Sandi73

My name is Sandi and I'm a few days away from 43. Today is the beginning for me. My first appointment with Dr Slayden at St Lukes is in an hour. Journaling the process here seems like a good idea for reasons of accountability and support. I've read so many stories already and I can't wait to get started. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

After two and a half months of working hard toward the goal of sleeve surgery, things have taken a bad turn. I had been doing so well cutting out carbs including my love affair with Dr Pepper and I was very ready for this change. Unfortunately, I was admitted to the hospital unexpectedly Thursday evening. I went the the ER with abdominal pain and was diagnosed with a portal vein blood clot. I'm still in the hospital and have been told I'll be on blood thinners for the rest of my life. Surgery is now out of the question this year and my insurance changes to an even worse policy next year, so there is really no way for me to work this out. I'm not only exceedingly depressed about not being able to have this surgery that would have changed my life, but am also now looking at a life on blood thinners and with constant blood draws. I just thought I'd give this last update since there have been a few very supportive people who've commented on this post and I wanted to say thank you before I leave. Good luck to everyone. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've had a DVT and a PE, so have a lot of experience receiving Lovenox injections. It has always been something I dreaded because it feels like burning lava spreading under my skin and I get dinner plate sized black bruises every time. I thought this reaction was normal until my most recent visit with a new hematologist who informed me I must have an allergy to it to have such a reaction. I have an extremely high pain tolerance, but I would cry for a solid hour before every scheduled injection. I'm glad that someone finally listened to what I was saying and figured out I'm not just being a baby. If you have a similar reaction, know that it is not normal and that there is an alternate drug that can be used. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks Jamie, I keep telling myself the same thing. I attended the first NUT appointment. I had no idea it would be such a long appointment. We were there for over two hours. People were asking questions that they could easily have answered themselves through research and I was surprised by how little some of them knew about this process having already decided to have surgery. One woman asked about drinking every individual type of diet soda and the NUT kept saying over and over, nothing carbonated. I learned a few things about my particular surgeon's process. He allows puréed food immediately after surgery and won't require a liquid diet before surgery if you are close to dropping below 40 bmi. I'm currently at 40.6 and am very worried about dropping below and no longer qualifying. Somehow I have to manage to maintain this weight without gaining an ounce or losing more than a couple of pounds for an undetermined amount of months. I also got more bad news. They handed out papers stating that we have to see the NUT for four months for the three month requirement. I thought the initial visit with the surgeon counted as the beginning and that was a month before this visit with the NUT. That puts me at not being able to submit paperwork until the beginning of July whereas I thought it would be the beginning of June. Considering how often Cigna denies the procedure, I figure it could take an additional two months to obtain approval and then the surgeon's schedule is apparently generally two months out. This puts me out to November. I was hoping to be 60 pounds lighter by Christmas, but now I have to maintain this exact weight all the way through November. Not sure if that is even possible. So many things keep stacking up against me. It is getting frustrating. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Had my hematology appointment today. As I dreaded, I will have to go home with Lovenox shots for 10 days. I told the doctor about my past experience with Lovenox feeling like liquid lava spreading under my skin and the dinner-plate sized bruises the shots always leave, and she thinks I'm allergic to it. She's going to try to get an alternative injection approved, but it's more expensive and she's worried Cigna may not be willing to cover it. I have an extremely high pain tolerance, so the burning lava sensation is not me being a wimp. I'm not afraid of needles, so I am fairly certain I can inject myself, but I'm not sure I can do it with burning lava. My first NUT appointment is this week and apparently it's a group appointment. I also go to the required support group this week. After that, the only appointments I have left to check off are the two additional monthly NUT appointments. I haven't come up with a plan to cover the deductible and OOP yet, but I'm not giving up. I need for this to happen. I want to actually live some of my life. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Two starbursts isn't too bad. I wish that's all I'd had! It's not so difficult to avoid chocolate if it isn't in the house, so I'm glad there isn't another candy holiday until Halloween. Were you able to hop back on the wagon? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's wonderful!! It's great that your insurance doesn't require you to wait. What are you looking forward to doing after the 100 lbs are gone? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Something I've used to motivate me in the past is listening to audiobooks while I walk/swim/etc. I purchased a waterproofed iPod shuffle from Amazon to listen to books in the pool. I truly hate sports and most exercise, but adding something I enjoy, made it interesting. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That is adorable! I have considered what I will do with all of my 4x Modcloth clothes, and I think I might be able to put a belt around the middles of the tops and wear them as tunics/dresses with leggings once I get thin. I don't want to get rid of them! The dresses will just be too big, but I'll try to save the tops. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I love Modcloth! Be careful though, the sizes run VERY small if you are used to US sizes. When I was a size 18, I had to order 4x. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My eval was last week. I had to speak with her for an hour and then spent a long time doing fill-in-the-circle tests. She was the only option I was given and she was herself quite overweight. I felt throughout that she was judging the choice for surgery and she made comments that though there was no psychological reason for me to be declined, that she thought the insurance would reject. I have a BMI over 40, but have no comorbitities. I've been upset ever since. I'll also be below 40 if I lose 15 pounds, so there's another worry. Overall, the psych eval, which should have been a simple thing, has now caused me great stress that I won't be able to get rid of until I can actually submit for approval. Just another worry to add to the list. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

A friend of mine owns a vintage dress shop and I always look longingly at the amazing vintage beauties she sells. I can buy vintage-inspired dresses since she caries them in 2x and sometimes 3x, but I want the actual vintage. That's my goal. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Today has been rough. I had several mini chocolates while filling Easter eggs and then had coconut cake at my sister's BBQ. I haven't had chocolate since my birthday on the 14th and I'm worried I've opened a flood gate. I've been saving all of my receipts for medical visits for both my son and myself. Do copays go toward deductibles or OOP? If so, I could end up having at least the deductible covered by the end of the 3 month process. My son has been going to multiple appointments per week lately and I've spent a couple hundred in office visits this month alone. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I live just outside of KCMO. I've been to Kentucky once. I can't imagine being able to comfortably be out there after that one visit, but maybe different areas of Kentucky are more progressive. It sounds like you are well-prepared for your procedure. That's so exciting! OOP is out of pocket. My insurance has a deductible and an OOP, so my surgery will be quite expensive. I also need a hysterectomy, so my hope is that I can get both this year to meet the OOP max, but I have to be able to come up with the money first. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I have Cigna. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

KCMO At the beginning of the process. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

How did your appointment go Chae? Hi Tiney. I was surprised about the LGBT forum as well. It seems pretty dead, but at least it's here. I have only told two of my friends and am single, so I don't have much support either. I just started this process, so I don't have any idea when or if my surgery will be scheduled. I'm currently stressed about coming up with my deductible and OOP expense that they require I pay upfront. It's much more upfront than I had hoped. I haven't had any problem so far with the medical establishment with regard to being a lesbian, but I've spent over a decade having problems being obese in the LGBT community. I've had many harsh judgements and comments made to me by perfect strangers as well as by people I know concerning my size while socializing in LGBT venues. I've also found that despite the fact that I am well-educated, creative, and generally a thoughtful person, that other lesbian women judge me to the point of exclusion. I've been told directly to my face by a woman who absolutely loved my personality that she could never date me because of my size alone. She continued to tell me about how much of an amazing connection she felt to me for a few years, but never once considered rethinking her stance. While I have certainly dated and had relationships, I find it very difficult to get my foot in the door so to speak because of weight judgements. The last time that I went out to a gay bar, someone wrote "fat bitch" on my car window in black marker. If I had done anything remotely rude, I could understand, but I am very aware of my surroundings and ensure that I am polite and don't negatively affect those around me. I have manners. Honestly, I've been more hurt and mistreated based on weight than I ever have been based on sexual orientation. Those are only a couple examples of many. I'm sure you are very excited about your surgery date coming up soon. I haven't been on this app long at all, but there is a massive amount of good info here. I would love to hear how your surgery goes. Keep us posted. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you all for the support. It really does help. I am seriously hoping that stubbornness is the key. The hysterectomy will be amazing and I can't wait not to have to deal with the insane periods I have endured for more than a decade. So, I went to the psych today and left not knowing if I'll be cleared. I had to answer conversational questions for more than an hour and then had to take 4 paper tests. I was told by the receptionist that I won't know for a month if I passed. The therapist said she doesn't think insurance will approve because I have no comorbitities, and because I've never done anything like weight watchers. I hate group cheerleading type environments and I am intelligent enough with the skills to research diet and nutrition myself. It's frustrating that I may be forced to do something I don't need in order to gain approval. I can create and follow a perfect diet, but never for more than 3 months. I know what and how much I should eat. I just can't force myself to do it long term and always regain. I truly need a tool that will make it impossible to give up 3 months in. With the sleeve, I won't be able to give in at that point and I'll have a chance to get beyond it and really make a permanent change. I also feel that I've been teetering on the edge of several comorbitities for quite some time. My BMI was 42 at my first appointment with the surgeon. I need to figure out if my insurance company looks at the beginning BMI or the BMI at the time my paperwork will be submitted. From what I've read here, it differs based upon the plan. I've lost 5 pounds since my visit with the surgeon on the 9th, so my BMI will easily fall under 40 before I can get to the point of submitting for approval. Back to work for me. I need every minute of overtime I can get. Thanks again for the supportive responses. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've been doing well sticking to low carb and high Protein, so all is good on that front. Exercise is another story altogether. Two years ago, I dieted and exercised like mad and got down to 198. I swam laps for 90 minutes 5 times per week and I could easily walk 3-5 miles. Since that time, I gained, of course, and switched to a much better, but 100% sedentary job. I was swimming laps for 60 minutes 4 times per week as recently as January, but fell off the exercise wagon yet again in February. I finally went to the walking track at the local hospital last night and it took me 35 minutes to walk 1 mile and I felt like I might die. When I sat down in my car to leave, my face tingled and went numb. I was huffing and puffing from the first few steps. How can my cardiovascular system decline so rapidly? It scares me to think that I could be in such bad shape after just a month and a half of not swimming. This realization has made it feel even more imperative that I have this surgery. I've purchased a food scale, a body mass scale, and scheduled all of the appointments I need for approvals. I just still don't know where the money is going to come from. This process is so stressful, but I'm afraid this is my only hope. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I won't get a surgery date for several months because my insurance won't approve it until I jump through all the hoops for at least three months. I also can't afford the out of pocket portion yet. I was disappointed at my first visit when I was told how much I had to pay upfront before they would schedule. As for blood clots, it really depends. I knew my leg felt odd and called my doctor who told me to go in immediately. I felt the clot hit my lung as I was getting ready to leave for the ER. I was lucky and made it through. Just make sure you get up and move as soon as you can and as often as you can. That's the best way to avoid clotting after surgery. I had my gallbladder out about 5 years after I had the clots and I walked and walked because I was scared. I also have to have the dreaded Lovenox shots with every surgery. I have severe reactions to them, but they are better than dying. Speak with your doctor and I'm sure your mind will be put at ease. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you both for the encouragement. As for my job and the possibility of vocational rehab, I do have a good job that I love, it's just that as a single-income household, the money doesn't go even close to far enough. I am a contract writer and mostly work from home which is great. My job is wonderful, but the insurance is terrible. I owe so much in student loans that there is no way I can get financed for surgery. I'm just going to have to hope that somehow I can get this done. I have been doing really well staying under calories since my appointment, but today was my birthday and I caved. I felt disgusting after I ate the ice cream cookie, so I don't think I'll have a problem getting back to what's right tomorrow. I've been consuming more Protein than I ever have between Protein shakes and lean meats. I really need this before it's too late. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It runs very slowly for me as well and crashes multiple times per day. I have an iPhone 6. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi, I'm also a lesbian at the beginning of this process. I had my first appointment on the 9th. I've set up all of the appointments I need to be approved, but my insurance barely pays anything toward the procedure or hospitalization, so I'm not certain this is going to happen due to the cost prohibitive issues. I'd like to lose 135 pounds from where I stand now. I've actually had blood clots and have to see a hematologist in addition to the usual docs before surgery. I'm significantly older than you are, but my DVT and PE happened at 28 and were post-pregnancy complications. Just discuss your concerns with your doctor and I'm sure she/he will put your mind at ease. I hope your appointment goes well! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It does seem as though it would actually be less expensive to go the Mexico route than to use my insurance here. I don't think I can come up with the money for that either though. I've decided to go along as if I will somehow be able to pay and go to all of the appointments. I'll work as much overtime as I can and just see what happens. My weight at my first appointment was 274.5 bmi 42.4 fat % 49.9 my height is 5'7.5" My big step so far since the appointment is that I haven't had soda in 2 days. I love Dr Pepper. Mad love. It has been difficult, but I can't stand diet soda, so it just has to go. I've also started tracking again with MFP and have stayed under calories and met the Protein requirement both days. I'm still upset about the cost being so high and mostly being due before the surgery, but I have to try to make this happen somehow. Thanks for replying and empathizing with my disappointment. Hopefully I'll be in your shoes some time this year and be on the post-op side of this. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for the welcome. My appointment didn't go well. My insurance covers the surgery, but I have a $1000 deductible, $7000 out of pocket requirement, and then have to pay 20% of everything thereafter. From the paperwork they gave me, I have to pay $6000 before I am allowed to have surgery and then I'll have a payment plan for another approximately $4000. I can't even come close to paying that. I have no resources from which to draw the money and my son and I already live a very stripped down no frills life, so there aren't things to give up to save money. I am at a loss. I also need a hysterectomy and was hoping to fit both surgeries in this year in order to not have to meet deductibles twice, but the surgeon said the three months will really be about six months which doesn't give me time to get the hysterectomy in by the end of the year after healing and acclimating to the sleeve even if I magically find thousands of dollars. I can't describe the disappointment . Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have Cigna and have my first appointment tomorrow. I'm concerned about how much patient responsibility will be left after the insurance pays when this is all said and done. I know I have to pay a $50 copay tomorrow, have a deductible that's over $7000 for my family plan(it's me and my son), and then have to pay 20% from there. It seems to me that I'll end up paying more for my portion with insurance than I've read people pay to go to Mexico for VSG. The coordinator who made my appointment said we have a three month requirement with Cigna-have those of you who have already had your procedures been able to schedule close to three months, or has it taken four or five? I have to travel for work in August and hope I can get this in by the beginning of July in order to be ready for the trip. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App