finallyformyself

This is great! I too am printing and using them at my first dr. visit. You are such a great resource and inspiration!

I can't call the doctor until Jan. 3rd (having to wait for my short-term dis. to kick in) so I know I have a long way to go in this process. I will be self-pay since my insurance does not cover any part of any WLS. I was curious if anyone has an idea of what time frame I'm looking at since I don't have to go through the insurance coverage process? Thanks.

Would love to hear what surgeon you used (if somewhat near the KC area) and a bit about your experience with the whole process! Thanks in advance.

Treequeen, I too am just looking into this and beginning the process. I made the decision to go ahead and tell all of my co-workers (which happen to be great friends of mine as well), family and other friends. Honestly, I wasn't nervous because I knew that this was a decision I was making and that if they didn't agree it wasn't going to change my decision. For the most part, everyone has been great. I did have a horrible argument with one very close friend that tried to make me feel I should do it the "natural" way. I can tell you that it brought out emotions that have been buried SO SO SO deep over the past years of being overweight. Although it hasn't been easy in terms of that relationship, I am glad I am going through it now. For me, I think it would be hard to deal with those particular emotions after surgery vs. now. This is just me, but I feel that if someone is a true friend they can disagree but that doesn't mean that they shouldn't be happy for you and supportive in your choice. What I say is that I am choosing to not ride a rollercoaster for the rest of my life. This up and down thing and trying this and that is simply not working and it is now showing up in health problems for myself, both physically and emotionally. My purpose of course includes wanting to look better, but I want my life back. I want to be an active mom with my kiddos, have the energy needed to work a full-time stressful job and live to see what God has in store for myself, my family and my friends. I guess I just finally got to the point of truly not caring what all of these people think. It is my life to live and to serve God better I feel that I really do need to do this for myself to be a better wife, mom, friend, and so on. I guess anyone who doesn't support me in that is not someone I want around me, especially right now when I am needing those that DO support me. Hey, you've got this site and all of us! Best of luck!

Hi. I'm in KC and am at the beginning of this whole process. My insurance does not cover any wl surgeries so I am on my own, but hoping that a benefit of no insurance will be a more speedy process. I've been reading, reading, and reading the posts and conversations from this amazing site, orginally to help educate myself on whether or not I want to go with the lap band or sleeve. I'm leaning toward the sleeve but am actually not able to call the doctor to set up my first appointment until Jan. (due to waiting for my short-term disability to kick in). I am planning on using Dr. Hoen (may have mispelled) as I know someone that has recently used him and have also seen other positive comments about him and his staff on this site. I would love to have someone to correspond with on this site from the area as well and I agree, the internet is an amazing thing!!! Would love to hear more about your experience!

Wow ladies, I'm impressed! I was hoping you might be able to help me out with an exercise/calorie question. I am just at the beginning of my research on lapband and the sleeve and will be going to the dr. in January. Although I have lots of weight to loose, I am dying to get back into shape where I can run and do bootcamp classes again. My question/concern is can you still maintain the amount of energy needed to workout intensely with such small calorie intakes? My previous trainer had me down to 1800 a day but I can't imagine working out like that with less calories. I would love any information you can give me from your personal experiences and knowledge that might help me to think through this particular concern. Thanks so much and keep up all of the great work!

Wow, how inspiring. And congratulations. I actually just joined this site today and am at the beginning stages of whether or not the sleeve is right for me. I will go to the doctor for my first visit in January. I noticed that you had Dr. Hoen. Is that in KC, MO? I live in KC and know of someone else that went to Dr. Hoen and was very pleased. I was just wondering if there was any advice you have for me and/or any information you can give me about your experiences with Dr. Hoen and the staff at his medical building? Thanks so much!