heycrystal2052

Yes, I agree! When I felt that feeling, I thought the "walking" idea was silly, but I tell you...it made things a lot better. It will get better.

To be honest, at one point I thought I was losing too quickly. Between each appointment, I was losing about 25 pounds per three month, sometimes more. At this point, I have slowed a little, but the inches are still coming off. You do a lot more than I in the gym, I just focus on toning and walking. The arms, girl...they need help. Most insurance companies consider it to be more cosmetic, so I'll pay out of pocket for that if I'm ever desperate enough to get rid of it. What I wanted most, the insurance covered. These breasts need help, thankfully, BCBS agrees. LOL! The rate of loss now, is about 10 pounds a month. Almost two years out and I'm still so very focused, I've gone through too much to give up now. Ya know?!

I'm the same, there are a lot of foods I can no longer tolerate. I'm mainly a chicken and fish/seafood person. I really don't have a taste for beef or pork anymore. I LOVE chili, but a small cup from Jason's Deli can last a whole day. In the morning, I'll have a fruit that's high in water content, that can go towards my water intake. I love to snack on jerky, roasted seaweed, cucumbers w/ a touch of salt and dressing. When I get bored I'll switch it up, but I try to focus on protein and or empty cal foods. Eggs are good as well, but remember, they should not be an every day food.

I'm a year and a half out, I still don't own a scale. I'm afraid I'm going to get addicted, lol. But, this is a great question.

I thought the same as you, I thought hey would tell me to lose a bit more weight before submitting to the insurance. Since I'm close to my goal, I'm sure that was factored in. Such adventures! lol

I did feel a sense of shame, my shame was directed towards myself. I was ashamed I was slowly depriving my body of what it could be at its best potential, shame on me. I actually had a moment where I saw a very overweight child and I broke into tears , I felt horribly for that child. I was that child, I was that teenager, I was that adult. I felt shame for many things, but at the end of the day, you'll find your strength and will be very proud of the decision you made. You will teach, inspire, and be the rock someone will need, someone who wants to achieve a better way of living. Things will be okay!

I remember I would have crying spurts, because it would take two hours just to eat a Oikos. I was on the phone w/ my surgeon every other day, because I kept worrying about the time it took to sip sip sip and nibble nibble nibble. How much of your stomach did the Dr. take, I had 85% removed.

I was very happy when the process started, I didn't hide my plans or the surgery. Prior to the surgery, I read many things where people held back a little, I didn't want that. Amazingly, I was supported at work and w/in my family and friends. However, I was in a relationship for almost four years and that sizzled quickly, due to the lack of support and actually, I felt he began to resent the fact I wanted to get my health in order. I felt he purposely wanted to see me fail so I'd continue to be the same miserable fat girl, low self-esteemed girl, and the girl who didn't gives two craps about her personal outlook. Boy, bye! Along w/ the surgery, that was the best thing that ever could had happened. On my FB, I post many steps w/in my journey along w/ pictures. You'd be amazed at how many people you'll inspire!! Never be ashamed of your journey, be free!

YES!!! 8 pounds away from being in the 100's, that's what I'm talking about! Good for you, I'm happy to be able to witness your accomplishments, congrats! I fell in love w/ Aquatics, due to WHAT WAS my size, I ran from bathing suits and water. Not anymore and not this girl! 2.71 miles w/ walking, that's very good. I love the treadmill, but I'd rather walk the neighborhood or at a park, it makes it a bit more enjoyable and you can meet like-minded individuals when it comes to our health. Sure, you can do that at the gym, but walking around your neighborhood, you may meet a new walk/riding buddy.

Happy Wednesday! I am scheduled for 08/31/2017, but that will be changed to 09/2017. We're having a really important training and I can't miss that, but that'll end up working out for the best. I'm super excited and of course, I'll be more than happy to keep you updated. So many changes, but for once, I welcome them all.

Depending on your policy, it could differ. W/ the lift, I didn't have any issues w/ the chafing, rashes, etc. Some policies will require those things to be a must. I'm a 40DDD, so they're very heavy and hurt my back, thankfully that was enough to get my approval. If you're having any issues due to the weight lost (only focus on that), make sure they're well documented and share that w/ your plastic surgeon. Now, I did have some discoloration under the breasts, I was later told, that was a sign of continuous skin irritation (so, maybe I did have those issues). The Panni, we knew they were would deny, but we tried any way. In my case, the denial did not warrant a P2P. Not to be too graphic, you must hang lower than your lady part and I just don't have enough loose skin to justify the surgery. They need to see you've had NUMEROUS amounts of skin irritations for them to even blink an eye w/ thought of the reviewing. If that is a problem, make sure you get prescribed (must fill through the pharmacy, we need to see you had claims for it and for how long) creams or whatever else you use to treat it. If you buy something OTC, again, make sure it is documented w/ your surgeon so it is recorded in your medical chart. Make sure you're within or at goal and have been there for several months. Now, depending on your policy, this could differ a bit, but this is the gist of it.

When I tried a carbonated water, I had that same issue. I was miserable until it resolved itself and that was done w/ Gas X, I'll never do that again.

Wow, ACA covered that procedure? Way to go, I'm so happy for you. The ACA, as of right now, will be around for two more years.

Aww gads, did my innocent comment upset you? Lol.

It looks very delicious, but the carb and sugar count is a bit too high for me. I'm sure there is something like it, that'll fit w/in my "safe zone". Thank you so much for sharing!

I'm w/ Jess, my employer is the same when it comes to the strict guidelines for the pannus. I knew going in they were going to deny my PA, but it was still worth the try. The skin in that area is minimal, nothing a little girdle can't handle. The breast lift and reduction, we (BCBS) just approved that and will be covering the costs. Out of pocket, I'll only be paying $500.00.

I'm so very proud of you, how wonderful you must feel. I was just approved for the surgery and I can't wait, this is the final surgery that surrounds my weight loss. Keep up the great work, you're look great!

By chance, do you have the nutrition table for this smoothie? Also, I'm not a fan of coffee, can that be replaced w/ something else?

Right on, I feel you on that one!

My mother just told me about Gweenie, I need to take a look at their site. I started out as a size 34/36 and I'm now at a 14/16, I kid you not, I'm still holding on to all of my clothes. I have bags of clothes just sitting in the closet, but not anymore. I'm fully ready to let go. I will do what you did and hold on to only one pair of pants. Where I was and where I am, such a great idea you had Jess!

I've become a fan of lettuce wraps, I'm close to my goal so I've added a bit more into my diet. If I eat bread, I'll have it once or twice a month. The rounds that you're speaking of, take a look at the carbs, I believe per one round, you're taking in over 20 grams of carbs.

I had a huge issue w/ letting go of my clothes, but you're so right. I've decided to take my clothes to the Mission this weekend, it's time to let go. Thank you for this, today was my day to see your words!

I love Swap.com! I wish I knew about them when I first started losing weight. Buying clothes just to grow out of them in several weeks, was really a chore. Prior to the surgery, I never would have visited a site like that, but now, I'm more than thankful for it.

Luckily, I work for BCBS, so I had a heads up about some of the "must haves". I didn't go through my PCP, I went through my Bariatric Dr. and my plastic surgeon. When applying for any type of PA, it is always best to have it submitted by the specialist and not your MD. The surgeon submitted everything to the insurance.

I've never had any children, it makes me wonder how that would have changed things when it came to the approval. I didn't have to show any documentation in rf to back problems, I'm assuming the weight lost and the ridiculous amount of sagging, was enough to get it approved. But again, I don't know exactly what the surgeon submitted. I'm sure you'll be okay, once you get close to your goal weight. Time for another surgery, once you get there!