TheRealMeIsHere!

I am approved by insurance for a Tummy tuck, lipo and panniculectomy!!! I NEVER in a million years expected insurance would approve, even the nurse at the dr.'s office was surprised! And....it was approved the FIRST time!! I at least thought I would have to appeal. I think it helped that I got a referral from my pain management dr, due to the back/neck issues. Plus, I wrote about how many medical problems are resolved, since the weight loss and how important exercise is in keeping it off. Also put that I am limited in my exercise options, due to other problems, and riding the recumbant bike, is pretty much my only option now, but....the pannis sits on top of my thighs making THAT difficult. SOOOOO, the stars aligned and the request landed on the right person's desk and I am approved!! Also thought that would only approve panniculectomy, but....approval has codes for lipo AND TT!! WOOHOO!!! SOOO excited!!

I am approved by insurance for a Tummy tuck, lipo and panniculectomy!!! I NEVER in a million years expected insurance would approve, even the nurse at the dr.'s office was surprised! And....it was approved the FIRST time!! I at least thought I would have to appeal. I think it helped that I got a referral from my pain management dr, due to the back/neck issues. Plus, I wrote about how many medical problems are resolved, since the weight loss and how important exercise is in keeping it off. Also put that I am limited in my exercise options, due to other problems, and riding the recumbant bike, is pretty much my only option now, but....the pannis sits on top of my thighs making THAT difficult. SOOOOO, the stars aligned and the request landed on the right person's desk and I am approved!! Also thought that would only approve panniculectomy, but....approval has codes for lipo AND TT!! WOOHOO!!! SOOO excited!!

People are just used to seeing so many people overweight to one degree or another, that they've forgotten what 'normal' looks like

at this point, you should be eating ONLY protein foods. Anything else will take up space in your tiny tummy that should be for protein.

If you go to the insurance's website, do a search for "criteria for a panniculectomy", this will tell you exactly what they consider medically necessary.

Thank you for sharing the pics. If my insurance will cover it, I hope to, at least, get a panniculectomy. I pass out easily, so need to desensitize myself to the drains. How did you feel after surgery, through today? What kind of care do the drains require? Hope you have a speedy, uncomplicated recovery.

Eventually, you will replace the time that you spent eating with other activities. My world has gotten SOOO much bigger. I do a lot of things that I never had time for. Eating is no longer the main highlight of my day. I eat, because I have to, I now enjoy it, somewhat, but it does not have the 'hold' on me that it used to. Early on, I had to set a schedule of when to eat/drink or I wouldn't, had NO interest. You are doing fine, it's all part of the journey.

My insurance covers over the counter items, as long as the dr. writes a scrip. Also, some of the vitamins will be discontinued as you are eating a wider variety of foods, so it is not forever.

I'm 18 months out and my ONLY regret, is that it wasn't an option 30 years ago.

Egg beaters (makes great egg-nog shakes!) ff ricotta (season as if for shells) ff plain greek yogurt with splenda and extract (experiment with different extracts) unsweetened cocoa (tastes like mousse) or lemon or lime juice. Egg white powder has the least taste of all that I have tried. Good for adding to things to give it a Protein boost. FF cream soups with tuna, chicken, baby meats or fat free cheese blended in. Here are some of my recipes http://ormcbariatric.wordpress.com/ (January and August 22) Protein that contains minimal carbs should always be first. I still eat very little foods that are non-proteiny, as I eat such a small amount that I rarely reach my protein goals.

EAS AdvantEdge RTD is my fav, also Pure Protein Frosty chocolate powder blended with water and ice. FF cream soups, ff cheese, ff ricotta, ff cottage cheese, ff plain Greek yogurt, egg beaters (great for an egg nog shake), tuna or chicken (even baby meats as long as it is stage 1) blended into the soup. With the ricotta you can season it like for stuffed shells and heat, or I have a recipe for cannoli cream.

WOW....Just WOW!!! YOU look Terrific!! I am SOOOO jealous of your tummy, it is so flat!

Ruby Tuesday is AWESOME about this! I got it from my nut at a support group.

Congrats! OMG That is sooo AWESOME!!! Please tell me how you did it. What, specifically did you put in the appeal?

I have been going to the gym for a year and really used to enjoy the challenge of my workout and the 'high' afterwards. Now, due to longstanding disabilities, I have progressed as far as I can. My workout is VERY routine and boring, now. I am limited in the types of movements that I can do. I cannot do a lot of movement of my upper arms, due to stenosis, bone spurs and spondylitis in my neck. My knees each have different issues, one is weak and unstable, due to un-healed ligaments, the other has chondromalacia patella and cannot bend more than 30 degrees. Both ankles have PTTD. I wear two smo's all of my waking hours for the ankle problems and knee braces for each knee, while doing the treadmill. The recumbant bike causes SEVERE coccyx pain, due to ankylosing spondylitis. The elliptical, causes the PTTD to flair up. I had to wear a walking 'boot' for three months, due to a recent flair up of PTTD. Despite all this, I am VERY high energy and active. At the gym, I do the same thing EVERY day!! 40 minutes on the treadmill, which I go as fast as I am capable (3 mph) and the incline as high as I can (8-10%) The weight machines, I have increased the weight as much as I can, don't have time for more reps. Any ideas on how I can make it more challenging??

Just looking to connect with some people, maybe an exercise partner

Not sure what special interest forums you are referring to.

TERRIFIC!! Feels good, doesn't it! Bet you are in better shape than when YOU were 20.

Puree is not as gross as you think. It doesn't have to be pureed meat, get creative and think outside the box. You could have soft scrambled egg with cheese, just mash with a fork FF Plain Greek yogurt with unsweetened cocoa powder or extracts and sweetener, lime juice and sweetener, etc.... chicken salad made in a food processor, with some extra mayo or greek yogurt for moistness. Ricotta cheese-seasoned as if for stuffed shells, top with sauce. Here is a link to some recipes, that I STILL eat, just because I enjoy them!! http://ormcbariatric.wordpress.com/ (January post and August 22nd) There is also this site http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/30539-awesome-tuna-fish-sandwich-soup-recipe/page__hl__protein__fromsearch__1 http://www.murfsurg.com/pureed_recipes.htm Hope this info helps.

Could be Water weight or constipation. I've gained 3-5 lbs overnight, at times, but then it DOES go away, as long as I keep doing the right things. I also take Miralax and Colace every night, due to constipation from all high Protein foods and VERY LITTLE fruits/veggies.

Thank you for the pic, that doesn't look too bad. What about where the tubes come out of you? Do you have pics of that? What kind of care is involved with the drains and incisions? Do you have to move carefully, so you don't pull or disturb the tubes? I know my doc will give me all this info, but I REALLY need to desensitize myself to the harsh reality and possible grossness! LOL!

Or if it hangs below the pubis, that is what my doctor is using for justification, because I don't get the rashes. She feels pretty certain ins. will approve.

I hope to get a panniculectomy soon. I have ALWAYS had a tendency to pass out, when I get grossed out. It is a vaso-vagal response, in an instant, with very little warning, my BP drops to 60/30 and I am DOWN!! After surgery, I realize that I will have drains. My doc suggested I desensitize myself to what it will look like. I need pics, the more graphic, the better and info regarding drain care and daily life while they are in. As I live alone and DON'T want to be on the floor every time I catch a glimpse of them or have to clean the site, empty drains, etc....

I'd be afraid that carbonation could stretch the sleeve, but once in a while might be ok.

Thank you for posting the question. Thank you all for the great responses. I have stopped worrying about my upper arms, but would love to cover the upper thighs, without looking like I'm trying. On to my research....into the great links that were given!