Hetera

Woo-hoo!!!! Great job!

Look you need to figure out why you feel this way. This is the hard part. But only you can figure this out. In the meantime, go back to square one, and follow the rules.

My boyfriend lost a lot of weight very rapidly on his own, and yes, his hair fell out about 4 months in. He has thick, wooly hair. It all grew back, though.

Great job!

I'm 90% sure I'll be there (unless my employers change to insurers who will cover it). I'm pretty sure I'll be going alone, though.

Could it be your gallbladder? People often get gallstones from weight loss. I've heard of a pill called Actigall that is supposed to help prevent them.

There's a very good book I'm reading (I'm 2 weeks pre-op) called "It Aint Over 'til the Thin Lady Sings" by Michelle Ritchie, who is a certified substance abuse counselor and who had WLS surgery and really understands the ins and outs of compulsive eating. I struggle with it myself. I use food to decompress, and to "anchor" myself upon arrival, i.e., when I arrive at a friend's house, or at work, or home after work. Eating for me has historically had NOTHING to do with hunger. This book makes you do some serious soul-searching. You know what they say, it's not what you're eating, it's what's eating you... Anyway, I like the book, and it's important to do some serious exploration of why we overeat. Restriction is just a tool. I get so sick of hearing that and reading it, but it's true. You can build a house with a hammer, but you gotta swing it, baby! I feel pretty sure you'll get back on track. Just don't chew your paw off, the stress will only make it worse.

Really looking forward to being part of this group. I'm scheduled with Dr. Arial Ortiz in Tijuana on April 30 (unless my firm changes insurance companies to one that will cover surgery, I'll know next week!).

I think My doctor is trying to kill me with these awful Vitaleph shakes. Three weeks of it. He wants me to lose 14 lbs in three weeks. If I could do that I wouldn't need surgery. And supplements: ch-ching!! $250 for the shakes and pills. What can I say, it helps me to kvetch...

My current employer's insurance carrier doesn't cover any bariatric surgeries. For two years, I've been after them to get on board, but it's just too expensive, they said. I asked again a month ago if they thought there was any chance that Aetna would offer coverage for bariatrics this year. They said they really didn't think so. A month ago, sick and tired of being on the fence for so many years about it, I decided to just withdraw $10,000 my from retirement (ouch!!) (of which I only realized $7500 due to taxes and penalties), and I paid down my outstanding bills in anticipation of being a self-pay in MX (which I would also finance). I researched surgeons, prowled boards, viewed YouTub vlogs of other sleevers. And finally, last Thursday, I pulled the trigger: I chose Dr. Ariel Ortiz, OCC (who had a high American profile, the lowest complication rate, operated at a Center for Excellence, and who could see me soonest). I scheduled the surgery for April 30. I submitted the down payment ($500). I bought the pre-op diet Meal Replacements and Vitamins ($240). I booked my flight from NYC ($400). And I told my employer that I would be out 2-3 weeks for surgery. Then yesterday I get a call from HR - "We wanted to let you know asap.... we MAY be switching to an insurer that would cover bariatric surgeries. We'll know next week." Wah-Waaahhh.... So the dilemma, if there is one: IF the company DOES switch insurers, should I cancel with OCC (and probably lose the down payment?). If I change the flight (for vacation, etc.), I will lose $200. Also, I don't know if the new carrier would make me jump through all the old hoops that I had jumped through 3 years ago (waiting six months, etc.). I don't want to wait.... But I also don't want to finance my surgery ($6000), either, if I don't have to.

Lisa, COPD is usually caused by emphysema, which is caused most often by smoking. If you don't smoke, COPD isn't likely going to happen to you. If you have had other surgeries on your stomach, organs, etc., it might not be a good idea for you to have more. Do get a second opinion, though.

Damn, woman,,, you look FABULOUS! Young and healthy and happy!!!

Look, you're panicking. STOP! Everything will be better when your commute gets shorter. You need to slow down and focus. If you are often anxious, talk to your doctor (gp). Carve out 2 hours of time for yourself at least every other day. Take the kids out for a walk. Make sure you have the sugar free ice pops on hand, and if you're gonna binge, binge on them. Just take it EASY, breathe deeply 5 times when the stress begins to choke you. Everything is gonna be ok.

It's really interesting hearing everyone's input. I'm pretty sure that if something went wrong down the line, my US gastroenterologist would treat me. I'm insured for any complications, just not for the actual surgery. Thanks everybody.

In my area (NYC) it costs about $25,000 to have sleeve surgery. In Tijuana, it's about $6500, tops. Believe me, if I could afford to have it here, I would. Dr. Weiner in Detroit Medical Center is very good, but he's $11,000. And guess what, I do have insurance through work, but it doesn't cover ANY bariatric surgeries. So, Mexico, it is. However, my insurance does cover any emergency situations (after I pay the deductible). Thanks for all your help, people. I appreciate it. I'll check try to find the Mexico boards.

Hi everyone, I've been lurking on and off for a long time, and now that I'm getting thisclose to pulling the trigger on have sleeve surgery (in Mexico! (gulp!)), I thought I'd better come out into the open and introduce myself. I've been considering this surgery for YEARS. This board is kind of complicated, and it's easy to get lost in here, like a huge house with lots of different parties going on... lots of mingling. So, here's the deal. I'm trying to decide between Dr. Kelly and Dr. Ariel Ortiz. Dr. Kelly sounds superb, so does Dr. Ortiz. The difference is about $1100, as far as I can tell (that includes Dr. Kelly fixing a hernia), with Dr. Ortiz being the higher priced surgeon. Dr. Ortiz works out of his own clinic. Dr. Kelly works out of either a hospital (Angeles for $7,000+) or out of Clinica San Juan ($4700). The reviews for both are very good. Dr. Kelly has 17 years surgical experience plus experience in a trauma center in the US. He's done over 12,000 bariatric surgeries. Dr. Ortiz's clinic is an "International Center for Excellence," which means they have met all this accreditation criteria set by international committee. This is a good thing as it means certain standards are always in place. Dr. Oritz was a lap-band specialist, but has been doing sleeves for a number a years now. Dr. Ortiz has never had a "leak." Dr. Kelly sutures over the staples. The staples they use are not from China. Dr. Oritz - 1 night in clinic, 2 nights post-op in hotel. Dr. Kelly - 2 nights in clinic, 1 night in post-op hotel It's really hard to choose! I'm looking to hear from those of you who have had surgery with either of these fine doctors. Help! I'd really appreciate your input. PS, I weigh 280, 5'9", 55 years old. Thanks!

Congratulations on that baby! Of course you'll get to your goal. You've got the know-how, and the equipment. All you need is the time in the brain space, which I'm sure is in short supply with an infant! work your sleeve!

I've been drinking Premier protein from Costco. It's pretty tasty and it's not terribly expensive. It's premixed so it comes in little cartons. I throw it in Nutri bullet with a banana, or pare or papaya, depending on the flavor of the protein drink, and it really comes out very tasty. I haven't scheduled my surgery, but I'm trying to knock off some weight before hand. So far I like this drink quite well and replace two meals with it per day. Congratulations on your own weight loss! And on the exercise! Bravo!

Hi! I'm excited for you! I'm still trying to get my courage up to pay the deposit. Where are you having your surgery? I'm sure you'll be fine, just walk as much as you can stand it, to help with the gas pains which I understand can sometimes be uncomfortable. Good luck, and let us know how it goes! Robin

Hurray!!! Best of luck!

Charlie, thank you. I'm thinking hard. Scared to death as I am desperate to get my life back, but terrified of "giving up food." I laugh because I'm willing to do ANYTHING to lose weight (um.... except stick to a diet and exercise regime). Truth is, I hurt inside and out. Walking around in the am hurts my feet and back and knees. I'm too easily winded, I feel bad and I look bad. Depressed. I feel better, for a few moments, when I eat. Then I feel even worse than before. It's the classic scenario. I can only enjoy sedentary activities, and I feel guilty and ashamed of myself all of the time. I have no wear-withal. I've been overweight my whole life to one extent or another. Who am I if I'm not ?

Mdlange, what protein drink are you using?

Change is hard. Healthy food prep is a HUGE commitment of time, energy and money. If you are used to eating fast food, if that's part of your scene, it will be challenging to drop that habit/mindset. All diet/reduction plans, including WLS, are only as successful as the strength of your commitment to which ever one you choose.

Penny episode was maddening, but clearly there were deep psychological problems there. Denial, persecution complex, controlling. Wasn't she physically/sexually abused as a child? More to be pitied than to be censured. Head hunger is a tough problem, but you must believe that change is POSSIBLES, challenging, but if you have faith in yourself, absolutely possible.

Folly, I'm not even scheduled for surgery yet (self pay), but I think about these things -having been fat/overweight most of my life, well frankly all of my life, to one extent or another, I pretty much define myself as a "fat" person. The jolly, joking, apologetic, please like me, funny girl. I weigh now about 280, i'm 5'9" tall, and luckily I carry my weight better than a lot of sorter women, and I am an opera singer. I bounced around 240-255 lbs for a long time, and I carried it off (I was "zaftig"), but this last 30 lbs has really taken its toll on my knees, feet, back, and breathing. I often wonder, and worry, about how I will feel, if I will even feel like myself, if I lose 125 pounds, or so. I'll still be insecure about my body, about whether people like me or not, about whether I'm good enough, whatever that means. In my mind, I have always slept being overweight hold me back, I'm not sure if we've used it as an excuse, but I know that it is contributed to myinsecurities, and low self-esteem. And those things and held me back from doing what I want to do, and being more like the kind of person I want to be. I just so strongly identified with being fat that I don't know what to think, who will be if I'm not fat? And how will it be, not being able to just feed myself, to numb the bad, sad, mad emotions? So answer your question, I think some people do struggle with these identity issues. I look forward to reading more of your posts, and hearing your insights and observations. Take care.