samuelsmom

As a nurse for a long time, I would urge anyone to consider this surgery very carefully. If you have terribly hanging skin, or are getting infections under skin folds, or are just miserable with the extra skin then it might be the right decision. I personally would not consider any surgery without thinking long and hard about. There can be complications, and even if everything goes smoothly, there is post-op pain and recovery. Good Luck with whatever decision you make.

I lost 27 lbs in the 3 1/2 months pre-op.

We used to do an Easter egg hunt with plastic eggs and we filled the eggs with pocket change. The kids loved it and it was a lot of fun. Most eggs had pennies, a few had silver, and the "golden" egg which was well hidden a had few dollars. It was inexpensive and memorable. I also made baskets when my kids were younger. I bought little things like yo-yos, bouncy balls, etc. and put them along with a chocolate bunny and package of peeps. When I tried to stop when they were teens they were very upset so I kept doing it until my son went into the Navy when he was 19. I still do it for my daughter and she will be 20 this year!

I try not to make it complicated. I count nothing. I do eat my Protein first. Doing that pretty much limits carbs as there is just no room for more food! I don't keep anything unhealthy in the house. I do have dark chocolate almost every day and that keeps me happy

Of course! I'm sure you will get a lot of feedback on this thread! I made sure I wore a pad in surgery which worked fine. After surgery you can definitely be up and about to change it.

That is ridiculous and sounds wrong (though I am no insurance expert). I see you are in Georgia. Try contacting the insurance commissioner. The web site for complaints is http://www.oci.ga.gov/consumerservice/complaint.aspx I also wonder if the exclusion is for the Psych services, not the surgery itself? I also agree with appealing.

I would talk today (if possible) to the insurance person about timing. My kids are older now, but I remember all the planning for stuff around the kids school schedule. If you haven't already let them know how important the date is, it might be a good idea to do so. Also, write a letter and email it to the insurance company. Tell them about your journey and why you are seeking surgery. Tell them about the co-morbidities you do have and how it negatively affects your life. Tell them how you feel it is counter-productive to gain 6 pounds just to be approved. Honestly, I completely get that you don't want to gain weight. That being said, I could easily gain 6 lbs in a weekend! Lol.

@@BLERDgirl Thanks for the encouragement!

Good Luck. Your surgeon's office will probably have an insurance specialist. They are usually very helpful. Insurances commonly count from when you start the program, however, not all do- so you are wise to find out all the facts now.

Hang in there! This happens to me frequently. I will lose steadily and then gain a pound or two. With apologies to Star Wars, I've decided to rename my body: "The Fat Cells Strike Back!" Between Fluid shifts, hormones, fat cells, genetics, and everything else, I am just grateful that the scales do go down.

Hit 229. New decade! and the first time I have been this low since I got married in 1988!

@Kindle Your comments reminded me of something a Weight Watchers lecturer said quite a few years ago. This woman had lost 150 pounds. She said that when you hit a stall to change things up for 2 weeks. I have found that I lose weight consistently for a few weeks, then don't lose any for a few weeks and then start losing again. Changing things really helps. I also throw in an all liquids day every once in a while just to keep my body guessing and that helps too!

Good tips. I would add: 1) Remember that this is a Marathon not a Sprint. Keep working and the results will come with time. 2) Eat healthy foods you enjoy. Eating foods you don't like is a set-up for failure. I personally hope to never see cottage cheese again!

When I read the title of this thread I thought of myself and wondered if I was doing it wrong as I don't follow any "program." After reading all the posts I realize that I do! Protein/calories/fat/etc: I don't track any of it and think I would go nuts if I did. I had to do it pre-op and hated it. Made me feel like a "patient." However, I am aware of what I am eating. To me that is a real breakthrough. When I think about what I am eating I make much better choices. Protein first: Always No liquids with meals: Not a problem Exercise: Keep waiting to like it but don't yet... However, I do go to the gym at least twice a week and see a big difference! 64 oz water: I try but most days don't make it. Alcohol: I had my annual wine cooler during the Super Bowl and did fine!

Thanks for sharing. These types of things just drive me nuts. I personally have a problem having a psych evaluation for seeking help for a medical problem. Really? When someone has a heart problem and seeks help do they get referred for a psych eval? No, they get evaluated and treated. There are basic screening tools that the doctor can use and make referrals based on need, not just as a matter of course. That being said, my practice uses a psychologist that has a lot of knowledge in this area. So, my evaluation was pleasant and interesting. Was it worth the $178 I was charged? No, but that's ok.

@Whatabargain Congratulations! are you going through Lancaster General? That's who I went through. If you have any last minute questions, I can try to help.

@ Honestly, I wouldn't advise anyone to go crazy. Why? Because it reinforces helplessness in relation to food intake. In the 3 months before surgery, I had to journal everything I ate and I told the dietitian that I planned to take a day off every week to eat what I wanted. She said that was fine as long as I continued to write it down. I found that although I had pizza or Pasta or other high caloric foods once a week, knowing that I was journaling it helped me to eat a moderate amount. In the 3 months before the pre-op liquids I lost 22 pounds. My doctor just requires a week of liquids pre-op on which I lost another 5 pounds. It was great having that weight off before surgery.

I'm a big fan of Brooks. Not cheap but a great shoe.

We are the same age. At 4 weeks out, I felt pretty much back to normal. However, I have been lucky and had a very uneventful recovery. It sounds like the overseas dates are firm. If they can be moved out another month, that would not be a bad idea. I personally would not want to go overseas so soon after surgery, especially as you are just figuring out what you can and can't eat, how much, etc. This is not just a surgery and recovery period, it is a whole new lifestyle. Good luck in whatever decision you make!

I ate everything at the 5-6 week mark, though in small quantities. Protein needs to be the focus of course. But it was nice to taste other things also.

I love the title of this thread. Obviously, tummy tucks or other procedures are a personal decision. I loved how I looked before surgery, and I'm loving the positive changes in the mirror. I am so hoping that I don't "need" a procedure when all my excess is gone. The hospitals can save that IV and anesthesia for someone else, thank you. Bring on the Spanx!

It is preferable to get your Protein from food rather than shakes. For me, I still have shakes for Breakfast sometimes because it is convenient.

Make sure you are prepared and that you meet the criteria. While there are differences with insurance companies the basic requirements are these: BMI over 40 or between 35 and 40 with certain co-morbidiites Long standing history of obesity (2-5 years depending on the insurance company) Attempts at weight loss unsuccessful There may be many more requirements, however these are the basic ones. Do you meet these requirements? If so, then be prepared to explain to your doctor your reasons for wanting the surgery. Hopefully she'll be supportive. Good Luck! Keep us posted.

Good Luck to all of you! I am 3 1/2 months out and honestly, it just wasn't bad. I drank (water!) a lot and had something every few hours. So a Protein shake in the morning, greek yogurt mid morning, shake for lunch, greek yogurt or SF Jello in the afternoon, and another shake for dinner. Lots of Water in-between. After day 2 I really was not hungry. Hope you all have as easy of a time as I did!

I believe you are correct that they are looking for people who abuse alcohol. Your couple of drinks should have no bearing on your being approved. The nurse who took my history found it extraordinarily amusing when I told her that enjoyed a wine cooler every year during the Super Bowl!