ALISIA

i dont know what to do really. i want to fight it because i dont know how i would come up with the money to go to mx. taking out a loan maybe but i have so many for school i dont know if anyone would give me another. school is another thing i really want to get this done before schoool starts. the plain fair is another issue, how many times would i have to go back down there for check ups. i would have to fly alone and that is really scary since i am visualy impared. who would pay if anything went wrong while i am up here.? could i even get another doctor to help with an appeal? this is all so overwhelming.

Hi, hope your all doing well.:001_smile:..My doc started on liquid diet(optifast) on Wednesday. Is ten days long enough to make a difference in my liver? Is there a way to make sure it is small enough for surgery?

what insurance do you have? how did you get approved?

sorry i am a little better now. i did everything fine empire plan approved but bcbs and united healthcare said it is investigational. it can be appealed but now no one at the doctors office is getting to me. the insurance lady told me it is the doc ofice that puts in the appeal but the told me no and just tried to get me to do the band of bypass. if i have to i will take out a loan but i dont know if they will give one to me since i dont work i am just a student. i tried to ask the doctor questions about the procedure and since he didnt think it would be cover he kept try to get me to do another surgery. i told him if insurance doesnt pay i will find some where i can afford like mexico. he said dont do it. all he cares about is making money "we all do but still dont make obvious". i didnt get to find out what size bougie he uses what the pre op diet is nothing. i asked the dietition she couldnt even tell me. i have learn more from this site than i have with any of my visits there. a part of me wants to fight it but if i do i dont think i want to use him but he has been do it for 19 years. he staff is just crazy nice but crazy.

to help me stay focused i usually keep the photos i look the largest in all over the place or in a book, i even have some with only underwear on. then i make a goal book to remind myself of what i am working for i write everything down no matter how stupid it would seem. take all the junk out of your house, keep it anywhere out of your site. i dont watch normal tv because i dont even want to see commercials about junk. every time i crave something bad i grab the most annoying fat part of me and remind myself it will grow if i give in. i also pray, write paint draw read do anything but i only eat when it is time to not when i am "hungery". do everything and stick with it for at least 2 months after that it become easier.

let me know any way i can help

will do.. How are you and Bob? hopefully your all doing well..

:biggrin0:WasA I just love you!!!:biggrin0:

yea i thank god for mom my putting up with working for NY state. not the best pay but good coverage otherwise i would have any at all. i have coverage until she leave the job despite my age because i am legally blind. god really dose know what he is doing all the issue i have that i though held me back have actually been blessing my whole life. there truly is a reason for everything sometimes it just takes time to see what it is.

oh wow, my nerves are on high alert. i am really doing it the closer i get to the date the more freaked out i get. i am so excited but so very scared. i know this is the best thing i going to do for my and that i am making the right choice in my best interest for a happier healthier life. i have had surgery before but none of them has ever got to me like this one. i start the shrinking my liver tomorrow. i keep thinking can i really do this can i really handle it i am going to mess things up? what if i cant take the pain? am i going to be hungry i am so on edge now i really dont care about food but what about after. do i know what i am doing. i am doubting myself all types of new angles. my mom is really being supportive in fact she is not coming with me on the day of surgery. i am most likely going to be alone. i didnt even quit smoking yet. will the patch make me sick after surgery? no one around me understands how i feel right now. they have never had to lose more than 20 ibs before. and i got my first "no...dont take the easy way out". i know i will be ok once i start really losing weight but right now i just feel crazy.

we have a very similar history. i am happy for you and hope your surgery went well. we will all help each other to make all of our issues history and have a great healthy happy future.

i feel bad about that happening to you but at least it it was done for a worthy cause. i will remember you both in my prayers.

i dont know why he put me on opti fast. i am supposed to have 3 shakes and 2 bars a day. each shake has 20g of carbs and the bars are only a little less, plus a lot of sugar. i think he just uses it because he sells them.

oh wow, reading that was reading my own thoughts. i am on opti fast too. i also bought small plates and spoons. you head will catch up with you new stomach once you start losing weight. losing weight will motivate you to stay on track. so dont worry about it...

:biggrin0:Hi, I know it is different for everyone but how many ibs a week do you lose? Is there a certain amount that you should be losing or you must be doing something wrong?

I just really want to feel more confident in my clothes, etc. I want to be the confident women that I know can be. I have prayed about this as well and I believe that this is the right thing to do. it is so good to know that someone else is feeling the same way. Dealing with peoples reaction over my albinism takes away enough of my confidence. when i look in the mirror i dont see the person i really am. i know i am a strong person but being overweight takes from my strength. i just have to stay focused on why this is the best thing i am doing for myself. shopping in any store i want to. being proud of how much i lost that is going to stay off:biggrin0:. socializing more than ever because you cant tell me i aint cute...:001_tt2: god willing the insurance will feel where i am coming from. they put in all my paper work , it is pending. i really need this to get done.

i think what is really getting to me is weather my insurance is going to pay for it. there is no better time then now , as much as i am scared i know this is the right thing for me. i just doubt myself too much and i am listening to people who have no clue about fighting their body to lose over 100 pounds. i am pretty sure it will be covered my insurance never says no to anything and the do cover the procedure, i just hope they will for me. if not i would have to find some way to get money so i could go to mex and do it. also, i might end up going alone and i have never be alone for surgery "my mom is like my good luck charm and she cant come". i am not going to let that stop me tho. i do think i might be having a hard time saying goodbye to food old habits forever. but it is also what makes me so happy i wont have to fight day in out all the time feeling so hungry. i will feel so much better once i hear it is approved. i really dont like that i am going to find out like right before i have it done. the doctor asked if i would do another procedure if the dont cover it but after being on this site there is no way i am doing the lapband and i cant do the others because they would affect my medication. my emotions are all over the place i cant wait until it is done and i can start my new life.

thank you! i needed to hear that. i do need to i do need to trust the lord more.

mother natures nature's miracle is a liquid vitamin that i have used for years. i really love using it before surgeries because it makes me heal faster. it is really great it has everything and then some in it, even protein. it is a small company and their site is not fancy but the product is really great. Mother Nature's Miracle? | Liquid Vitamins | Eden's Miracle of Mother Nature | natural vitamin program Vitamins Function & Symptoms of Deficiency Vitamin A; Beta Carotene 14,000 IU Cancer Prevention, Prevents Eye Problems, used for Acne, Ulcers, & Tissue maintenance repair. Enhances Immunity. Protects against Pollution. Vitamin B6 (As Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) 4 mg Maintains health nerves, Skin Eyes, Hair, Liver, Mouth, Muscle Tone, & G.I. Tract. Coenzyme, Energy Production, used for Depression, Anxiety, Metabolisrn / Stress & Prevents Anemia Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) 1000 mcg Skin, Eyesight, Fatigue, Abnormal Sleep Patterns Vitamin C 1200 mg Helps Wounds, Surgery, Stress, Allergies, Asthma, Immune System, Heart Disease, Cancer Prevention, Bleeding Gums, Protects against Pollution. Vitamin D 1 800 IU Osteoporosis, High blood pressure, increases the absorption of minerals. Vitamin E 1 180 IU Antioxidant, Cancer prevention, Tissue repair, improves circulation, Prevents Age Spots, & PMS Vitamin K 170 mcg Blood Clotting, Tissue repair, Bone formation, may prevent Osteoporosis. Sulfur** Degeneration of cartilage, ligaments & tendons Lupus, Sickle Anemia, & Collagen Diseases Copper 2mg White/Grey or Brittle hair, Hernias, Varicose Veins, Aneurysms, Anemia, Hypo or Hyper Thyroidism, Arthritis, Liver Cirrhosis, Violent Behavior, & Learning Disabilities. Coral Calcium 1100 mg Osteoporosis, Receding Gums, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia Kidney Stones, Bone Spurs, Calcium Deposits, Cramps, Twitches, & Bells Palsy Iodine 320 mcg Fatigue, Colds, Muscle Pains, Heavy Periods, Low Sex Drive, Brittle Nails, Weight Gains, Hair Loss, Muscle Cramps, Depression, Puffy Face, Dry Skin & Hair, Poor Memory. Magnesium 260 mg Asthma, Anorexia, Migraines, Growth Failures, Muscle Weakness, Tremors, Vertigo & Small Arteries Iron 10mg Hemoglobin, Pica, Fatigue, Heart Palpitations, Memory Deficits & Anemia Phosphorous 500 mcg Brittle Bone, Low Energy, Inability to break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates Potassium 300 mg Muscular Weakness, Mental Apathy, FACT: May lower Blood Pressure Zinc 30 mg Impaired ability to heal, hair loss, fatigue and acne Chromium 200 mcg Depressed Growth Rate, Glucose Intolerance in Diabetics CoQ10 3mg Anti Oxidant, Cancer, Heart Disease, Poor Immune System Herbs Function & Symptoms of Deficiency Gingko Biloba 100 mg Improves Memory, Brain Function, Blood Flow, Depression, Oxygenation, Asthma, Alzheimer's Disease, Heart & Kidney Disorders. Aloe Vera 6000 mg Restores Tissue, Anesthetic, Heals Burns, Itching, Regenerates with no Sear. Ginseng 500 mg Used for Impotence, Energy, Diabetes, Colds & Chest Problems. i Enhances Immune Functions & normalizes B.P. Enzymes Function & Symptoms of Deficiency Proprietary Formula Amylase Is the digestive enzyme used to digest carbohydrates Lipase Is the enzyme used to break down dietary fats Papian Helps improve skin and breakdown protein Pepsin Is the principle enzyme which helps aid gastric juices Ptyaln Helps in aiding digestion in the stomach for several hours Protein 3 G From vegetable sources is essential in building, repairing and maintaining body tissue Trace Minerals Function & Symptoms of Deficiency Sulfur Important mineral in several amino acids within the body involved in functions of Hemoglobin, Insulin, Hormone, Adrenal Hormones, Enzymes, and Antibodies. Deficiency: Degeneration of cartilage, ligaments and tendons, Lupus, Sickle cell anemia, Several collagen diseases Ten Animal studies show deficiencies cause: Poor growth and Poor feeding, Hearing loss, Male pattern baldness, Cancer prevention properties Chromium Deficiency: Low blood sugar (Vanadium& copper also) Prediabetes (Vanadium also), Diabetes (Vanadium also) Hyperactivity, Learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD Hyperirritability, Depression, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde rages Impaired growth, Peripheral neuropathy, Negative nitrogen balance (body lean mass/protein loss), Elevated blood triglycerides, Elevated blood cholesterol plaque, Infertility & decreased sperm count, Shortened life span Copper Deficiency: White or Gray hair, Dry brittle hair, Ptosis (sagging tissue-eye lids, skin, breast, stomach, etc.)Hernias, Varicose veins, Aneurysm (artery wall bulges) Kawasaki Disease, Anemia (common in vegans & high milk users), Hypo or Hyper thyroid, Arthritis (especially where growth plate are involved), Ruptured vertebral discs problems, Liver cirrhosis (Number 9 killer in US) Violent behavior, blind rage, explosive outbursts, Learning disabilities, Cerebral palsy & hypopasia (failure to form) of the cerebellum, High blood cholesterol, Reduced glucose tolerance (low blood sugar) Praseodymium Enhances normal cell growth. Doubles life span in laboratory animals Antimony Effective against blood flukes Strontium Strontium can replace calcium in many organisms including man, Essential trace element Thulium Enhances growth of normal cells Doubles the life span of laboratory animals Trace Minerals Function & Symptoms of Deficiency Gold Reduces active joint inflammation Molybdenium Essential as a metalloenzyme of several enzyme systems Iodine Needed by body for thyroid function (Thyroxin is thyroid Hormone), Copper needed to utilize iodine Deficiency: Under Active Thyroid, Fatigue, Cold intolerance Muscle Aches and pains, Heavy periods or less than 28 days cycles, Low sex drive, Brittle nails, Weight gains, Hair loss Muscle cramps, Depression, Constipation, Elevated blood cholesterol, Puffy face, Dry skin & hair, Inability to concentrate, Poor memory, Goiter (throat swelling) Over Active Thyroid, Insomnia, Heat Intolerance, Excessive sweating, Light periods or longer than 28 day cycles, Hand tremors, Rapid pulse, Bulging eyes, Weight loss, Increased appetite, Muscle weakness, Frequent bowel movements, Irritability, Nervousness Goiter (throat swelling) Lithium Deficiency: Depression, Manic depression, Lithium deficiency aggravated by high sugar consumption Reproductive failure, Infertility, Reduced growth rated Shortened life span, ADD, Rages & fits Manganese Deficiency: Congenital ataxia, Congenital deafness, Asthma, Chondromalacia, Chondrodystrophy, Poor cartilage formation problems, Repetitive Motion Syndromes (like TMJ, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), Convulsions Infertility (failure to ovulate or testicle atrophy), Still births or spontaneous miscarriages, Loss of sex drive, Retarded growth rates, Shortened long bones Nickel Deficiency: Poor growth, Anemia (low hematocrit) Depressed oxidative ability of the liver, High newborn mortality, Rough/dry hair coat in animals, Dermatitis Delayed puberty, Poor zinc absorption Silver Kills over 650 disease causing organisms, Systemic disinfection & immune support, Subdues inflammation & promotes healing, Anti-bacterial, Anti-viral, Anti-fungal Boron Essential for bone metabolism, Aids efficient calcium & magnesium use, Proper endocrine function Reduces calcium loss from bones (Osteoporosis) Bismuth Ulcers result from lack of bismuth & a bacteria Heliobacter pylori Calcium High protein diets increase demands for calcium Deficiency: Osteoporosis (& Dowagers Hump fractures,) Receding gums (osteoporosis if facial bones & jaw bones) Osteomalacia (failure to mineralize the protein bone) Arthritis, Hypertension/High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Kidney stones, Bone spurs, Calcium deposits, Cramps & twitches, PMS, Some low back pains (sciatica, muscle spasms), Bell?s Palsy, Osteofibrosis (enlargement of bones with scar tissue), Tetany, Panic attacks Cobalt Essential part of Vitamin B12 (Growth & nerve system) Emaciation, listless, starved look, pale mucus membranes, Anorexia, Anemia Cesium Cancer aid cesium enters cancer cell and produces alkaline condition Europium Doubles the life span of laboratory animals Fluoride In plant based colloidal form will aid bone strength & no toxicity Iron Deficiency: Hemoglobin (Oxygen carrier in red blood cells) Pica (mineral lack and eats dire and chews ice), Listlessness & fatigue, Heart palpitations, Memory deficits, Sore tongue, Anemia Gallium Reduces brain cancers Silica Increases collagen in growing bone by 100%, Deficiency: Dry brittle hair, Brittle fingernails, Poor skin quality, Poor calcium utilization & arterial wall strength problems Samarium Enhances normal cell proliferation, Doubles the life span of laboratory animals Selenium Effective anti-oxidant, Deficiency: Anemia (red blood cell fragility), Age spots or liver spots, Fatigue, HIV (AIDS), Myalgia, Scoliosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis, Cardiomyopathy, Multiple Sclerosis, Heart palpitation, Irregular heart beat, Liver cirrhosis, Pancreatitis, AS (Lou Gehrig?t Disease), Parkinson?s Disease (associated lead poisoning), Alzheimer?s Disease (associated high vegetable oil consumption), Infertility, Low birth weight, High infant mortality, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Cancer (associated with high vegetable oil intake) (Number 2 killer), Sickle cell anemia Germanium Highly efficient electrical impulse initiator, Aid in oxygen utilization, Enhances immune systems function, (Killer cells, interfering, macrophage and T-suppressor cells), Deficiency: Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Low energy, Cancer Yttrium Enhances normal cell growth, Doubles life span of laboratory animals Potassium Deficiency: Muscular weakness, Mental apathy Lanthanum Deficiency: Maybe involved in chronic fatigue diseases Magnesium Deficiency: Asthma, Anorexia, Menstrual migraines, Growth failures, Neuromuscular problems, Tetany-Convulsions, Depression, Muscular weakness, Tremors, Vertigo, Calcification of small arteries, Malignant calcification of soft tissue Vanadium Aids in glucose (blood sugar) oxidation and transport, Enhances insulin effectiveness (aids with blood sugar problems), Decreases cholesterol production, Increases effectiveness of heart muscle contraction, Anti-Cancer properties Deficiency: Slow growth, Increased infant mortality, Infertility, Elevated cholesterol & triglycerides, Hypoglycemia & Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, Obesity Amino Acids Function & Symptoms of Deficiency - Proprietary Formula Alanine Important source of energy for muscle tissue, helps in the metabolization of sugars Arginine Improves immune responses to bacteria, crucial for optimal muscle growth Cystine Powerful antioxidant, aids recovery from burns and surgical operations Glysine Helps trigger release of oxygen to energy Leucine Used for production of energy to the upper brain Methionine Prevents disorders of hair, skin, and nails Phenylalanine Improves memory, reduces hunger pains Proline Helps maintain and strengthen heart muscles Serine Strengthens immune systems, synthesizes fatty acid Tyrosine Improves memory, helps overcome depression Valine Promotes mental vigor and muscle coordination Sea Nutrients Proprietary Formula Alaria Valida Rich in Vitamin A, vitamin B and calcium Costaria Costata Helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. Helps improve thyroid function. Agar Used for constipation Algin Ability to draw harmful pollutants like lead from the body Dulse Rich in protein, fluoride and iron Kelp Helps thyroid conditions Kombu High in Trace Minerals Kuzu Helps soothe the stomach and strengthen the intestines Nori Good for prostate and thyroid, high in protein __________________

every doctor is really different. i just came back from my surgeon and i was told to keep taking taking supplements before and after. the type i take is a liquid it is ok.