trekker954

Where in soflo. I'm at Cleveland clinic weston Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Basically I have a two walk in closets, full of clothes ranging from 14-18; a few 12s & 20s, (L to 3x) (mostly 18s and 2X). I have dressy, formal, business attire and casual. I bet I'm not alone, you've gotten down to smaller size at some point in one of your million diets (I was a 12 briefly in 2003, regained to an 18, down to a 14/16 in 2011, regained it all back and then some). I literally saved favorite clothes with tags, or believed "some day....." While I have saved a few skinny outfits for over 10 years, lol, I've prematurely gotten rid of fat clothes only to need to go out and buy them again. Of course, WLS is far more permanent and this will be my final time losing weight.. So I walk into my closets and think, today would be a good day to start weeding my closet. Anyone else do this once scheduled for surgery? For those losing, how quickly were you going through your smaller sizes? Is anyone boxing any larger size clothes away, just in case they regain? the smart side of my brain tells me there will be plenty of time to clean out my closet while recuperating at home after surgery.

My family has accepted my decision to have WLS and seem somewhat supportive, but geez. I have a nice big home in So. Florida, a double door refrigerator/freezer; a big pantry, other closets here and there and a old type refrigerator/top freezer in the garage. My husband lives in one side of the house and me the other (don't ask) and my adult daughter (she is saving for a big downpayment for a future home, so does not pay rent. Basically its my house that I bought with my own money. My husband and daughter have taken over all the pantries and refrigerators. Keep in my I use to travel extensively for work and be gone far more than I was home, although that is changing soon. So I'm trying to prepare space to put all my new shakes, food, etc that I will be eating soon. I asked my daughter to please clear a shelf for only my stuff in the garage frig. She does this, only to find my husband starting filling that space. (I forgot to tell him, its MY SPACE). Then I got a shipment from unjury and two other shipments and realized I needed shelf space too. I asked them to relocate this overflow of food they have. I wanted this tiny cabinet (where I use to keep my hurricane supplies, but they took over with their overflow from Cosco and such). I don't want to open up the main pantry and see chocolate, Peanut Butter, syrups, jellies, Pasta, etc. Then they came down on me, that I'm on this "kick" and changing everything. UGH. I can't win in my own home!!!!!!!!

There is an entire forum here on Mexico. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/486-mexico-self-pay-weight-loss-surgery/ You may find more answers there and likely recommendations for less than $13K. First of all, I'm 62, so no you are so not too old. I'm going to Cleveland Clinic and my interaction with my surgeon lasted 5 minues before he turned me over to his staff. I won't see him again until the day of surgery. So much for expecting to talk to your doctors office. Granted I can call and ask questions of his staff anytime. I'm frankly quite impressed with the stories of those who head over to mexico. Again, do your research. Go over to the Mexico forum on the above link. Good luck

I'm probably not much help, because insurance is paying for my sleeve and the gallbladder removal is the freebe. Surgeon joked two for the price of one. The sleeve is the more invasive surgery. When I noticed on the BCBS pre-approval for hospital, no mention of the gallbladder, I called right away and the surgeon's office said, because we do not need prior approval for gallbladder as that is a out patient procedure. But they will be doing them together. What I'm trying to say, is I don't think you can get insurance to pay for the hospital stay because you are having your gallbladder removed. I'm sure the surgeon can do them together (its actually quite common), however, sleeve surgery is not typically done as outpatient and that is where your costs come in.

Cleveland Clinic called to schedule my pre-op meeting with my surgeon 5 days before my surgery date; followed by a meeting with the Anesthesia Dept. I've had a few in patient surgeons and meet the anesthesiologist just before they take me into surgery and while I chose my surgeon, I've never been in this position to ask questions; so this was new to me. I guess I can do research but doubt i can chose which one. What always worries me about having surgeries in major hospitals and teaching hospitals is what if some student takes over. I do not have anything tell the anesthesiologist as I've been through surgeries before with no side effects. CCF is probably just trying to squeeze another co-pay out of me.

My surgeon wears really thick, thick, thick eye-glasses. So much so, after we went to my first appointment with him, my daughter asked if I really wanted him doing my surgery, maybe he couldn't see. Two things here, he is supposedly the best in CCF, Chief of the Department, and is where patients who have had botched jobs, come to when they need to be fixed or revisions. Second, I asked one of his interns straight out, if his vision was impaired in any way. they said absolutely not. I will be careful to see what they have me sign. I had to go to this hospital clinic a few years back for vertigo and was often sitting waiting for this or that test. Over the course of three hours, I must have had 8 students come in and question me about my symptoms and such. ugh. Hoping this is NOT the case in the hospital side of things.

Biotin also increases facial hair ladies. Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

My psych evaluation including his clearance letter was $175 for 15 min appt. Not covered by bcbs. Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

You do not check with your Mexico surgeons office, you check the CBP (customs and border protection) website for the most accurate info. Yes, you need a passport. Years ago you could get by with a govt. issued ID for border crossing but no more and if for some reason you would need to be medevac out by plane you always need a passport.

I almost think it might be easier. You can prepare your kitchen they way you want. throw out junk food, only stock what you will eat. Get rid of all alcohol in your home. you will need help getting to/from surgery and maybe a day or two post. My hospital has a monthly meeting for post op patients and there are these forums full of supporters.

Many patients have doctor mandated diets. I do not, only the 2 week pre-diet. But I did put myself on onet starting six weeks out. I cut out carbs, sugar and caffeine. Haven't totally cut out my wine yet, but now only once a weekend. I'm down 8 lbs this week. Did you put yourself on one or is this dr. mandated? Good for you either way, its good to be as healthy as you can prior to surgery

Horrendous headaches when I cut out caffeine (miss my coffee alot)

Don't forget your passport and don't walk around Juarez. I go there often for work. It's gotten better in the last couple of years but it's not a vacation destination. Stay safe. Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

What about patch MD sold here. I just stocked up for post surgery. Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Are the incisions stitched or only steristrips. Besides my stomach the dr will also be removing my gallbladder so i wondered if the incision will need to be stitched. Also if they leave drains in, is it that incision too? Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

You didn't say the word regret, but mixed feelings. The surgery is over. You need to hang in there, follow your programs instructions to the letter, especially the next couple of months, so whatever feelings you are having pass. It sounds like you really would benefit from therapy. Did you have psych eval before the surgery (typically required for insurance). Either way, reach out and get some support. Hugs going your way.

Drinking even moderate amounts prior to surgery could slow down recovery and weaken the immune system. Abstinence starting 3–4 weeks before surgery will significantly reduce the incidence of several serious postoperative complication. 3 - 4 weeks may seem extreme, but I would personally stop at least 2 weeks before and I have a glass of wine or two at least three days a week. While you doctor doesn't recommend a pre-op diet, which I really question, I would do it anyway. You are on this forum, you know what the norm is. You must have to know by now that you should shrink your liver . Ask yourself, do you want an easier operation/recovery or do you want to risk it? Forty eight hours just isn't enough time and you know when you drink alcohol, you tend to overeat. Most of us are on clear liquids one week pre op.

I'm actually planning to take 6-8 weeks completely off from work. I travel extensively for work and due to budget cuts, Return from my last trip Aug 4th and have been told I likely won't see anymore work until late October. Since no work for likely 10 weeks, this was the perfect time. I've got at least 4 months sick leaved saved up and plan to retire next year; so why not use some of it this year and the remainder late next year if I want cosmetic surgery. After my two week checkup, I'm contemplating heading over to my BFF's (3 hours away) who condo development has a rental unit I can use for a month. I think it would be easier being in a condo alone in a walkable city rather than having to share the refrig and seeing my family's food around. But thanks for the advice. I really want to follow doctors orders, as most say that is how they've been successful. With putting in the no liquids 30 minutes before and after the shakes, yet keep drinking fluids all day, just seems confusing and/or conflicting.

I've been put under numerous times and for me, its the best part of surgery, although I do expect this one to be the hardest. They will give you something to relax, then tell you count backwards, or goodnight and the next thing you know they are waking you up and hour or two later, but it felt like just a minute ago you went to sleep. Some patients are pretty groggy and take a while to wake up, other feel nauseous. Regardless of what type of surgery, I'm sure you won't be able to take care of the kids for a couple of days. You need to take care of yourself.

I cannot even imagine the money I've spent over the years on clothes. I plan to retire next year and I likely have enough clothes for a while in smaller sizes. I can't wait to get rid of the fat clothes, I hated to buy, and hated to wear to cover up my stomach and butt. Especially those over sized tops and they are all so ugly. Good luck with your surgery higher!!

For BCBS, it HAD to be, as I believe most that require this, HAD to be consecutive months. As my surgeon's office told us during the initial nutritional general class, they really want it monthly. If your weight loss visit was every month on the 10th, but on month 3, your visit was on day 4, that wouldn't have been accepted and you'd have to start the clock again. So dumb, but I guess some insurance companies are super anal.

I have an outfit I absolutely loved from my skinny days (180 lbs, lol) (I think size 14, maybe its a 12), that when I thought my surgery was in January, planned to wear to my nephews wedding Sept. 10th. Now that my surgery isn't until Aug 10th, I'll only be 4 weeks out. I know what dress I plan to wear. Its one of those stretchy sleeveless dresses, I'll wear a light sweater because I hate my arms. But regardless if I have worn this dress when I'm a 14 to an 18. I think it says 16. Years ago when a doctor put me on a liquid diet and phentermine, I lost weight so fast; I was also much younger and exercised like crazy. I'm old now, have not really done much exercise at all. I do hope it comes off quickly like most are reporting here,

Same here, I did my research and after speaking with a few, decided to go with Cleveland Clinic Florida, who has three doctors on site, but I chose the doctor that I wanted to do my surgery. All that was required prior to meeting the surgeon was the nutritional introduction (free) 3 hours class. But the initial meeting with the doctor came with a hefty up front fee. (BCBS did covered a portion of it). Although so much of the initial visit was with the bariatric staff, when it came to actually meeting the surgeon. That may have lasted only about 10 minutes at best. He came in, reviewed what his assistant had collected about my health history, asked me what procedure I was interested in, I said the sleeve. He said that is what he would recommend. Jokes about having the gallbladder and sleeve done for the price of one; shook my hand and said he was turning me over to his capable staff and would see me the day of surgery. With my surgery date of Aug. 10, I am scheduled to "see the surgeon" August 5th pre-op requirement. I know that is one of his surgery days; so I will be interested to see if I actually see him or just one of his staff.

one of my incentives for having the WLS was I do have gallstones for years, sometimes it flares up/sometimes not so much. More and more as I put more weight on I'd get those horrible twinges and this has been confirmed by abdominal scans.. So I knew I did need to have the gallbladder removed and as my WLS surgeon says, now I get two surgeries for the price of one. The one being the WLS of course which I'm sure is way way more, but being covered by BCBS.