SimiStar

They are separate. One is handled through your medical benefits and the hardship is handled through retirement plans. In theory you can reach into both as possible funding options. Best to check out what documentation and eligibility requirement the 401k plan has and if you'd even qualify. Keep in mind it's a withdrawal and gets taxed as such.

You'll want to inquire what paperwork you'll need to submit. The IRS approved reason you'd likely fall into would be unreimbursed medical expenses so they will likely as you to provide provider bills after your insurance (if any) applies and show what remains as your balance due. Some plans also require you to provide proof that you have exhausted all other forms of money like a bank loan (as in you've been denied for one) and now this is your only option. Most have to follow strict IRS regulations when looking at this as a financial hardship since this money is taxable once out of your retirement account. Best to cal customer service and ask them exactly what documentation requirements exist and what is required for approval. Good luck!

My doctor recommended I try to wean off around 3 months. So I started taking them every other day. Now at 4 months I'm still taking them but more like every 3 or 4 days. I know it's time to take once my acid starts showing up hard. I'm trying to push through some minor discomfort since I don't want to be on them long term. But I've heard lots of Drs recommend a 6 month to a year being on ppi post op. I'm hoping my stomach learns to regulate on its own so I'm not so dependent Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm a private person. Only my immediate family knew I had surgery. I do not currently have either of my best friends living with me in the state, one is coming home in the spring. I chose not to tell them anything. Mostly because I'm private and this surgery to me is a private matter. I went and created new social media accounts a YouTube channel and Instagram. So I feel comfortable sharing my story with this community but not to the outside world. I didn't have my Instagram set to private and one of my friends found it and called me out asking for information. I don't know how to react. I don't want to respond or share anything but if I don't then I'm going to cause distance. I've since blocked her... pretending like nothin ever happened lol So tell me someone else has these stupid anxieties and tell me what advice you have even if it means sucking it up being open. Ranting and raving ! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for sharing your experience this was very helpful to know others have faced similar issues! I hope to keep this friendship. But I don't know exactly how I'm going to do that yet. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You're right it's a very strange reality. My goal was to have a safe place to share my wls story to people who have been there and done that. It wasn't intended to be open for the rest of the world. If fact a lot of people create account specific to wls only. I was naive to think that I could keep that part of my life private. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

For like 10 years one of my best friends. But she's now several states away we only get to see each other once or twice a year. I just blocked her from my Wls Instagram as soon as I saw she followed me. So it's lame cause obviously she saw things. I changed the profile to private so that can be avoided. Now I feel like I have to talk about with her when I'm not ready to do that. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@Slimsim_vsg Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Dr. Lutfi did my surgery in August him and his staff are top notch. They really spend time with you answering all your questions and no such lines around the corner nonsense. Like the others have said he only does consults one day a week but he's top rated and has an just about perfect success rate. My brother did his with him 3 years ago and the quality just keeps getting better. The nurses and dietician are always there for you and they have an emergency on call dr on weekends. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon did not require me to stop my birth control pills. I did take a 2 week course of blood thinning shots right after so maybe that's why? I'm on a 90 day pill pack and I just had my surgery on 8/3. Husband and I are using condoms just in case of absorption issues and increased fertility just this first round of pills since I won't know if I have a missed period for another 60 days. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I did. The first time I chewed really well to make sure I didn't swallow chunks of meat. I still do that tho. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I vomited blood right after surgery it was from the tube they put down my throat. I remember telling the nurse in a panic and they were said it was totally normal. Didn't happen again. I would trust the Drs and nurses at the hospital she should just continue letting them know each time it happens and watch for clumps of blood. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I make something for me and then add on for him. For example I made ricotta bake and with all the extra sauce and ground turkey I made him some spaghetti and meat sauce. He had three helpings (also a thin guy) and I had my tiny serving of ricotta. All were happy! Know it's about not cooking for you so probably not the best example but the approach can be used the same. I was/am not a cook. Microwave is my friend. So I like to get easy stuff in the frozen section I can throw together in 10min or less. There are healthy options if you look. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Depends on if you sent in all the necessary paperwork at the first go. Usually takes 2 days for review and if you need to submit anything else that keeps adding in 2 more days. Unless the administrator has specific processing time I'd say you're looking at 5-10days from start to cash in hand. It's a great option for those who's insurance doesn't cover it. Just keep in mind you will have to owe a bit at tax time. You might want to do it with gross up if you think you'll have some unexpected costs. Also some plans suspend you from contributing to your 401k for six months or set time. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

He's mentioned something around 700 to 800 when I had my consolation. And based on how busy his office is e every time I had a visit I know that number is increasing. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Me too. I find it hard to sip. My gas pain starts up whenever I sip so my stomach feels like it's contacting and I stop doing everything and hold onto something tight till it passes. My mouth gets full of saliva like I'm going to vomit but I don't. Not every sip is like that. But I've only gotten in like 90ml. Today. Feel free to nap but do try to force yourself to move and have some time for the discomforting drinking. You'll end up in a bad place if you can't. I hope you start feeling better soon! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm on day 3 and the stomach gasses and body aches are in full force. I just sip sip sip and walk around the house. The nausea when I drink is strong but goes away quick. I feel better then the day before. But agree to some degree I did not expect this much discomfort. It's a major surgery and the first week is intense Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My first day was rough. Aches and dry mouth but was able to walk around. The gas pain is really the worst. Second day (today) was better and I passed the leak test and got a few liquids. Drive home was not fun and caused my gas nausea to come back until I come home and took some Tylenol/codine. I'm at home and testing now. Tomorrows focus is on Water and walking. @@LoveAlwaysKia I hope your healing up and got to go home today! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've have an 8:30 arrival time. I'm super excited but also very nervous. Working on my to go bag! Good luck tmrw! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Being on day 4 of my full liquid diet I can tell you it's not easy. I started with a headache day 1 then day 2 was alright. Day 3 and 4 I just want to chew food. And all the food is tempting. But...I keep saying is this second of temptation going to be worth it if I fail and my operation is cancelled. It's really hard to keep motivated. So it's one shake at a time. Even one hour at a time. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sent a request! I'm still PreOp but also just started my IG since I'm keeping this private too. Add me slimsim_vsg Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yay! It's @SlimSim_VSG ! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have August 3rd too!! Yay for all of us Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I heard that you should keep at least one pair of your 'At my biggest' jeans to compare and put on when your x months down the path to a new you. That way you can really feel that difference. A good NSV moment. Especially on stall weeks. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Took a long time. My brother had a sleeve done and I remember him bringing up why he did it. All I could think of was I don't want surgery. It's super scary and I'm young I can do it all on my own. Two years later higher weight then when the topic first came up. I said the risks outweighed the current life style and where I was headed physically. I wanted kids I wanted to live as long as my husband. So May 2016 I was a nervous wreck but I went to my first consult. August 3rd I get sleeved. I'm happy and nervous because my fear of surgery has not gone away. My hopes have been filled with a positive outlook on what my life will be like on the other side of sleeve. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App