fattymcfatterson

This is tough. I will be 41 in june. I have been unable to conceive. Finally had REAL testing done and turns out I have had polyps. Well, my ob says at my age it is a very SLIM chance I would have a viable egg. If I could rewind, I would have FOUGHT harder to have a baby instead of just waiting. I listened to a doc 6 years ago who said "just lose weight and you will get prego". I have no bio children and am facing a hysterectomy if the cells in my uterus go from pre-cancer to cancer. Have you had fertility diagnostics done? I would ask your doc about a fertilization test. And maybe even an ultrasound to check the lining of your uterus and make sure there are no other factors. If the doc is not concerned about bp or anything, my heart tells you DO IT before it is to late. DON'T WAIT!!!! Learn when your fertile times are and get to it! You can continue on with the wls journey, and if you aren't prego by that time re-evaluate. If you get prego before then PRAISE GOD!!!! You can always get surgery later. BUt once your eggs are no longer viable your options are ivf with your husband's dna and some other women's eggs (not for me, I have step sons already) or adoption. GET TO WORK WOMAN!!!!!!!! And how is it your overweight if you are NOT eating?? Is there something underlying? Have you been tested for PCOS?

So I need to do the lovely 6 month physician supervised diet. I am trying to decide if I should just go through the surgeon's office, and make the 140 mile round trip drive every month, or find someone in my town. THis is what the insurance requirement states: Documentation of participation in and compliance with a physician led multidisciplinary non-surgical program of at least 6 consecutive months in duration within the past 3 years. This includes a low or very low calorie diet, supervised exercise, behavior modification, and support, with possible medication. Actual progress notes are required. Summary letters will not be accepted. I would assume the surgeon's goal is to get you mentally ready for the life change a sleeve requires, and meet your insurance requirements. I would love to hear feedback on the process and what you would do different if you could. Also, if anyone has specifically gone through Dr. Kim's program, what was it like? Although I am disappointed I have to do the 6 month thing, I am going to embrace it and not lose my zeal on getting sleeved. I need this!!! Thanks to everyone!!!!!!!!

I have UMR which is under the United Health Care umbrella (I don't understand it). I finally got answers from our HR dept since I hear multiple different things every time I call insurance. Here is the quoted part of mine " Documentation of participation in and compliance with a physician led multidisciplinary non-surgical program of at least 6 consecutive months in duration within the past 3 years. This includes a low or very low calorie diet, supervised exercise, behavior modification, and support, with possible medication. Actual progress notes are required. Summary letters will not be accepted. " I am bummed, but going to do it because I know I have not been able to do it myself the last 20 years! The surgeon i am using offers this in his office so I am going to go there (even though it is 70 miles one way, through Fort Worth traffic, blah). Of course, when I contacted insurance last summer about this they failed to let me know about it or I would have been DONE instead of 10 lbs fatter. I am walking through all this right now so I understand what you are feeling. Now that I am resolved that I have to do the diet i am just going to get it done and get my sleeve before the end of the year. I am curious though, if this "supervised diet" through the surgeon's office, is REALLY that, or if they just take you through the motions to help you meet the insurance requirements. I stretched my stomach after 13 years of Vegas cheap buffets and big meals, so I am usually a ravenous madwoman when I try 1200 calorie diets. And I am so addicted to caffeine for functioning right now I struggle with exercise. It is a vicious circle. I hope you are approved without it, but if you have to do it, we can do it together and keep each other focused on the prize. Keep us updated!!!!!!!!!

7 years ago I went to see an ob/gyn about not getting pregnant. She told me to lose 10% (22 lbs) of my body weight and I would probly get pregnant and that I probly had pcos. I have been gaining and losing the same 15 lbs for the past 7 years. This January: I go to another ob/gyn who actually says he will do diagnostics. Turns out I have had polyps for who knows how long AND pre-cancer of the uterus. I am almost 41 and it is a slim chance I will get pregnant. I have punished myself for 7 years, thinking it was my fat and my fat alone that prevented me from getting pregnant. NOt necessarily so. Who knows how different things could have been for me had I gone to this doctor first. But God is still good, and I am a blessed woman. I may not have bio kids but I have step sons I love and I am a pre-school teacher. Now my goal is to be here for a long time and be healthy. Moral of the story: If a doctor diagnoses you as FAT, go see another doctor and don't PUNISH yourself with buffets and chipotle burritoes.

I started looking at WLS last summer. I called my insurance repeatedly and NEVER did they say I would need to do a 6 mo supervised diet. Because of the "max out of pocket" on my insurance, I decided to wait until the beginning of the year so I could tend to a few other expenses with less out of pocket (infertility diagnostics). So, i spent most of January with my gyno and then went to meet with the surgeon for the sleeve on Feb 8. THinking I had all my ducks in a row based on the HOURS I spent on the phone with UMR/UHC (myinsurance), the surgeon's office contacts my insurance and they say I need to do the 6 month diet. Had I been told this by my insurance last summer, I would have done it. I NEEDED to have this all done by this summer due to my job. Has anyone ever been able to get around the 6 month diet requirement (besides self pay)? The only thing my insurance does easily is take the money from our paycheck! I spend HOURS communicating with them and following up on denied claims. Does anyone have wisdom or guidance?? Thank you! Crystal

I went and had my first consult with the surgeon I have picked yesterday. (Dr. David Kim, Fort Worth TX). I asked him about leaks and he said he has had 2 leaks out of 1500 sleeves over 6 years. He REALLY stresses the eating of liquids after and allowing your tummy to heal. He does the staples with sutures on the sleeves and staples on the incisions. He actually had some of the staples in a jar so you can see them and then stapled to this weird rubbery plastic stuff. They were very little and I got rough with them to see if they hurt in any way. They did not. Uhm, I had visions of the staples from a STAPLE GUN, hahaha, so it was nice to get my hands on them. I had previously met with another surgeon who PUSHED the lap band. NO WAY I WAS GETTING A LAP BAND!!! I have complete confidence in Dr. Kim and his record for the sleeve so I feel good about this. I think what I am trying to say is you may want to find the surgeon you can use who has done the most sleeves with the least amount of complications. I am still waiting to hear back on the 6 mo supervised diet. One day insurance tells me I don't need it but then someone says I do. Enjoy your journey!

hahaha I hear them too... I have not been sleeved so I am not sure. I think that is something I will really miss. But my drink of choice (dr. pepper) is no bueno for me so I will accept the lose for the benefits.. I will listen to the crickets with you while we wait for more answers...

ohhhhhh Helen!!! I would LOVE for my sinuses to get smaller too!!!! :woot:

I meet with Dr. David Kim in Fort Worth tomorrow. Last summer I had looked into weight loss surgery but they said sleeve was not covered by my insurance and I did NOT want the band! When I went in and found this out I was told 6 mo Dr. supervised weight loss attempt was required. I scrapped the idea. Well, now it is a new year, VSG IS covered on my insurance (although they don't call it vsg, they call it stomach stapling), at least I hope it is the same thing!! I am meeting my out of pocket max on my insurance ($2200) already due to some female diagnostic testing, so if I can get surgery this year I should not have anymore out of pocket and surgery will be covered 100%. I just got off the phone with my insurance company and asked the nice lady if "supervised diet" was listed anywhere as a requirement. She said it was not! I am soo curious to see what the surgeons office finds out!!! Does anyone know if "stomach stapling" means something else? Seems like a dumb question but we are dealing with insurance. I have my husband's full support and my employer's full support. I am almost 41 and my ob-gyn says I have a very slim chance at getting pregnant (I have never been prego). My bp is a big factor and I was diagnosed with precancerous cells in my uterus (doc offered hysterectomy as treatment). I would like to get vsg done, lose the weight, lower the bp and maybe a miracle will happen and I can have 1 baby. Most important thing is to not DIE from this weight or my uterus and be around for my husband and step-sons. I think I wrote at least 3 topics in this one post. I would love to hear any feedback and I will come back and post on here when I know more tomorrow. LOVE this forum!!!!!!!!! Crystal

SO because you brought up the diarrhea and pointed out how hard clean up was, I am going to let people know about this fantastic product we have used in our home for years. We will NEVER be without it... the "bidanit". It is a "bidet" that you attach to your toilet. Just google it and the website will come up. Best $29.95 i ever spent. I pray your next week is even better then your first week and thank you SOO much for sharing.

WOW.

I have not been sleeved yet, but tonight as I was eating my dinner i was thinking... "MMMMM this _________ is so good." "OMG, if I get this done will I not be able to enjoy this ________ ever again?" "Maybe I can just eat this part of it, and be ok." "Wait, maybe my new stomach will reject it and my tasebuds will freak out." (I tend to eat very acidic foods which is not good for me). Then, the reality for me sets in: If I die of high bp complications or diabetes, I won't get to eat ________ either! Or be there for my husband, or be there for my stepsons... Would I give up the next 40 years of eating _______ and drinking DP to have a biological child before my time expires? YES! I am 40.5 years old and 100 lbs overweight. My uterus "best if used by" date is quickly approaching. All this stuff I am addicted to and enjoy, is that which is slowly killing me!!! I feel the drastic change I am deciding to make is better then the drastic consequences of not getting my bp/pre-diabetes/cholesterol under control after 20 years of failing at every diet and putting the weight right back on. "Food" has been the "friend" that has slowly but surely been killing me for the last 20 years and I am ready to put it in it's place. Which is NOT in my ARTERIES or on my a$$. SO although I can not speak from the sleeved side, I can speak from the side of carbs/lasagna = DEATH for me. I am trying to get my thought process changed before "divorce court" and begin my separtion now.

Love it love it love it!!! He is an awesome Daddy isn't He!!!!!!!!!

Gayle: 120 lbs: INSPIRATIONAL!!! I am not sleeved yet so I am basing this on all my other "weight loss knowledge". Isn't it possible that although the scale is not changing, you could be building some muscle and therefore not seeing the "loss"? I would take your measurements. I have heard of people losing inches, LOTS OF INCHES and the scale not changing. I would measure, and start fresh. Don't let your PERCEIVED "lack of loss" mess with you when you very well could be losing inches. If you want to add something to your exercise that tones and shows in inches, check out www.ttapp.com . You have done AMAZING! Celebrate your victory and get a fresh outlook on your journey. 120 lbs in 10 months?!?!?!?! Right now, you are my hero!!!!! Breath, take a little break from the stress and start fresh. H-E-R-O!!!!!!!!!

Is throwing up blood normal? I am not sleeved but this is the first I have read about that!! hope you are feeling better...

I will just be starting the whole process myself. I have United Healthcare pro also. I will be praying for you and would love to hear how things go.

Melissa- Who was your surgeon? 2 day pre op diet???? That sounds good!!!!! I Am looking at James Davidson in Dallas...

I would call your doctor... Mine had me on 2000 per day.. But if I had to actually go somewhere where I could not freely get to a bathroom QUICKLY, I didn't take it. Sounds like you are monitoring your levels with a blood glucose thingee so i would do that after you eat each time, and see if anything you are eating is causing an increase. I am no pro, but that is what I would do.. Maybe add another 30 minutes of exercise into your day and more water. I would also make sure you are spreading out the met throughout the day. I can't WAIT till i don't have to take that stuff with those awful side effects! Please let us know how it is going for you!!

I have a meeting at the office on Monday with Dr. Craig Ferrera of Fort Worth. I also have a meeting on Thursday with Dr. Wade Barker in Dallas. WHat is the best advice you can give me on making a decision? They are both in network and work with my insurance. Dr. Ferrera is only 45 minutes away from my house compared to 1.5 hours with Dr. Barker! DO they let you know your out of pocket expenses at your consultation? That of course would make a difference... And what about the anesthesiologist? Is there a way to make sure you get one who is in your network? I have NEVER had any type of surgery before so I have no idea how this works. But I do know I do not want a big BILL that could have been avoided if I did more research. I have also read that Dr. Barker's office is slightly unorganized and plan on being there a long time. That is not encouraging.. But, if it is because he is the bast, I have to consider that. I have questions for both of them, but if any of you have any questions you had wished you asked before making your surgeon decision, please let me know!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi StacyS! I have not even been sleeved yet, so I can't totally relate to how your feeling... But when I do get there, I will think upon these things: The positive of a stall or slower weight loss is working on the elasticity of the skin to prevent super sagging. check out this story: http://t-tapp.com/su...llep/index.html I have not done alot of research on what to do for sagging skin but I am familiar with skin brushing.. There may be some creams out there that can help too.. I would also think that our bodies are going through an adjustment.. I Have heard that during my dieting adventures and have seen my body reset to its new weight. Once your body sees that you are consistently giving it those 900 calories per day it may loosen up. I would think that initial loss the body was like "oh yeah, I don't need this", but then it may be like "wait a minute, am I gonna have enough?" Our bodies were created to survive so let your body know it's ok, I am going to take better care of you now... (I think that is more for you to hear then your body ) You will be ok... MInd your stress also... If you are stressing about not losing weight you could be assisting in the weight hanging on.. Breath, relax, and let your body catch up to your goals! I look forward to seeing your success in the next 6 months!!!!

How exciting for you!!! Congrats!! I am also curious as to the "best" protein powders... I will be watching for answers with you!!!!!

drain tube? This is the first i have heard of a drain tube... Can someone give me a briex explanation, please????

Congrats PENPEN!!! Who is your Doc? I see you are in the DFW area, me too!! I have my first meeting with Dr. Wade Barker on Thursday JUne 9. I also have UHC choice plus (something, the most expensive one!!) They say I am covered at 90% and my BMI is 41.4. I am curious if I am going to have hoops to jump through! Maybe I will be right behind you! I live south of fort worth, where are you? I am very happy for you!!

Libbe, I enjoyed your vlog... Gonna try it too!! If not just to talk out loud about this stuff!!! Everyone else, thanks for the responses!! I am curious if I can avoid Protein powder!! That would make me very happy!! Debby01, check out this link http://t-tapp.com/success/michellep/index.html It shows a great story on the brushing and you can learn more on the website!! Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone! I turn 40 in 1 week and I have been over 200 lbs on a 5 ft 1 frame for over 15 years! I am currently 219 and my highest was 230. I have tried many diets and can never stick to them because they always leave me feeling hungry. I recently called my insurance company and asked them how they can help me since we pay them soo much money every year. My option: Weight loss surgery covered at 90%! I had never considered weight loss surgery but after 15 years of struggling, I think it is time. I told my husband that I never wanted to face my 40th (39th, 38th, 37th etc) birthday still fat! It would be nice to actually take a picture I did not want to burn (hah, or delete or photohop). 15 of my 40 years fat... And I have never been able to get pregnant. So, I thought if I can't have any biological children, then I might as well do something for me to help get thin and be HEALTHY for my stepsons and husband. So he gave me the ok to research it. At one point I thought "Maybe I can have a bypass of the mind and just eat small portions and fight the hunger." hahaha NOT. I did not have an issue in eating the small amounts, mentally, but physically I was a ravenous beast!!!! I can lose weight at 1200 calories per day, I just can't stand the ravenous hunger. I am hoping if I get sleeved then the ravenous will disappear. I kind of like the idea of slow weight loss. I do not plan on telling everyone what I am doing so slow loss won't be as obvious that I did something drastic. I also want to try dry brushing of the skin to help with elasticity. I have seen AMAZING photos of skin brushing success!! I have a consult with Dr Wade Barker in Dallas TX next week. I do have a few questions I would like to ask some experienced sleevers... * I like to make a "taco soup" in my blender.. It is tomatoes, carrots, cilanto, taco seasoning, sharp cheddar cheese, Water and chicken bouillon blended together. SCRUMPTIOUS... Is this the kind of stuff you can eat after the clear liquid broth stage? We love creamed Soups and it is a great way to get flavor... I bet i could add some Protein powder int hat too.. a small amount (gag) * Can you add Protein Powder to fruit smoothies? I have a fruit smoothie mix I like to buy from costco. It is perfect. And if i can add some protein powder (gag) to it I might just make it. It is fresh fruit with some frozen yogurt in it (Jamba juice Razmatazz in 8 oz servings with 4ozs of juice added) mmmm... * The thought of staples, little metal titanium staples in my body kinda freaks me out. uhm, do you feel them in there??? I know, it is probly a laughable question but it is something I just need to ask!!! I have this vision of a poking sensation or rust.. (hahaha I know.. I just have to ask!!) * I have watched a few youtube videos of the surgery and when they start pulling out the excess stomach I gasp and say OMG everytime. I wonder what size beast I have in my belly! Is anyone willing to share how much excess stomach they had excised??? I hope this is not too personal of a question. And if it is a sleeve "faux pas" please forgive me!!!! If I get this done I am going to ask the doctor to take pics for me.... And my insurance is through United Health Care plus choice. SO if anyone has any experience with this please let me know what I have to look forward to. Thank you so much for reading this and I appreciate your responses.. Hopefully I will become a part of the sleeved family! Crystal AKA Fatty Mcfatterson