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@@FrankiesGirl - One of my gripes with Big Pharma is nicotine is OK in gum and patches, but not in vaping. Nicotine is an interesting drug, it is simultaneously calming and an amphetamine. The number of receptors seems to increase if you start before 25 (which is why I've always pushed my kids to not use a h*okas, or cigars until they are at least 25). For whatever reason, I'm self medicating on and do not function well without nicotine. I went three weeks cold turkey and my productivity was nil. I pulled out the vaping as a 'Hail Mary' trying not to go back to smoking and after doing it had almost instant clarity of thought again. But the nicotine as insecticide thing is pure propaganda. Sorry it is. Polypropylene glycerol is damn safe as an inhalant and everyone knows it. Dr. Wu's study was with cells from dead kids. "In the lab, the vapor triggered a strong immune response in the epithelial cells of tissue samples donated by deceased children and the exposed cells appeared to be more vulnerable to infection by cold-causing rhinovirus" All he could conclusively say was "if dead kids use this they may be at greater risk of the common cold." Come on. Don't give into alarmism. Especially in context of smoking/not smoking. It's not even close. All I have seen is a bunch of "we don't like it because it looks like smoking." All the while I saw all signs of my COPD go away, and no increase in anything bad in three years of follow up with my doctor before I had my WLS surgery...and there is no smell, I have never had a girl friend complain. There is a huge difference between burning vegies and vaping. 25-30% of American adults are completely addicted to nicotine. They still smoked even though they KNEW its dangerous. Yet since vaping came on the scene, nearly one in 10 of all Americans now vape, reducing the smoking rate to 17%. That is a good thing. It shouldn't be maligned by "maybe it does something." SMOKING DOES BAD THINGS. No if and's or butts. The junk science against vaping is as bad as the crap that getting WLS makes you 4 times more likely to kill yourself. Total BS and when pressed the doctor who wrote the study admitted it to me via email today. In short, please give me real facts and don't pee on me and tell me it's raining. I'm open to real facts. That's why I had WLS. My initial reaction to finding out how effective WLS was vs. Behavioral modification was "Oh BS." But after research, I had to agree, 80% chance vs less than 8%...yep it's worth the money. I am open to changing my mind. But not to non-sequesters.

When I do cook (I am super-lazy about food prep generally) I use paleo cookbooks, I find they actually have lower carb, higher protein recipes than the specialized wls cookbooks I have seen.I do eat dairy so I just play with the recipes and swap/add dairy in where I want to. http://www.amazon.com/Nom-Paleo-Food-Humans/dp/1449450334/ref=zg_bs_7114436011_12 http://www.amazon.com/Well-Fed-Paleo-Recipes-People/dp/0989487504/ref=zg_bs_7114436011_18 ketogenic cookbooks are good too: http://www.amazon.com/The-Ketogenic-Cookbook-Nutritious-Low-Carb-ebook/dp/B011CX8UZA/

The food that Dub was posting looked so effing amazing!!! Wowsers, come to BC Canada and be my chef? Puhleeeeeeeaaase! I had my first real solid food yesterday actually.... TURKEY!!! It was our Thanksgiving day yesterday. (Turkey, sweet potato, cooked carrot, stuffing, dot of gravy, dot of cranberry jelly.) Everyone was laughing at my teeny tiny mini meal but damn it was good! It was so awesome!

@@gowalking - When I dug deeper into the numbers, I think this is total crap. They are comparing apples and oranges. They were damn lazy. They have huge gaps. They don't know if the population of self pay (since this data from Canada where a very large segment of the population would rather self pay than wait for socialized medicine). If you add in the self pay WLS patients, that would lower the percentage of self-harm down to the population at large. There is no control for demographics. He's comparing unemployed self-soothing fat people to the total population and saying this proves the surgery will make you four times more likely to kill yourself. Sorry, total and complete BS. However on FOX news or CNN the headline will be "Have stomach surgery? You will probably kill yourself." Absolutely irresponsible.

Hello- Im new around and have made the first step towards having vsg, meaning that my Dr has referred me to the bariatric surgery center and they have me scheduled for an information session in November. (Ive made an appt with a dietician and a Dr. (to start sleep study process). I have called my insurance company and they said that my plan does cover BS long as it is medically necessary and my Dr submits required authorization. They were not able to answer my question of "how long must I do a medically-supervised diet to qualify" the surgery center just told me to start with 3 months...hopefully by then I know. I have no medical issues besides being obese....I am at the borderline of qualifying with no medical issues. My BMI is currently 40.3. If my insurance requires a 3-6 month diet plan and I loose weight and go under the BMI of 40 does anyone know if they deny surgery from that point? I was also denied by the surgery center about 6 months ago because my BMI was under 40. Now they have accepted me because Ive gained and its just over 40. This whole process is already stressful and I feel like my insurance co (blueshield ca (thru employer) is not giving me direct answers to the questions I am asking.

I am contemplating switching from DEPO to either an implant or an IUD. I am freaked about it all! I didn't worry about any BC prior to surgery and now it all I am thinking about. Gah! Being a woman is the pits (sometimes).

Oh, eff, seriously?! I am so freaked about taking any BC and haven't had to worry about it for three years. Then bam! Right after surgery had a period (that was missing for over three years) that last almost three weeks. My PCP said, "if you're going to be menstruating and ovulating and don't want babies, you need birth control." I didn't want an IUD as they kinda freak me out but I don't want DEPO to make me crazy. GAH!

Shelly, I can so relate! My mother fat shames me all the time and tells me that I've let her down and she's disappointed in me bc of my weight. I'm at the point where I want to have this surgery, and lose the weight and never see my own mother again! She's actually told me before that she doesn't want to see me until I'm thin. It's really bad. I've only gone to see her once this year (Mother's Day ) She keeps trying to give me incentives.. A whole new wardrobe.. If I lose weight.. She's very wealthy and I get an inheritance from my Father who passed away 6 years ago.. But my mother holds all the cards. She has threatened me several times to not give me the money if I don't lose weight. (My home situation is such that getting a job making less than my inheritance gives is not an option for me) I was at my lowest weight last year (40 pounds less than I am right now) And my mom still fat shamed me bc I hadn't got to my perfect weight yet after all these years.. She bettered me in front of a friend. I've forgiven her bc she asked me to. But then it seems she hurts me again. This last time of fat shaming was a week ago. Sorry for rambling

I think a HUGE problem is that a lot of people take on this vigilante idea of "no treats for you, you are a WLS patient!" and "if you can't get over not having ice cream, a little fast food (good menu choices) and treats, you'll fail at losing/keeping the weight off!" Which is total bogus BS. Having WLS doesn't make you incapable of having food and pleasure combine. Yes, for many people it is a slippery slope but that is an emotional problem that needs to be addressed long before deciding to have WLS. Knowing why you are eating a treat is the issue. Choosing to have a small 1/2 cup of NSA ice cream doesn't relate to taking a pint of B&J's Cherry Garcia to the couch and chowing down. Unless of course the 1/2 cup of ice cream is a emotional soothing technique brought on by stress, discomfort or sadness. There is a difference and people can learn better emotional support techniques that will allow all foods in moderation.

This is a good question! I've been wondering about this. Since we're not supposed to drink with our meals bc it'll wash the food out, causing us to eat more, wouldn't the same thing happen with puréed soups and protein shakes? Protein shakes wouldn't cause you to feel full?

So its normal thank god. I spoke to my doc he suggested omoprozol. It's so bad I'm so disappointed in this bc of it.

I had it on August 4th, so about 2 months, it's not like I'm eating a lot in one sitting, but like overall today I ate a lot Bc I kept eating after I stopped feeling full..it was all mental tbh @@jenn1

I'm so sorry! Right there with you... Message me if you want to comisorate ???? everyone was so confident that 'most overweight people have hernias and don't even know it' that I was so sure I had one. It's kind of ironic bc my indigestion and heartburn is getting worse every day!. I'll private message you

I'm so sorry! Right there with you... Message me if you want to comisorate ???? everyone was so confident that 'most overweight people have hernias and don't even know it' that I was so sure I had one. It's kind of ironic bc my indigestion and heartburn is getting worse every day!

Finally approved for Oct 27th! Any others out there? I'm working on my menu for preop diet and especially the purée stage bc I have no clue what I should eat during that stage. I go to my preop class Monday and start my preop diet on Tuesday eeeeek .

@@ImBringingLisaBack RNY That's awesome... I have 10 weeks to go. I'm doing a weight loss process first bc of my insurance of course. But it'll be worth the wait... do you have a facebook or youtube so i can follow you on?

It's too scripted for me. All the aches and pains she has makes me feel miserable. Having a friend drive 5 hours to "take care of her body" by giving her massages was a bit too much for me. I think that makes obese people look lazy and helpless but then she dances. How "fabulous" can your life be when you can't even take care of your own body without assistance? I'm calling BS! I don't know I just can't get into it. I've never been one for the overly "diva" persona. Not my flavor.

Ugh I have a similar problem. Not with fast food but I LOVE EATING OUT. I really didn't like cooking at home bc I never knew what to make but I started cooking at home the same things I would eat out... if I went to carrabbas for chicken marsala. I'd make it at home but a "healthier version " or apple bees boneless wings I'd make at home... can you try doing that? Cooking at home healthier but similar versions of fast food.

I started looking into the surgery in 2013. I didn't make up my mind until 2014. At that point, I had to do a year-long insurance mandated program before they'd approve me. I finished it in July 2015 then I had to wait until almost September because of my work schedule!! OMG, it took freaking forever. While I was waiting, I was such a bear about it. I groused constantly about hoops and how impatient I was. How they were forcing me to carry all of that weight around for an entire year while they had me set BS goals. I don't know how anyone lived with me. In June 2015, I made up my mind to start making some of the changes I'd need to get used to post-surgery. Low carb, Protein first, lots of Water, exercise, etc. I wasn't perfect. Not even close. But it started to get me in the frame of mind. I didn't get a surgery date until late July. And when my surgery date rolled around, I was SOOO very ready. I'm 5.5 weeks out now. A total of 47 pounds down since June. 26 pounds since surgery. Was the wait worth it? You bet. I have not once second guessed my choice - not while I was only walking for 5 minutes a day because it hurt so bad, or when I made myself sick eating something I didn't tolerate well at week 4 (beef) or when I have to drag my lazy butt off the couch to get my steps in. I put the work in and there's no way I'm screwing this up. I hope this helps a little. The wait is worth it. CJ

It' s official! My tentative date was 10/21. BC/BC gave authorization on yesterday. The final date for my bypass is 10/26 at 0730. Am I excited!

@@India928 on your policy did they clearly say that allowed bariatric surgery or that treatment for the morbidly obese was allowed if deemed medically necessary. Today the office manager submitted my papers and my gwh rep was giving the run around. So she ended up calling Cigna and submitting straight to them. I'm so stressed out right now bc it seems no one at gwh knows what's going on. When they told us several months ago it was all good!

I'm of a similar mind, but I have no idea what's up without seeing your Certificate of Coverage and Benefits/Exclusions. In my case, my hospital visit came out to over $88,000 as the sticker price, but the negotiated amount (in network preferred hospital) was closer to $4500, and my share was $502. My surgeon was something like $4000, and my share was about $700, because of meeting the deductible. The BS of CA website has a tool that lets you estimate how much things will cost you based on your benefits. So, for example, it said my max was going to be about $2200, because of the household out of pocket maximums.

Honestly, I JUST got done with BS of CA, and here is the breakdown: 18k for surgery, insurance covered all but 293.67 and then 10% of hospital so 1.8k. Theres no reason in the world they should be billing you 50+k for a surgery when out of pocket you would be looking at 18-22. Someone is ripping you off, and needs to be held accountable.

hi my insurance pay all my machine & I also have bc/bs of NC but u need to my sure they send the bill to company & not you that's what happen to me I freaked out I call them they told me they were going to rebill my bc/ bs of NC

@@gowalking Good post. This is definitely interesting stuff to think about. I'd bet a lot of us never fully developed self-respect growing up. I grew up with an alcoholic mother with terrible boundaries. I didn't learn how distinguish between my own problems I needed to own and others' problems that I needed to let them own. I know a number of women with weight problems are survivors of sexual abuse, which is the ultimate way of taking away your voice. I had several crappy relationships both as a thin and overweight person. A couple years ago I saw a therapist who taught me all about boundaries and that I don't have to put up with other people's BS. That changed my life. I'd made a long-distance move for a job away from the place I'd been living for several years and loved. It looked like a good idea on paper, but I knew in my heart it was wrong for me. With my newfound courage, I got an even better job and moved back to that area I love. About eight months in, I learned about the bariatric center where I ended up having my surgery. I only told my dad, my best friend and my boyfriend at first and they all said they supported me. I had my dad tell the rest of my family first and he made sure they knew my mind was made up and I wouldn't tolerate any negative or inappropriate comments. Now I'm post-op and just trying to ride out the difficult time in the beginning. I know this is going to make me feel even healthier and more confident. Can't wait!