Sleeve1stFitNext

Congrats!!! It is the NSV's that mean the most.

Omg!!! This is too much. I love it.
I once ran into a man at the Whole Foods. We were in the fruit Aisle. I was looking for a platter of the best picked assorted, exotic fruit they had to offer. I found that platter and I reached out ever so gently to retrieve it. Our hands touched and for a second we stared deeply into each other eyes. A look of longing, as we both desired those delicious fruits. For a moment we could not look away. Then some chick came she took the damn fruit. Oh it was about to go down. She almost caught all my hands . but I let it slide as the employee brought out a freshly made platter.

I have packed on a lot of muscle over the months of training. I have stopped trying to be in the 140's. I am going for strong now. I love how my body looks currently and I am focusing on the inches. I just cannot wait to have the fat removed from stomach because that baby is not trying to go anywhere and I am sure I have at least one Ab underneath it lol.
HW: 278 SW: 244 GW: 180 I hope everyone reaches their goals.

Dayum dude! ((hugs)) I swear I hope that feeling in your changes to victory, empowerment, and supreme healthy self-confidence asap!!!

Omg!!! This is too much. I love it.
I once ran into a man at the Whole Foods. We were in the fruit Aisle. I was looking for a platter of the best picked assorted, exotic fruit they had to offer. I found that platter and I reached out ever so gently to retrieve it. Our hands touched and for a second we stared deeply into each other eyes. A look of longing, as we both desired those delicious fruits. For a moment we could not look away. Then some chick came she took the damn fruit. Oh it was about to go down. She almost caught all my hands . but I let it slide as the employee brought out a freshly made platter.

Yeah, LOL ... they don't call it a "meat market" for nothing. It's funny but I actually believe that it really does work. But seriously, meeting people whilst grocery shopping clearly doesn't work for me and that is probably because I am obese. I may smile at someone who I think is attractive but very rarely is the smile returned, much less even acknowledged; I am invisible. In fact, I hate grocery shopping because it is a constant, nagging reminder of the fact that I am fat.

You need to stop this behavior immediately. This can affect you getting your surgery. If there is too much fat around your liver, your surgery will be post-oped for a later date.
Lets be honest, we all have done our food funeral. I did mines the day before I started my 2 week liquid diet. I ate Burger King, Red Lobster, Applebees. Then I went at it on my diet.
I think you should really buckle down now and get serious.

I am writing this to help those whom have United Health Care. Here are the following things to know and tips:

Before reading these tips, contact UHC for confirmation that Bariatric surgery is covered under your plan. Confirm the requirements. Confirm that your surgeon and his associated hospital is In-Network (if they are not, it will be like paying for the surgery without insurance). Make sure you have an understanding of what the insurance wants to see or have done.

1) You are eligible if you have a 40 BMI or Higher / Greater than 35 BMI with Co-Morbidity.

2) Once you find your surgeon, you will have to do 6 months worth of testing, dieting and education.

3) You will have to make 6 visits (once a month). This does not include your consultation.

4) One of your visits will be with a Psychological Evaluation. This will determine your surgeons view and the insurance company's view of your case. They take a look at your mental and emotional health. They ask about your family and your support systems. They may ask you how you feel about yourself. Stay away from the negative views you may have of your body. Understand that they have seen hundreds of people like you and may have some prejudice in regards to whether you will succeed or not. Remind them that you are a person, not a statistic and bring some human to your discussion.

5) Your surgeon may require you to keep an eating and exercise journal. I use MyFitnessPal and I have a FitBit.

6) You will be asked to do an EKG to see how strong your heart is.

7) You may be asked to do a sleep study. Depending on your surgeon, it can be a requirement. In my case, the insurance company denied it. They did not deem it as a necessity.

8) You will have to do an Ultrasound which is to see if you have any issues with your liver (fatty liver disease) or other organs.

9) The next thing is an endoscopy. This requires you to head to an outpatient clinic, be sedated and have a tube stuck down your throat. I learned that I had an hiatal hernia (where part of the stomach enters the diaphragm). This can cause you heart burn. Be aware of H. Pylori. This is a bacteria that can cause ulcers and heart burn as well. It takes a lot of antibiotics to cure. Be mindful that your throats will be sore and some sharp pains may occur as they most likely scrapped some samples from your digestive tract.

10) In between these visits, you will see an dietitian and nutritionist for further help. They will slowly walk you through changing your eating habits. Be honest with them. It is very important in the long run. Also try to keep your weight lost in small amounts. If you lose too much in a short period of time, the surgeon and insurance company will feel like you can lose the remaining weight alone.

11) Your last visit will consist of an overview. The surgeon will check your weight and may discuss further with you about your feelings towards the surgery. Hopefully you are approved by the surgeon. My surgeon was great during the process. I met with him more times than anyone else. He literally kept giving my information and sites to read to understand this tool.

12) They will then submit your information to the insurance company. Now it can take up to 2 - 6 weeks for approval. I was approved in one week.

My fellow UHC Members, I hope this assist you in your endeavors. 6 months will fly by so quickly you won't even realize it.

Remember education is the key to success.


Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congratulation!!! Keep it going. I love naked burritos.

Everything that is high in Fiber and Protein, make me feel full quickly and immediately.
Anything with high amounts of carbs, I can suck down like air. So I try to stay away from high carb items.

So your plan has a $500 deductible and 10% co-insurance and you use $25,000 in services, you'll pay the $500 plus 10% of the remaining $24,500, up to your out-of-pocket maximum.
You should not owe them any additional. So you should be paying $2,500 max out of pocket. Your surgical co-pay should be included in your out-of-pocket maximum.
However, you should contact your insurance company as they may have different rules regarding this part of your medical.
My insurance did not have a surgical co-pay. I have a $500 deductible with a $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum.

You are correct. It is the same steps that are were taken when getting the sleeve.

Oh this is some BS. You mean to tell me that I could have avoided all that damn small talk and extra tip money by dropping this baby on the table?
SMH

Oh wow. WTH!! I never heard of this card. Well, I was allowed to purchase from the kid's menu because I was adorable. Applebees and Red Lobster waiters/waitress would allow me and I would just give them a side tip. I did not care. Then they would ask questions for their family members and I would answer every one of them.

The left is me at 278lbs 5’3. The right is me at 189lbs.

The left is me at 278lbs 5’3. The right is me at 189lbs.

For those with spouses, I think it's fun to do the Lady n' the Tramp thing and just order a starter, then the meal. That way you can have a bite or two of an app and a bite or four off his/her plate. Then the spouse still has buttwads left of dinner and you're satisfied. I loved sharesies pre-op, and I'm so looking forward to going out and only having the expense of one person plus iced tea for moi! ROFLMAO!!!
But. LOVE the card. Will try to remember to ask my doc tomorrow!!!

Oh this is some BS. You mean to tell me that I could have avoided all that damn small talk and extra tip money by dropping this baby on the table?
SMH

Weight loss is personalized to you, your body, how well you follow the program and willingness not to fail. Someone in my support group had posted this.

Listen, there is nothing wrong with ordering from the kid's menu. I go full out with the Apple juice and Apple Slices. I have no shame. My friends crack up. They love it. Then I will keep my fork moving and have a full-blown conversation. By the end of the night, no one would have realized that I did not finish my meal.

Oh this is some BS. You mean to tell me that I could have avoided all that damn small talk and extra tip money by dropping this baby on the table?
SMH

Oh wow. WTH!! I never heard of this card. Well, I was allowed to purchase from the kid's menu because I was adorable. Applebees and Red Lobster waiters/waitress would allow me and I would just give them a side tip. I did not care. Then they would ask questions for their family members and I would answer every one of them.

The left is me at 278lbs 5’3. The right is me at 189lbs.

278lbs in August of 2016 my first Bariatric Appt.
260lbs in March of 2017 starting my 2-week pre-op diet.
189lbs in February of 2018.
I all almost 16 months. I had huge stalls due to gaining muscle from weight lifting.

The left is me at 278lbs 5’3. The right is me at 189lbs.