shizwiz

@@Becca R. I think you are right! I am going to try to make an appt with one of my providers and at least ask. I go to an IHS hospital and they generally don't hand out a lot of pain killers, so I will have to cross my fingers!!

@ Can your MX surgeon take out the gallbladder at the same time they do the VSG? I think many of them will do that at the same time (for extra $). I would do that! On another note....I cannot get the song 'Eye of the Tiger' out of my head. I was walking down the hall at work sippin' my Protein shake (testing out Premier today, YUM) singing....I am so READY for January!!!!

@@Becca R. Thank you! Good idea on the dresses, I didn't even think of that!!! I may make a doctor appt to ask about pain relief to take down there....I have been pondering it but keep going back and forth.

@@jenbaby75 I feel ya on the clothes. I feel like I look horrible and know that I am not healthy. I am also on a 'new-clothes strike' as well! No use in buying expensive clothes that I hopefully will never need again. I have an entire wardrobe from sizes 16-22 to work through and when I get to the point of size 16 being baggy, I will reward myself with a couple new outfits! We will get through this. January is almost here (2 more months!) and all of us are already on the road to wellness and health Back to work on my timemachine so I can speed things up a bit....

I live in remote AK and do not have access to big box stores, GNC, etc. I am stocking up for my sugery in Jan 2015. Can anyone please help me by adding to my list? Or, help me cross stuff off if I don't really need it? Also, other than boullion, what can I consume while travelling on the liquid diet? All I can think of to do is bring bulllion. (I will be on a 3 day clear liquid diet.) To bring to Mexico: -Bathrobe -Flip flops -Pillow (will be able to throw away or leave there) -Light blanket -Boullion (for plane ride down there) -Laxatives (what kind did you use??) -A few light outfits (mainly yoga pants/capris) -The usual toiletries (mini shamps/condish, soap, etc) -Kindle loaded with TV shows, movies, books -Neosporin -Immodium -Someone said bring pads for diarheaa....was that for real?! -Compression stockings for air travel Post Trip (have on hand at home) -broth -Jello -SF popsicles -Protien shakes, powder -Mini Blender I can buy groceries for the puree and soft food parts...but am just trying to cover all bases. If you can't tell, I am a nuerotic planner and might be getting a bit nervous! Much thanks!

It is coming up quick!! I am getting nervous for the pre-op diet!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am doing the same thing right now. Isopure Cookies and Cream tastes weird. It has a funky aftertaste and is pretty sweet. I did mix it with some chocolate almond milk and it was more bearable. I am still waiting for Premier shakes to come in, along with EAS, GNC Total Lean and about 3 flavors of Syntrax nectar. (All of those shakes were suggested by other people on here.) Right now I am trying out substituting some meals with shakes so when I get to the pre-op diet I am not completely shocked!

Really?! I wonder why? I guess it could be because of my credit score (mid 600s). I am just going to pay cash though at this point. Glad to hear you didn't get charged as much as I would have been!!!

Yep! When my boyfriend said 'why add debt when you really don't have to?' I kind of looked like the squishy alien toy from Toy Story saying 'ohhhhhhh'. I am more comforable now and feel right about it. Hee hee I was saving partly for a new car, too! Heh hehe.

Thank you! I think you're right. Someone mentioned loan shark earlier and...yeahhhhhh. So happy to go have had a learning experience with great input from the cyber world. I am kicking myself in the tookus for not FIRST using my noggin to create the savings plan, but, hey.... heh heh.

I have my solution. I have devised, with the help of my lovely boyfriend, an aggressive savings plan. I currently have the cost of the surgery plus a bit more available in savings. I am going to forgo the financing and use that. By the time my surgery rolls around, I will have half of my savings recouped. Not the figure I was shooting for by Jan 15, but enough for emergencies, etc. It made more sense to use that as opposed to shelling out another 3k. Now, to mourn for my Sephora addiction. And Amazon. And Zulily. But my health is more important than makeup, unnecessary plastic objects and clothes. I would like to thank EVERYONE for their comments. Without them, I may have made a rash (and costly) decision!

Thank you I hope this post will be helpful to others looking to self finance. I haven't found too many posts with much detail in my research. Toodles!

You and your husband are awesome, THANK YOU!!

So awesome! Do you think there will be an issue with this being the third time I request credit this month? I have Citerra, credit union today and then if I do LC....yikes. what do you think?

Thank you both!!!!

Yeah, my credit limits are about $1000 for each of my credit cards. I requested higher limits and got shot down (very nicely, which was sweet). I know it is my fault, I had debt that was paid off in the last 1.5 years, so even though my score and income has greatly gone up- I still look like a huge risk. Beware, young people! Do not misuse your Nordstrom credit card when you are 18!!!!

Well, I got a rejection from the credit union. I was kind of surprised because I have worked pretty hard to get my credit on track over the last few years. However, I took my credit for a ride when I was 18 (10 years ago) and just recently paid off all debts. That was the reason for the loan denial. I am currently working with Gen from Citerra to see if I can negotiate the terms of my loan. She is going to check with me to see if I can (a) put down some cash and get a lower APR or 'Provider Processing Fee' or ( select a shorter loan term and get some of the fees cut down. Cross your fingers for me, eh? Thank you ALL for the support. It is nice to have people to talk with who are not judge-y. Seriously.

Yikes! Thanks for all of the input! I am really going to have to weigh this one out.

The APR is 21% (YOWZA!). I just got off the phone with them and the extra $2000 is because of my 'risk factor' to the bank. Apparently they take your credit score and do some calculation. I had a 23% chance I would not repay the loan and the extra $2000 is for the bank to be nice enough to give me the loan? I really hope the credit union calls with good news.

I am set up for surgery in Jan 2015 and have been approved for financing with Citerra. My credit score isn't great, but its not bad either. I make decent money and was approved within 2 hours. This morning, I got the paperwork today to sign and am SUPER bummed because the financed amount has basically doubled! My procedure is going to cost $4600...but after the $800 fee from Citerra (to use them I guess) and another $2000 fee for 'Provider Adjustment Amount'- I am now looking at a $7300 loan!!! Yikes. I just called a local credit union and applied for a personal loan through them and should hear back today. However, I am super nervous. I hate applying for credit because it lowers your score (and mine is so fragile!). If I don't get the loan from the credit union, I am still going to go forward with Citerra, though. Am I stupid? I hope not. Anyhow, I figure this post may help someone who is considering applying with them. Its always nice to know things upfront!

Awesome! It is SO awesome to hear that you are doing well It sounds like you are recovering beautifully if you are ready to go out and about. Congrats!!!!

Nice! I am working on drinking more Water (read: less Diet Coke!) and adjusting my diet. My insurance does not cover obesity at all, so I opted for Mexico. However, I am struggling with 'I ONLY HAVE 2 MORE MONTHS TO EAT ______, better do it now!". So, I have gained about 5lbs in the last 2-3 weeks. But, today I am back on track. I am working on high protien, low carb and more water. I live in rural AK, so I cannot run out and buy Protein drinks/powder, but I ordered a ton of stuff on Amazon and when they come in, I will be subbing meals and doing test runs to see what I like for the 2 week pre-op diet as well as post-op liquids. I am super excited to have the tools to get back on the right track. I will have to check out the app...because I need more water! Thanks for the tip!

I am also going in January! My date is set for 1/16 in Mexico. I SO excited and nervous. I really would like to go NOW, but, I agreed to go after the holidays to make it easier on my boyfriend and family. Where are you having your surgery done?

I am so happy everything is going well! I missed your replies somehow this weekend, sorry about that! Is the shoulder pain from the surgery? I am kind of scared that Mexico does not give patients the heavy hitter meds like in the US, but from seeing how many people are OK, it is comforting. SO HAPPY FOR YOU! (And jealous! lol)

Thank you kindly all! I should prob add some variances like you suggested...food boredom= not good. I always tend to overdo one thing and hate it for the next three years. Good lookin out!