Allie Smith

Wish there were more concentrated liquid dropper forms of all bariatric-- I am Vit D deficient, and found, on another site- liquid D3, mix it with my a.m coffee-- and waiting for a delivery of powder form calcium- just started taking a liquigel multivitamin.. Got tired of the chalky ones and chewy biotin/calcium. Hope my labs look better in a few months, and I hope to have more energy

Normally isn't s problem.

Sorry. I work in the medical field- I never can understand how surgeons can be such a@@holes- I pick a skilled, accessible, friendly surgeon over any surgeon with a bad bedside manner. They make enough money to be able to force being friendly to the patients that are paying the mortgage on their million dollar home, paying for the stupid expensive car, and their hair plugs!!!!! . Find another one just as good that you won't be intimidated by if you have any questions in the future. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Update! 45 lbs down 8 weeks post op Dr. Illan- team MX- great follow-up, great response time from team, great social network support team. Could not recommend anyone any more strongly. Still hear from him- responds to update posts, responds to people who have post op questions very quickly. Happy w my choice in Dr. Illan !! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

1. Biggest challenges during the weight loss process: I am only 9 days out so I write from that perspective. Insurance not covering anything frustrates me badly. In this day and age? And with the rates of obesity, and heart disease and diabetes? The most frustrating thing about insurance not covering it, is that in the US it would have cost me out of my pocket 25,000 dollars to have a gastric sleeve, although I ultimately went with the mini bypass in Mexico for 5400. And then, the people who have to wait six months, and under all sorts of testing and prove they can lose a few pounds-- like they haven't tried to lose weight for their entire life? It almost makes me feel like it's an insurance bully system--hoping someone will give up and not cost the insurance company that 15000 dollars, but when years later they have a massive CVA due to HTN, or renal failure due to hypertension and poorly controlled diabetes, they will be paying a thousand times that amount to maintain them. And then- they will be on disability, and cost to government to support them because they are too overweight, with DM, paralysis due to that massive stroke and unable to be a productive citizen? So that 20000 dollars to help get them started on this journey just turned into 3 million dollars 20 years later. I am lucky enough to be able to have support financially and almost had it done in Oklahoma, but it angered me that the cost was so much more and I didn't want to contribute to this unjust system. Just goes to show how badly our medical system needs fixing, and yes, I am in the medical field which is why it may bother me so deeply. #2 Challenge: The stigma associated with weight loss surgery. It remembers me of the still highly stigmatized mental health disorders, which was much worse years ago and how many people died due to their fear of telling someone how mentally bereft they were? This has changed a bit, so maybe with bariatrics, the world will come around some year. I am actually making a point of telling EVERYONE- cause that is how social stigmas go away- is to talk about it. 2. What would I like to have different to solve the problems that you need to face? See above. 3. How much money- Around 6500 for surgery, plane tickets, etc. 100 a month for Vitamins which I will save on my grocery bill so it's a wash. 4. How did you learn about the surgery/medications? My bariatric team. A lot of research online, med journals, nutrition videos from other bariatric surgeons on you-tube. My surgery isn't even offered yet in the us, but think it will be soon.

and I'm scheduled with him on Oct 28th! Go to his facebook site and ask to join. They are great.

Yes, its caffeinated, and it is a diuretic... I'm in a hospital- throw an iv in my arm and give me liter and let me have my %@$% coffee!! That's my thoughts

I needed to read your story tonight-- scheduled for the sleeve October 28--- worried about the liquid diet, my love affair with food that is to never again'. But I need me back! "It's time to make a change--- and I hope I can do it as graciously as you are and with such zest! Thank you..

Glad to hear.. take your meds until completely done (something people don't do), take the tylenol regularly.. lots of fluids.... I'm going to Tijuana o the 28th... nervous, but excited.

So ? how are you today?

MommyB- this can be quite serious and deadly-- please don't take this lightly.. If you do not improve dramatically by tomorrow, still with fever, nausea, vomiting, you need evaluated again!!!!. I understand the financial aspect-- I am looking at insurance right now for us out of the country, not covered by my own insurance in case this does happen..

if it doesn't go away, or gets worse pancreatitis can have that kind of pain.. just keep an eye on it.