kmoore

My deductible counts towards my out-of-pocket maximum. My deductible is $1650.00 and out-of-pocket max is $2500.00. Once I reached my deductible, about 2 months ago, I now only have about $800 left on my out-of-pocket max...which is payed 85/15%.

So glad they were able to find and remove the tumor. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

Mine is straight and gray...does that mean I could be a curly blond

You can not only see your fantastic outside transformation, but you seem to exude confidence in the latter pic! Great job!

Good points, milkD. I had to see an exercise physiologist too that I paid out of pocket...wasn't even billed to insurance, as that is a non covered expense. However, with 6 months medical management, by the time my surgery date arrives, sometime in the next 2 months, I will be within $300 of meeting my out of pocket maximum of $2500

Normally the hospital bills separately...however, if the doc routinely uses the OR's, I'm sure they could contract with the hospital to pay them certain fees out of what they are paid. I work at a family practice, so we don't deal with the hospital end, but I have seen insurance payments...they do gouge doctors a bit. Money makes the world go 'round, right lol

Insurance vs self pay is, to me, a no brainer. If you already know your insurance covers this particular wls, then the out of pocket cost should be somewhere between $1500.00 and $3000.00, depending on surgeon, hospital and physical location in this country. Self pay, $12,000-15,000. Although I would have liked to not have had to do the 6 month insurance required medical management, and been able to get the surgery done exactly when I wanted it done, those 6 months gave SO much time to get myself mentally prepared for the entire lifestyle change we all must make post surgery. I have also spread out the purchases of things I know I will want...small scale to carry in my purse to weigh foods when I am not home with my kitchen scale, a kick butt blender, several wls cookbooks, certain kitchen utensils I didn't have but will need...and TONS of research in reading here too I've also tried several recipes I have found to see if I like them enough to try for post op Every person is different, and each journey is different. Each person needs to do what is best for them. On a side note, doctor offices have to charge quite a bit more for insurance pay patients, otherwise no doctor could afford to practice. It's amazing how little an insurance payment is to the doctor. Aside from paying employees, there is that pesky malpractice insurance they have to pay, hospital fees if they work through the hospital, and so on... Self pay is ALL for the doctor! So, while as self pay, the doctor receives $13,000.00 (all for them), they have to charge 40-50% more for insurance pay just to make $13,000.00 Just a little food for thought

Carbonation can possibly stretch it a bit too. The gases that are produced can cause the stomach to swell, thus leading to stretching.

Congrats on your date That is great that your parents are able to care for your kids while you re-coop. Hope everything goes smoothly.

When my time comes, I think I will hear a Japanese Steakhouse calling my name

Joined MFP 5 days ago. My name there is kimberlynmoore.

I know everyone here probably has their own fav Protein Drink...mine is Chike brand. I use skim milk, 1 scoop Very vanilla, 1 scoop chocolate, 1 cup mixed frozen fruit and about 3 tablespoons of Chobani Vanilla Yogurt. Blend for a yummy smoothie

LOL...also have seen "lose" instead of "loss". So really, there are 3 interchangeable words 1- LOSE... You lose weight. 2- LOOSE...Your pants are now loose. 3- LOSS... Sometimes you have hair loss after you have weight loss surgery.

Those ideas are good...I was told it would be "full liquids", not just clear for the pre-op and then also after the clear stage on the post-op. I have seen where thinned oatmeal is a choice for this...is that true?

I think some of the best goals are the one's made realistically. Then, when you hit that target, make a new one...and on and on and on! Congrats on being "obese" 124lbs lost is absolutely awesome! Like others have already said, once you reach that goal, make another. Maybe to be below 220lbs by a certain date? The small goals we make and accomplish are what make us strong enough to keep making goals YOU GO GIRL! KEEP IT UP!

I am coming down the line and will probably have a surgery date for the beginning of September sometime and am wanting to start preparing my pantry and so forth a little at a time. That being said, I see alot of recipes for mushies/soft and solids, but little in reference to the "liquid stage". From those of you that have already gone through this, can you post some of your favorite liquid stage recipes. This also would help with that pesky 2 week liquid pre-op too Thanks

Lol...ever since going on Metformin for my diabetes, I've been very musical I have always been a "regular" person, and sometimes can be soft or liquidy anyways...this sharting thing is definitely something to look forward too **NOT**! LOL

Robbino, My date has not been set yet, but should be around the beginning of September. I have been doing a Protein shake for lunch now for 7 months...and have been doing one for dinner as well on most days for about 3 months. I take the weekends off from both I had lost 33 lbs, but gained 2 back last week on vacation...which I didn't think was too bad. Did lots of outdoor activities at the beach for exercise is probably the reason I have also been taking Phentermine (weight loss aid), which I was told yesterday at my final insurance required appt (6 month monitored diet and weigh-ins), that you have to be off any and all appetite surpressants 1 month prior to surgery. So don't consider that an option for that 2 week liquid diet pre-op. I didn't think I was going to have to do 2 weeks of it since I have lost so much already, but I do (bummer). Just my opinion, but splurging here and there on the "bad foods" is ok, within reason, but getting your head prepared for the 1st few weeks post-op is a really good idea. Doing that should be a great help in dealing with any "head hunger" you have post-op I am also of the belief that you should continue to eat as healthy foods as you can forever post-op, no matter if you can tolerate the junk again. Smaller portions or not, your body won't be healthy even at a smaller size if you feed it high fat/calorie foods. Though I am sure I will splurge from time to time, I refuse to go through a major surgery and not make every healthy change that I can to ensure complete success

Glad you have bounced back and I do hope your ex will follow suit soon. Sounds like he was very insecure, probably sensing your feelings. Do be careful though. My ex husband acted very possessive of me and when I finally did stand up for myself and told him to either leave or I would leave, he did leave but then stalked me and threatened my life for almost 1 year before moving back home to mommie. He never acted on his threats, thankfully, but it was a stressful time and I was terrified to allow anyone close to me in case his threats became active. I was 21 at the time and he was 22...VERY young! A couple of years ago, he contacted me through Myspace....when I used to use that...REALLY freaked me out, but I did talk to him and was glad I did. He contacted me to apologize for the way he acted so many years ago. Told me he was married and had beautiful twin girls...and the best part...still lives in his hometown (which is about 1000 miles from me) And that was the last I heard from him. It was good to know that he did finally move on. I never wished him ill...just out of my life. Just be careful who you involve in your life so soon, in case your ex snaps. Not saying to walk on eggshells or to not live your life...just don't flaunt things until you know that he is moving passed this breakup. Possessive people can be scary. All this being said, I never knew just how strong a person I was until I stood up to my exhusband...and I have been strong and happy ever since. Now...if I can just get this surgery done and get rid of the 70 more lbs I have to lose to continue a healthy life...

OUCH! Feel better soon.

The white spots in the back of your throat look just like strep. Go get checked. I cannot tell you how many positive strep cases we see daily in our office right now. Hope u feel better soon

Actually, it all depends on what kind of smoker you are. If you are the 1 pack a day kind, 7 days a week, even urine can take close to a month to produce a clean nicotine drug screen. Blood just slightly longer than that, and hair follicle up to a year A good surgeon will insist on you quitting before agreeing to performing surgery on you...I mean, why would a good surgeon cut you open KNOWING that you are still smoking and could have slower healing time, prone to more infections, and so on? Most surgeons require you to have quit for at least one month and I would imagine, if a drug screen is done, it would be urine. The other 2 are just too costly and most insurances are not going to cover those. (Found the following doing Google search) Urinal Drug Test Inorder to find out the traces of nicotine in your body as well as to know how long does nicotine stay in urine, one needs to undergo a urinal drug test or urinalysis which is based on the immunoassay technology which detects the samples of such addictive products in urine. For those who smoke occasionally, nicotine persists in the body for only 3-4 days only. But for those who are passive smokers the traces of nicotine can be found for as long as 15-20 days. In this test the urine of the person is collected in a specially designed sealed cup, which is tamper proof and sent to a drug testing laboratory. Then the urine is is splitted into aliquots and then screened under the immunoassay and the GC-MS process. Then the result is relayed to a Medical Review Office where it is carefully scrutinised by a medical expert. However, now there are several mechanisms to test the presence of drugs instantly with the help of urine drug testing kits. Blood Test for Nicotine The answer to the question as to how long does nicotine stay in your blood rests on the fact that it gets transformed into a metabolite called cotinine which mixes in the blood and affects the body. The liver slowly detoxifies the body by removing the toxins from the blood whereas the kidney flushes out the waste products out of the body in the form of urine and stool which takes place at a much faster pace. The blood tests can detect even the slightest traces of nicotine in the bloodstream. Nicotine Hair Test Although this test is expensive and not often recommended for employees, yet it is used for accurate analysis of the traces of nicotine in the body due to its ability to trace the presence of potentially toxic elements. The hair follicle test can be conducted even after 30-90 days of smoking or may even last a year. In this kind of test normally the hair on the head is taken for analysis but in cases of baldness, the hair belonging to the face, arms, armpits, legs or any other body parts can act as a substitute. This is a specialized test usually used when all other forms of tests are unsatisfactory. Picture 3 – Cigarette Source - abc.net.au How to Effectively clear the Nicotine from the Body There are several suggestions as to how to get rid of such addictives of the body. The best way to clean the body of the nicotine is to drink atleast 8-10 glasses of Water per day as it facilitates the process of detoxification including the flushing out of the nicotine substances by the pacing up of the metabolic activities in the body. Secondly, fruits containing Vitamin C act as an efficient antioxidant which helps the body to get rid of toxins by metabolizing the drugs and flushing them out of the body. Thirdly, regular physical activities and rigorous exercise also helps the body to get rid of harmful products and helps to keep the body fit and healthy.

I quit 2 1/2 years ago after 20 years of smoking. Basically cold turkey. I did use a zero nicotine electronic cig for about 1 month. The 1st 2-3 days were a little rough, but manageable. Just a tip...caffeine and alcohol will trigger cig cravings, so avoid both for a couple of months if possible.

LOL...mine would be Bubbles Forshey! Bubbles is pretty good for a stripper, but Forshey?

To be off of blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetic, and reflux meds...number ONE! Being able to have comfortable sex with my husband (no breathing difficulties because my fat breasts are shoved up under my chin)...I know, too much info, right? The obnoxious teenage clothing...would LOVE to go try those on, but probably would not be really my style...just fun to try on...lol I would love to wear a dress that doesn't have to go to my feet to hide my cankles.