staceface

I'm just starting my journey and trying to read as many horror stories as possible (maybe that's bad, but I KNOW the positives; it's the negatives I'm trying to wrap my mind around!) like understanding how hard the pre-op and post-op diets are... but if I can't do that then I can't make the change necessary to live with the sleeve, right? Because it's not like you go back to eating "normally" (normal for an overweight person I guess I should say...), right? My new fear is the loose skin after the weight loss is complete. I'm not against having cosmetic surgery on one spot, but am I really going to have saggy thighs, saggy arms and a saggy belly??!! I'm 5' 4" and 228 lbs. Thanks everyone; just a little scared! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So my insurance wants me either heavier (BMI 40) or to have very SPECIFIC comorbidities (which I don't have). My BMI is 38.8 but I don't have diabetes or heart disease. My best bet is to pay cash - $13,100. Yeah, I don't just have that kind of cash available. I'm so disappointed. I started to really wrap my mind around the changes you have to make beforehand, the changes afterward, and now I feel so let down. Stupid insurance. Don't they realize I'm gonna cost them more in the long run if I stay this big or get bigger!!!? Anyway... I wish everyone else the absolute best. Maybe I'll continue to watch everyone so I can send positive thoughts your way. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Aetna. It sucks because I realized I wasn't really that far below the weight I need to be for them to cover it, but I can't bring myself to gain and hold there just for the surgery. I'm slowly losing just by watching my carbs - from 230 down to 223 - but obviously I'm not gonna get the results on my own that people are getting with this amazing surgery... SIGH... My doctor actually said it might be worth trying to fight them and get a waiver because I might not have their SPECIFIC comorbidities they want to see, but I DO have other issues aggravated by obesity. I'll see her again soon. We'll see what she says.

Thanks everyone. I think that's the route I have to go. As nice as it would be to "just self pay"...I'm a divorced mom of 3 and that kind of money doesn't come easily. I guess I play the insurance game and know that it will all be worth it!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ok; I get it. Friends who have always been on the weight loss roller coaster with you, tried every fad diet, every new exercise routine, and had moderate success with you at times... they don't really like you taking this new step, do they? Sigh...I guess that means someone you've always counted on to be a cheerleader will instead be judgmental and say stupid things about this being the "easy" way even though there isn't anything easy about it!! I guess you can't make everyone happy... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

If I could self pay I totally would. Might look into it. Because even if I gain those 7 lbs or so, they're gonna want HISTORY of BMI > 40 won't they? I'm at my heaviest right now (38) and it's plenty heavy believe me!! So maybe self pay is the way to go Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think that's what happened with my girlfriend who is always dieting with me; I think she had the immediate fear that I will be skinny and she will still be struggling and no one wants to be "the fat one"... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

(Curious to hear responses on this as well...) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you guys. Yeah; I have high cholesterol but according to Aetna that's not one of the specific comorbidities that allows bariatric surgery <40 BMI. My doctor is all for it; at my last visit when she rattled off the details at the end into her little recorder she listed everything she could think of that would benefit from weight loss - I have high cholesterol, I've been seeing a podiatrist because my feet hurt so bad from standing and walking so much with 230lbs to carry around, I need to have back surgery but I can't imagine trying to recover at this weight... She'll be all for it if I tell her damn, guess I have to gain a few to lose a lot. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Aetna high deductible plan. And I was so eager because I'd met my deductible for the year, but even if I go this route, end up at 40 BMI, then it won't be til next year anyway so I'll have to start over with my deductible. Still better than $13,100 tho. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

No you're absolutely right. If I had weighed in last week I surely WOULD have met weight; we all know how it is when you struggle with your weight; we fluctuate so much. Ok, I'm not giving up. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow, I'm excited for you. When my dr first told me to "go for it" she said not to let anyone try to talk me into the band. I hope the sleeve doesn't come with the same issues for you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ok, then I'm gonna quit my pity party tho it probably put me at the required weight :-/ I'll get in touch with the bariatric place tomorrow and ask if I can do another "consult" in a week or so. Betcha I could blow that 7 lbs out of the Water (no, I'm not proud of that...) Thanks everyone. I needed this support. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So my dr asked how long I'd have to keep it on; I said I had no idea. Anyone know? I mean, if I have a consult and I meet the criteria then slowly lose before surgery, am I out? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I even sent my PCP a text to say wait! I only have to gain like 7 lbs! She even kind of agrees. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

No, you're all right... why didn't I do the math to begin with??? I weighed 229 today at the consult; I'd only have to weigh 236 to have a BMI of 40. That's one day! Ugh! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just got it in iBooks. Need to learn everything I can!!!! Thanks @@Alex Brecher for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I figure anyone who matters to me can know. Otherwise I will keep it quiet. As I'm divorced, so far that's been my mom, my 15 year old daughter, and my best friend (a beautiful 48 year old size 6 or so) and all have been very supportive. My mom was the most reserved just because of the fear of any dangers with a major surgery, but she quickly came around knowing this was a very important step for me. I feel you about that friend. If she wants to keep you as her "fat buddy", then be prepared for some disappointment. That does suck, no bones about it, because I don't like to let friends go easily...but this is about you and your health and happiness. Good luck friend. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I feel the same way. I'm just in the beginning, no approval yet, but I'm currently at a friend's who took my 15 year old Daughter and me for pizza and wings and beer last night, we're watching a movie and drinking cocktails right now...it's gonna be hard for me too; I'm with you. I guess we just remind ourselves that we're doing this for US. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@SalOdyssey Thanks for the wishes. And holy cow, what an impressive weight loss! Congrats to YOU! And honestly, I guess I'm understanding that a secondary surgery is a very likely possibility. I can handle that if it means getting healthy and where I really should be. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks friends. Really. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Alex Brecher Thanks, yeah, there's been a lot of good feedback. And it's true that the likelihood of loose skin in the end doesn't deter me from following this path, because at least I would be healthier...I guess I'm trying to be prepared for the possible outcome (HOW bad, etc) just because I remember the disappointment after I gave birth to my first child; I was so shocked at how ...GROSS... my body was afterward. I BAWLED. I expected - naively - that the baby would be there and my body would be (at least MOSTLY) back to normal. Um, no. Big, loose, spare tire dropping around my middle. It was mortifying to see my body like that. I was just trying to think ahead. I don't want anyone to think I'm super shallow and this is some deciding factor. It's not. I'm Just scared of the unknown. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@iloveorganicmilk I think you've received a lot of good advice here. I'm super early on, just scheduled to see the Bariatric Surgeon for a consult in 2 days. I hope you don't feel any judgment by the feedback you've had from the group; I think it's some seriously valuable honesty. Valuable for all of us going through this!! Good luck and I'm interested in hearing what you decide to do!! Stacey Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Candygyrl - body moisturizer? What do you use?? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you ladies! @@candygirl that helps A LOT, thank you. Sometimes I don't know where to start, so I DON'T, and sometimes I am TOO enthusiastic and that's not good either. And @@AvaFern you're right and I completely agree that the fear of a saggy, baggy body shouldn't be a deterrent...it certainly won't be worse than the way I feel right now! And I am not against having secondary surgeries, I'd just like to do ALL that I CAN to minimize the need. ... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App