shellyshellybyebyebelly

I used the Muscle Milk Light- Especially the "Cafe latte". The best part for me was that there is caffeine- I use it at Breakfast ill have one cup of coffee then i have the Cafe latte- I used to drink almost a pot of coffee- I was worried about caffeine withdrawal so I cut down slowly and this works for me. Sometimes I get a shot of espresso and mix ice, the shake and the shot- It is like a frappucinno!

Anyway I also really like the Atkins too- strawberry-

I bough mostly Ready to Drink- I kept a couple in the freezer - if I was going out for the day I could grab one so I would have it when I was hungry and by then it would defrost but stay cold.

I have also used the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury unflavored - not bad- just put a scoop in a glass of milk, or mixed with a carnation instant breakfast (sugar fee) and milk.

I was genuinly shocked how much easier the liquid diet was then I expected- I will be honest I took dexatrim appetite suppressant the first 3 days but on the 4th day I forgot and realized I wasn't as hungry as I thought- I just missed "chewing" and grazing all day (which is why I need the band...)

I just got my band Nov 22nd- I am at the "mushies" stage but aside from cream of wheat and mashed pots I dont really like many mushies so I still use the MMLs.

So far I have lost 32lbs (since the 1st doctor visit

Anyway good luck to you!

Wow I am having my surgery Tuesday too!! We should stay in touch and compare notes!! I am a little nervous too but I am excited- I just hope I made the right choice of procedure- Sometimes I get worried I am too overweight for this- Maybe I should have gone with the bypass- but I am not starting over now! Plus - honestly this pre-op liquid hell has given me the assurance that I can completely change my eating habits and follow the guidelines needed- I am so surprised how strictly I have stayed on tract with this diet!

I really want to get my exercise game on- that is my next step

Anyway- Good luck Tuesday and keep in Touch!

Hi All, I am just in the beginning stages of this world. And while contemplating the pros and cons of this life changing procedure....one thing I am so curious about... All of us that will be or have taken the step to have this procedure are doing so because we have been unsuccessful with dieting in the past. But when I read the posts on here of all the veterans, you all sound llike health nuts! I am wondering what changes in you that gives you the willpower that you never had before? And the disclipine that it takes to keep it up. I know some of you may say that it is the benefits of feeling better or looking better...but why didn't that keep you sticking to it in the past? Please be patient with me and help me understand.

I am glad you asked that! I have been wondering the same thing without really understadning what I was thinking- I guess my concern is that I have always failed at "diets"- I know the band is just a tool-I am starting to get nervous that I will still fail- I mean I am a grazer...I ALWAYS feel hungry (or at least like I want to eat...not the same thing I know)- I am trying to get my mind frame ready for the liquid diet- I am reading Siddhartha and trying to think of it as a fast/cleansing before a new beginning- All the while I am also wondering if I will even be able to make it a single day through the liquid preop?? If I can't does that mean I will fail post-op? Is that the litmus test? I know it is hard to understand how I will feel post-op but i am really wondering if I will have the will power that I have never had in the past- I just know it is my best chance...Did anyone else have all this self duobt? Please share

If you are looking for a way to get rid of that Yankees gear, as a Sox fan, I'm sure I could find a use for it. Burning that in my fireplace would keep me warm for hours

Kidding of course!! CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss.

[/quote

Go Sox lol

Wow... $2000 is a lot for a deductible. The thing about insurance is that they will not pay for a procedure until the deductible is met n paid in full. So 99% of doctors will require you to pay the deductible upfront. Are you sure the deductible is $2000 and that's not the amount of your yearly out of pocket amount? Just wondering, because that's quite a bit... My procedure was done in a regular hospital as well and is considered an outpatient procedure. My insurance deductible for outpatient surgery was only $50. Regular surgery would have still only been a $300 deductible. My yearly out of pocket amount is $2000. So my insurance pays 90% and even if my portion was say $2500, I would still only have to pay $2000. Now say I had other things done in the same year and say I had already spent $600 for the year, then my out of pocket for the surgery would only be $1400 because my maximum is the $2000. So the week before surgery, I put down a nice amount, but technically all I had to pay was $50. You are really not required to pay anything on your surgery until they bill insurance and you get you statement in the mail explaining what portion you owe. Deductibles are the only thing required before the procedure but some doctors still want you to put some money down towards the final payment as well. Hope this helps but I would definitely find out what they are going to require of you but I believe if you do not have at least the deductible, they might make you reschedule until you can pay it.

Hope everything works out... Good luck to you...

I know it is huge- my Copays are relatively small- (30,50 etc)but my copays don't count to the deductible- believe it or not the total out of pocket is $4000! And I pay $70 a week for it! I am going to call the hospital and just bite the bullet so I am not stresing it! Thanks

I would calll both the surgeon and hospital. Someone will want money and could cancel your surgery if you are unable to pay it. I would expect to have to pay half of it before surgery.

Better to communicate preop before you arrive at the hospital. I used to work in a hospital and this was standard policy ten years ago. I can't imagine that they have loosened their requiremets.

But communication with the business offices is critical. They will work with you and usually set up a payment plan. But do not ever be late. I hope this helps. I just do not want you to be in

admtting and a clerk asking you for money and you not having it. It can be embarassing for both the clerk and you and can delay the OR, which is frowned upon harshly. All the best to you in your journey

to good health.

Melinda

Yes I think I will call the hospital finance dept- My surgeon told me "they will bill you" bu I do not think he knows much about insurance lol- I was reading online about MA and deductibles - It said something about allowing hospitals to require 20% down but who knows if I am reading it right- I am just going to call the hospital directly-I hope the payment plan is not based on my credit since that is not good...Thanks for the advice- Monday morning I am just gonna make the calls- I have just been avoiding it because I am afraid of bad news!

THanks

Michelle

My deductible is $2000- Noone has mentioned it- I am wondering if I will need a check that morning or if I will get a bill from the hospital? My surgeon uses a hospital not day surgery center so I am kinda hoping they just send me a bill after and I can work out a plan...

My deductible is $2000- Noone has mentioned it- I am wondering if I will need a check that morning or if I will get a bill from the hospital? My surgeon uses a hospital not day surgery center so I am kinda hoping they just send me a bill after and I can work out a plan...