Elizabeth73

How are people affording all these plastics without insurance copays??? I mean, do most people just have an extra $10,000 lying around, or is there some magic financing I'm not aware of? Especially with regards to traveling to places like Mexico to have them done, which sounds amazing and lavish and wonderful, but maybe I'm just not a responsible enough adult to have that much savings? ... most likely this is the case :/ *sigh

This came in up during a group meeting with our surgeon. We all told him what we were getting again. He described both procedures again. This was about 2 weeks before surgery and we had all been on a 6 month wait so we had discussed this in private with him several times. However, some of the people who were getting bypass starting wanting sleeves. Someone asked how do we know which one is best for us. He explained that its a personal choice but that sometimes if people have a lot more to lose, they chose bypass, or significant diabetes, they choose bypass. Even though I don't have it, but both my parents and grandparents have it, I opted for the sleeve. I'm only 6 days out, but I am 8lbs lighter and happy!

I too was so tired after surgery. Was sleeved on 4/3/17. Doing so much better now since I have stopped pain medication. I stayed two nights as well in part because I wasn't getting my fluids in manually because I was sleeping too much and they had to continue the IV. It gets better. I didn't nap yesterday or today.

Excuse my ignorance because I am not as far out as you, but if you can eat a bagel in your stage, and want a bagel, keep a supply of low carb ones around. Do you have a low carb store around? There is a middle ground there! I now the feeling. My favorite are everything Bagels, I found a low carb store about a month before surgery to get some.

I agree with Suze58, sugar free popsicles have helped with my excessive thirst too!

This came in up during a group meeting with our surgeon. We all told him what we were getting again. He described both procedures again. This was about 2 weeks before surgery and we had all been on a 6 month wait so we had discussed this in private with him several times. However, some of the people who were getting bypass starting wanting sleeves. Someone asked how do we know which one is best for us. He explained that its a personal choice but that sometimes if people have a lot more to lose, they chose bypass, or significant diabetes, they choose bypass. Even though I don't have it, but both my parents and grandparents have it, I opted for the sleeve. I'm only 6 days out, but I am 8lbs lighter and happy!

I think you should talk to another surgeon. Some doctors just really think about themselves other than their patients. Sometimes it's all about the money. The gastric bypass cost more than the sleeve so maybe he's thinking of dollar signs. I understand that the sleeve wouldn't be right for you IF you have existing acid reflux disease because it can worsen your condition. However, if you don't have acid reflux right now then there should be no reason why you shouldn't have the sleeve. Sure patients lose more weight with the gastric bypass but it's very risky and has a higher complication rate. So I say if you feel comfortable getting the sleeve, go for it!!!

sugar free popsicles help me get the Fluid I need and satisfies the thirst ...for me

When your 21 year old daughter answers her apartment door and greets you with "God mom you look like a starved orphan!"

I'm going to have surgery soon, I would like to know. Were you sleeved or gastric bypass? I've heard gastric bypass are more likely to lose more hair due to more nutrition loss.

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I'm sorry elizabethrudy! I'm still learning this board and am doing so from my phone. My apologies for that!!

I take Biotin 1000 mcg and I started that 5 months before surgery. It helped me!

Not too bad for a 53 year old G-Ma, who was morbidly obese just 3 months ago. Now I'm just overweight and 20 lbs from being within my ideal weight range. I want to lose about 25 more.

I hear ya! I'm finally getting to a place in my weight loss, that I'm not ashamed to have my picture taken. Now don't get me wrong, I still try to pose in certain ways that accentuate my positives and cover my negatives. I feel like I will always be a little insecure.

I've had the same concerns. I'm past 6 months and have lost 63lbs and am starting to wonder if I continue to lose weight, do I even need the surgery! I get my sleep study results today and after this, I will have no more requirements. These concerns are real!!!
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I'm here too say guys don't give up waited 6 months for my date and work hard to prove I could beat it lost 80 lbs before surgery two weeks out 25 more hang in there it's worth every day of pain
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Okay everyone my insurance company received my paperwork which was confirmed to me today and I'm just waiting for the phone call saying its been approved. I feel positive and I'm remaining prayerful that it will. So keep me in prayer that it will be a yay and not a nay. I have Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield NY
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I have been exploring WLS for 10 years. Kept backing out for various reasons. Cancelled in August because I just couldn't get my mind around doing something so dramatic that I should be able to do on my own. Almost cancelled 3 days before my surgery but my nurse talked me down and I read a lot of success stories and...
Had surgery on January 9. Went very smoothly. Very little pain or gas. Was able to eat without much nausea. Nausea only happened with Morphine. Eating and drinking fine. Walking on day 1. Home 2 days later. Eating is fine, exercise fine, no pain. Stopped pain meds 1 day before leaving hospital. Only annoyance was incision drain. Very sore by the time I had removed yesterday. Removal was easy, and feel so much better now.
So...I tell you all this because I was so torn about doing this. The surgery was easy, I feel fine and it doesn't even feel like I had surgery. I did this more for health and less for looks, but both will benefit. I was down 11 pounds in one week. I encourage anyone who is wavering to hang in there and do your research. You will get through it and you will be glad you did.

Just had my pre-op surgeon meeting... I've got 7 more days till surgery. I got here so apprehensive that I was almost in tears... I kept thinking things like, will I ever enjoy eating again? Will I ever be able to have lunch out with friends again? Will I be so miserable I regret the surgery? Am I a failure because I have to resort to surgery to lose weight? How will my husband and son (and my pets) handle a couple days without me while I'm hospitalized? Am I going to have complications? Is this all worth it? Do I really want to give up sweets, Snacks, steaks, sodas, etc... FOREVER??
After talking to my surgeon, nurse, and nutritionist... I do feel a little better... but I admit I'm struggling... anyone else having these feelings too?
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It's been one year today since I had my sleeve done. My life has changed in every aspect.
My start weight was 333.1lbs
My weight this morning was 137.8lbs
That's a total loss of 195.3lbs!!
I've also lost a total of 95 inches...I'm a size 6 now...used to be a size 30.
I have accomplished this by being very focused and strict with my eating and exercise.
I eat very low carb, and always get in my Protein, Vitamins and Water every day.
For all of you just starting out, just know that anything is possible, and if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything!! 
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When I found out I had to wait 6 months for surgery, I was disappointed. Now, because of a sleep study consultation,I am going to have to wait ATLEAST 2 months more, but when I look back, I am happy. Have lost 53lbs presurgery, and feel better!

When I found out I had to wait 6 months for surgery, I was disappointed. Now, because of a sleep study consultation,I am going to have to wait ATLEAST 2 months more, but when I look back, I am happy. Have lost 53lbs presurgery, and feel better!

Thanks for the input everybody. Keeping it off has always been my problem!
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When I found out I had to wait 6 months for surgery, I was disappointed. Now, because of a sleep study consultation,I am going to have to wait ATLEAST 2 months more, but when I look back, I am happy. Have lost 53lbs presurgery, and feel better!

When I found out I had to wait 6 months for surgery, I was disappointed. Now, because of a sleep study consultation,I am going to have to wait ATLEAST 2 months more, but when I look back, I am happy. Have lost 53lbs presurgery, and feel better!