Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Checking in (still pre-pre op, lol)



Recommended Posts

Hi everyone! I got to know a few of you a little about a year ago when I was trying to get approved for the sleeve. It's official, I will have no insurance coverage for it. I've done all tests that would make it possible and nothing's wrong with me, not even sleep apnea! LOL I am thankful for that but it does make me so mad at insurance companies for not taking into consideration the build of the individual. I may not have the weight to be over 40 BMI to have the surgery approved without co-morbidities but my waist measurement is way higher than most females who do have a BMI of 40 or higher. And that is the most dangerous place to carry your weight, it's been shown over and over again in heart health studies. And my BMI is only like 3.4 away from being 40. But, hey, it is what it is.

Over the last year I've done the usual, gained and lost weight a couple times, not big losses but enough to start telling it in my clothes and then something happens and I mess myself up and gain it all back. Same old song and dance. Just sick of it. I always come back here to read. I see some of you that I spoke with are now pregnant, CONGRATULATIONS girls!!!! And I see alot of other successes as well. So happy for you all!!!

So, here's where I'm at now. I'm cash pay and choosing between 2 surgeries, leaning heavily toward one. VSG, obviously, but also learning about POSE. I know, I know, it doesn't take the Ghrelin away and the weight loss is way slower, and it's one of the new kids on the block. Was considering the plications surgery but since learning about the chances of necrosis because of blood flow (and me being a smoker as of now) and that part of the stomach not being viewable during a scope has made me take that option pretty much off the table. The reasons for POSE are less downtime, no leaks, no cutting, less surgical risks like blood clots, pneumonia and such, no reports of hurting after eating or food intolerances like broccoli or coconut. And, my hubby wouldn't have to take time off without pay to be home with me long enough to get past the risk of leak time frame. I know there's very low probability of a leak but I want him with me during that healing time just in case something would happen, he'd be there to get me to where I needed to be. The advantages of VSG are obvious to me and all of you so no need to list them here.

So, there it is. Waiting on Dr. Lavin to call me for an over the phone consult since I'm so far away from him to talk about POSE. He also does the sleeve and is very highly recommended so I'm sure we'll discuss that surgery as well. I just wanted to tell everyone hi and I'm so happy for you all!!! Hope to be one of the post surgery and pregnant gals by this time next year!!

God Bless!

Krystal

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×