ShawnZ

Pop corn... It's something I eat. I normally go through three bags a week. It's a good fiber snack. Calories are low compared to other snack like chips... I read everyone hating pop corn because of no nutritional value, but it does have fiber at least.

My surgeon let me make the choice, but gave recommendations. I choose sleeve before I met him. It's less risky, less long term factors of malnutrition. The success rates are within 10% of each other after 10 years. Regrets... I loved food, still do, but this has given me a reset on what's needed, not wanted. But honestly, if I had to decide it over again, most defiantly I would do it again, best choice I've ever made. I'm now reaching my health and weight goals/dreams. Life has changed, restaurants no longer interest me like they use to... nothing comes in "Shawn" portions. But it has empowered me to get in shape. I swim every other day, and life weights every other day so I'm working out 4 days a week at least. My typical meal... It's not a "meal" but a snack for most people. I'm a one-taco person, 4 chicken nuggets, 1/2 a cup of orange chicken and I'm done. What really effect my are sweet liquids - ice cream. and I LOVE some ice cream. But it makes me SOOO sick that I have to stop at 3 table spoons, otherwise I'm in a fetal position in bed for two hours. But I still get it, just in moderation. But that was my problem - no moderation and I blew up to 330lbs. So yes, I'm very happy with my health now.

I'm able to eat oatmeal... I usually limit myself to like 1/4 cup with some milk, fruit, and a tad bit of brown sugar. It's best if you toast it in a pan first. Great for fiber. As for carbs... I'm having so little I don't think it's a problem. Plus the milk adds protein. It's really about calories and nutrition - for me it's a good fiber source.

I drink coffee like it's going out of style! Probably more than I should. A LOT MORE. But my blood pressure is 115/60 and heart rate is 45-55... It does effect my sleep sometimes, but I cant find a decaf that I love.

The hospital did mess up my billing after the fact and came at me for another $4000. Thank God I got some pricing in writing g before hand. I called, talked to the cheif nursing officer and haven't heard from them since.

So far, YES. Down 80lbs and the doctor says I have 6 more months of weight loss. Almost Scarry.

My cash cost was 10,000$. It's crazy, but at least I get to write it off on taxes.

I would have to say.. Looking hine sight, I'm happy with my decision, and getting insurance to pay for part was a relief. My othe option was to go to Mexico, which I'm not of the opinion would have been a bad decision.

Mine did. Even the first Dr appointment. They did not pay for the hospital stay (part of it actually for hernia repair), nor the procedure it's self. Everything else they covered. Post op drugs and all.

=( I'm sorry. I got it in writing an the hospital came back at me for $3000. LOL Can't bleed a turnip, an in Texas they can't do anything about it. Dispute the bill, if they go after your credit, go to the Federal Trade Commission for falsifying credit reporting data.

Get your quote in writing and a list of exclusions. At least if something billing wise goes hay-wire, you have some documentation to justify your cause.

AWESOME! I was self pay... Same boat. My total cost was about $10000. Before hernia - 16000.

I ended up moving down. I'm down to 292.

It's more than reassurance. From reading here, I'd be the bad husband... It's just me. But when we got together, I made commitment to him - a commitment I'm going to honor. But I also have to state that this journey is not ALL ABOUT ME. It's about him as well. This is going to effect his life as much as mine. It effects my parents as well. Same goes for my employees who I make a weekly habit of buying lunch. I have to be as appreciative and grateful, publicly and honestly, about their support, as they are supportive of me.

I had my sleeve done on 10/23. I'm 5 days out and I went from 299.5 to 301.2.. It's confusing. I don't know how I gained a pound... But I do know I'm not pooping like I use to - so maybe I'm full of ****? LOL My employees would love to hear that. I'm holding out, clothes are fitting better, and right before the surgery, I have had a stall. Things that'll sped up a stall - increased water, increased exercise, and I've read increased calories (gets you out of starvation mode). Anyways, I've lost weight without surgery in the past, stalls happen and are natural.

I always said you can take the trash out of the trailer, but you can't take the trailer out of the trash. =)

He was going to Austin for a rehab facility. Has stopped going to AA. He was doing crystal followed by downers to go to sleep - that way the people he was with wouldn't know he was twacked out. He tripped over a fan and his heart stop. He was found he next day dead. He went to AA from 16 to 20 something... I tagged along - everyone has problems of some sort. He died when we were 25. I knew him so well that we didn't need to talk to have a conversation. But again, if you were going to AA, get out and find a meeting TODAY. Call your sponsor - ask him to go with you. YOU need support now more than ever. Giving up an addiction is hard.. Giving up food is harder - it's not like you can practice abstinence. But their are mental problems associated with obesity just like and addiction... You need the support. You need a release, and DON'T LET DRUGS BE THAT RELEASE.

If you were a part of AA - PLEASE CONTINUE! My best friend would still be alive if he had continued.

Damn... I member that saying - "that dog'll hunt". Ya'll know a true Texan when ya hear one.

Dehydration can occur and cause death in as little as 24 hours. Starvation takes about a week. So, you immediate risk is dehydration. But with the way the hospital pumps you full of liquids, you have a day or two reserve to begin with.

I was lucky. My partner has been supportive... VERY. Even when I was considering Mexico. But this is also why I decided he was the one for me years ago. But I do take the time to reassure him that no-matter how skinny I get, he's the man for me.

When my mother had he band done 20 years ago... I think she had to gain 20lbs to qualify... she ultimately did

I posted this in another topic, but it applies here as well. I just has my procedure this week. Health insurance in Texas is not required to cover weight loss surgeries... So the only people that get it covered are on large corporate plans that have demanded it. I'm not one of them since I own a company with 3 employees. When looking into, the cost was about $15,000 for a sleeve. If I have a hernia, the insurance will pickup about $5000 worth of expenses. So my cost goes down to about $10,000. $5,800 to the doctor which covers everything through the first year or so on his side. Part of this is an insurance policy that covers complications. About $4800 to the hospital. My psyc eval insurance covered. The blood work for a nutritional baseline insurance covered. As a cash pay, I told everyone to bill my insurance and I'd make up the difference. I has secured a $15,000 loan from my credit union at 7%-ish... That's a personal loan for medical reasons. The monthly payment for 5 years was about $300/month. The endoscopy to diagnose the hernia my insurance picked up. At that point I was down to a $10,000 expense. That's my threshold of acceptable. If I went to Mexico, I'd be looking at about $7500 plus travel... So at $10,000, I decided it makes sense to stay in the states. The doctors office took payment by credit card and provided me an explanation of what that payment was good for. The hospital was more complicated and didn't want to give a price before the procedure. When I finally got a price they had forgot the hernia and insurance coverage of it. I was floored that the price doubled. After having a mental breakdown, making a scene, and crying like a baby, they got it figured out. I put the hospital put on my credit card. After each CC transaction cleared, I payed it off. When I was in the hospital, the staff was VERY nice. I was HORRIBLY nervous before the surgery. Thy gave me a shot in my IV to calm me down. That hit like a freight train. I told them I was getting light headed and dissy... They told me that if I didn't like that, their other stuff will make me hallucinate... I told them disy is fine, I don't want to relive my 20's with hallucinogens. When I woke in the hospital bed... I hardly remember it. My mom, dad, and partner was there. I remember my mom commenting how nice the room it and taking pictures to show the hospital where she works. My parents keep telling me the first comment when I woke and realized I was in pain was "what the f**k did I just do to myself?" Anyways, it's 4 days out and things are getting much better. I'm happy with my decision so far. I haven't experienced hunger yet.

I just has my procedure this week. Health insurance in Texas is not required to cover weight loss surgeries... So the only people that get it covered are on large corporate plans that have demanded it. I'm not one of them since I own a company with 3 employees. When looking into, the cost was about $15,000 for a sleeve. If I have a hernia, the insurance will pickup about $5000 worth of expenses. So my cost goes down to about $10,000. $5,800 to the doctor which covers everything through the first year or so on his side. Part of this is an insurance policy that covers complications. About $4800 to the hospital. My psyc eval insurance covered. The blood work for a nutritional baseline insurance covered. As a cash pay, I told everyone to bill my insurance and I'd make up the difference. I has secured a $15,000 loan from my credit union at 7%-ish... That's a personal loan for medical reasons. The monthly payment for 5 years was about $300/month. The endoscopy to diagnose the hernia my insurance picked up. At that point I was down to a $10,000 expense. That's my threshold of acceptable. If I went to Mexico, I'd be looking at about $7500 plus travel... So at $10,000, I decided it makes sense to stay in the states. The doctors office took payment by credit card and provided me an explanation of what that payment was good for. The hospital was more complicated and didn't want to give a price before the procedure. When I finally got a price they had forgot the hernia and insurance coverage of it. I was floored that the price doubled. After having a mental breakdown, making a scene, and crying like a baby, they got it figured out. I put the hospital put on my credit card. After each CC transaction cleared, I payed it off. When I was in the hospital, the staff was VERY nice. I was HORRIBLY nervous before the surgery. Thy gave me a shot in my IV to calm me down. That hit like a freight train. I told them I was getting light headed and dissy... They told me that if I didn't like that, their other stuff will make me hallucinate... I told them disy is fine, I don't want to relive my 20's with hallucinogens. When I woke in the hospital bed... I hardly remember it. My mom, dad, and partner was there. I remember my mom commenting how nice the room it and taking pictures to show the hospital where she works. My parents keep telling me the first comment when I woke and realized I was in pain was "what the f**k did I just do to myself?" Anyways, it's 4 days out and things are getting much better. I'm happy with my decision so far. I haven't experienced hunger yet.

I had my sleeve done two days ago. When I was in the hospital I could only hold down an ounce or two... Then I was stuffed. Since then, I can get about 4 ounces of fluid down... I'm wondering if this is normal? Should I be worried about stretching it? I know I had lots of gas in my system. That might have limited me?