luckylady131

My insurance (Aetna) doesn't cover bariatric surgeries at all, so I knew I would be denied. The insurance I had before (also Aetna - just a different policy with a different company) covered bariatric surgeries. You had to have a BMI of 40+. Or you could have a BMI of 35 WITH 2 co-morbidities (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc). You had to have your weight and comorbidities documented and diagnosed for 2+ years. You had to show that other weight loss strategies (weight watchers, exercise, etc) didn't work - and have proof of this (sign in sheets, payment plans, etc). You had to follow their 6 month regimen of psych consults/nutrition consults/exercise program/doctor visits/diet plan. It was a huge PITA. It cost me more money to be a cash patient, but it was a huge weight off my shoulders (hahaha) not to have to deal with the insurance company! My only thing was my current insurance company does cover any complications that may arise during a bariatric procedure. So when my hiatal hernia was discovered during surgery - my insurance covered that part of the surgery. When I had to stay an extra day because I threw up constantly the day of surgery and I wasn't keeping any Fluid down - insurance paid for my additional (3rd night) stay in the hospital. I just made sure that my bariatric surgeon was in-network.

I've thought about it. I would wait longer though. It's pretty hard core. I would begin more with cardio/lifting weights or getting a personal trainer for a while first before jumping into Crossfit. I'm 6 months out and beginning to look at it now. I've been with a personal trainer 3x week since I was cleared for exercise - I've lost 78 pounds so far (262lb to 184). I have a friend who does it and loves it, but she's not a surgery patient. We converted our media/movie room in our house into our exercise room. We love it and use it every day!

6 months out and no regrets. I also have a pretty strong sleeve. Protein shakes (certain brands) bother me, but I can eat anything I want. Just in much much smaller quantities. I keep it healthy, get my protein in first. I'm down 75+ pounds and loving my sleeve!

Yeah, you're splitting hairs. I just quickly grabbed the first example I thought of. And being that my friends recently moved back to the US from Holland, Europe was forefront on that list. If I offended you, then I probably offended people from Australia, Africa, etc. So while Europe and Asia are the big ones, they aren't the only ones by any means...

The difference between a Passport and a Passport Card is if you travel to Europe or not. If you do, or think you ever might - get a Passport. If you only plan on traveling to Canada or Mexico - you can get by with a Passport Card. "The passport card is the wallet-size travel document that can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border-crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The card provides a less expensive, smaller, and convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea...The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. The passport book is the only document approved for international travel by air." My take is why would you limit yourself to a Passport Card when you can get a Passport for a few more bucks? You never know what opportunities may open up to you in the future...just my take on it.

Between Beaumont vs Houston, I would go to a Houston surgeon without question. There are several very qualified bariatric surgeons here (in Houston). I don't know prices though. I used Dr. Richard Collier (in Conroe) and he was fantastic. His cost was $12,000 cash patient. I chose him because he was also in network with my insurance company. My insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery at all, but does cover complications if they arise, so I wanted an in network surgeon. I ended up having a suprise hernia and had to stay an extra day in the hospital. I wasn't charged anything extra. He takes cash, credit, and does financing. I also chose him because he's the Chief of Surgery in a Centers of Excellence hospital. He has the same surgical staff with him all the time (doesn't rotate people through), and he uses the same floor on the hospital for recovering patients, and the nurses on that floor know him very well, know what he likes/recommends/prescribes, and are they are very intune with each other. Other surgeons worth looking into in Houston (off the top of my head): Dr. Sherman Yu Dr. Terry Scarborough Dr. Matthew St. Laurent (he's more expensive) Dr. Carlos Ferrari

I was sleeved 7/30/12 and am down 79 pounds so far!! I was at a stall until earlier this week when I was hit with a stomach bug and lost 4.5 pounds IN ONE DAY. I don't recommend going that route! I watch what I eat, but am able to eat more at a time. I work out 3-4 times a week with a personal trainer. I feel great, and am beginning to look like I feel! I'm about 40-50 pounds from my goal.

Do you have a link to her boot camp?

I'm also 5 months out, and over the weekend we went grocery shopping for family that came in for Christmas. I realized how much I hate food shopping! Espeicially having to figure out what meals to make for other people! It made me SOO irritated! As far as food - I've been fine. I don't drinnk alcohol anymore, because I've found that even after a sip or 2 I start feeling it!! Can't wait to get back to my regular meal and exercise schedule!! Down 70lbs!!

I have some Chike. I've also tried EAS, Muscle Milk, Cellucor, Jay Robb, and am about to try the costco Premier shakes. I like the taste of Cellucor and Chike the best. EAS I used before my surgery, but can't stand it now. ANd Muscle Milk runs through me and I can't drink it anymore. I also put Dynamic Green and Fruits in my shakes once a day as well. I'm loving it so far! http://www.amazon.com/STRAWBERRY-Certified-Mangosteen-Pomegranate-Nutrition/dp/B00409NLXK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355330526&sr=8-2&keywords=dynamic+fruits+and+greens

Brenda - can you tell me how Cellucor Protein Shakes compare to Chike nutrition wise (as far as meal replacements go)? http://www.amazon.com/Cellucor-Performance-Isolated-Protein-Vanilla/dp/B0071K1RDG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355194128&sr=8-1&keywords=cellucor+protein+powder

This is me too. I'm about 4 months out from surgery now, and FINALLY starting to see it slow down some. The first 90 days after surgery, I had a period for ~50-60 of them!! I had a period every 2 weeks that lasted 2-3 weeks. It was SOOO annoying. Now it's coming about every 3 weeks, and lasting about a week and a half. I was extremely regular before, and was not (and am not currently) on birth control. I'm hoping my body can get back to that regular cycle soon. My doc said it usually takes 4-6 months to get back to normal.

Baked ricotta from Eggface's blog. It was delicious! http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html

I can eat just about anything with no problems. I stay away from breads and tortillas, although I can do corn low car tortillas okay (can't eat a whole one). Lately my go to dinner has been fresh spinach with grilled chicken strips/cubes, mixed with some dried cranberries or cherries (just a few for flavor), some sliced almonds or pecans, and topped with a balsalmic vinegrette and a very light sprinkle of feta cheese (and I normally don't even LIKE feta cheese!). Another dinner I make a lot is a pizza. I use Mission carb control corn torilla (1), spread some pizza sauce around on it, sprinkle with cheese, and whatever toppings sound good (sometime pepperoni, but usually grilled chicken and spinach), put on some halfed cherry tomatoes, sprinkle with Italian seasoning and a touch of garlic and bake for 10 minutes on 400. I usually can eat about 2/3s of this pizza. lunch - usally a lean cuisine frozen meal or something equally as boring. breakfast - usually a Protein shake or greek yogurt with some fruit. I also make some homemade sausage mcmuffins that are super good!

I'm a member of Lifetime Fitness too, and last month I joined T.E.A.M Weightloss. It has been great! It's a small group of people working with a personal trainer 3 days a week, plus you meet with a dietician. In my group there are usually 4-6 people in the class. http://lifetimefitne...m/docs/DOC-1341 - The just had a special so it was 2 months with 1 month free, since it's 12 week sessions. I paid $350 for the 3 months. I am a person who needs that accoutability. Working out at home doesn't do it for me - I quit too easily. But if I have classes to go to, or a trainer who's expecting me, or a friend to go with regularly - then I go. So going to Lifetime is a must for me to get off my butt and workout!

Do you have any HEBs near you?

I had a Ninja and while it worked great to blend stuff - there was an issue with the lid with mine and it ate a hole through the plastic. I took it back and got a Vitamix. I recommend the Ninja if you absolutely can't afford to go with the Vitamix. But I can't recommend the Vitamix enough!! It's an awesome machine!!

Depends on what shake product you are using. There should be directions on the packaging. Some of my shakes are 2 scoops for 8 oz, some are 1 for 5-6oz. Some you can "bulk" up and do 2-3 scoops if you need more calories.

Sleeved July 30th. My highest weight was in early July at 262. I'm down to 205 as of this morning!! Woo-Hoo!! I went from a size 20-22W to a size 14 pants. Size 2X shirts to an XL. Feeling great! Have about another 60 pounds I want to lose.

Who has one, and would you recommend it? I have an elliptical, but it hasn't seen much use. I have been using a treadmill at the gym, and have really enjoyed it. Planning on selling the elliptical and buying a treadmill (not enough room for both). I would like to start a C25K program soon...and am looking for a good lasting treadmill for a beginner runner.

Im from the DFW area, but have been down here since 2001. I'm still not used to the humidity. I'm hoping when I get down to my ideal weight, that my sweating will get better. I've lost 57 pounds so far...have about another 60 or so to loose.

This is true. But with ellipticals...you just get 1 motion. With a treadmill you can walk, jog, run, walk/run on an incline, use hand weights while walking, etc. Also, I live in Houston - so weather is HUGE factor on having indoor fitness equipment for me. There are about 3-4 months out of the entire year that I would be able to walk/jog outside without becoming a huge puddle of sweat. Just walking to the mail box a couple of houses down in the summer is AWFUL. The humidity is too much for me, and so for me, running outside is not really feasible for a huge chunk of the year. I have a gym membership and use it - I can use the ellipticals and stair climbers there. I work with a personal trainer 3 times a week. I want to have something at home that I can use on my "off" days. And the elliptical just wasn't cutting it for me anymore. Plus my husband hates it, and prefers treadmills. So that way we can both use it.

I was sleeved by him on July 30th. He's great!!

I am bad about eating Breakfast because I fall into the same rut and eat the same thing everyday. Gets boring. So I found these on Pinterest: http://www.amyskitch...sandwiches.html I mean, who doesn't like an egg mcmuffin?! I baked the eggs last night and stuck them in the fridge. I toasted a 10 grain english muffin and put a smidge of butter on it. I put an egg and a piece of canadian bacon and half a slice of cheese on it and put it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Put it all together - and it was awesome. McDonal's Egg McMuffin: 300 calories 12g Fat 30g Carbs 18g Protein Homemade Egg McMuffin: 250 calories 7g Fat 31g carbs 18g Protein Information would change slightly depending on what kind of muffin you used. Super simple and easy (and cheaper) way to start the day off with a good filling breakfast!

I was sleeved by Dr. Collier on July 30th. I was a self pay as well. You meet with him, but don't have to do the insurance hoops. I was glad of that, but I researched this surgery VERY well (3+ years) before doing it, so I was fully ready for all the "downsides" that comes with this surgery - the depression, weight loss stalls, funny feelings in your stomach afterwards, etc. I was/am very happy with Dr. Collier. Very personable. Spent an hour with me one on one explaining the surgery, his procedures, about his team, etc. Everything worked out very well for me. I am 45 pounds down since surgery. Highly recommend Dr. Collier!