Sandi73

KCMO
At the beginning of the process.
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Hi everyone! This is my very first post, but I've been reading posts for a week or so preparing for my appointment this Wednesday. I'm ready to get this started. My insurance has the three month waiting period, but from what I've read here, it seems it almost always takes longer. Now that I've decided, I really don't want to wait. Anyone else in KC and have experience with Dr Slayden and St Lukes South?
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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.
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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.
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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

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

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.
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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.
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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.
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It runs very slowly for me as well and crashes multiple times per day. I have an iPhone 6.
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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

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

Hi everyone! This is my very first post, but I've been reading posts for a week or so preparing for my appointment this Wednesday. I'm ready to get this started. My insurance has the three month waiting period, but from what I've read here, it seems it almost always takes longer. Now that I've decided, I really don't want to wait. Anyone else in KC and have experience with Dr Slayden and St Lukes South?
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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

Hi everyone! This is my very first post, but I've been reading posts for a week or so preparing for my appointment this Wednesday. I'm ready to get this started. My insurance has the three month waiting period, but from what I've read here, it seems it almost always takes longer. Now that I've decided, I really don't want to wait. Anyone else in KC and have experience with Dr Slayden and St Lukes South?
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App