BenisaMartim4

Like I said, it is always the ins. fault when you talk to the Dr. office and the Dr. fault when you talk to the ins. Everyone want to pass the buck to someone else.
My husband works at the new Toyota plant in Blue Springs. I was the first bariatric case Tupelo had had from there. They blamed all the trouble on trying to learn the ins and outs of the new company/ins. It was an utter nightmare. All I have to say is, you better know your ins. benefits like the back of your hand. Have copies of it, names and numbers of people you speak with at the ins., dates that you make calls and submit papers. I can't tell you how many times I had to have the ins. company call the Dr. office and say, "YES we do cover that" or "NO we do not require that." I had a round about the center of excellence, weight management visits, deductible. I was put on a hold status with the ins. because of unreceived/lost paper work. Then after I got all of that fixed (I did ALL of the leg work MYSELF) and resubmitted, I still was denied. After deeper inspection, I found it was because there were still some papers missing. I ended up submitting documents from; A former PCP, current PCP, chiropractor, cardiology, GI, bariatric and phycologist before they had everything that they wanted. I went door to door and talked to each one of them and collected the info myself. When you give it to the ins. coordinator, make them make copies. Keep everything! You may just need them again if they end up MIA like mine did. And keep everything showing where you have paid anything. I had to pay the bariatric clinic my $750 out of pocket up front before they would schedule my surgery. That is my max out of pocket. The thing about that is, they took my money, but didn't yet have a claim to file. So other claims were coming through my insurance and being only paid in part. When I told the ins. What was going on, they said they had no right to that money until the day of the surgery. I had to have the ins. Call and demand a refund to pay the other bills that came through first. The bariatric clinic was going to be paid 100% because of the order their claim was filed in. It has just been an utter nightmare and I'm still not sure it is completely over. You just have to be prepared to kick and scream and get down right mean if you have to. This is your health. To all of them, you are just another face and another dollar.

Hey girls. If nothing happens, I'll be sleeved in Tupelo by dr. Terry Pinson at NMMC on Dec. 6. I live in Booneville, just south of Corinth.

WooHoo!! Congrats on breaking out of stall prison. Hope you can make a full on run for Onederland now.
Run, Mini Run! :0D

I have heard a lot of folks talking about the nectar, so I thought I would try it. I googled it up and this is the special that I found. It is currently on a 1-2 week back order, but usually ships in 2-3 days. I went ahead and ordered it because it is a larger variety, for a much cheaper price and free shipping. I have not found this deal anywhere else. Here is the info if you would like to try it also:
The number is 1-866-333-7403 ext 803. Just ask for the Nectar sample kit. You get 14 variety packets (one of every flavor) for $14.00 (no shipping!) It is worth a try at that price; especially if you are like me and hate the shakes and are not being able to catch on to eating again either. Good luck! Oh, BTW, she also told me that you can find them on Facebook. That is where they advertise their sales and specials: Syntrax official.

I have heard a lot of folks talking about the nectar, so I thought I would try it. I googled it up and this is the special that I found. It is currently on a 1-2 week back order, but usually ships in 2-3 days. I went ahead and ordered it because it is a larger variety, for a much cheaper price and free shipping. I have not found this deal anywhere else. Here is the info if you would like to try it also:
The number is 1-866-333-7403 ext 803. Just ask for the Nectar sample kit. You get 14 variety packets (one of every flavor) for $14.00 (no shipping!) It is worth a try at that price; especially if you are like me and hate the shakes and are not being able to catch on to eating again either. Good luck! Oh, BTW, she also told me that you can find them on Facebook. That is where they advertise their sales and specials: Syntrax official.

I have heard a lot of folks talking about the nectar, so I thought I would try it. I googled it up and this is the special that I found. It is currently on a 1-2 week back order, but usually ships in 2-3 days. I went ahead and ordered it because it is a larger variety, for a much cheaper price and free shipping. I have not found this deal anywhere else. Here is the info if you would like to try it also:
The number is 1-866-333-7403 ext 803. Just ask for the Nectar sample kit. You get 14 variety packets (one of every flavor) for $14.00 (no shipping!) It is worth a try at that price; especially if you are like me and hate the shakes and are not being able to catch on to eating again either. Good luck! Oh, BTW, she also told me that you can find them on Facebook. That is where they advertise their sales and specials: Syntrax official.

I agree with gman. Also, it could be the extra estrogen too. A lot of that is dumped into the body (of both males and females) as fat melts. It's kind of like going through puberty all over again... Sweaty, zitty, and umm, excuse the expression, horny. Yep, that kinda covers it.
Sent from my iPhone using VST

I have not had my sleeve yet, but I have had two laproscopic surgeries and a c-section and I found that a body pillow was WONDERFUL! It allows even support of the whole body while in the side lying position. It can also be pulled tight to the body with both the arms and legs for those painful coughing moments.

I agree with gman. Also, it could be the extra estrogen too. A lot of that is dumped into the body (of both males and females) as fat melts. It's kind of like going through puberty all over again... Sweaty, zitty, and umm, excuse the expression, horny. Yep, that kinda covers it.
Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi everyone. It's been a long time since I've dropped by, but I just want to give an up date and a word of encouragement. I had my one year post-op yesterday. It was a bit late (2/14/12 surgery), but anywho. I was down #160 (335-175), twenty dress sizes (28-8) and over 252 inches. If I can do this, anyone can. I had my toes in the grave. I was on 21 meds and the doc told me I would die that way...whether I lost weight or not. Because of my problems he (my PCP) didn't think I would lost a huge amount (50-60#), but he encouraged me to have it do so I could 'feel a little better about myself.' Well, I'm glad to say I proved him wrong. I did lose weight and a lot of it. I also lost all of the meds and the cane/walker/wheelchair. I am a WALKING miracle. I give praise to God for my healing. Now because I was instantly miraculously healed, but because he allowed me to find the path and the means (insurance) to get what I needed to be healed. I do believe God instantly heals somethings in some people, but I also believe he uses the hand of good physicians to administer healing. This is the way he chose to give me mine. I encourage anyone that has had a long, unyielding struggle with obesity to talk to a doctor about WLS... Sleeve in particular. If you are on the edge trying to make up your mind, take my advice. Do it! You are sick? In pain? Lonely? Depressed? What are you holding on to! You have nothing to lose, but all of that. Are there risks? Yes. Is it hard? Yes. But come on. We all know the fat has a 100% chance of causing complication/death. Is it really that much of a gamble to take a 1% chance with a surgery. You're more likely to get killed in a car wreck on the way to get your next fast food burger. Do yourself and your family/friends a favor and choose life. I did and I would do it again and again.

Before surgery (28, 335#) and on my 1 year Surgiversary (8/10, 178#)

At my 1 year post op (8, 175#) holding my old size 28 skirt.

Side view. Now a size 8.
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Today is my 36th birthday and for the first time in 30 years I am not overweight. I started my WLS journey 1-1-12 (surgery 2-14-12) and since then I have lost an entire person. I started at 335# and a size 28. Today I am 160# and a size 8. I am 20# below my surgical goal. It is a very shocking transformation and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I am less than half the weight I started out at and wear about 1/4 the size clothes. Mindboggling. I don't even recognize myself, let alone people that haven't seen me in awhile. I don't plan to try to lose any more because I am getting way too bony. I am in the process of trying to have plastic surgery though. I believe when that is done I will be a size 6..possibly even a 4/6. Unbelievable. I am a large framed woman and never would have believed it was possible for me to be this small. A 16 was my goal because it was the smallest I could ever remember being.

[ATTACH]17879[/ATTACH]

Today is my 36th birthday and for the first time in 30 years I am not overweight. I started my WLS journey 1-1-12 (surgery 2-14-12) and since then I have lost an entire person. I started at 335# and a size 28. Today I am 160# and a size 8. I am 20# below my surgical goal. It is a very shocking transformation and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I am less than half the weight I started out at and wear about 1/4 the size clothes. Mindboggling. I don't even recognize myself, let alone people that haven't seen me in awhile. I don't plan to try to lose any more because I am getting way too bony. I am in the process of trying to have plastic surgery though. I believe when that is done I will be a size 6..possibly even a 4/6. Unbelievable. I am a large framed woman and never would have believed it was possible for me to be this small. A 16 was my goal because it was the smallest I could ever remember being.

[ATTACH]17879[/ATTACH]

Today is my 36th birthday and for the first time in 30 years I am not overweight. I started my WLS journey 1-1-12 (surgery 2-14-12) and since then I have lost an entire person. I started at 335# and a size 28. Today I am 160# and a size 8. I am 20# below my surgical goal. It is a very shocking transformation and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I am less than half the weight I started out at and wear about 1/4 the size clothes. Mindboggling. I don't even recognize myself, let alone people that haven't seen me in awhile. I don't plan to try to lose any more because I am getting way too bony. I am in the process of trying to have plastic surgery though. I believe when that is done I will be a size 6..possibly even a 4/6. Unbelievable. I am a large framed woman and never would have believed it was possible for me to be this small. A 16 was my goal because it was the smallest I could ever remember being.

[ATTACH]17879[/ATTACH]

Today is my 36th birthday and for the first time in 30 years I am not overweight. I started my WLS journey 1-1-12 (surgery 2-14-12) and since then I have lost an entire person. I started at 335# and a size 28. Today I am 160# and a size 8. I am 20# below my surgical goal. It is a very shocking transformation and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I am less than half the weight I started out at and wear about 1/4 the size clothes. Mindboggling. I don't even recognize myself, let alone people that haven't seen me in awhile. I don't plan to try to lose any more because I am getting way too bony. I am in the process of trying to have plastic surgery though. I believe when that is done I will be a size 6..possibly even a 4/6. Unbelievable. I am a large framed woman and never would have believed it was possible for me to be this small. A 16 was my goal because it was the smallest I could ever remember being.

[ATTACH]17879[/ATTACH]

Today is my 36th birthday and for the first time in 30 years I am not overweight. I started my WLS journey 1-1-12 (surgery 2-14-12) and since then I have lost an entire person. I started at 335# and a size 28. Today I am 160# and a size 8. I am 20# below my surgical goal. It is a very shocking transformation and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I am less than half the weight I started out at and wear about 1/4 the size clothes. Mindboggling. I don't even recognize myself, let alone people that haven't seen me in awhile. I don't plan to try to lose any more because I am getting way too bony. I am in the process of trying to have plastic surgery though. I believe when that is done I will be a size 6..possibly even a 4/6. Unbelievable. I am a large framed woman and never would have believed it was possible for me to be this small. A 16 was my goal because it was the smallest I could ever remember being.

[ATTACH]17879[/ATTACH]

Today is my 36th birthday and for the first time in 30 years I am not overweight. I started my WLS journey 1-1-12 (surgery 2-14-12) and since then I have lost an entire person. I started at 335# and a size 28. Today I am 160# and a size 8. I am 20# below my surgical goal. It is a very shocking transformation and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I am less than half the weight I started out at and wear about 1/4 the size clothes. Mindboggling. I don't even recognize myself, let alone people that haven't seen me in awhile. I don't plan to try to lose any more because I am getting way too bony. I am in the process of trying to have plastic surgery though. I believe when that is done I will be a size 6..possibly even a 4/6. Unbelievable. I am a large framed woman and never would have believed it was possible for me to be this small. A 16 was my goal because it was the smallest I could ever remember being.

[ATTACH]17879[/ATTACH]

Today is my 36th birthday and for the first time in 30 years I am not overweight. I started my WLS journey 1-1-12 (surgery 2-14-12) and since then I have lost an entire person. I started at 335# and a size 28. Today I am 160# and a size 8. I am 20# below my surgical goal. It is a very shocking transformation and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I am less than half the weight I started out at and wear about 1/4 the size clothes. Mindboggling. I don't even recognize myself, let alone people that haven't seen me in awhile. I don't plan to try to lose any more because I am getting way too bony. I am in the process of trying to have plastic surgery though. I believe when that is done I will be a size 6..possibly even a 4/6. Unbelievable. I am a large framed woman and never would have believed it was possible for me to be this small. A 16 was my goal because it was the smallest I could ever remember being.

[ATTACH]17879[/ATTACH]

Congrats! I am still waiting on mine. The insurance company is dragging their feet (as usual.) It has been close to 3 months.

Today is my 36th birthday and for the first time in 30 years I am not overweight. I started my WLS journey 1-1-12 (surgery 2-14-12) and since then I have lost an entire person. I started at 335# and a size 28. Today I am 160# and a size 8. I am 20# below my surgical goal. It is a very shocking transformation and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I am less than half the weight I started out at and wear about 1/4 the size clothes. Mindboggling. I don't even recognize myself, let alone people that haven't seen me in awhile. I don't plan to try to lose any more because I am getting way too bony. I am in the process of trying to have plastic surgery though. I believe when that is done I will be a size 6..possibly even a 4/6. Unbelievable. I am a large framed woman and never would have believed it was possible for me to be this small. A 16 was my goal because it was the smallest I could ever remember being.

[ATTACH]17879[/ATTACH]

Today is my 36th birthday and for the first time in 30 years I am not overweight. I started my WLS journey 1-1-12 (surgery 2-14-12) and since then I have lost an entire person. I started at 335# and a size 28. Today I am 160# and a size 8. I am 20# below my surgical goal. It is a very shocking transformation and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I am less than half the weight I started out at and wear about 1/4 the size clothes. Mindboggling. I don't even recognize myself, let alone people that haven't seen me in awhile. I don't plan to try to lose any more because I am getting way too bony. I am in the process of trying to have plastic surgery though. I believe when that is done I will be a size 6..possibly even a 4/6. Unbelievable. I am a large framed woman and never would have believed it was possible for me to be this small. A 16 was my goal because it was the smallest I could ever remember being.

[ATTACH]17879[/ATTACH]

Today is my 36th birthday and for the first time in 30 years I am not overweight. I started my WLS journey 1-1-12 (surgery 2-14-12) and since then I have lost an entire person. I started at 335# and a size 28. Today I am 160# and a size 8. I am 20# below my surgical goal. It is a very shocking transformation and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I am less than half the weight I started out at and wear about 1/4 the size clothes. Mindboggling. I don't even recognize myself, let alone people that haven't seen me in awhile. I don't plan to try to lose any more because I am getting way too bony. I am in the process of trying to have plastic surgery though. I believe when that is done I will be a size 6..possibly even a 4/6. Unbelievable. I am a large framed woman and never would have believed it was possible for me to be this small. A 16 was my goal because it was the smallest I could ever remember being.

[ATTACH]17879[/ATTACH]

I've been reading this thread and I find it very interesting. I will admit to being an everyday weigher....I don't mind. My weight loss stopped months ago just slightly north of goal, and I've been teetering 5-10 pounds back and forth ever since. No biggie, but I keep weighing everyday just to see if anything has changed. Most days it's the same, and sometimes I'm relieved by that knowing what I ate....and other days I'm surprised knowing I may have had a very long run and not eaten much. Other days it will inexplicably jump up 5 pounds over night....only to fall back down in a day or 2. But bottom line, I'm at a point where it doesn't really bother me whatever the number....but I keep doing it as part of my self accountability. In my past weight loss attempts, my regain was always coupled with an unwillingness to get on the scale. I'm trying to prevent that mistake from ever repeating itself.

Does focusing on the number on a scale somehow devalue the ground-breaking surgery you had? Did you really just go through major surgery, so a number on a scale would be lower? Wasn't the reason you went through all of this (insurance approvals, 6 months of dr appts, nutritionists and pre-op tests, liquids only liver reduction diet, surgery, post-op pain and exhaustion, nausea, gas pains, vomiting, failed food experiments, etc) for something more important than what a hunk of metal says?
I've (obnoxiously, I'm sure) never had a stall, because I only weigh about once a month at doctor's office. I am nearly 4 months post op, and 3 weeks ago I was 52 lbs down. I weigh again this week or next, so I will know then how much more I have lost. Following my plan -- not perfectly but much better than I have in the past. Today I put on a pair of shorts from last year, and laughed when they slipped off! Much better feeling than what a fickle, lying scale says!
To me the scale is just another weapon that I use to beat myself up. I gave up tying my self esteem to the scale many years ago, when a doctor I was seeing said that he never weighed women before their appts -- because if he did, it was all they could think about during their appts.
Maybe it's also important to remember why you had this surgery. Was it just about the number on a scale? Probably not. For me it was about saving my life. It was about controlling my diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. If I focus on the improvements I have made in those areas, then the number on the scale takes on much less importance.

Kennedy....I'm there with you with the RA.....Exercise is a real challenge. I have just decided that my goal exercise wise is to do something each day more than I did before my surgery. Before my surgery, just getting out of bed some days was more than I could manage. The first week or so after surgery my goal was to walk around my yard. I managed it 3 out of 5 days. I'm on to week three and my goal this week was to be out walking with my dogs and either my husband or son every day. I don't make it far....usually just the block....but that is more than I was able to do before surgery. Try setting for yourself small manageable goals and give yourself permission to not hit the goal line every day. If you are too tired the day after doing it....go for every other day, ore every third day.....baby steps.....That's what I'm doing...... Good luck on your journey!!