Need-a-Sleeve

Hit enter too soon, but my out of pocket was $1,038!

Just did the math, which includes psych consult, EGD, nutritionist, surgery, anesthesia, assistants, STAPLES & all meds: Billed: $129,320 Insurance paid: $19,899 (>16%)

I am proud to say they are my employer & glad to hear you got such great service! I am prejudiced but I love this company. They approved mine in a day.

Down from size 22 pants to a 16. There is an angel at work that lost 60 pounds and is the same height as me, she has passed on all her 12-16 clothes! Lucky me!

I agree! I just did my first before and after photos. The one on the left is the morning of surgery and the one on the right is 8 weeks to the day later. (34 pounds down)

Tylenol P.M. has Benadryl (generic name Diphenhydramine HCl) in it, so don't waste your money. I used to use the generic brand from Sam's or costco, you get like 400 tablets for less than $10. I also use a sleep tracker and have found immediately after surgery I slept heavy for 8+ hours but now I am back to my regular pattern--in bed for 8-9 hours a night but only getting 5-6 hours, waking up over 10 times a night. And it doesn't matter whether I wear my CPAP or not.

Actually, why isn't your surgeon's office helping you out here? It is the surgeon that is wanting to get paid too...just saying.

Iggy is right--there can be hundreds of different policies within BCBS. I have BCBSIL & work for them as well. I didn't have to do a diet but did get a psych & gastroenterologist clearance. Yours may vary. Suggest you call customer service (#is on the back of your card) to find out what you have for benefits & coverage.

I have been using MFP for quite a while too with my FitBit. My MFP account name is JBossRN17, if you would like to add me as well, thanks!

Not a tax expert but I would make sure I consult one before & have an American M.D. write you a letter documenting it was medically necessary before the procedure. Would love to hear what you find out, good luck!

I loved eating breads, muffins, cookies, crackers, pita chips--heck they are what got me to the sleeve in the first place. I think because I keep my carbs limited to skim milk, fruits and some veggies that my cravings are almost non-existent. I want to keep it that way because I know I was a carb-addict.

I use MFP as well. My compliance in logging goes down if I have to use too many different places to log. The added bonus is that I also have a FitBit ultra and it coordinates with MFP and "gives" me extra calories that I have earned from exercising to MFP. LOL, at this point, I can't eat them!

I use Solaray Biotin 5,000 micrograms. I purchase it at Sprouts (a natural food store in the South) but have seen it at GNC. It costs $15.99 a bottle for 60 lozenges. I take one twice a day, which might be overkill but I figure since it is a water-soluble Vitamin, I will excrete what I don't use. I plan on using it for 4-6 months, as I do NOT want to lose my hair!

Looing "tufted" is a great description. The divot is where they put in a really strong suture line where they had to remove the stomach and it closes the fascia. The rest of the holes from the puncture of the laparoscopy instruments will heal with more shallow sutures but the big one on the left needs extra reinforcement. Now that I am closer to 8 weeks, it is all starting to smooth out with the lost weight!

Virtually anything that goes into your stomach can cause a leak. My surgeon told us to not consume ANYTHING that could not pass through a fine strainer for 3 full weeks. That meant no pills, no fruits (like strawberries, bananas, etc.). The one leak that he did have was a patient that ate 2 tablespoons of yogurt during her first week. That said, there are tons of posts on here about people that went to Mexico or whose surgeons gave more liberal advice and were eating applesauce and oatmeal the second day. Personally being a nurse and having managed patients with gastric leaks, I considered it a small sacrifice to be on liquids for 3 weeks then to pureed for another 3. I also stopped all meds and only took liquid Tylenol after the second week. I am nearly 8 weeks now and still taking liquid Vitamins or chewable Biotin and still on softer foods. I want this to heal for real!

I take Alive, liquid vitamins--nasty taste but with one 30 cc shot it is done. I also take Biotin 5,000 twice a day & have since 3rd week post-op.

I actually did (embarassing to admit) when I was out of town at a conference. To make matters worse, my luggage was already packed and checked in. I was lucky in I found a vacant bathroom with a handicapped stall and was able to throw out the "evidence" (complete with really nice undies) and then wash up. Everything went ok the rest of the day but it taught me a lesson. I attribute it happening to the fact I was just starting pureed foods (liquid in-liquid out), it was 90 degrees outside and I had been walking a mile in the heat and was dehydrated. it happened shortly after I got in and started drinking cold Water. I keep a pair of pants and underwear at work. Even though it has only happened once since surgery (7 weeks ago), it was once too often!

WAY TO GO OTR! That is great! I am down 2 pounds this week and the "inchmeter" is staring to budge. Have a great week everyone and keep on sleevin!

You are a brave & beautiful woman! Thanks for posting!

Very familiar! Had similar pain thru my 5th week & on occasion it was so bad I thought I needed to go to the E.R. (I am a nurse & definitely don't have a low pain threshold.) Went to the surgeon to rule out a herniation, all was normal! Now I am 7 weeks & it is all gone!

Liquid in / liquid out...the more real food you eat, the better it becomes. I think it will take a while to figure out what our 'new normal' will be. I add Benefiber every day to my protein shakes & Miralax every third day, it works for me at 6 1/2 weeks out.

BTW, congratulations!

Not to take away from the amazing achievement of your loss but your joy is infectious & motivating to all the rest of us. Thank you for your post!!

Good week, down to 189.5 but the ticker knocked off the .5! Have a great week everyone and keep on the downhill path!