Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
$99 Yearly Supply Alert! 🌈 "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins

michellemartin961

Gastric Sleeve Patients
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    94

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by michellemartin961

  1. Posted

    Anyone out there get denied through insurance because of where you work?

    I was told my insurance covered my sleeve surgery as long as I did my pre cert which included the 6 months of medical supervision. I am in my 4th month and found out today that insurance will not cover.

    My workplace is self insured so they get to come up with the "rules". They say they will not cover any bariatric surgery or any weight loss plan.

    I am so heartbroken!! ????

    Anyone else have a problem like this? If so what did you do.

    I am ready for this awesome change in my life!!! ????

    My insurance didn't cover any form of Bariatric surgery so I paid out of pocket $4250 plus airfare and went to Tijuana Mexico through Medical Tourism. Best experience ever!

    Michelle

  2. Posted

    How does it work to travel to Tijuana ? Any help plz ????

    My daughter and I had our VSG done in Tijuana through Medical Tourism and we had such a fantastic experience! My daughter went 2/26/14 and I did mine 5/26/15. The doctors and hospital staff were very gracious and took such great care of us. The liaison for Medical Tourism on both trips took us shopping and checked in frequently to make sure we had our medications too.

    I know there is a concern regarding personal safety in Tijuana but at both facilities we felt very safe as well as at the hotels we stayed at. It should be a really good experience for you and I wish you the best of luck!

    Michelle

  4. Posted

    I just had to post after reading this thread. I was engaged June 2014 after 3 yrs of dating. That ended Oct 2014. I had my surgery (sleeve) 5/26/15. I met my soulmate online 8/1/15. Our roadblock is he lives in New York, I in Texas. He plans on retiring here by 1/2017. We see each other every 2 months and are on the phone with each other every day for hours.

    We both know it will take work to keep our love strong and we will make it through this tough time because we are what the other had searched for all our lives! We know we are meant to be together and are planning on marrying next year.

    Don't throw in the towel but don't get trapped in waiting forever either. Distance does not have to be a death knell for your relationship but it will take effort on both your parts. I wish you the best and hope things work out for both of you.

    Michelle

  5. Posted

    I'm finding it very difficult to accept life at goal. I feel like I could still lose a little bit more before I stop.

    I've been getting a lot of comments on how thin I am, and I know there are parts of my body that are. But there are parts of my body that are not as well.

    I've been getting a lot of comments about how I'm so thin. I was told twice today that I'm so thin I may blow away.

    I don't think I look "skinny". I think I look normal.

    Anyway. What do you guys think? Without knowing the number- based on how I look. Am I at goal? Over it? Under it? Should I lose 5 more pounds? Be honest.

    attachicon.gif ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1443424318.628009.jpgattachicon.gif ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1443424334.853226.jpg

    All I can say is WOW!!!! Personally I think you are where you should be and don't need to lose even 5 pounds. I hope I look that fantastic when I hit my goal!

    Michelle

  7. Posted · Edited by michellemartin961

    My name is Michelle. I'm 53 coming up on 54 next month. I had my sleeve 5/26/15 with a HW 250, SW 232, CW 190, and GW 125-135.

    I'm a divorced mother of 2 who have given me 10 grandchildren between them. I've been divorced 20 years and left the marriage weighing in at 115 but according to the ex was still too fat! Through the years and several failed relationships I packed on 135 pounds. I was a chunky child and my weight yo-yo'd through the years into adulthood.

    I became a nurse in my 40's and even became engaged last year which ended 4 months later. Needles to say my life has had its ups and downs but my decision to have the sleeve done came a bit over a year after my daughter had her's done. She went from 219 to 130 in about 8 months. I'm so proud of her!!!!!

    Now I am with a man who is my true soulmate! This relationship has its own trials as he is in New York and I'm in Texas. He flies out here every 2 months and will retire 1/2017. He loves me the way I am but is very supportive of my weight loss goals if it's what makes me happy.

    To those still in the process of approval don't sell yourself short....this decision is difficult but so very worth it in the long run! I wish I had done it sooner but to be honest it wouldn't have been for me back then but to make others happy with my appearance. Now it's for me, my health, and that's what truly matters.

    I wish each of you the best of luck in your own journey!

    Belle3endosleeve reacted to this

  10. Posted

    A couple of months ago I got really drunk after a competitive gorge at Outback Steakhouse. My girlfriend and I agreed we ought to consider losing weight. We googled weight loss online and came up with WLS in Columbia. Heard the doctors down there won't ask you to quit smoking. We just looked for the cheapest rate and made our appointments. Our doctor (?) suggested a two week liquid diet - the last 3 days - Clear liquids only. We did 11 days without cheating, except for adding Butterfinger candy Bars & Kahlua to our Premier shakes (yummy) & blending cheeseburgers into beef broth for a wonderful infused broth! We were required to only consume clear liquids the 3 days before our $1199 surgery. It wasn't easy but voda, white wine and tequila shots got us through. Surgery was a piece of cake. Didn't feel a thing thanks to our THC edibles. Just sucked on the hard candy option. Wonderful! We are now back on our liquid diet,,,see above and looking forward to having Doritos and Ruffles in a few more days. We were told you really want to test these new stomachs for leaks so we are working on it. We are avoiding fruits and vegetables since they contain ruffage which just sounds awful! The only real problem we have encountered and this one is major...is that we have hit an 18 hour stall. This seems like the end of the world and we don't know what to do. Just so glad this forum exists so we can laugh at people dumber than we are. Well, back to sip, sip, sip...please pass the Vodca. By the way, since it's been a week already, don't you think everyone should be noticing my weightloss?

    Woah! Just woke up! What a dream! I take my new life extremely seriously but I find alot to laugh about trying to judge the rest of the world.

    ????????????

    At first I was like whoa then I was like she is really out there then my last thought was oh this is "tongue in cheek" humor! I've seen and read your other posts so I knew you weren't being serious ????. To those who did not realize this wasn't intended to belittle WLS please check out other threads that Shustar had posted to and know she is serious about her journey.

    Michelle

  12. Posted

    I'm 6 weeks out and on my 2nd stall so I hear you! Mine is probably due to not enough fluids due to my work and the stress of that on top of getting sick when I eat any soft food. Back to clear/full liquids especially at work to stretch my shrunken tummy out enough to hold 1/8 to 1/4 cup of food in a few weeks.

    My job keeps me from being able to eat over 20 minutes (usually takes 1-1/2 hrs to consume meals even yogurt) on top of the 30/30 Fluid rule so not drinking Water for 2-2 1/2 hours then it's time for my next meal. Going back to work has stressed me out and now I can't eat the way I'm supposed to equals nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, dehydration, poor nutrition, even smaller stomach, exhaustion, plateau, and more stress!

    I've been a mental basket case blubbering at the least provocation and full of rage the next second! Not what I expected at all but per posts here on BP, my daughter, and my best friend this is normal and will pass. I just want to be able to eat food not just exist on liquids forever and I too want to lose more than 16 pounds....I have between 81-91 pounds to hit my goal.

    Sigh.....this too shall pass! ????????????

    Michelle

  13. Posted

    I'm four weeks out and everything I eat makes me sick, other than yogurt! I'm sick of yogurt! But wonder when I'll ever be ready for real food since I can't seem to even tolerate mashed potatoes or refried beans! I'm still on soft foods, any suggestions?

    I'm right there with you and at 5 weeks out! A food goes down good one day then makes me sick another. I get sick at work which is awful because I'm s telephone triage nurse and when it hits during a call everything goes on hold. I'm so tired of it I guess I will just make Greek yogurt with added Protein powder my only food. It hurts to be constantly throwing up and drains whatever energy I have in the process.

    No I don't regret having VSG but I thought I would have an easier time progressing to regular food. Now I just don't want to eat and risk vomiting each meal....yogurt stays down no problem. Go figure! ????????????

    Michelle

  14. Posted · Edited by michellemartin961

    My NUT told me my goals are 1000-1100 calories daily.

    Carbs at 550 calories = 137.5 g

    Protein 330 calories = 82.5 g

    Fat 220 calories = 24g

    Water 64oz daily

    I hit my Protein goals pretty consistently and part of that is adding a scoop of chocolate flavored protein to either Dannon Fit & Light Greek yogurt 80 calories or Yoplait 100 calorie Greek yogurt. Both are in vanilla no fruit added. Gives me a whopping 35-38g protein in one sitting! Now I'm on soft foods the remaining protein comes from seafood or chicken as well as legumes.

    Water is harder because of the 30/30 rule which in my case is more like 30/90 because I don't seem to digest very well and 30 minutes after a meal is guaranteed to make it come back up. I can only safely get in 1/8-1/4 cup of meat in each meal (I measure each meal with real meat in it because more comes back up ????).

    Funny, the yogurt never comes back up so that has become my go to staple when I have rough days! Hope this helps.

    Michelle

  15. Posted

    5ft 139lbs! 9lbs from goal :)) vsg 1,7,15 starting weight 230

    Wow that is fantastic!!!! 91 lbs in just over 5 months! What's your secret?

    I'm just 4 1/2 weeks out and down 15lbs from my SW 232. Just cleared with no restrictions but no abdominals until 6 weeks out. I'm working out doing cardio 4 days a week and 2 days strength training upper body. I'm 5'3"

    Michelle

  16. Posted

    It gets better. Pretty soon you will be able to eat food, and not just drink it. When I was on liquids, and full liquids, even purees, I was HUNGRY ALL THE TIME! lol Now I can eat just a tiny bit of food, and have to stop. I have lost interest in eating. It is too uncomfortable to over eat. I have to eat Protein first....well nothing else fits after I eat the Protein, so..... I'm not venturing out to try new things, because I fill up so dang fast. I said this on someone elses page who is missing food too. The all consuming thought of food will leave you, and you will eat to live, and not live to eat. Even the tempting aromas of steak houses and restaurants, etc do not affect me now, because I figure...what's the use? I don't have room for squat, so why bother. I eat my little bit of protein, and I'm done. If I over eat, I get really uncomfortable. I don't like that feeling. Hang in there! (I regret nothing! I dreamed of being able to be this way all my life! Food does not rule me anymore!)

    I agree...I can't take in more than 1-1.5oz of soft protein at 4 weeks without it coming back up in most cases regardless of how slow I eat or chew. It hasn't helped that I'm going through a breakup either. Now food isn't my comforting friend (thank goodness!) but instead is only a have too for nutritional means only!

    Food commercials actually disgust me now! I live alone so don't have to worry about watching others eat or having to cook for other people which does help. Greek yogurt with added Protein powder is my mainstay at this point for between 35-40g protein dependent on the Protein Powder each serving. My daughter and friend tell me this is temporary (the inability to tolerate soft proteins).

    Like you, I have no regrets about surgery just worries about nutrition and getting my fluids in!

    Michelle

  17. Posted · Edited by michellemartin961

    VSG 5/26/15. 5'3" 53 years old

    HW 250

    SW 232 with 12 lb Fluid gain =244

    CW 219 (6/19/15)

    GW 124-134

    I stalled at 221 for 2 weeks but upped my Protein and lost the 2 lbs to my CW.

    Should be on soft foods but keep having episodes of vomiting so back tracking to full liquids. I manage 50-100g Protein and between 32-64oz Water. Have had days of dehydration but did not have to go to the ER....forced fluids as I used to be an ER nurse ????. Hoping to be released for work and full exercise 6/23/15.

    Michelle

  18. Posted · Edited by michellemartin961

    I'm going to ask my doctor the same thing Tuesday. I'm 4 weeks out now and my trainer is anxious to get his hands on me ????????????????. Of course it's back to basics and baby steps again since I haven't worked out with him as of 11/2014 but I want to get in shape, tighten up skin, and lose fat/lbs with my new little tummy!

    How is it going with you now?

    Michelle

    6/23/15 update

    PCP said ok for cardio and upper body strength training but wait until 6 weeks out of abdominals other than plank or elliptical bike to avoid pressure to sutures and staples. Going for 4 days cardio and 2 days strength training starting this week!

  19. Posted · Edited by michellemartin961

    My daughter (who has dropped 85 lbs s/p VSG 2/25/14) and my best friend (lost 74 lbs s/p VSG 10/14/13 and gained 25 lbs back) are my support and police my eating 26 days post VSG!

    I value the advice of the veteran sleevers on this site and understand the genuine concern each expressed knowing the original poster was eating food way too soon at 5 days post op. After all I have 2 people myself that pull no punches in their advice or brandishments! I hope you are able to follow your NUT's and counselor's recommendations so you can be successful in the use of this tool for your own weight loss @@justbeingme1972!

    Good luck!

    Michelle

  20. Posted

    Has anyone had surgery to make their spouse happy??

    I've been divorced 20 years. I lost weight to please my husband and it did not work. Was down to 117 lbs and he felt I should be at 100-105. Other men in my life freaked when I gained weight with them too. Moral of this story.....only do this for yourself....the man in your life should not make demands and "change" you in order for him to be happy.

    You won't be happy either, trust me! I made the decision to have the VSG after years of research and coming to terms with why I gained the weight. I don't want anymore knee or back pain. I want to get off Metformin, manage my asthma better, live longer, and be healthier for me! If someone in my life benefits from that....great! If not....oh well his loss!

    Please think about this and be very honest with yourself. That is the best advice I can give you.

    Michelle

  21. Posted

    I think it was close to a month before I was on anything that wasnt pureed and even then I was limited. 8 months on and only just starting to be able to handle normal food but I found that due to not being able to eat anything that I started getting turned off of food. I eat cause I need energy when I work out and whatnot but nothing tickles my fancy anymore lol

    But im with alot of people....dont rush it youll get back to real food eventually but I feel rhats the signal that the surgery has done the most of its work and now its up to ke to continue it myself without relapsing

    I thought I was going crazy because food turns me off too at this point ????. Good to know I'm not the only one! I make myself eat in order to get my Protein in but I find if I ignore feelings of hunger a minute or two that feeling disappears.

    I worry more about when I go back to work next week....what will I be able to eat? I can't just run to the bathroom if it doesn't agree with me and throwing up in the trashcan next to my desk isn't appealing at all ????. I work nights triaging patients via telephone and often by myself so the fears are valid.

    No one said this would be easy but I hope it isn't more difficult than it has been with my inability to transition to food from liquids at this point!

    Michelle

  22. Posted

    I'm using this app to track Protein and Fluid intake as well as carbs and fats. Met with my trainer to discuss when I can start back doing more than the treadmill and elliptical bike. He was very concerned about me getting only 500-600 calories daily. He feels I need over 1,000 in order to lose and not create health issues.

    Anyone else with this problem? I don't have any clear cut directions for this as my surgery was in Mexico. I will follow up with my PCP this coming Tuesday and ask her.

    Michelle

    My surgery was in Mexico and I have an open line of contact with my nutritionist, my surgeon, and my internal medicine doctor. If I have a question or concern I just email them or I can Skype with them. I don't know what company you went through or what doctor you used, but Try reaching out with your questions. Hopefully they will respond. Good luck!

    I do have contact information with both the doctor and nutritionist from my surgery in Mexico. I shot off and email to the NUT pending a response. I was just curious as to if anyone else had run into this issue as I want to really use this tool to best advantage when I go full force into training but keep within best guidelines per the experts in my medical team. There are so many conflicting views on this in the books on VSG, nutrition, and postings it's all confusing ????.

    Thank you for the reminder ????????.

    Michelle

  24. Posted

    I'm using this app to track Protein and Fluid intake as well as carbs and fats. Met with my trainer to discuss when I can start back doing more than the treadmill and elliptical bike. He was very concerned about me getting only 500-600 calories daily. He feels I need over 1,000 in order to lose and not create health issues.

    Anyone else with this problem? I don't have any clear cut directions for this as my surgery was in Mexico. I will follow up with my PCP this coming Tuesday and ask her.

    Michelle

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

Bariatric Forums

For Patients

Health Professionals

Search Surgeons

Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

×