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Laura...my insurance covered everything and I just pay a $10.46 out of pocket for each LB doc visit forever. I do not have any out of pocket fees with my policy ($2000 deductible annually) but with LB doc I have the fee because he is a visiting doc. I can handle $10.46. There is only an office visit (about $90) billed to my ins. whether there is a fill or not.

I have read so many threads and the fees for fills are all over the place. LB ppl sitting out there not being able to get there fills and maintain their band because of over-the-top fees. Kinda sad.

No kidding! When I needed a fill last year when we were in CA it was cheaper for me to fly home and get one, even with rental car, than to get one from one of the docs down there!!

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I just got back from nutrition class........down 2 more lbs. Woohoo!!!!!

I took my mother the flowers. It did the trick. She seems a lot better.

Again, Thanks for all the support!

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No kidding! When I needed a fill last year when we were in CA it was cheaper for me to fly home and get one, even with rental car, than to get one from one of the docs down there!!

You know what, Phyll....so many things have gotten out of hand. DS is taking my baby (100lb lab) to the vet this afternoon. He is going for his annual check, shots, toe nail clipping, flee/tick treatment and the vet to look at his toe that he broke over the weekend. I am sure this will add up to more than I will pay for medical bills this year on myself. But, he's our baby and we do it. :bored:

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Speaking of taking Tanker to the vet...I have not been able to do it for about 6 yrs. He has HATED that place since he had to leave his govenors there when he was 2 (testicles). He will get out of the truck but has to be carried to the door. And, when you get him to the door of the clinic, DS has to back in with him cuz he spreads his legs out and puts them on the door jam and there's no moving him. It was quite the show the last time I tried it alone. Had to hollar to have someone get the vet to carry him in. I was in tears because the poor 100lb baby was shaking like a leaf for an hour in the clinic. DS is a strapping young man and takes everything he has to get him in the door.

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I just got back from nutrition class........down 2 more lbs. Woohoo!!!!!

I took my mother the flowers. It did the trick. She seems a lot better.

Again, Thanks for all the support!

Woohoo, Arlene! Gold Star!

I deem today "Arlene the Weight Loss Queen Day"!!!!!:bored:

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Arlene - Queen for the Day Congratulations, my friend.

Correction re: My doctors fees. I rechecked today and a fill is $130 (whether doc or assistant administers it) and appt w/o fill is $65.

We discussed my decision to move slowly and he advised (and added) .5cc. He is very happy with my progress (average 7 lbs a month) and I need not return for 5 weeks. yippee

P.S. I showed him my baggy underwear and he confirmed the scale does not always reflect all the success. Sure I gave him a laugh for the day.

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Arlene - Queen for the Day Congratulations, my friend.

Correction re: My doctors fees. I rechecked today and a fill is $130 (whether doc or assistant administers it) and appt w/o fill is $65.

We discussed my decision to move slowly and he advised (and added) .5cc. He is very happy with my progress (average 7 lbs a month) and I need not return for 5 weeks. yippee

P.S. I showed him my baggy underwear and he confirmed the scale does not always reflect all the success. Sure I gave him a laugh for the day.

Joyce...congrats on the 7lbs and your continued and steady loss. Brave girl showing your doc your undies:redface: Does your doc's office give treats if you show them?

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Phyl - My PT advised (regarding gym workouts) -- because of knee replacement on degenerative joint disease in hip -- low resistance and high repetition on bike and elliptical. She assured me weight loss will not be affected. But - even if it is affected - at 67 yrs young - I can't live with the pain of aggravated joints (new or old).

Congrats on getting back to the gym for both of us.

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Hi everyone, I pay about a $35 co-pay for my fills until I hit my deductible for the year. My total bill I believe was only $137 for the fill - if I remember right.

Joyce, yes, what your pt told you sounds about like what I read -- harder exercise does not equate to "better". If knees hurt I wouldn't use any resistance -- just getting your heart rate up aerobically should be beneficial to weight/fat loss. WTG on your weight loss - my surgeon is much like yours -- after the first few fills he just gave me .25 ccs at a time and although I thought it was too "slow" at first, I'm greatful for it now cause I didn't have too many problems along the way.

Arlene, congrats on your weight loss - wow, i'm so proud of you!!! I very impressed! Glad to hear the flowers cheered up your mom.

Apples, your description of Tanker going to the vet is so funny - reminds me of my previous dog - just a 15 lb. daushound/terrior mix but she knew how to put the "brakes" on when we would take her to vet or groomer. Lucky for me she was easy to pick up -- poor Tanker.

CBL

Linda

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[

hail hail queen arlene !!!! Wtg queenie !!!!

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Arlene...forgot to mention this...what a nice daughter to take your mother a nice bouquet. That was so sweet.

Linda...Tanker just returned home with DS. Putting the brakes on is just how he described the trip in to the clinic. And, yes, he had to carry him in again...quivering the entire time. Vet says his toe is broken all the way around and just hanging on. He will most likely lose it but will be OK and can deal without a toe. Big, big day at our house. Would have put out a call for prayers but don't want to use them up. Have a kid (youngest DS) that is on the fence on going to Iraq or Afghanistan (he actually wants this) and might need those prayers through his 2 yr contract over there. Long story short...career wise...good move and exciting job. Mom wise...I think he's nuts but will support his decision.

Janet...sorry for your sad news. When someone special like that passes, what comes across my mind is "Life will just never be what it was without them". Not really negative thinking just a true fact of life. I'm sorry you lost him.

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Oh Apples, I will pray for your DS. I know several men that went to Iraq and worked. They made a lot of money, but it is a risky job. Sorry, about Tanker. I just bought a harness for the car for Charlie. Every time I take him in the car he shakes and moves all around. I wonder how he will like being strapped in the back seat?

Janet and Linda......Thanks! Oh, I got the shake recipe booklet today. He uses like a half a teaspoon of sf Jello powder in several of his recipes. I never thought about using jello powder. You mix the Protein Powder, extract and sf jello with Water then add a cup of ice and blend again. I am gonna try it.

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Karen - my thoughts and prayers are with you regarding your son and his future.

Tanker story is delightful. Dogs don't forget negative experiences.

Janet - I know you will miss this very special person. So sorry to hear.

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Charlene, I used to mix my carnation instant Breakfast (choc) with banana sf pudding, I even found pistascio, butterscotch in sf. Sometimes I would add pb to them also. The pudding would make it thicker like a milk shake.

Apples, I will keep your DS in my prayers and thoughts. He will make to right decision for him.

My Isaac, a mini dash, shakes like a baby anytime I take him some where. He acts like a killer beast and home and a big timid baby every where else.

Congrats Joyce and Charlene on the loses.

Laura K

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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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