sknyinside

I agree that our physical appearance makes a big difference as to how we are viewed and treated. I am waiting to be sleeved. But, I did an experiment at work. Rarely wore makeup to work because it's very physical and I figured I'd just sweat it off. Noticed it was very difficult to get certain people at my job to pay attention to what I was saying or give thought to my suggestions. So, I started wearing makeup at work just to see. HUGE difference. Huge. Now, I believe that the majority of it is strictly appearance. I do think too, my confidence level may have something to do with it as well. But definitely feel our physical appearance is much to heavily weighted (no pun intended) for or against us.

Thank you! Excited. Scared. Really thankful for a wonderful husband who is so supportive.

Aawww. That's so sweet. Thank you. It's all good. Insurance won't pay for it. But my husband, God love him, said to book it. We'll do cash pay if we have to. I'm booked now for December 9th! It'll take a while to pay for it and I hate having this extra expense. But It's necessary whether my insurance thinks so or not. My body is yelling at me. If it doesn't happen soon, I'm afraid there will be irreversible health issues. So, bless his heart. We are now joining the party. An expensive party, but a party none the less.

Wow, have talked about it with my husband. He said he's a little uncomfortable with it. I'll keep researching and try to decide what to do. He's ready to just cash pay here in the States, but I don't want to go into debt for this. May just save up for a while and try to have it done. Am concerned though that delaying it is so not a good idea. Willl have to wait and see for a while. So disheartening. Good luck to you. Let me/us know what you decide and how it goes. I've definitely not ruled Mexico out.

1 cup of very warm water with the juice of one lemon squeezed in, a little honey to sweeten. Do this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Very effective and you can't become dependent upon it. I am a fan of miralax as well. Just saying, if you want natural the lemon juice/water is HIGHLY effective.

Yeah, it does. And the most frustrating thing, I think,is I now have no recourse. There is no possible way that it will now be covered by insurance. So it's cash pay or nothing. Had I been denied 7 months ago, when I started this journey, it likely wouldn't be quite so bitter. I hope all goes well with you and you are able to appeal or to provide the information you need to have it done. I feel better having vented a bit. Thank you.

Protein drinks of any kind cause horrible gas with some people. I am one of those lucky such people. Poor family

Age will play a part as will genetics, but losing 50-85 is not so much that you will have pounds and pounds of skin left. There may be a bit of a "catch up" time due to the rapid weight loss. It tends to tighten back up with some time. Individuals vary of course. There are some good youtube videos of people showing their skin after WLS. Some lost in excess of 100 pounds and look fabulous. Not noticeable at all under clothes.

Uh-maze-ing! Beautiful either way. But, wow you have to feel so much better! Congrats. Keep up the good/hard work!

I feel your pain and am with you 100%. It has been a very difficult thing to get down to one a day. Then one every other day. Now, every once in a while. There is no substitute. As a former smoker, I think the Diet Coke habit is harder to quit.

Long, ranting post to follow: Since March, I have been jumping through insurance hoops. Have done anything and everything necessary to get this done. Have made sure my nutritionist visits and MD visits were spaced just so... Finally, after having GI clearance complete with EGD and all the other stuff, my surgeon's office has everything ready to submit to insurance. Everything submitted and the waiting begins. A little back story here: We have had our current insurance for 15 years. 15 years. My husband has had to make a job change after being with his current employer, for - yep, you got it - 15 years. The change could not wait another month or two. Opportunity came knocking and it waits for no one. So, were hoping since the insurance deductible has been met for this year, that I might be able to have the surgery done before his long-term job were to end and along with it the deductible-met insurance. That would have been convenient. I am already out around $2000 for all of the co-pays and deductibles. Would still have 20% of the charges to pay for. Not a small chunk of change. In order for this to occur, I would have to have my surgery done before October ends. A tight deadline but certainly not unrealistic. Everything was submitted to the insurance company by October 7th. All we needed was approval, and then to have the surgery scheduled. The surgeons office said that everything looked really good. They had some dealings with this insurance company. With my comorbidities, even with my roughly 38 BMI, it is obvious that my body is not tolerating this weight well and medical necessity looks promising. Of course, the insurance company took much longer than the standard 7 to 10 days. It is my understanding, that most people are trying to get their surgeries done before the end of the year due to deductibles creating a bit of a backlog. Still, I should be able to have my surgery done before the end of the month. Then I find out, horror of horrors, I have been denied! Why? My sleep study which is a new titration, as I have been using a cpap since 2006, states moderate to severe sleep apnea. The sleep study from 2006 states severe. The one from this year shows that an increase in pressure was needed to keep my Apnea at bay. But because of the wording, it is deemed that my comorbidities are not severe enough. Okkaaaayyyy. So now, after all the wait, the hoops, the expense, all of it, insurance will NOT pay. There is no appeal here, no re-submission. And I forgot to mention, that the insurance we are going to be under effective November 1, does not cover bariatric surgeries at all! I could absolutely scream, cry and pull my hair out all at the same time! Okay. End rant. Thanks for listening/reading.

Yay you! I'm hoping to experience the overall good you've had post op. My pre-op has been an exercise in frustration. Good luck tomorrow!

Are you pre or post op?

don't know if this is exactly the flavor you are looking for, but try this: http://www.bodybuild...ore/nb/tea.html If this is it, let me know what the reward might be

Met with the surgeon today and signed consents. She spent about an hour talking to me. Really like her and feel comfortable with her. Should schedule the surgery within the next week. Come on insurance!

Just doing some walking and bike riding. No special diet really. Watching carbs and especially bread but that's about it. My doctors office doesn't require a pre-op diet. I may do one myself for a week before just for my own benefit. Hopefully I will get my surgery date this coming Thursday. Fingers crossed!

I have been watching a lot of people I work with who have been sleeved. I have to say, it seems as another poster stated that after a tremendous amount of weight loss in a short period of time, people look good, then look sick - then as their body adjusts, look good again. It amazes me how people feel they have the right to make verbal observations about other peoples weight and looks. So unthoughtful and unfeeling. I'm sure they think they are doing it from a place of caring, but it is hurtful and not at all helpful. Keep your head up and know people will adjust to the new you as your body adjusts as well.

I'm really having good communication with their office now as we are getting close to crunch time. Mary Ellen is my advocate and she is reallly trying to help me out with a unique insurance issue.

Good for you! So glad that worked and you won't have to wait so long. Everything has started falling into place really quickly for me. If insurance approves me, I'll be done in October. A few weeks ago, I thought it would be after the first of the year! Yay, US!

I had to have an EGD that was a suprise to me. Really thought I wouldn't have to have GI clearance. Then I was to follow up in two weeks. I asked at the time of scheduling the EGD if I could come in earlier, as we are on a time crunch trying to get everything done before our insurance changes. They let me come in in one week as the results would be ready. I waked out of the one week follow up with my GI clearance inhand. That was Yesterday and they submitted to my insurance today. Don't let this get you down. It's not a setback. Ask if they will have results earlier than two weeks. They may let youdo 7-10 days depending on how long that doc needs for results from radiologist.

Okay, it's been a while since I posted. Thought I was going to have surgery next year due to varying changes in circumstance. Well, I continued my plan with seeing the nutritionist and physician for my required 6 months as dictated by insurance. All of a sudden things are falling in place. I finished my visits, it is submitted to insurance and I am scheduled to meet with my surgeon and sign papers THIS THURSDAY, the 10th! Hopefully, we will hear positive results from insurance and I will, in fact, be an October sleever! If anyone has suggestions as to questions for the surgeon that they are asking, or more importantly, wish they had asked, please send 'em along. I have a list, but it is in constant edit mode. Hope to have a date soon!

This seems to be a good, sensible guide: http://www.dukehealt...riatric_surgery Follow your surgeons guidelines. This is just a good exampe of a previous post with reference to Protein and liquid consumption.

Are the liquids you are having normally, the shakes, et cetera, sugar free? I know the stuff you are having when you feel this way have sugar, but am wondering about the other stuff prior to these episodes?

Sorbitol does it to me too. But surprisingly Splenda messes with my GI tract too. Horrible gas with a little bit, a lot = diarrhea, with horrible gas.

That size would fit me perfectly! What about shipping? Or are you only looking for local?