Welcome! Feel free to invite other members. I think this will be a great place to discuss issue that we as women of color may face during this process. Thanks for joining

Allow me to introduce myself... (smile)

I have been lurking here since I joined a few days ago. Reading all that I could and marveling at before/after pics. I am going to MX this June to have my surgery done.

Came to this conclusion after seeing the woman with the 96 inch hips last week. She was 400 pounds. I am in spitting distance of 400 pounds and that bothers me. My body aches and I can hear my joints creaking sometimes. This is not good.

The summer of 2012 I lost 60 pounds through diet and exercise. I think I've gained 20 back. I see the sleeve as a way to allow me to control the hunger. I don't want to be on prescription appetite suppressants forever. Exercising and eating clean is do a little sumthin' sumthin' but I need to control the saiety factor.

Anyways, I am glad to meet ya'll and looking forward to this journey. Learning and inspired so much by what you guys prepare and are continuing to do.

Good afternoon Onehawtmama, I'm glad you are going to have the surgery. It's truly going to be a life changing experience. If you don't mind me asking why are you going to MX?

Hi Sassime!

I am going to MX because I am on a budget and Blue Cross Blue Shield State Plan does not cover the insurance. Period.

I consulted all of the US surgeons in my area and the prices ranged from 17 to 30 thousand dollars. Realistically, it would take me 15 years to save enough to selfpay the surgery at those prices (I am a schoolteacher making <50,000 dollars a year).

So, after researching I feel that this is my best option.

I'm excited that you have only a few days left to go before your surgery!!!

Hi Sassime!

I am going to MX because I am on a budget and Blue Cross Blue Shield State Plan does not cover the insurance. Period.

I consulted all of the US surgeons in my area and the prices ranged from 17 to 30 thousand dollars. Realistically, it would take me 15 years to save enough to selfpay the surgery at those prices (I am a schoolteacher making <50,000 dollars a year).

So, after researching I feel that this is my best option.

I'm excited that you have only a few days left to go before your surgery!!!

I totally understand why you're going to MX. I'm just happy that you were able to find somewhere to go. I'm very excited to have my surgery, I'm not too excited about this liquid diet because my daughters engagement party is coming up soon at a fabulous Italian restaurant. I'm gonna save one of my drinks for that time...lol

Hello everyone, I'm new to the group and as happy as a kid in a candy store because I found you!! I've enjoyed reading all the previous posts because they answered most of my questions. I started this process 3 times but always had to put it on hold due to family. I told my husband when I started it last Dec. that JESUS is the only way I'd quit this time. I'm very excited and looking forward to my new beginning, especially since it's on my daddy's birthday. I know he's smiling down on me.

Hey Sassime, it is great to have you and definitely down't let anything stand in your way. I promise you, you will not regret it!

Hi everyone! I'm new to the group and hope it helps to have others similar to me to share my journey with. I was sleeved on January 14 and am down 23 pounds. I probably now weigh the amount that I did in the picture I posted months ago...lol. Good luck to all and hopefully everyone keeps posting here!

Hi All

I was sleeved on Feb 26th. Happy I found this group. Looking forward to sharing my experiences and learning from you.

HOWDY!!!! I am so excited to get sleeved on 04.09.2012!!! what i would like to know from you all is this....as african americans what have your experiences been with saggy skin and boobs???? and what can i do to prevent it, if anything????

First of all that is a great day because it's my B-day! The sagging skin I haven't had a lot or problems with but I wasn't as heavy so I can only speak for myself. But for the boobs there is nothing you can do boo. I had my surgery on 11/6 I am going to wait at least 18 months before I have my boob job. Congrats on your sleeve welcome to the family!

Prayer works y'all!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went to a couple of appointments today thinking I was just fulfilling the final requirements so that my info could be submitted to my insurance company. I was at the last one for the nutritionist and she said "Wait, there's a note here, you need to see Chris before you leave." I was like huh, for what?..she said well, you were approved for your surgery yesterday and you need to schedule your surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Y'all I about died in that woman's office. I'm too blessed and too excited...praise Him..I'm getting sleeved on 4/22.

Prayer works y'all!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went to a couple of appointments today thinking I was just fulfilling the final requirements so that my info could be submitted to my insurance company. I was at the last one for the nutritionist and she said "Wait, there's a note here, you need to see Chris before you leave." I was like huh, for what?..she said well, you were approved for your surgery yesterday and you need to schedule your surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Y'all I about died in that woman's office. I'm too blessed and too excited...praise Him..I'm getting sleeved on 4/22.

Happiness and Greetings to you my sistah! So happy to hear about your sleeve date, I also will be sleeved on the 22nd(May) Im very excited!

I fairly new to this thread, still trying to figure out how the site works. I was recently denied by my insurance. I just trying to determine what my next steps are. I've talked with the surgeon's office now waiting on them for guidance.

Why were you denied?

The reasons for being denied are BMI not greater than 40 without two severe co-morbidities. My BMI was 39.5 with hypertension and arthritis.

Yellow box please appeal. Some companies deny at least once.

Sent from my iPad using VST

Thanks I have a follow-up appointment with the doctor soon to determine what my options are. I'm hopeful that they'll assist me in order to be approved. Looking at the bright side of things, I complete all of the requirements. I would love to have the procedure done over the summer while school is out.

New here and I am proud to be amongst my people!! Looking forward to my sleeve. Date Sept. 23.