shangefan

I will not miss the helpfulness of family and friends. Last night, I went to dinner with a friend at a restaurant owned by a friend. We had sat down to eat and I was sitting on the edge of my seat while talking to her, which is something I often do. This was a chair with arms, but it seemed fine to me. Suddenly, the friend who owns the restaurant comes behind me, taps me on the shoulder and offers me another chair -- this one without arms. "This one will be a lot more comfortable for you," he said. He was as discreet as possible, but I was mortified. To make matters worse, I was having dinner with an extremely fit friend from out of town whom I had not seen in a year. I was already very sensitive about my weight and this did not help. I am humiliated again just by telling the story.

A friend told me yesterday that while she was getting a pedicure the evening before, the nail technician -- whom she had never met before -- began to extol the virtues of gastric bypass and asked if she had ever considered it. I was appalled. At any rate, I will not miss: Alway, always, always wearing a blazer, sweater or sweater vest to try to disguise as much as possible. And yes, sadly, I realize it doesn't work.

I LOVE Greek yogurt. Try the Fage brand. Lots of stores carry it. You can get various fruit flavors, as well as honey. The fruit comes in a little side compartment that you can mix as you choose, so you can use the amount that makes sense for you. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

I am scheduled for surgery in January (I wanted to get through the holidays first). After the initial information session, I had a consult with the doctor, where I paid $250. Of course, I submitted a boatload of paperwork beforehand. Then I went to a small group class about the surgery, nutrition, etc. My surgeon required me to lose 10 pounds before surgery (which I have accomplished) and we set the date. The total cost was $10K, including one year of fills, nutritional visits, support groups and access to the fitness center for a year. The $250 I paid will be deducted from that. I think the requirements and costs vary greatly. While I am extremely annoyed that my insurance has an exclusion, it has been nice to not have to engage in the foolishness that insurance often requires.

I'm afraid I have to jump on the bandwagon on this one -- though I'll avoid the soapbox (enough cliches yet?). In my opinion, I work as though the Emancipation Proclamation was never signed, but that doesn't change the fact that my insurance doesn't offer coverage for any type of weight loss program or surgery. Yep, there are specific exclusions, so you can forget about working the system on this one. I think it is shortsighted and wrong. It would be much better, I believe, to help employees address this issue than to treat the co-morbidities of obesity and the lost productivity that comes along with them. Despite that, I am reaching deep into my funds to pay $10,000 for this surgery. When thinking through it, I thought about the ways that I have spent $10K unnecessarily -- I could have bought a car that was $10K cheaper, I could have a house $10K cheaper, I could cut out some vacations/purchasing "stuff"/eating out. In other words, the money (at least in my case) is there, if I choose to use it in this way. I totally understand your frustration. It really DOES suck and seem wrong. But I think you will appreciate that you have made the investment in yourself. And unlike a house that is $10K more expensive than you need, it will change your life. All the best to you as you move forward on this journey. :thumbup:

I am in New Orleans. I am planning for surgery in January at Surgical Clinic of Louisiana in Jefferson Parish.

I will be January 2009. I'll be self-pay and while I am disgusted that my insurance has an exclusion, I can think of no better investment. It just means cutting back on the foolishness on which I waste money. I can hardly wait!

I am in New Orleans. Mine will be $10K, which includes one year of adjustments and other care, support groups and use of the fitness center.

Bosstar: Good to meet you. I am blown away by your loss thus far. I am in New Orleans. I am planning to have surgery performed in January by Dr. Todd Belott at Surgical Center of Louisiana in Jefferson Parish. I will be self-pay. I had my consultation today and all is well. I'm looking forward to continuing this journey. Thanks for your encouraging story.

I have United Health Choice Plus. My policy has an exclusion for WLS. I think that is asinine, given the cost of caring for co-morbidities. But it is their decision (based, of course, on the plan that my employer chose). I am going to be self-pay.

OK, I'll acknowledge right off that this may seem insignificant in the grand context of things. But here goes. I am planning to get the band in January 2009. I am self-pay and, while I am exceptionally annoyed that my insurance will pay to treat co-morbidities, it won't pay for real results. But I digress. How do you deal with clothes during the loss? I understand that once at goal it makes sense to invest in a new wardrobe. But what about along the way, when you are constantly (at least I hope) losing weight? I work in an environment where I wear suits every day. And because I am a fashion junkie -- and perhaps because of insecurities -- I have very nice suits, most of which were quite expensive. Ditto on shirts. And I understand that I should expect my feet to get smaller, too, so there go the farragamos, gucci and donald j.pliners. Again, I realize there are important issues related to health, etc., and I am reading as much as I can about those. But the reality is that I will still need to work and to do that, I'll need to have clothes (for the sake of us all). I obviously can't afford a new wardrobe at every size and since this is an issue I am sure that others have faced, I'd love feedback. Many thanks!

"Pretending like I'm ordering food for me AND someone else." Yeah, and when I do this, I pretend I don't quite know what to get the other person. "Well, I guess, she'll want this. OK, give me one of those, too."

Oh, and excessive sweating. Yuck!

I most definitely will not miss: Having to special order suits at a premium price just to get something that is stylish and fits and isn't fugly. Praying when I checkin for a flight that I can get an aisle seat. The middle and window are too uncomfortable. Being able to let down the snack tray on the plane and not having my belly block it. Thinking constantly about my size Assuming that someone is making a joke when they compliment my appearance. Big and tall stores with old men's clothing. Working extra hard so that no one thinks that I'm fat AND lazy Rolling out of cars. I bought an SUV to avoid it. Running for the back row in group photos, even though I'm always one of the shortest people there. Hypertension Fear of diabetes Thinking I am going to have a heart attack.

Yes, it does sound as though things are slowing, but 82 pounds in 4 1/2 months still sounds really good. I'll bet the added muscle plus the re-introduction of solid food account for that. How did you manage soups and meal replacements for so long? That just seems extra tough. Did you have energy still? I never saw myself as fat until recently, even though I've been essentially the same size for years. I can't really imagine what I will look like thinner. But I'm curious to try it on. Congrats on your accomplishments!

SRT8, I just want to make sure I understand. You lost 78 pounds in 2 1/2 months?

Kimaly, Thanks for the welcome! You've lost 42 pounds in 2 1/2 months? Wow! That is truly impressive.

Hi fellow 30-somethings: I thought I would drop in for the last few months that it is possible. I turn 40 in August and am rather looking forward to it. The 30s have been great, but it seems each year gets better, so I am excited forwhatever is on the horizon. It is in anticipation of turning 40 that I will be banded (self-pay) in January. This is an area that I've not yet gotten under control and I want to enter my 40s healthier and better looking -- not that I'm not darned cute now. I want to avoid the chronic health problems that come with -- gasp -- morbid obesity. I also want to have more energy and shop someplace other than the fat man stores or through special order. So, there you have it, friends.

I'm a git of an interloper here. I turn 40 in August and am definitely looking forward to it. Life gets better with each passing year. In looking forward to my 40th, I am planning to be banded in January. It will be self-pay and I believe it is the most important investment I can make. I want to begin the year off right and to celebrate my birthday as a healthier, better looking happier me. Anyway, thanks for allowing the intrusion.

OK, I suppose. I am extremely disappointed that my insurance won't pay for my surgery. Nonetheless, I am going to pay myself because this is the most important investment I could possibly make. I am struggling to be encouraged right now. But I am holding on to the expectation ofwhat is to come.

Great! How are things going for you so far?