newnatalie

I have Aetna and they were very strict about my doctor visits. I had to see my PCP every 30 days. It could not be one day over 30 days or I had to start over! Honestly, my surgeon had to create a doctor's visit because I went more than 30 days once. During the 90 days, your doctor is suppose to put you on a diet. How strict the doctor is, depends on the doctor. My surgeon provided me with a form for my PCP to fill out each time I visited. It asks for my weight, blood pressure, a description of diet plan, exercise I was doing, and any other notes the doctor wanted to make. This was helpful, because I was able to personally take this documentation back to my surgeon to submit to the insurance company. My PCP was not strict about my diet. I gained weight the first 30 days and maybe only lost 5 pounds in the next 2 months. This had no bearing on my approval. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Hi Marilyn, First of all, thanks for being courageous enough to seek help and ask for prayer. Since you are a Christian, let's begin with the Word of God which states in Psalms 118:17 that "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD." You need to declare this word over your life everyday! Literally wake up and say out of your mouth "I WILL LIVE AND NOT DIE, AND DECLARE THE WORKS OF THE LORD." Secondly, we will be praying that God opens a door for you to receive the surgery you desire. In the mean time. Be encouraged! You are not alone. There are many people on this forum who understand what you're going through. I had to learn that the weight may affect my emotions, but it does not define who I am! You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14)! I will be checking on you. Keep us posted and remember to speak God's word over your life daily. It has power! Min. Natalie

I was sleeved on November 301, 2010. I think we must remember that this is not a race, but a journey. Trust me, I know it is frustrating when the scale does not move, but in time, WE will lose the weight. Keep in mind that even when you don't lose weight, you may be losing inches. The positive side is that, you are not GAINING weight! Be encouraged! You are getting some great advice. Let's keep supporting one another on this journey! Smoochies, NewNatalie

@ProlificT - Girl my new name is BeNatlay. I told Beyonce' she better watch out! My kids are scheduled for their annual birthday photo shoot the end of January. I think I may get in a few shots! EXCITED! @K8walsh - Thanks for sharing your list. I have to agree with you on the restaurant booth. It's no fun when my boobs are sitting on the table! I shared my list with my family and friends. Many of them were truly shocked at some of my desires. It was interesting to see their reaction. @jollyj - What is your doctor saying? I am 5 weeks post-op and still losing like crazy. Even when I think I've gained, I will have lost. I wish a speedy road back to "loseland" Keep me posted ...

HAPPY YOU YEAR! On December 31, many people resolved to lie to themselves about what they would do or stop doing. Don't get me wrong, when we make resolutions we have great intentions, but LIFE HAPPENS and honestly, we often lack the discipline to accomplish the goals we set before ourselves. So as the clock ticked forward at 11:59:59 pm on December 31, 2010, I simply decided that 2011 would be the year that I take care of me! Having the sleeve was just the first step in a series of "Me Moments". I'm not talking anything extravagant, just small moments of celebrating who I am and where I'm headed. Although I don't tell myself as often as I should, I am pretty darn great! I take care of my husband, two kids, a dog, own 2 businesses, teach college online, work diligently for my church, counsel numerous family and friends, AND THE LIST GOES ON. Now it's time for everyone to step back, just a tad, and allow me to shine! So to you I say "Happy YOU Year"! If you never lose another pound, you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14)! Make 2011 the year YOU invest in YOUR joy, peace, and happiness. You've done it for others ... now it's time to do it for yourself!

What I love about this site is when you have a day like you're having today, you can count on people who understand to come to the rescue. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU! We have all had one or more of the days you speak of. The blessing is that the good days will far outweigh the bad very soon! You received some great advice. Be encouraged and will laugh about this day a few weeks from now!

Surely, he was playing. I hate to say it, but men say some of the dumbest things! I am sure he meant no harm! In a crazy sorta way, he was saying you look great!

Calling all Houston Sleevers! I am serious about this Support Group. I think I may take the lead on this one. Look for information on the first meeting date and location next week. I am going to attempt a central location, which is going to be hard since we are all coming from different directions. Hopefully we will get enough participants to move it around the city, making it convenient for everyone at some point. We need to support one another on this journey! Let the planning begin ...

This is great! I was sleeved on Nov. 30 and have lost 28 pounds in about 4 weeks! I go to the doctor this week and hope he releases me to exercise. I only hope I love it as much as you. My family is also in awe at how little I eat. It is amazing how fast you get full and one bite too much will put you in a miserable state. I learned that the hard way. Congrats and I am sure love will find you soon! Happy New Year!

I am loving the restaurant.com site! Thanks for sharing!

Rhonda, I also had my gall bladder removed the day of surgery. I typically have a bowel movemnet within an our of every meal. I noticed this week (I am 4 weeks post-op) that I actually skipped a few. So, I guess it gets better, but I understand this is typical with gall bladder removal. I think I rather go than be constipated : )

I also had my gall bladder removed during my sleeve surgery. I was actually glad we killed 2 birds with one stone! I understand that many people have to have their gall bladder removed after losing a significant amount of weight anyway. I doubt that having your gall bladder out will make you gain weight with the sleeve. It's a pretty powerful tool.

You look awesome! This is such an amazing journey!

Hi BrownBear, My blood pressure was extremely high post-op (175/100)! I do not take blood pressure meds of any kind. They kept me in the hospital an extra day to get it under control. The doctor believes it was due to the anasthesia. It has since regulated and I have had no problems. I am 4 weeks post-op. I hope you are feeling better. Blood pressure is serious! Take Care!

VERY HANDSOME!

VERY HANDSOME!

Hi Ozzy, I have a PPO with Aetna. I paid a $500 co-pay for the surgery. This was only because I had to stay in the hospital overnight, otherwise it would have been $250. I also paid $250 co-pay for my upper endoscopy. This is because it was done in a hospital. All my other labs and test were covered 100%. Your plan may be different. It really helped me to call and talk the insurance company myself and not take the doctor's staff information at face value. I knew exactly what to expect! I wish you the best!

Ladies, I just want to let you know that my period is still here and I am still passing huge blood clots. This is day 6. I think I should call my doctor tomorrow. What I am seeing is really scary! I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the encouragement and words of wisdom.

Thanks for the info. I am going to order the Sampler!

I was afraid to use a straw, because I was told to stay away! BUT I have better results with the straw than without. My mom says I don't know how to sip! The straw allows me to control the flow of the liquid! I guess it really is personal.

I live in Houston and had heard about Paul Wall. This was a great article. Thanks for sharing! There are pics of him on www.mediatakeout.com.

Thanks ladies! It's good to know I am not alone! I was really worried. I guess my hormones are in major shock! Thank you for soothing my fears.

@Tijuana- Can't wait to see the bikini pics! @Robin - WOW! Thanks for posting your lists! I have laughed and cried. making the list was therapeutic for me. Seems like it may have helped you as well. @MU DOG - Thanks for the encouragement!

Okay Ladies, I am freaking out slightly. Today is my 3 week surgerversary. About 3 days post-op, I started my period. It wasn't fun, but what could I do? It lasted about 5 days. On yesterday, I started feeling cramps in my stomach, only to go to the bathroom and see that I was bleeding again! It has not been 20 days, let alone 28 days. Today, I am passing huge blood clots. I have been to the bathroom at least 6 times in the past hour because I can feel them trying to pass. My periods were very irregular pre-surgery. Should I be concerned or is this just my body responding to the weight loss? Thanks for your help!

It's funny you ask this. This week, I posted a blog on this site of the Top 10 things I am looking forward to as the Fat Fades. Here it is: TOP 10 LIST 10. Flying on a plane without a seatbelt extension or being horribly uncomfortable! 9. Buying matching bras and panties. It is really hard to find good supportive bras in my size that are pretty and have panties to match. 8. People to stop saying ”You are sooo pretty” with an unspoken “but” at the end. They really want to say: “You are so pretty, BUT if you would lose some weight you would be much prettier!” 7. Going to the doctor and not having to hear how if I don’t lose weight I will basically contract every disease known to man! 6. Buying a LBD (Little Black Dress). I have plenty of black dresses, but none of them are little. 5. Rock a short hair cut! I know people say hair adds pounds, but for me it is security. Once I am smaller, I would love to sport a jazzy short-do! 4. RUNNING! I don’t want to jog, walk briskly, or trot. I want to run! Feel the wind in my hair, sweat pouring down … RUN. 3. Shopping in the regular store! I honestly don’t mind plus-size fashion, but I just want to HAVE to shop in the Big Girl store. 2. LONG LIFE – I am only 36. I want to live to see my kids get married, my grandkids, and even my great-grandkids. If I die, I don’t want fat to be the foe. 1. Taking a family photo. This is a very emotional #1. My sons are 5 and 6. THEY take a lot of pictures, but WE have never taken a family photo because I refused to take one fat!. Every year, I vow to lose weight and of course it never happened, so my family has never taken pictures. I cannot wait for this day!