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Be aware that different group plans, even if covered by the same carrier, may and do have different schedules of benefits. Just because two groups are covered under, say Blue Cross, does not mean that the two groups will have the same coverage. Each carrier, Blue Cross, Aetna, Humana, etc,. will have numerous plans, each of which will cover different things and/or will pay more/less on different procedures/treatments.
It does very little good to ask someone else who has the same carrier if and how it paid for this or that. Best thing to do is to call the number on your card and ask them.

There were several issues over the years: painful knees, inability to travel without purchasing two seats, fear of sitting in unfamiliar seating when out, tired of always being the largest person in my social circle and so on but the final straw was....I broke my queen sized bed frame earlier this year. Alone. Most people break beds having fantastic sex with another party but not me, I sat on the bed and it gave up the ghost. A beautiful sleigh bed that I've had for over ten years was ruined. I was mortified and placed the mattresses on the floor within frame where they still reside. One day, when a decent amount of weight has been lost, I will purchase a new beautiful new bed and hopefully the memories of that day will finally be banished.

Everything does look very good! Continued success on the healing process and hope those drains come out soon!

If I am not mistaken, weight loss surgeons are usually general surgeons with a specialty in bariatrics. I am quite happy to have the experience of a general surgeon for exactly the reasons Iniysa stated above. In addition my doctor is a teaching surgeon, training the next generation of bariatric surgeons and they are learning from one of the best.

I woke up this morning and weighed this morning and I am no longer obese, my BMI is 29.9!!!! I'm over weight!!

I started At 540 pounds , i have lost 230 pounds and the weight is still coming off. I had the VSG 15 months ago. It is possible to lose large portions of weight

You, too?
This is me before my daughter was born:

There were two major incidents in December, no actual room spinning but there was a tilting feeling. I was very unstable, dizzy, light headed and feeling as if I was going to pass out without actually doing so. First diagnosis came from an urgent care physician, almost week later when the same symptoms presented again with the addition of being freezing cold with uncontrollable shaking, I visited an actual ER where the doctor came to the same diagnosis along with moderate dehydration. He even performing a CT scan of the head as a precaution. He prescribed different meds from the UC physician. All was fine until last week.
The latest incident was an instant onset of dizziness, light headedness and passing out in rapid succession. No room spinning or tilting present. My PCP has ordered labs, ekg, echo, 24 holter monitor and another head CT. All results should be in by my visit with her late next week.

At almost 8 months out my weight loss has seriously slowed down with a major plateau from month seven to eight. The scale has finally started moving again with a drop in size as well.

Skin issues/results depend on age, amount of weight lost and the amount of time being overweight. The younger you are when losing weight, the better the results will be. People touting special creams and other amazing items are usually fooling themselves (and those they sucker into buying such items). Once your body has been abused by being overweight for extreme amounts of time, it just cannot bounce back. That is just reality.

I am almost 7 or so months out and no gallbladder problems. My surgeon had me taking ursodiol for several months after surgery to offset such issues.

Just finished a full day of "pre" appointments including; psych, nutritional, fitness and pre-surgery consult . Now for blood , EKG , endoscopy. Once that clears ready to set a date. This is the start of a life changing event and I look forward to sharing with my fellow sleeves!

One of my main frustrations with my body after I lost all the weight was the way I looked in a T-shirt. Yeah I could get an XL and drape it over my self and hide my tummy but thats no fun. I wasn't an Extra Large person anymore so why should I be doomed to still wear clothes that are too big for me. Im still only 35 days post op from my extended Tummy Tuck and still swollen, but am VERY pleased with the way I look in a T-Shirt now. And get this - Its a MEDIUM! I never thought in a million years I would ever be wearing a medium ANYTHING. Once I pack on a bit of muscle and a 6 pack I will be unstoppable with this shirt on. Watch out ladies. lol
$5,800 + Lots and Lots of Pain = Price for Extended Tummy Tuck. Looking Super in a Superman Medium T-Shirt = Priceless.
P.S.
YES the extended tummy tuck is worth it!

Interesting and somewhat surprising. I have no idea if it is good or bad medically but maybe you can avoid it in the future.
I am taking the Wellesse liquid multi-Vitamin which uses Erythritol (I looked after reading your question!). A web search shows that to be a natural sugar alcohol with the least impact on blood sugar. Maybe give it a try once you run out of Centrum.

Very good question! I am not at goal yet but at this point I need to make new friends and really have no idea of how to go about it either. The majority of my long-time friends are married with childred or otherwise occuppied which means they are not available to do much anymore. In addition, 99% of our activities were/are food based. I no longer want to be the eating, watching tv couch potato but am not really so outgoing to just make new friends at the drop of a hat.
When you figure this all out, do share with the rest of us!

One of my fave meals - costco sample lunch! lol.

No friends to share with. Of my close WLS friends, one does no Protein shakes and the other uses another brand. Maybe I will get lucky and be in store one day when they are offering samples.

Congrats to you! I remember getting into those old jeans from the back of my closet and how exciting it was. The day I can comfortably shop at a Kohls or other regular store will be something major and I cannot wait!

Very good question! I am not at goal yet but at this point I need to make new friends and really have no idea of how to go about it either. The majority of my long-time friends are married with childred or otherwise occuppied which means they are not available to do much anymore. In addition, 99% of our activities were/are food based. I no longer want to be the eating, watching tv couch potato but am not really so outgoing to just make new friends at the drop of a hat.
When you figure this all out, do share with the rest of us!

Very good question! I am not at goal yet but at this point I need to make new friends and really have no idea of how to go about it either. The majority of my long-time friends are married with childred or otherwise occuppied which means they are not available to do much anymore. In addition, 99% of our activities were/are food based. I no longer want to be the eating, watching tv couch potato but am not really so outgoing to just make new friends at the drop of a hat.
When you figure this all out, do share with the rest of us!

Like Pdx and a lot of others have said I think a closed group would be a real disservice to lots of people.
I think one of the great things about VST is that you get an insight into where the head of someone further down the road from you is at. I find / have found that really valuable. The only way you can get that is by reading peoples posts.

I quit in 2005, prior to getting my first total knee replacement. It was required for that surgery too. I had smoked atleast a pack a day (Kools or, when I got health conscious (HA!), Marlboro Menthol Light 100s) for 35 years. It will definitely kill you to keep on smoking plus it makes you stink (trust me, you don't notice it until you quit).
If you're getting a VSG to be healthy, why would you continue to smoke? If you think quitting smoking is too difficult, what makes you think you'll be able to handle living with only 15% of your stomach?
I know, I am being rude and mean. I'm sorry. It really is hard to quit and even 8 yrs later I STILL want a smoke every once in awhile. I just don't.
You can do it! And lordy, they are so expensive nowadays! With the money you save you'll be able to buy the new wardrobe you'll need when you lose all your excess weight! woo hoo!

There are some that never quit smoking and do just fine. You should perform some forum searches and read the threads. I suggest you make a serious effort to stop. Yes I know it is difficult but it can be done if you sincerely want to. I smoked since age 17 but had no choice but to quit as my doctor requires it and also tests prior. I made a decision to have this surgery and change my life and decided to go all the way.
Your body (and mind!) is about to go through some major changes, why not give it help instead of hindrances?