!

Prayers and healing to you!

You never know how strong you are, until strength is all you have!! DO NOT GIVE UP!! Keep telling yourself I CAN, and I WILL!! Have you applied for Obamacare? There have been quite a few people that I have seen on these boards that have had their surgery approved that way. DON'T LET ANYONE STILL YOUR JOY!!! Keep on fighting! You have to keep fighting for yourself, because if you don't no one else will fight for you. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! YOU CAN WIN!!!

@Bufflehead Thanks for sharing those recipes. I am definitely going to take some of the combinations and tweak them a little and see how they work.

Sometimes some people just need a high five across the face!

Oh and stop telling yourself you're a failure. YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE! You are adjusting to a completely new way of life. Everyone makes mistakes and not the best choices, but that does not make you a failure. Pick yourself up, brush your shoulders off, and keep on truckin' It's never to late to start doing the right thing!

@easymack63 CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!! Don't wait for an appointment, pick up the phone and CALL THEM!!! You have yourself identified some issues that you know are not in your best interest, and you'll already telling yourself that the things you are doing are wrong. CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!! These are concerns and issues that your doctor should know about right away. Those of here on the boards can offer you all kinds of encouragement and support, but your doctor needs to be the one who is guiding you in the direction you need to go. I promise you that you'll be more angry with yourself if you don't speak with your doctor and something goes wrong. DON'T WAIT! Put your mind at rest, and update your doctor on what you are going through.

@@boosh10 I know what you mean about all the flavors. I wound up buying 15 different flavors.

@@boosh10 @jesuisprest If you go to this website WebstaurantStore they have 23 different flavors of the sugar free syrup and they are only $4.00 per bottle. That's where I bought all of mine. They have Torani and Davinci brands which I have some of both.

Praying and wishing the best for you!

@@Kindle Honey, you took the words right out of my mouth. I am 55 years young, and at this point in my life I don't feel as though I should have to curtail my feelings for anyone. If I cannot express my thoughts and feelings to you in whatever manner I choose to in order for me to get them out, then you are not a true friend, or someone that truly cares about me. All of the people that I surround myself with are people who "keep it real". They tell me the things I NEED TO HEAR, as opposed to the things I WANT TO HEAR! As mentioned earlier, the truth will set you free, but it's going to piss you off first. I seems to me that those individuals that would be offended by something you might say, or the way you said it, are people who are taking your comments and reactions "personally". Maybe its just me, but I have developed over the years a very keen eye for knowing when someone is "venting" and not personally "attacking" me. I guess if not holding back and speaking how you feel without having to temper or censor your words makes you an a-hole or a b***h, then I guess I'll just have to take my seat in the front row because I can't and won't live my life or surround myself with people who can't deal with the real me. Just my humble opinion...

A lot of people probably would not agree with my approach to answering these types of questions. I think a big part of how we feel about responding to questions of this nature is based on what type of relationship that we have built with the individuals who are asking these questions. For me in my workplace, I have from the very beginning established a great wall between my professional life, and my personal life. Every one of my co-workers would know right off the bat not to ask me anything about what's considered "personal", because that's the way I prefer it to be. If someone were to even approach me with questions like these, I would politely look at them and ask, "Why would you ask me such a personal question?" I guarantee you they won't ask you anymore. You don't have to be mean, nasty, or anything derogatory, I just don't feel the need or necessity to discuss my health, or anything else regarding my personal life with just anyone. Now when they come to me and say, "Michelle we really would like to know how you're losing so much weight, and how much more you plan to lose, because we're going to start paying all your bills from now on", THEN you might get me to start spilling my personal business. But until that time, mind your own business, not mine.

GreenEyes604 reporting live from Silver Spring, MD... We have another WINNER!! chocolate Peanut Butter Cup 1 single serving packet of Syntrax nectar Naturals vanilla Protein Powder 6 oz. milk 2 TBSP Torani sugar free Chocolate Syrup 2 TBSP Torani Sugar Free Peanut Butter Syrup Ice Blend first 4 ingredients until smooth. Pour over a large glass of ice. Y U M M Y ! ! ! Until the next recipe... Reporting live from Silver Spring, Maryland.... Greeneyes604, OUT!