NEWLIFEFREEDOM

Hi, I guess you kind of lost me with the question concerning the 100lbs. My weight has fluctuated for years, I was almost 300lbs I managed to shed over 90lbs I kept it off for over 5years. Unfortunately I gained over half back and my weight has been slowly moving up in about 10 years I've released 16 & gained roughly 23 (I desire to be a healthy lean weight). So that in addition to other factors is why I began researching wls because I got to the point where I decided to consider other weight loss options. I'm considering all options concerning payment yet you have to remember this key thing "He Who Has The Gold Makes The Rules". When you contact the insurance company they have a list of requirements in addition to a set time frame that you have to comply with their directions and still wait-basically the run around. When you have cash you contact the surgeon have your consultation, come to a conclusion, get labs, next surgery date available is yours, and then it's a done deal. With cash the entire process is roughly about 2 weeks. With the insurance company the entire process can be 4-6 months sometimes longer if you're denied and choose to appeal. My doc is standing by whatever decision I make yet because I'm considered healthy & strong it's preferred that I continue the natural route. Docs and insurance companies look at much more than BMI (which is one of many factors). In addition every potential patient has a different situation which is also a factor, so right now I have a variety of options and some I'm leaning towards more than others.

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this site and I really don't know where to start/post. I'm currently considering gastric sleeve self pay due to struggling for a decade to release the unwanted fat. I'm vegan and I love it (being vegan has helped me due to my dairy allergy). I've been a "yo yo dieter" for over 10 years my weight goes up and down constantly. I want to finally get a grip on things for good (weight loss tool). I do excerise and eat healthy yet for some reason that seems to not be enough for my body type. I'm concerned that I could reach my former weight and I told my self that I would never want to be or allow myself to ever get that big again (over 280 almost 300). So what I need help with is the whole stigma of Bartric Surgery people always assume "it's the easy way out" or that people who get it are lazy and somehow "cheated". I also want to know about the potential pros and cons of being self pay as well as opinions concerning should I continue to strive towards my "natural weight loss journey" or if it's time for me to try something else (I'm currently 100lbs over weight). Thanks

Thanks for the response yeah my leap into veganism was due to my dairy allergy. I also think I had a genuine desire, being vegan works for me so I continued with it and now March 29th my 3year veganversary. I've tried Vega and I do like it but I get the----I still need to eat some food feeling when I drink it. So I don't buy it often but I am thinking about trying it again so I can play with it maybe even thicken it up so I can use it as a Meal Replacement.

Thanks for sharing it provides great insight. Yeah I feel as if I made my decision but I also feel as if I just want to be sure. I basically want to be able to look back and say I know that I've done all that I was able to do concerning natural methods before I go in for a surgery date. I've been graced and blessed not to have the "fat people problems" concerning traveling and tying my shoes. Yet I'm very mindful because I already know what it feels like not to be able to shop where you want and fit into the clothes in your own closet. I've also taken that into consideration too concerning being healthy-just because I'm healthy now doesn't mean that it will remain that way if I don't make a major change. So where I am right now is reviewing all options and counting the cost for every option I take and even the ones that I don't.

I am considering getting gastric sleeve and I am currently natural and one of my concerns was the hair loss issue. I've worked sooo hard to learn my hair and the various textures that I have so I hope if I get the surgery that my hair won't fall out or hopefully it would be minor light shedding and not noticeable.

Wow, that is so great to hear that you're a vegan for 13 years, this will be year 3 for me and I enjoy being vegan it's just that slimming down has been an issue for me no matter how much I work out. Yes I agree with your surgeon concerning veganism being a great lifestyle choice. In spite of all of my weight issues I am in excellent health (per my labs and blood work) and I feel being vegan is the best dietary decision I've ever made. Do you mind sharing with me what was your determining factor (breaking point) when you made the decision to have your surgery? I ask this because I previously had an issue with "yo yo ing" then I managed to lose over 90lbs naturally. I kept the weight off for over 5 years and in 2006 I began to gain again so I thought if I just work out I could lose the fat again. Well it's 10 years later and I'm almost at the weight that I was before I lost the previous 90lbs. I've been researching wls for over a year now and my current mental battle is do I really want to select such an serious option or should I just continue on my natural weight loss journey. On the flip side I feel as if because I've been in this situation for sooo long and took the time to research I already have my answer.

Thank you for your response I've been looking into different surgeons especially those that specialize in vegan lifestyles. It's just really great to hear from people who are vegan w/ wls that are not struggling. When I first went vegan I started slowing losing weight and then it stopped. I figured if I just work out more and continue to eat healthy the weight will fall off but 3 years later I'm still trying to shed the unwanted fat. So the first time I spoke with a nurse I was to not have the surgery while vegan blah blah blah. I continued to inquire and that's when I began to find out that it was possible to have wls, be vegan, and healthy.

Yes, lots of research is definitely the key and it's so encouraging to hear that this definitely can be done vegetarian or vegan. I also get that "not that big" statement because I'm considered "thick" and I'm tall and curvy. What people don't understand is no matter how "not that big" they think you are they'll never know or understand how you feel in your own skin. When you can't fit something at home or in the store, or when you feel tired because your body has to work hard to carry fat. Like in my case I'm a vegan and I excerise and I'm over 250 so I'm making a decision that natural or surgery a change has to happen.

Thank You sooo much I will definitely check out his page and go to his website.

I will definitely check him out on YT because it is good to view their work and also get a feel for their personality. There are lots of great docs out here that are not so nice and that's something I've taken into consideration. You really don't want someone working on you that's rude, condescending, or trying to cut corners.

It's great to hear from another vegan thanks for your response. I'm definitely not a hardcore PETA style vegan (I don't throw red paint on anyone). I still where clothes made from animals (I do own a few vegan clothing items). I also eat honey because honey has a ton of health benefits. I currently eat seeds of all kinds, almonds, beans, lentils, and I've incorporated tofu. So it's great to hear that you feel well because regardless of what people say or think you should have what matters the most is how you feel (and even your labs). Vegan eating with be a priority question concerning surgeons because I am considering the sleeve and with 70-80% of my stomach being removed I want to make sure I'll get a great amount of what I need in nutrients from every bite I eat. Especially when you get to maintenance mode I want to get everything I need while working out. Thanks

Thank you so much for your response. I'm open to out of state or Mexico but I am trying to stay local. I was told about a few surgeons in TN and Mexico so I'm still doing a lot of research because when you go out of state or Mexico you have to factor in costs for misc, travel and lodging.

Thank you so much for your response. I just shared on a different forum today that I've begun calling surgeons and one of my concerns was how will this surgery (if I decide to get it) affect my vegan lifestyle. I know that I will have to really up my protein in addition to vitamins. Yes I've been doing a ton of research I've been considering Baratric surgery for a year and a half now due to my weight loss struggles. After my last physical I made the decision that if I was going to get the surgery I would pay cash because I don't want the insurance company run around. I don't have any health problems outside of stubborn fat so I knew the insurance company was going to give me a hard time. I'm currently still incorporating diet and exercise and that's why I decided to reach out to the baratric community for further advice and opinions.