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If you are paying up front, they may offer you a discount in the total amount due. I know that when I paid my bill in full after my thyroidectomy at the hospital I'll be having my sleeve done at, they gave me a discount (granted, it didn't really work out as well as I hoped because I put it on a credit card...). I would ask about that. It'll at least be a little bit and may bring that price closer to the financial window you're working in. I have no advice to offer about complication insurance, but I hope you can find something that works for you.

This book was recommended on a different forum I was a part of: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1508526087/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=IX7M57UTLA72N&colid=CQZR2L8PNRSE I plan to by myself a copy soon

Your nutritionist might recommend a particular brand made for bariatric patients (mine just did). I take Vitafusion gummies (from Costco) right now, but she instructed me to double up on the dosage after surgery and consider switching to a different kind when I finish this bottle. I did pick up dissolvable Natrol Biotin tablets at Costco; 250 tablets to the bottle. The normal price on that looked to be about $10, but I snagged it while it was on sale at $7.50. I found NatureMade Vitamin B12 dissolvable at Walmart for $6.48. I got a $1.50 rebate in my Ibotta app after purchasing (if you have a smart phone I highly recommend downloading it to earn some money back; if you do sign up, feel free to use my referral code tkvqsct--it'll give us both a $5 boost after your first rebate redemption ). Coupons.com had a $1.50 off coupon for Citracal which I will pick up soon (gummies from Walmart about $12 which is what Costco was running). Walgreens, CVS, and Vons sometimes do buy one get one 50% off, but theirs seem to run at a higher price that Walmart, Target, or Costco, so I would check ads, coupons, and apps before buying there.... I strongly recommend signing up for Vons (Safeway) Just 4 U app if you have a smart phone, it'll save you a bunch (and sometimes they put free things in there). Receipt Hog is another good one to earn money back. It's doable, just be aware of your sales and check for coupons before you shop. It's worth it!

Maybe try the protein waters? I've started stocking up on some things...I like the Premier shakes, but I actually found high protein Slimfast shakes at the 99 cent store, so I grabbed some of those (I don't like the flavor as well as the premier, but it'll do). I bought Trusource protein water at Target, which my nutritionist ok'd. They have Trimio water on Amazon that I might look at again (I have to see if the protein is from whey or not)--this one had multiple flavors. I'm into the idea of trying to kill two birds with one stone, so I have to admit I have more of an interest in the waters...

I have several already, but I would love to get a thigh piece once I'm down some weight and my muscles are more toned!!!

You know you best. If you are in a secure situation with people around you for support, I don't see that there is any reason to wait to have a conversation with your doctors. It starts with a conversation, it doesn't mean that you have to do it immediately afterward. Maybe they can start by lowering your dose and if you do well at a lower level, continue to wean off it gradually. I was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder years ago, but I am no longer on medication. I haven't really been for about two years. I will admit to having "bad spells" in there, but I communicated with the people who loved me (and sometimes mental health professionals) and pulled through. If getting off these medications is important to you, follow through on talking to your doctors. They will be best informed on how to go about it or if it wise to take on during this transition period. Best of luck, whatever happens!!

Congrats on getting your date!! It's exciting, isn't it?! You're having surgery on my brother's birthday; I'm hoping I'll be up to driving by then because we have a movie date to see Justice League! lol

I can see a definite change!! It's not too late to start measurements

I'm sorry to hear you were postponed!! What was the reasoning, if you don't mind me asking? I'm in November, too.

My insurance approval came in today, so my date of November 8th is official!! So excited. Final nutrition class tomorrow and preop diet will start next week!

I don't think mine have been overly involved. I went to the first seminar, then I had to fill out what amounts to an application for surgery. Then I was scheduled for my first visit with the surgeon. After the first visit i sat with the surgery scheduler and she scheduled the rest of the preop testing appointments (I think I could have gotten through this a lot faster, but I'm still new at my job, so I spread it out). After I finished testing, it was back to the surgeon and scheduled for surgery. i did have to get back in touch for work paperwork after that and the scheduler was kind enough to forward it to my surgeon's nurse who got back to me same day. She was really fast in submitting my paperwork to the HR department, too, so I'm really happy about that. I'm still technically waiting for insurance approval, so I might call this week to see if they've heard anything. I have this irrational fear that I'll be denied if I call the insurance company directly! Haha

My workplace is having a big Halloween potluck and I'll be almost halfway through my two week preop diet; I'm trying to figure out how to avoid it without looking seriously unsociable! Lol

It is nice indeed! I told my current boss out of necessity, but she was super sweet in her response letting me know that she thought it was a great step for me and that she's excited for me. I've only been at my new job for about 4.5 months now, so I was more than a little nervous about asking for the time off....

I have my nutrition class on Wednesday, so I have to wait until then to see what I can and cannot have...I'm glad to see that I can pick up none broth in store, though. From many of the posts I've seen it seems like a necessity!

At mine I chatted with him about the various ways I've tried to lose weight and why I settled on the surgery I did. We covered exercise recommendations and mindset (this is a tool, not a fix all). I'll admit that mine was with a therapist that I used to see years ago, so it may have been different that others' experience. That being said, it was much less terrifying than I imagined (my heart was pounding as I walked up to the door). You'll get through it fine

Not me, thankfully! I think you're looking at the quote I used from @Finnix I'm still preop, but I hope to acheive the success she has for sure!

How rude!!! I would have no issues during that gynecologist and finding another. I had a recent visit with mine and he asked if I had tried anything to lose weight; I informed him that I was in the process of getting approved for surgery and he was super supportive of that. It's awful that a health professional would have a negative attitude about something that can improve so much of your life!

Was your gallbladder removed? Please get in touch with your doc. Gallbladder and appendix are both on the right, so I'd double check with the medical professionals. Better safe than sorry.

I don't know if it was any one thing. I lived with my parents well after an age that most do and I always told myself that when I moved out things would be different. I'd exercise, I'd make better food choices, I'd do what is good for me. That didn't happen. I've been out on my own for two years and while I did have some success with Weight Watchers and a personal trainer, it wasn't significant loss (only 35 lbs and that only due to the WW, once I quit that I started regaining despite still going to the gym) and it definitely wasn't lasting. Monthly memberships in both drained my funds and I had to stop. I regained what I lost plus 16 more pounds making my heaviest weigh in 397 (documented at 399 at doctor's office). I'm done. I tried this on my own, I need help. Is this where I insert health problems? lol put me down for PCOS and thyroid issues (Graves' disease to cancer to thyroidectomy/hypothyroid function) It helps that I have a friend who is a year out from her surgery and doing well. I spent the morning chatting with her as I'm less than a month out from my surgery date and was freaking out. Talking to her calmed me down, helped me to refocus, and to get excited about this again. This time in my life is about me. I am currently unattached, responsible only to and for myself (ok, and two cats), and if I can lose weight and find a guy, maybe I can think about a baby (provided my very bad reproductive system gets its act together)! Bring it on The attached photo was taken at a niece's birthday party. That is my older brother on the left and younger brother on the right. Guess which kids have weight issues (I also have a tiny older sister)? I'd like to get this sorted to give my younger brother and mom some inspiration for their own lives.

Is it bad to say that I regret telling one of my friends? Just feeling super judged about it. I told her at the consideration point, and it looks like it's all green lights from here, but I haven't told any of my friends that I've actually been scheduled. We're all "big girls," but they are super set against surgery. I've tried my other options and they haven't panned out...I guess I'll have to wait and see if this surgery cause me to lose more than the weight I'm carrying (but my parents and my sister are my close support system, along with a very understanding boss and former boss).

I was just scheduled for the 8th! Just waiting on the official word from my insurance, but the doctor's office isn't anticipating any issues. Good luck!!

@Diana_in_Philly thanks for the response. I got a call from my gynecologist a few days ago and he told me that he had run into my the doctor that will be performing my sleeve as well as the doctor he had been waiting to consult with about my situation at the hospital. They decided that bariactric surgery should come first, which has put me over the moon and motivates me to stay on track with this process!@Diana_in_Philly

Hey all... I had routine doctors appointments that turned up an unexpected issue that needs to be addressed. A cyst on my ovary has grown and changed in appearance, so my doctor wants that ovary removed. We're waiting for a consult to determine if it can wait until I'm approved and schedule for my sleeve, but the doctor wants it out ASAP. Has anyone else experienced unexpected finds like this? Did it effect getting approval for your bariatric procedure or impact the timeline for surgery?

Yes, I would kill to be 250lbs. I'm currently 387, but I'm also 5'11". I will admit to being critical of those that started with a lower weight/BMI, but I began to realize that those lower numbers were associated with smaller people. And those smaller people could have a host of other issues effecting their body. These forums have opened my eyes to many of the different reasons people have the surgery and helped me to adjust my thinking. I'm not going to hate you or think ill of you for trying to do what is best for you and your body. I wish you success in this journey!