Thick'n'Thin

Amazing! Do you mind sharing how you've done so well?

Unbelievable! I'm about the same starting weight and wearing scrubs as we speak. I feel like your before pic. I hope to be able to accomplish what you have. How inspiring!

Thanks! Like everyone who is looking to take this drastic step I am devouring as much info as I can get, so anything you would like to share is welcome. How long did Neff make you wait to drive or go back to work? Were you in a lot of pain, for how long? Anything that you felt surprised by?

Alright folks, I'm on board too. I switched to Neff today. Have an appointment the 25th, so fortunately it's not holding anything up switching. Three days earlier actually.

Nice! My nutritionist is supposedly covered, at my local hospital. When I called Horizon for a list of psychs who could do a bariatric clearance someone said they were not covered. May I ask how you got it covered?

I don't know if I am bold enough to do it, particularly without losing control of my emotions and becoming a blubbering mess, but if I could? I would totally bring it up. Perhaps you can offer him a moment of reflection on himself that will help others. Guilt and shame are powerful emotions, and can prevent us from seeking help when we think we will be judged. I am only here now, seeking the sleeve, because an eager new nurse practitioner had the guts to broach the subject. I was embarrassed (even cried) but he was caring, compassionate, and had some logical points to make about the benefits of having surgery now while I am still younger and without any health issues (thank God). Finding a PCP and staff who are caring and non-judgemental has helped me overcome personal anxieties that have kept me from seeking medical help as much as I should. Sorry, gone on a tangent there (LOL). I hope putting a mirror to this surgeons behavior can lead to changes that will benefit people the way my new young NP and his care have helped me trust and seek medical help without fear or judgement.

Great! Were you able to have the same appointment day? I gotta call them back again, they said they were busy and would return my call on Monday.

Tashana, how many visits with a NUT did Horizon NJ require?

I was able to set up a nutritionist consult for November 11th at my local hospital. The NUT said my insurance will cover it, which is nice! How many visits with a NUT did Dr. Neff require?

Thanks for the info. I'm contemplating switching to Dr. Neff actually. Do you remember how many sleeves these two docs have done respectively?

Thanks for all the helpful into! Does Goldstein require you to attend a certain number of support group meetings before he operates? Did he talk about bougie sizes and such? One of the things I found interesting was that he said he removed 70-80% of the stomach, where I'm used to hearing people refer to a figure more like 85%. Thanks a bunch!

Hello! Thanks for the feedback. Horizon NJ Health doesn't cover the nutrition consult? That's crazy, since it's required! Do you mind if I ask you a few questions. I think it would be very helpful since you are using the same doc, with the same insurance plan as I am. What preop requirements did the doc and/or insurance have? Could you have completed the checklist faster and gotten a surgery date faster? I'm hoping to have surgery after this semester ends, and before the next- so around Dec 19 if possible. Was the doc supportive of your preference for VSG over banding? Thanks

A Better Tomorrow in Millville- 856-776-7211 She charges a flat $150 for the evaluation. I believe you fill out a long questionnaire, she talked with you a while, and it takes about a week for the clearance to be mailed to your surgeon.

Thanks for sharing, and good luck to you!

Do you mind if I ask why you feel more confortable with Goldstein? Do you have a surgery date? I have my consult on Oct 28, after attending the seminar. Only thing is- Goldstein seems to push lapband. I am curious how many sleeve's he has performed compared to other doctors. I listened to a radio interview from Nov 2011 that he did, where it sounded like he only performed Banding at that time. He sounds like a competent, skilled surgeon. Just not sure how supportive he is of VSG and how practiced he is. I'd love to hear more about your experience.

Hello! How long was the process with Attia if I may ask?

Hello You are using Dr.Goldstein also? I see Dr.Attia listed as your surgeon. Either way I'd love to talk. I'm contemplating changing surgeons, Attia is on my list. Did you have your surgery yet?

Oh I hope this happens for me too!!! I also wear a size 10 (or 9.5). I want to wear pretty rings but my fat fingers just look fatter with rings right now

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I feel the same way, as I imagine most yo-yo'ers do. To be in the 220's would be awesome, but the thought of Onederland? It's almost too exciting to hope for. I've not been under 200 since I was 19. I can only imagine the positive changes physically, socially, and emotionally of losing a whole person! I also want to doubt it but at the same time I just want to rush through and get started on the losing and surgery. I'm ready to live.

I'm looking forward to 'bringing sexy back'!

UPDATE: I'm so relieved after calling Dr,Goldstein's office (with Virtua/Kennedy) in Voorhees, NJ. I called him because he accepts Horizon NJ Health. I spoke with the coordinator and she assured me that there is no 12 month wait, that the operator at the insurance company is reading from a manual that is not current, and then incorrectly interpreting what the writing means as they relate it to me. She told me that first I need to attend a seminar (October 9) before I can have a consult. Said I will additionally need a recommendation from my primary, nutritionist consult, psych consult, five year weight history from my PCP, any record of gym membership in the last year (which I have). I asked if I can start this now with the primary, before the seminar, in order to not waste time. She said yes. I have an appointment with my PCP, who recommended the surgery in the first place, on Monday! I'm so excited. I look forward to and am motivated to getting into my best shape before surgery. On a related note:Groupon just posted a great deal on Curves that can get me 20 visits for $39. I think, considering my level of (un)fitness that this may be a beneficial gym to join.

I wont miss stress incontinence. I used to attribute it to giving birth but I think, as it gets worse with weight, that it's the extra weight. I wanna laugh, cough, sneeze, exercise etc...without worries.

1. Having to unbuckle my seat belt to pop the latch for my gas tank 2. The head rush and sensation of bending over a beach ball when I try to bend over to tie my patients shoes or pick a dropped item up off the floor 3. Sore feet and joints if I were to work a full shift on my feet 4. Avoiding strenuous work because I struggle and sweat through it 5. Feeling like my heart would burst and sweating and panting after hiking just two flights of stairs to my first day of class with the skinny, cute young people at college 6. Things I don't do because of weight: climb the lighthouse, climb the water slides, enjoy water parks, ride a plane, sit in a stadium seat. 7. Missing out on physical activity- dancing, walking, running (could I really?), hiking, etc. Life away from my couch! 8. Feeling self-conscious, fat, and unattractive. 9. The discouragement of losing...and regaining. 10. Not taking selfies with my BF because I can't stand how I look with my chins and chub