Iniysa

Insurance likes to make you jump through hoops. I was upset about this at first, I just wanted to get on with it. But I am glad now. For most of us, it seems; we have to see a NUT (3 times) and a Psychiatrist. This keeps you from jumping right in without knowing everything you're getting in to as well as makes sure this is the right decision for you. You have medical problems, and you're over weight, so you probably will be approved. Spend the six weeks really researching this. Follow this forum, you can find everything here. My favorite threads are the one's that deal with complications. Real people will tell you what can and has happened to them. Most will say it was still worth it, but is is worth it to you? The more time you spend here, the more you will learn. Ask questions and keep us up to date with your decisions, hopes and fears. We will stick with you as well. I have one more NUT visit at the end of this month then my forms will be submitted to my insurance, If they approve it, I will be given a surgery date. Fingers crossed!

Not enough calories. If you don't get in enough calories, not only will you stall, but your body will start eating away at your muscle instead of your fat. Call you NUT or doc if you're really worried about it.

That is a valid fear! I was watching Gray s Anatomy and this happened, it really got me thinking about it. Head hunger will be the death of me and I finally got off of caffeine and sodas. Next is most sugar then I will stop drinking while I eat. One step at a time.

I know I will be. I am trying not to think about it to much right now. I have one more visit with the NUT then everything will be submitted to the insurance. I am having the surgery, like you said; I will just have to be extra careful! What's your biggest fear besides a leak?

I do believe I will only have them while in the hospital. Walk a lot! LOL! Let us know what your doc says.

My biggest fear is that the staples wont hold. I recently learned that my grandma and aunt both had different surgeries and that the staples didn't hold for either of them. The tissue was to soft and they tore through later. That freaks me out! What if I got that soft tissue gene? So I guess my fear in short would be a leak.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margret S??, The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

A CPAP is a machine for people with sleep apnea, they use it to make sure they keep breathing while they sleep. I will only be in for one night baring complications. I am going wear loose fitting clothes there so that I can just change back into them to go home. I am going to being my phone and charger. Gas X, a firm pillow to get up and down with and to put between me and the seat belt on the ride home. I am also contemplation a heating pad. I am going to wear the hospital gown while I am there and the green non-slip socks they will provide. Good luck! You will do just fine.

For me the word 'Addiction' does not have to come with stealing and cheating to get more of it. Drugs are against the law, so of course there is lieing and stealing etc. If they made food against the law, we would be doing the same thing. For me it's not being able to stop. I am full but I want more, I feel like I NEED more. My biggest example is me and Dr. Pepper. The first time I quit, I did it for six months. (Did not loose a single pound btw!) Then a vendor fixing my soda machine at work handed me a sample cup of the stuff and asked me to try it too see if it tasted right. Within the hour I had a 44 oz of it in my hand. I quit DP again a several weeks ago. Withdrawal is a B****! Headaches, I about bit anyone who looked at me wrong's head off for an entire week. I felt sick and the cravings, GOD the cravings. But it's gone now and I won't drink any soda or anything with caffeine now. For me, certain bad foods are the same way. My next step is candy and most sugar. (Most bread is last.) My Co-workers are stressed enough still by my LAST withdrawal, so I am spacing this out a little. Anyways, it's an addiction. (Shugs)

I am SO in the same boat! I am a food addict and I eat when I am board. I also PRAY I am one of those people who does not feel hungry. I also pray I loose the HEAD HUNGER! I have my last NUT visit at the end of this month, THEN they will submit everything. My doctor has become really popular lately, has been is several magazines recently and is getting uber busy. What if I get approved but he can't schedule my surgery for ANOTHER three months or more? I had to wait three whole months for my initial doc visit because he was so booked. By then, I had everything but my last NUT visit done. SIgh...

You go girl!

Good for you!!!

You look great! Congrats!!!

That's awesome! When I became a vegetarian several years ago, my eye sight got better too! Let us know what your eye doc says!

Your not a horrible mother! LOL! Have the others cook some. They might find it a challenge themselves and not mind your little cooking problem so much. OR better yet, they may find they can cook to their own tastes and like it! As for it being a gamble whether your last 'still at home' child will be there for dinner or not, I think that's normal. My mom is a professorial chef and it was a toss up whether my brothers would be home or not. I was always home, I was the introvert that liked being at home. Good luck!

I work at HEB, mine does not carry it, but the HEB down the street does. Make some calls around. If you still can't find any, ask your HEB's grocery manager if he/she can order you some. If not, (because sometimes it's a vendor issue we can't work around.) then look online. I bet you can find them on Amazon. Good luck!

I would be afraid that I would get right back into my old habits. If you want something have a bite, savor it, then go back to your new normal.

I am BCBS TX as well. How did you find out the exact amount?

Blog Post 5: Bariatric Nutritionist Part 2. Getting ready for the Gastric Sleeve. http://youtu.be/fA0AwIgiUUo

Thanks everyone, I have BCBS 80/20 with a $3000 out of pocket cap. I am really hoping it's nowhere near that. Guess I will call my hospital to ask if they let you pay it out. Thanks and please continue to answer my original question, I am still interested in the numbers.

I am coming up within the next few months on my surgery and I am trying to figure out how much the average person WITH 20/80 (any) insurance has to pay up front. I know it will be different for most people because different hospitals charges different amounts. But if you can give you the amount you paid to the hospital before going in for you own surgery, that would be amazing. Thanks! P.S. I have met my deductible.

Good luck!!!! Tell us how it goes!

Hey, fellow Houstonian here! I will be sleeved hopefully come July at NW Medical Center with Dr. Turnquest.

Good for you! We have to do what's right for us.

So I finally told my immediate family that I'm getting the surgery. Mom J just gave me some family history I should tell my surgeon but otherwise seemed excited. Mom K and Dad however... Though they did not have the freakout session I had convinced myself they would have, they are trying to subtly talk me out of it. Mom, went online and is now addressing every possible complication. I address it with them calmly and show I know and understand that complications may arise. My dad keeps bringing up all the people he knows who had WLS (most of which had the band) and how it didn't work for any of them. Sigh. It's good they care and I'm glad they are not freaking. I've made up my mind, however. I'm ready to move forward with my life. Happy Easter everyone.