Traci J.

I have BCBS of NC and had approval 2 days after all my info was sent in by the surgeon's office.

RED. Go RED. Actually more if a strawberry Blonde. Or a really bright RED. Pink works too

My surgeon released me to full activity at my 3 week follow-up, but I was not having any problems either....and every surgeon is different. Just be careful and don't overdo it, your stomach doesn't fully heal for about 7-8 weeks.

Good luck. I'm sure you will be pleased with the sleeve, every revision story I've read say they like it much more than the band.

I'm thinking about tanning myself, although I really fear the skin cancer. But I'm out in the summer a ton anyway so a feel a little base now won't hurt and might make me feel better.

It's a powdered Peanut Butter that is low fat/low calorie and higher in Protein. I've heard it's really good, but I haven't tried it yet. It's kind of expensive I think. I like regular peanut butter, and it's not like I can eat alot of it being sleeved. lol

Ok, I think you've watched too many movies or something...or you're just crazy. lol

Congratulations and I hope it comes soon for you. Enjoy the ride, and I wish you the best of luck.

Thanks for sharing. Congratulations on your success.

I just made an excel spreadsheet to keep track of my weight loss/gains and inches. It's easier to log everything in.

I had a similar experience. No pain after surgery and haven't had any trouble with food. I still, however, am not able to get my 64 oz. of liquid in a day and I'm a month out. As far as food, I have been sticking to the program and not eating things forbidden at this stage, but what I have been able to eat I haven't had any problem with. I can only eat about 2-3 oz. at a time before I get the pain and burping...so I stop. I don't want to get sick. We all heal differently and our tummies can all handle foods differently. Try not to compare to anyone else and as long as your feel good, don't worry about it. It will work for you, even if it's slowly. Good luck!

Hey love, just calm down and breath. This fear and second guessing your decision is normal right before surgery. I am one month out, and I had NO problems. I never used my pain pump in the hospital, didn't have gas pains I couldn't handle, and haven't had any problems since. No vomiting, nausea, sliming, BM problems...nothing. Everyone handles surgery differently, and it's not an easy thing, but every day it gets better and easier. Just remember why you chose to have the surgery and keep your focus on the end result, and I'm sure you will do great. Good luck!

A 40 lbs. since surgery itself in 2 months is great....I'd say anything over 3 lbs. a week average is great. And just remember, even if you do lose slower than you'd like, it's less loose skin you'll have at the end because it'll have more time to catch up so to speak. Good luck and keep it up.

You can add 2 tsp of sugar free Jello or pudding mix to it to alter the taste. I've had chocolate with banana cream pudding; vanilla with orange jello; vanilla with lemon pudding; chocolate with raspberry jello. They were all pretty good...at least good enough. Gotta have some variety when you drink them daily.

Welcome Katie and good luck to you on your journey. It can be rough at times, but keep your eye on the prize and it'll all work out.

Hi all, I'm here. The positive train is coming. I have also seen many negative comments from those holier than thou, but that's just who they are and I try not to judge as we are all on our own paths to success and it's very much a spiritual journey, which unfortunately some people just can't handle well. I'd like to wish everyone the best of luck on their journey's and may you find peace and joy within your hearts in the end.

Y'all are too funny. Just go get yourself some extensions, do some dreads for the white bob marley look hehe

Any medical expenses including co-pays, deductibles, medications, and even miles for travel can be written off on taxes as long as they are a certain percentage (I think it's 7%) of your income. I've had to pay my full deductible + OOP for the last 2 years, plus all my meds and traveling over 100 miles ea. visit....so have qualified. It gives you a bit of a tax break, which is nice. But if you're going to do this, you need to keep all your receipts, or if you use the same pharmacy they can sometimes print you a yearly statement of what you've paid. I keep all my receipts in a folder for the entire year, then add them up. You'd be surprised how much you really spend when you add all those things up....think mine was over $10k last year alone due to my surgery.

My bill was 42k for everything, and my was done with the robot...BCBS allowed 26k. Luckily I only had to pay the rest of my OOP expense. It's extremely outrageous. I work in healthcare, and all hospitals/doctors charge huge fees then the insurance companies all have their own limits on what they will allow. Wouldn't it just be easier to actually bill out what they know the insurance companies will pay them back for??? After all, they can't go after anything above the allowable amount from the patient's anyway. And for people that don't have insurance, they can usually get their charges cut down to what they would normally get back from an insurance company if the patient is wiling to make a few phone calls. My friend had hip surgery and for some reason her insurance didn't pay for it due to referrals or being out of network or something, but anyway, she called the insurance to see how much they would've allowed if it was covered and then haggled with the hospital to get it lowered to that price. Saved her more than 1/2 the cost.

Hi all, so I am exactly one month out today and am down 21 lbs., which is what I was down on 1/10/13 at my follow-up with my surgeon...soooo apparently I hit the dreaded 3 week stall. I did take my measurements and have lost 8.5", all from my waist up! It needs to switch to below the belt next month.....keeping my fingers crossed. lol

You look fabulous. WTG!

What a transformation....That is awesome.

Just breath, you will be fine. The first week or 2 is rough, but it gets easier. Just keep your eye on the prize and remember why you chose to have the surgery. Good luck and I hope you have a smooth and speedy recovery.

Zumba is a blast, I love it. Have fun with it, you might not be able to do alot but it'll get easier.

I have a good BM about every other day....coffee helps me go every time.