naenae85

Me! I've been reviewing my records since my 1 year f/u is on Monday. I thought my BMI was high 60's but it was actually 73. It can be done, but keep in mind you will likely need at least 2 years to reach goal. It's takes dedication and determination.
This morning was one of those days I had to talk myself into going to the gym, but I made it there. I'm in this for the long run, come hell or high Water.

Never trust a fart. I'll leave it at that.

I was concerned how I would be able to handle my first vacation after being sleeved. Just got back yesterday and I have to say it was a success. We do enjoy eating out on vacation and we still did eat out a lot, but I was very careful with my choices. I ate chicken but when I got bored with that, I had spare ribs (could only eat two); smoked turkey; steak; and grilled shrimp - all in very small portions. I ordered the smallest portions I could (sometimes ordering off the appetizer menu). I listened to my stomach and stopped as soon as I felt that restriction. I did walk at least four miles everyday on the beach. We were also with my sister and her husband and she had a harder time with what I was eating. She kept saying she felt bad for me because I couldn't eat much, but I kept telling her don't feel bad for me because I don't feel bad and I do feel good about myself.
The truth is I did miss eating all the usual vacation type foods a bit - ice cream, alcohol, chocolate, Italian food etc. but I am down 40 pounds and as they say - nothing tastes as good as being thin feels. But I only missed the foods for the moment, once that passed, I felt good about my choices.
It also felt good that I was able to wear clothes on my vacation that I hadn't fit into in years. I still felt self-conscious in a bathing suit, but that is my insecurity.
I hope that once I am down to my goal weight (40 pounds to go) I will be able to occasionally enjoy some treats.
For now I feel good, I am thrilled with my progress and am looking forward to many more vacations with my newer slimmer body!
Thanks for all your support!

Had a long talk with daughter yesterday and we have decided to roll the dice and have the surgery as planned on Sept. 9.
I'm going to spend the next couple of weeks getting my ducks in a row here at home.
Two things on my agenda.....
1. What is the best little blender (those bullet kind) to buy? I've been pricing them and the prices are all over the place.
2. Whats your favorite source of liquid Protein. I'm sure the stuff my dr.s office sells is super expensive.

It's been 2 years since my surgery. I am now 220 started at 400, sleeved at 360.

Its even harder if lane bryant don't carry your size

Girl. I used to go so far as to put them over a chair the night before to stretch. Now I put my arms in and it feels as if it's going to be too tight and then it slides right on with room to spare. Size XXL to a medium. Life is good.

Having to request a table instead of a booth at a restaurant. Pretty sure fitting won't be an issue anymore.

I have been on this forum for years. I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. I have made a certain peace with the fact that everyone has their own journey, their own emotional reaction, physical challenges and as Ann said, varying degrees of success.
I had to fail 100 times (including a failed weight loss surgery) before finding success. Maybe that person is only up to failure 99! I do sometimes worry about newbies reading things and becoming misinformed....

It went very well! It feels so much better than the band. I am so glad that is gone!

My wife has taken this first week off. What an amazing woman! I really needed her here.

TeamMe, this is something I've struggled with as I contemplate surgery. A large part of my faith is trying to live as I think Christ would and trying to have integrity in all my doings. Right now, the way I see it is that a change in your diet and lifestyle are why you've had the success you have had. If someone compliments us on our complexion, we don't feel the need to tell them our beauty regime; if someone compliments my disposition, I don't feel the need to tell them I take antidepressants. Certainly if someone asked me directly, I'd tell them but other than that it is between me and God. I speak the truth but I don't always have to tell the whole story that led to the truth. In my case, I've asked God to very clearly convict me if I'm outside His will in keeping it from others and until I feel that heavenly kick in the pants, I'm resting easy. Best wishes for determining what's best for you and your relationship with God.

:thud:

There's a restaurant close to my house that we have gone to over many years. My problem wasn't getting in the booth. It was trying to get out. It's one of those semi circular booths and you have to slide all the way around to get out. This particular table sits on a platform so it's about 10 inches to the ground once you get to the end of the seat and try to put your feet on the floor.
I'd have to slide around, kinda turn sideways at the end, then push myself out of there just to hit the floor. I always hoped no one would notice.
Now when we go there I slide right around and boom - I'm outta there. It feels so good to not have to bother with stuff like that. Other than the health reasons, all of us want to be thin to feel better about ourselves. To not suffer these indignities due to our size. You can do this....and take it from me and everyone else here - it's worth it.

I thought my response was clear and relevant to the post, but okay. Not everyone interprets things the same way. So I will rephrase this.....
We have the ability to apply any of the available deductions when we submit our taxes. It's only if and when we are audited, that your questions would actually become relevant. There could be hundreds (or thousands) of people out there that have applied this deduction. Only the ones that were selected for an audit can honestly tell you if the IRS accepted/allowed this deduction after a manual review.
That being said, the results will still vary by individual because there is a medical necessity requirement. Perhaps this is just clear to me because I have experience developing evidence-based criteria.
IRS language pasted from your reply:
necessary to improve a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease."
Notice the key word "necessary." Based upon your health history, can you prove that the removal of the excess tissue was necessary to improve a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease? Is your excess skin (as a result of obesity) so extensive or impairing that it could be considered a disfigurement?
Based upon the language you were kind enough to paste in your reply, my previous reply is still appropriate. Honestly, this would be easily remedied by just contacting the IRS and asking about the audit process related to medical deductions: "What type of documentation is required if I'm audited? Do you need documentation from my physician to support my use/application of this medical deduction?"
You would probably be better off obtaining this information directly from the IRS (regarding their specific requirements) instead of relying on someone else's results (that are based upon their own personal health history).
I hope you're able to get the information you need in order to move forward.
JerseyCityGal,
I understand your question, but everyone's situation is different.
Let's say you took a deduction in 2014 for your Sleeve and were audited, would you be able to prove that it was medically necessary? That's really the issue here. You could definitely attempt to take the deduction. I've done it for dental work that was considered cosmetic. But if I were audited, I have the documentation to prove that my dental work was medically necessary even if it wasn't covered by my insurance.
I don't think one answer fits all situations.... It's not the same as an itemization for home office expenses (it would be so much easier if it was ). It gets really murky when you start comparing medical procedures and services. My sleeve was approved by the insurance company on the first submission within 48 hours, but there are tons of people on the board that have been repeatedly denied by their insurance company. I think this one is going to be dependent on the documentation that you have to support your deduction in the event of an audit.
I know that's not the answer you were looking for but it's the truth and audits are evil.
Ally
No offense, seriously, but you are not getting it..
If you have an official medical diagnosis of Obesity, yes, your VSG is deductible (% of AGI and all that). If you had it done for shits and giggles and were not obese, it won't work.
"Medically necessary" does not appear in the Cosmetic section of the tax code. What does appear is " if it is necessary to improve a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease." It does not seem to me that Obesity falls under any of those categories, but I did find one US tax court case that allowed a woman with an over 100 lb weight loss whose abdominal skin got in the way of her movement for her job to take the deduction.
I am SPECIFICALLY asking:
1) people who have had reconstructive types of plastic surgery after massive (over 100 lb) weight loss; i.e. skin removal/LBL, arm lifts, etc (not a tiny Tummy Tuck but major surgery)
2) Did you claim these surgeries as a deduction on your tax returns?
3) How did it work out for you? Was it questioned?

LMAO! Ha, ok that totally made me laugh. I feel like that all the time. People are like...what is your secret? I reply...oh I just workout more and eat less, when I'm really thinking, well I cut out 80% of my stomach because I couldn't manage to eat like a normal person.
It's ok, we can be big fat phony failure liars together, I'm good with that, lol.

Sigh!
Between that, spending all weekend with a gaggle of 6 year old girls, and my squishy new godson...yeah. I only have one ovary left and it's letting me know I need to get moving, lol.
Now if I could just find a man...

Ok. Never mind. I can't keep my mouth shut.

Let me tell you about ME. I an a 43 year old woman, mother of two gorgeous teenagers and have been overweight for at least 20 years. I was 265 pounds at my heaviest and I was barely wearing a (tight) size 20. I work in the beauty industry and I excel at my business. I was/am often asked to speak at national conferences and it was always a bit hard on me to know I was one of the fattest people in the room but I held my head high, tried my best to find fashionable, flattering clothes and stood up there proud. I also trained/train in martial arts and have always been active despite my weight. I'm a swimmer and I love Zumba.

I had WLS 2 years ago today and I hit my goal weight of 159 after about 9 months. I've not yet hit my stretch goal of 145, but I am sure I could if I put a little more effort into it.

I am now typically a size 8. A 10 in some brands (think American Eagle and other teen lines), a size 6 in Ann Taylor and other vanity lines. My thighs are saggy, my boobs are droopy, my bat wings flop A LOT and nothing short of plastic surgery is going to fix that. I would much rather send my two girls to college and pay off my house than have surgery to correct what I consider a non issue, so I have a feeling I am going to look like this for a LONG time..

You're right. I most likely should NOT wear a skirtless bathing suit, but after years of doing laps with a skirt dragging me down, I am finally small enough to wear a regular one piece. I'm sorry if I sullied your view because my thighs look like crap.

You're right. I most likely should not wear athletic tights and a tight tank top to Zumba, but dammit, it's hot in there and if I've got a few loose skin rolls and dimples, so be it. Don't dance behind me and you won't have to look.

You're right. I shouldn't wear that sleeveless summer dress but it's 90 degrees at that outdoor concert I took my family to. If I had chosen shorts instead, I'm sure either my arms or my legs are sure to offend your delicate senses.

I am going to wear what makes ME feel good. I've hidden behind black loose layers and cardigans for decades. I may not look Victoria Secret perfect in my choices now, but I am not dressing for YOU, I am dressing for ME.

My jeans are tight and "classless"? My heels are too high and I look like a "harlot"? My top is too low cut so now I'm a "skank"? Let me tell you this... CLASS has nothing to do with what you wear. It's all in your attitude and how you treat people.
I'm happy, no.. THRILLED with my appearance and more importantly, my ABILITIES, and I am NOT going to allow someone who has not yet walked MY road to make me feel bad about my imperfections.

I dare someone to tell me I look like **** to my face. It would take great restraint not to plant a solid round house kick to their teeth. Because I can.

Oh....y'all were much nicer than I would have been.
See? I can shut my piehole occasionally!

I have definately saved a lot, mostly because I prefer to eat at home vs. fast food restaurants. You are right, eating good Protein and vegetables does cost a bit more but your junk food costs go way down to make up for it.
I would also recommend that you invest in a good quality vacuum sealer because you end up with way more leftovers. You can pop them into a vacuum bag in "me" sized portions and toss it in the freezer. When you want to warm it up, simply simmer in a bit of boiling Water and you have a very fresh moist meal.
Now, when you do go out to eat, it is really great if you can share a meal with your significant other if that works for you. My problem is my hubby prefers crappy cheeseburgers to fabulous fish, chicken, turkey, shrimp or filet mignon. The good news is, I can always make at least 3 meals out of one using my vacuum sealer.
Lots of tips and tricks to saving money.

@@JohaAidenMommy
I am a 15 year proud breast cancer survivor
no connection/problem having the the sleeve 3+ years ago
the sleeve helped improve my health, happiness - and added years to my life
good luck
kathy

@@ShellMilliner Thank you!
She's doing really well so far today. The nausea has diminished a great deal! She has even taken a few bites of food today and is drinking without nausea and vomiting! YAY! She's still on IV TPN but they are talking about discharging her tomorrow (she will still have IV at home until she can fully sustain food and drink.) I'm hopeful for the first time in a long, longggg time!
.

First, I want to thank everyone for your replies and support. It means SO much to me. I am generally not a weepy person - as a professor and counselor I've learned to keep pretty tight control of my emotions. Yesterday, however, I was crying at the drop of a hat! All day long. Even until I went to bed. Every time I would get a new response here in my email, I started all over again. What most people would not understand (except you guys!) is that the appointment itself was shocking and a disappointment, and I left feeling defeated - in ways I never would have imagined. I really felt like I got shafted yesterday. Not only with what I expressed earlier regarding the weight loss and Crohn's, but I went in expecting to be setup to see the nutritionist to start the supervised weight loss (ie. as required by insurance), to talk with someone about insurance and how much the total would be, etc. Instead, he seemed to just be going through the motions without any real plans to see me - just shuffled me out the door.
To respond to everyone's questions/comments.
The center IS one of the Center's of Excellence. My insurance company requires it - so they do have the full team of nutritionists, psychologists, etc. My insurance requires three months of supervision by one of the centers, as well. The doctor did not require the weight loss specific of me - the nurses told me before I ever saw him - he requires everyone to have a BMI below 55 before he will operate. The diet they gave me - their pre-op diet, IS a low-carb/high-Protein diet - unfortunately, many of the foods they are telling me to eat on it are foods I cannot eat due to my blood, for example. As for the surgery - I told them I was interested in the Sleeve. Although it is irreversible, which makes me more nervous, I did my research. Research says that it is better for patients with a higher weight, it is better for patients with Crohn's and Anemia (due to absorption issues, I am guessing), etc. Although some of the stats say RNY has a higher overall weight loss, the sleeve seemed a better option due to my own health issues - which I took into consideration before ever meeting with the doctor.
In regards to the green stuff + blood thinners: It's not the blood thinners with which the green stuff is incompatible with, it's blood in general. Whenever you have blood clotting issues, you are suppose to eat a VERY limited amount of green, leafy items. Ie. cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, etc. Last year, they said that included other 'green' veggies, as well, as I was eating a lot of asparagus (it was my go-to veggie when losing weight) - it was messing up my blood. The 'green stuff' thickens your blood, in the same way alcohol thins it (it's the reason you are not suppose to take aspirin for a hangover - they both thin your blood). I mean, I guess I COULD eat a salad and then drink some alcohol, but that might be defeating the purpose
As far as what I do now - I cut out salt years ago. If I DO ever drink soda, it's diet - I drink Water almost exclusively. I eat minimal carbs - I am simply not a bread, rice, Pasta type person. I use a Fitbit and walk a set number per day. I have been using LoseIt! for a couple of years and log every bite of food I eat and every minute of exercise I do. I go to Water aerobics several times a week. So, in a lot of ways, I feel that I was somewhat ahead of the game in preparing.
I acknowledge I've had a lot of health problems. Oddly, none of them are weight related! I have perfect BP, low cholesterol, etc. I would like to KEEP it that way!
I have already called a clinic I went to several years ago which said they did NOT see any signs of the Crohn's. I have asked for my records. This can be 'proof' for him, with or without additional testing. As well, I have looked at another center. As I said, there are three in my state. He's about an hour away. The second I have seen mixed reviews. The third is about three hours away, but my general MD likes it. I looked on their website, and they require a weight below 400 lbs. That I can manage.
I THINK I got everyone's questions...!
Again, I appreciate all of the support. I have never opened up about my weight to anyone, and although I have a beyond supportive family, they simply do not understand. My mom keeps saying she has struggled with weight all of her life, and this is true, but not to the same extent.
To everyone on here - keep doing what you do for everyone else on here. Your words of encouragement, no matter how strong the support system of others, are so much more meaningful than you can ever know...