former_vbg

I can't find the thread, where is it? Can you have it pinned?

It sounds like you have made really good progress your first month. Remember that stalls are quite common as you transition from liquids to mushies to solids. Your body is adjusting to the major change you just went through. You will want to start exercising as soon as your Dr. permits it, and this will often help stalls, but just remember stalls are a normal part of the process for most everyone. I never counted calories and never intend to. I strictly pay attention to my carbs, hidden carbs like sauces in meats, or salad dressings, etc... I'm sure you aren't doing anything wrong. Just stay the path and start some exercise when you can.

WAY TO GO!!!

That is INCREDIBLE!! Congratulations! You have to be so excited right now! How do you feel?

I'm so sorry to hear about your father passing away. It's difficult to stay on track sometimes when "life" throws us these curve balls. I actually have put on 8# just in the past 5 days of water retention because of a complication from a blood clot I had almost 4 months ago. Talk about frustrating! It really can mess with your head, but I know I just need to stay focused. Celebrate your success and just keep moving forward!

That's still excellent progress! Way to go!! [quote name=georgia728' timestamp='1341405626' post='394734] Well the time is here I didn't get down to my second goal but I almost made my first missed it by a pound starting 283 now 258 :-) Sent from my iPhone using VST

I applaud you even doing a challenge being pre-sleeve, not many folks do that. Here's to you welcoming you to the other side.... "the losers bench". Keep us posted once you are up to it after surgery! Good luck!

Great job in your explanation. The only other thing for her just to be aware of- not that she should delay in the insurance process, but with July around the corner, if she is required to do the 6 mth supervised diet, she may want to do what she can to incur most of her costs in 2013 so she can avoid paying out lots of $ towards her deductible and co-insurance in 2012 and then turn around w/her surgery and get hit again in 2013. Finding out what her insurance requirements are will determine whether this will likely be an issue or not.

I wasn't a self-pay, but it was my understanding that the all inclusive fee typically ALSO accounts for what the Dr. has to pay to rent the surgical room and the 1 or 2 nights you stay in the hospital. If not, then I would think that would be a separate fee because the hospital has to get something (anisthesiologist, nursing staff, meds, etc).... Where they pay the hospital out of that one time fee... Am I wrong?

You didn't ask about this, but it will likely be next on your list regardless of whether you go the insurance route or self-pay, but RESEARCH YOUR DOCTOR. Ask the tough questions, don't be afraid to do so- it is YOUR LIFE. Ask what their complication rate is, look up on the State Medical boards to see what/ if any complaints have been filed against them. Google their name, see what comes up. None of that is full proof that you have a good Dr., so when possible try to find and talk to past actual patients whether its at a support group or online. Also, understand the details of the surgery- not just that your stomach is being cut out, but find out what size bougie your Dr. uses, and using your research decide if that is the size you want. My surgeon used a size 30 bougie. That is the tool they use to size your new stomach. The actual physical size differences between a 30 and a 40 a fairly nominal, HOWEVER, there are some schools of thought that when you start out w/a slightly larger cut stomach, that the stretching that eventually does occur is moreso than w/a smaller bougie. I'm not sure there is a definitive answer on that, but it was something that was important to me. Some surgeons say they don't want to go smaller than "X" size bougie because they think it increases the chances for complications. Like some surgeons think it can create the hour glass syndrome in your stomach which would be like taking a balloon and squeezing it in the middle and preventing anything getting through the middle. A lot of that is technique. Do they sew over the bougie, do they sew outsize the bougie? Do they use staples? Will you have drainage tubes? Much of this is unique to the surgeon. The more you read and read and read, and do your research, you will find that while there are many similarities across the board, the individual technique by each surgeon is often slightly different. I spent 3 solid months reading and researching the different Weight Loss surgeries before I started the insurance process. Fortunately, I didn't have to do the supervised diet and only had to start liquids 12 hrs before surgery. And, of course, we here will all answer whatever questions we can to help you along the way! Good luck!!

I don't know what the percentage is of doctors who accept payments, but I would be surprised to find it that high. They run a high risk of patients defaulting, i.e. not getting paid for their services plus them paying for the hospital costs. I would venture to say most doctors want to be paid up front. There are various companies out there that specialize in medical loans if you decided to go that route. Or, you could take a loan from your 401K (just check to see what your plan rules are if you left your job). Some 401k plans, you have to pay a loan back w/in 60 days of leaving the company. My company lets you continue making payments even after you leave the employer. Each plan is going to be different. Honestly, if you have insurance, I wouldn't be spending my time worrying about self-pay. Take this time and call your insurance company and get the ball rolling there.

You can do it! Just keep some fluids to drink with you as much as possible. Do your best to avoid group lunches or situations where food is just "there" for the grabbing. You will be on the loosers bench soon!

You pay ENTIRELY out of your own pocket. Doctors will give self-pay patients a better rate because they don't have to go through all the paperwork and red tape. Most often you can skip the 6 month supervised diets, gathering of years of weight history, etc. Your doctor will still probably have you do some routine tests like an endoscopy, bloodwork and some other things but not NEARLY as extensive as if you have to jump through all of the hoops and hurdles of getting approved through the ins. company.

All good feedback for you so far, but something else I want to add on cost is that if you go through an approved Dr. in YOUR insurance network, those doctors will have a contracted rate of pay. But, as you seem to already understand there are other things involved in terms of cost. There will be the anisthesiologist, hospital bill, meds, etc. As suggested to you, find an hour sometime to call your insurance company where you can have a list of questions for that rep, document who you spoke to, date, time, etc. Find out what your max out of pocket deductibles are, etc... Each insurance plan is going to have their own requirements as already suggested and be sure you request documentation on exactly what that is. I do NOT suggest relying on any doctor's office because more often than not it will cause you issues with *something* getting missed. You MUST be your own advocate throughout this entire process. This includes the process of getting the surgery. Congratulations on moving forward to a healthier you!

Well, don't feel too bad. I had a similar thing happen to me this past week. I reached my 4th of July goal which put me within 10# of my final goal. I decided to just take a little mini break from being so focused and *poof* I gained 5#. I didn't really overdo it either, ate out a couple of times with friends and didn't eat anything all that bad, ate my Proteins but it was probably the sauces at the Mongolian BBQ that did it mostly. I worry too about regain once I hit my final goal!! Back to the gym for me and back on plan!!!

That's awesome, way to go!!

Congratulations! I had similar experiences too! Thrift stores are your friend!!!

You look FABULOUS! I have way too much loose skin in the abdomen area to ever consider a bikini these days. I have recently started some weight training, but it's gonna take a knife and a skilled surgeon to really make it possible to ever wear a two piece. You should be really proud of yourself!

I think the suggestions given to the OP (original poster) on this thread are some things you might want to consider for yourself. Look at what your meal plans are like. Stick to those and cut out the Snacks. If you must have a snack, make them healthy. Start walking if exercise is difficult for you, start with whatever amount you can handle and continue to add to it each week. Set goals mini and longer goals for yourself. There are weight loss challenges going on all the time. Go to the General Sleeve Discussion category. We are just finishing up the 4th of July challenge. I personally find this very helpful. It's totally voluntary, but most people post once a week their progress. Kind of a way to help us be accountable for our weight loss. Hope this helps.

I'm ALL for bluntness when the need arises, but saying someone isn't ready for surgery just because they are struggling w/the pre-op diet is just not fair. I don't hear him saying he isn't following it, but that the occasional cheating is really difficult. That is WHY we have this surgery, to have a tool to HELP us with our will power. I am confident he will do just fine.

You are absolutely right in everything you said. I say that as someone who JUST in the past couple months is able to say I can wear size 4 slacks and size 5/6 jeans and let me tell you- it is absolutely freakin FABULOUS!!! That moment when you realize that you need yet another smaller size and you question in your head, "how can that be...?" and then try that smaller size in the dressing room and you want to throw a party bigger than New Years Eve right then and there, shouting from the roof tops that YOU MADE IT!!! I say this, because that WAS ME!! Unfortunately, I was shopping alone as I usually do, but it was still great! And, you know what, I did call friends and they celebrated right with me!!! Everyone will have their own goals, but I sincerely believe it is ok to want the things you mentioned. Being able to slip into tight spaces because you are so petite. That sliding past crowded seats to sit next to the empty window seat won't bring sighs of despair from those you have to glide past, but rather maybe a few glances at your slimming figure! You go for it! Enjoy it and CELEBRATE IT!!!

WOW! How very cool, a bison farm!!! I live just down the road from a bison farm. Going to PM you because I've thought about going down there to buy some meat from them but wasn't sure what it would taste like- have heard different things.

I made my 4th of July goal last Wednesday and decided to give myself a little break. Thursday was my 1 year surgiversary and so just kind celebrating the new me! I'm going to continue on towards my final goal of 120#, so just 10# more to go. Then it will be maintenance here I come!!! Exciting but a little nervous at the same time.

Congratulations! 156# is outstanding! I know what you mean about buying more clothes and such. As part of my reward last Thursday for my surgiversary, I too went shopping and just tried on jeans for the heck of it. I just can't get over looking at myself in the mirror in skinny jeans. I just wish I could have that loose skin gone, but it's all good. Compression garments are my friend these days. LOL

In a year, your life WILL be different! Congratulations on starting your journey to a new you! I was like you when I found this site, I became addicted to reading everyone's posts. I wanted to read everything, good, bad, indifferent. I couldn't get enough until I had really made the decision which surgery I was going to have. Welcome to the board!