luckylady131

For me it was several things. I've researched WLS for several years, just never did anything about it. Then I started having health issues and being on the verge of Diabetes at the age of 34. My father dropped dead of massive heart attack at the age of 51 - he was tall, skinny, and healthy (just a work-a-holic). I started having severe heart palpatations after my second daughter was born, and was diagnosed with a cardiac arrythmia. I'm on a beta blocker for that and my blood pressure. My triglycerides are through the roof. I have high cholesterol.
But the thing that really pushed me over the edge to make to proceed with this surgery was the day my Kindergartener came home and told me a story about how some of her classmates had been making fun of me and my size/weight to her at school. She was sad they did that, and I never want her to have to feel like she has to stand up for me again. I should be protecting her, not the other way around!! That day broke my heart and made me see the light.

For me it was several things. I've researched WLS for several years, just never did anything about it. Then I started having health issues and being on the verge of Diabetes at the age of 34. My father dropped dead of massive heart attack at the age of 51 - he was tall, skinny, and healthy (just a work-a-holic). I started having severe heart palpatations after my second daughter was born, and was diagnosed with a cardiac arrythmia. I'm on a beta blocker for that and my blood pressure. My triglycerides are through the roof. I have high cholesterol.
But the thing that really pushed me over the edge to make to proceed with this surgery was the day my Kindergartener came home and told me a story about how some of her classmates had been making fun of me and my size/weight to her at school. She was sad they did that, and I never want her to have to feel like she has to stand up for me again. I should be protecting her, not the other way around!! That day broke my heart and made me see the light.

For me it was several things. I've researched WLS for several years, just never did anything about it. Then I started having health issues and being on the verge of Diabetes at the age of 34. My father dropped dead of massive heart attack at the age of 51 - he was tall, skinny, and healthy (just a work-a-holic). I started having severe heart palpatations after my second daughter was born, and was diagnosed with a cardiac arrythmia. I'm on a beta blocker for that and my blood pressure. My triglycerides are through the roof. I have high cholesterol.
But the thing that really pushed me over the edge to make to proceed with this surgery was the day my Kindergartener came home and told me a story about how some of her classmates had been making fun of me and my size/weight to her at school. She was sad they did that, and I never want her to have to feel like she has to stand up for me again. I should be protecting her, not the other way around!! That day broke my heart and made me see the light.

For me it was several things. I've researched WLS for several years, just never did anything about it. Then I started having health issues and being on the verge of Diabetes at the age of 34. My father dropped dead of massive heart attack at the age of 51 - he was tall, skinny, and healthy (just a work-a-holic). I started having severe heart palpatations after my second daughter was born, and was diagnosed with a cardiac arrythmia. I'm on a beta blocker for that and my blood pressure. My triglycerides are through the roof. I have high cholesterol.
But the thing that really pushed me over the edge to make to proceed with this surgery was the day my Kindergartener came home and told me a story about how some of her classmates had been making fun of me and my size/weight to her at school. She was sad they did that, and I never want her to have to feel like she has to stand up for me again. I should be protecting her, not the other way around!! That day broke my heart and made me see the light.

For me it was several things. I've researched WLS for several years, just never did anything about it. Then I started having health issues and being on the verge of Diabetes at the age of 34. My father dropped dead of massive heart attack at the age of 51 - he was tall, skinny, and healthy (just a work-a-holic). I started having severe heart palpatations after my second daughter was born, and was diagnosed with a cardiac arrythmia. I'm on a beta blocker for that and my blood pressure. My triglycerides are through the roof. I have high cholesterol.
But the thing that really pushed me over the edge to make to proceed with this surgery was the day my Kindergartener came home and told me a story about how some of her classmates had been making fun of me and my size/weight to her at school. She was sad they did that, and I never want her to have to feel like she has to stand up for me again. I should be protecting her, not the other way around!! That day broke my heart and made me see the light.

For me it was several things. I've researched WLS for several years, just never did anything about it. Then I started having health issues and being on the verge of Diabetes at the age of 34. My father dropped dead of massive heart attack at the age of 51 - he was tall, skinny, and healthy (just a work-a-holic). I started having severe heart palpatations after my second daughter was born, and was diagnosed with a cardiac arrythmia. I'm on a beta blocker for that and my blood pressure. My triglycerides are through the roof. I have high cholesterol.
But the thing that really pushed me over the edge to make to proceed with this surgery was the day my Kindergartener came home and told me a story about how some of her classmates had been making fun of me and my size/weight to her at school. She was sad they did that, and I never want her to have to feel like she has to stand up for me again. I should be protecting her, not the other way around!! That day broke my heart and made me see the light.

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

For me it was several things. I've researched WLS for several years, just never did anything about it. Then I started having health issues and being on the verge of Diabetes at the age of 34. My father dropped dead of massive heart attack at the age of 51 - he was tall, skinny, and healthy (just a work-a-holic). I started having severe heart palpatations after my second daughter was born, and was diagnosed with a cardiac arrythmia. I'm on a beta blocker for that and my blood pressure. My triglycerides are through the roof. I have high cholesterol.
But the thing that really pushed me over the edge to make to proceed with this surgery was the day my Kindergartener came home and told me a story about how some of her classmates had been making fun of me and my size/weight to her at school. She was sad they did that, and I never want her to have to feel like she has to stand up for me again. I should be protecting her, not the other way around!! That day broke my heart and made me see the light.

For me it was several things. I've researched WLS for several years, just never did anything about it. Then I started having health issues and being on the verge of Diabetes at the age of 34. My father dropped dead of massive heart attack at the age of 51 - he was tall, skinny, and healthy (just a work-a-holic). I started having severe heart palpatations after my second daughter was born, and was diagnosed with a cardiac arrythmia. I'm on a beta blocker for that and my blood pressure. My triglycerides are through the roof. I have high cholesterol.
But the thing that really pushed me over the edge to make to proceed with this surgery was the day my Kindergartener came home and told me a story about how some of her classmates had been making fun of me and my size/weight to her at school. She was sad they did that, and I never want her to have to feel like she has to stand up for me again. I should be protecting her, not the other way around!! That day broke my heart and made me see the light.

My husband is currently doing the HCG drops. He started when I got my surgery. It's kind of nice because we basically eat about the same amount of food!! He's dropped some weight. Who knows if he will keep it off. The drops mainly help you keep from getting too hungry. The weight loss is from the restricted diet. He adheres to it very well. He cheated this weekend when we went on vacation - and paid for it both in some weight gain and GI issues. He now knows it's not worth it to cheat.

For me it was several things. I've researched WLS for several years, just never did anything about it. Then I started having health issues and being on the verge of Diabetes at the age of 34. My father dropped dead of massive heart attack at the age of 51 - he was tall, skinny, and healthy (just a work-a-holic). I started having severe heart palpatations after my second daughter was born, and was diagnosed with a cardiac arrythmia. I'm on a beta blocker for that and my blood pressure. My triglycerides are through the roof. I have high cholesterol.
But the thing that really pushed me over the edge to make to proceed with this surgery was the day my Kindergartener came home and told me a story about how some of her classmates had been making fun of me and my size/weight to her at school. She was sad they did that, and I never want her to have to feel like she has to stand up for me again. I should be protecting her, not the other way around!! That day broke my heart and made me see the light.

For me it was several things. I've researched WLS for several years, just never did anything about it. Then I started having health issues and being on the verge of Diabetes at the age of 34. My father dropped dead of massive heart attack at the age of 51 - he was tall, skinny, and healthy (just a work-a-holic). I started having severe heart palpatations after my second daughter was born, and was diagnosed with a cardiac arrythmia. I'm on a beta blocker for that and my blood pressure. My triglycerides are through the roof. I have high cholesterol.
But the thing that really pushed me over the edge to make to proceed with this surgery was the day my Kindergartener came home and told me a story about how some of her classmates had been making fun of me and my size/weight to her at school. She was sad they did that, and I never want her to have to feel like she has to stand up for me again. I should be protecting her, not the other way around!! That day broke my heart and made me see the light.

For me it was several things. I've researched WLS for several years, just never did anything about it. Then I started having health issues and being on the verge of Diabetes at the age of 34. My father dropped dead of massive heart attack at the age of 51 - he was tall, skinny, and healthy (just a work-a-holic). I started having severe heart palpatations after my second daughter was born, and was diagnosed with a cardiac arrythmia. I'm on a beta blocker for that and my blood pressure. My triglycerides are through the roof. I have high cholesterol.
But the thing that really pushed me over the edge to make to proceed with this surgery was the day my Kindergartener came home and told me a story about how some of her classmates had been making fun of me and my size/weight to her at school. She was sad they did that, and I never want her to have to feel like she has to stand up for me again. I should be protecting her, not the other way around!! That day broke my heart and made me see the light.

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.

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!

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!

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 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 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

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

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 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've been a member of Lifetime Fitness for years. Would go in spurts - some spurts longer than others. I'm now almost 7 weeks postop and I just started going back last week. I joined TEAM Weightloss, which is a small group of people (there are about 5-6 woman in my group) and we meet 3 times a week with a personal trainer, and also a dietician weekly. It's a 12 week long program. So far it's been kicking my butt. But I love it!