Right now I'm looking to find out what's the best treatment for me and my lifestyle. I've come a long way from where I began at my heaviest weight 352 lbs in 2015. I've lost 88 lbs naturally. But gained a lot back. Now I'm at 300 and it feels like square 1. I work out 4 days per week. I'm always focused on eating clean and portion control but I mess up at work and on the weekends with food. What's so bizarre is I don't eat crazy amounts of foods but whenever I don't eat right I always instantly gain weight. I cut out drinking and smoking. I cut sodas and sweet drinks. I significantly reduced my sodium intake. I drink a gallon of water everyday like clockwork. If I miss going to the gym I gain a pound. It's insane. I'm so tired of fighting my body to lose weight. Now I need help. I have considered weight loss surgery in the past and have setup appointments. I've gone thru the process many times and have been discouraged by sooo many people telling me I shouldn't because I'm not "that big". I've decided finally that nothing will stop me this time. I can't allow others to influence my life. I am the only one that has to live in this body. I want this for myself. I decided to join real self for support and to keep myself accountable. I'm not sharing with anyone I know. Anyway. I'm considering gastric sleeve for my procedure. I'm excited for this chapter in my life. Updated on 22 Feb 2017: Ok right now I'm scheduled for March 2nd for my appointment with Dr. Touliatos. My insurance company has assigned a nurse who is available for me 24/7 pre and post op. They also said they would pay 80% of my doctor's charges for the procedure and 80% of the anesthesiologist charges. I think this surgery will be outpatient but just in case I have aflac too. My insurance company also said they'd pay 100% if I reached my $1500.00 annual deductible. What's confusing is that I already get a $1500.00 flexible spending card with my insurance sooo I'm wondering if the surgery is technically free?! Idk but I'll ask more questions and find out. Right now I weigh 305 lbs as of this morning. I'll be honest. Ever since I decided on this procedure I've sort of let go. I usually eat right and exercise 5 times or more a week but have been eating like crazy and forget about working out! I've been a full recluse since last week. My mind is in a whirlwind. I know my insurance requires a six month supervised diet so the wait is going to have me as a nervous wreck! The good thing is I'll be able to spend this time getting my body acclimated to a new lifestyle and also build add much muscle mass as possible in preparation for loose skin. I have my interview with my assigned nurse in April. I'll keep you guys posted. Updated on 2 Mar 2017: So I had my 1st appointment today with Dr. Touliatos. Man! I love my surgeon. I felt sooooo much at ease when speaking to him not to mention he's crazy handsome and funny! Anyway, I spoke to the patient coordinator who told me I'd have to pay $300 for the program, 20% for the surgery $273.54, and 2 week pre-op diet supply $150. Total was $623.54. Okay cool because I have $1500.00 flexible spending card! Surgery is basically free! I also have to do a 6 month supervised diet. I'm not happy about that but it's all good. I'll use that time to get my body right. The doctor recommended that I lose weight but not to go below 40 BMI because I have no health issues. Today I weighed in at 306 lbs. Wow that's only a 21lbs weight loss. That's too close for comfort though. I'm concerned that I'll lose that when I start my 2 week post op liquid diet. Anyway everything has been paid. All I need to do now is do 5 weigh in appointments then in June I'll schedule my EGD, EKG, my nurse evaluation, my nutritionalist evaluation, fitness evaluation, and finally my psych evaluation. Once I'm done with my last weigh in then I'll have my procedure done. My 6 month countdown officially begins! Oh one last thing. I'm also seeing Dr. Persa for my weigh in appointments. Apparently he nor his nurses believe in weight loss surgery. The nurse actually came straight out and said i should not have the surgery done and i dont need it. She said I'm not overweight, I'm just tall. Stuff like that is what made me change my mind in the past about the vsg but now...please. My mind is made up. As for the doctor, although he didn't get ugly about me having the procedure, the moment he found out I was doing it his entire countenance changed. He was originally happy and upbeat but then changed to seemingly frustrated by the idea once I explained what I needed and why. He told me what I needed in order for him to sign off on the surgery: to take adipex everyday, drink 5 liters of water daily(more than 1 gallon), take castor oil for bowel movement as directed, follow a no carb diet, portion control, no creamy dressings, exercise 4 times per week! Whew! He definitely doesn't want me to have this surgery because in the past, any other time I've come to see him about weight loss, the only thing he would give me is adipex and recommend that I eat breakfast. Lol. Today he had a ton of requirements for some reason. I'm just speculating though. He is a really really sweet doctor though. Anyway, I'll be adhering to his requests and will see him next month on April 3rd for my 2nd weigh in. Updated on 2 Mar 2017: Quick update: although my surgery is practically free I am paying the weight loss doctor Dr. Persa $150 a month. I'm currently looking to find another doctor who will weigh me without charging a ridiculous amount. Anyway, I attached a recent picture of myself. I can't wait to lose this weight. Updated on 7 Mar 2017: Today I had my interview with Martha, my assigned nurse provided by my insurance. Omg this lady was sooooo sweet. She told me that she makes the benefit determination based on our conversation. Ok whoa let me take this conversation a bit more seriously lol. Anyway, she told me that I need to assign an advanced directive person (POA) and I need to speak with the assigned health coach also provided the insurance. This coach creates exercise goals and plans. She also told me that if I could get my doctor to sign a form stating we discussed my weight then I could count that as a weigh in for 1 month! That's good news but I wonder if they'll actually do it!? Updated on 8 Mar 2017: So remember I told you guys that I spoke with my nurse? Ok. Well she emailed me a form stating that all I needed was 6 doctors names where I've been weighed in the last 2 years and that would suffice for surgical approval! Whaat?! I'm not sure how I missed that fact in my last update....oh I know..... I had to read the form for myself before sharing the news. Lol. Anyway. Guess who has their 6 months of documented weigh ins.... Me! Whoop Whoop! So I called my doctor and he scheduled me for my EGD, my EKG, my psych evaluation, and my nutritionalist on 4/11/17. Whet! (Ebonics) I'm so excited you guys just don't understand! I'm actually debating on moving all of that up to 3/24/17. If I do then I'll be sleeved by the end of April!! I'm dancing as I type! I'm so happy and so ready. No nervousness yet. I also need to get my protein and start my liquid diet next! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers! Updated on 11 Sep 2017: I'm excited. Can't wait. Liquid diet starts on September 15th. Updated on 17 Sep 2017: What's funny is I always never see anyone discuss the pre-op liquid diet but they should. I'm only on day three and I'm going thru hell. I'm always hungry. I can't find anything that's acceptable to eat. It's a struggle to say the least. No fruit, no oil, no sugar, no bread, no starch or starchy vegetables, no meat, no juice, no drink, no coffee, no carrots, no tomatoes, and no salt. What does one eat? Then the day before surgery is clear liquids only. I lost 15 lbs by today.... day 3 just from following this diet. 12 more days to go. This shall be a challenge. Updated on 9 Oct 2017: Been on water, disgusting vitamins, loathsome premier protein shakes, and broth for 10 days. For the last 3 days I've been itching outta my mind on my stomach until I woke up yesterday with my entire face swollen covered in an itchy rash. Called the surgeon he told me to call my primary physician. I'll have an update tomorrow. Can't sleep through the night, nor have I been able to since the surgery. I haven't lost one single pound since the surgery 10 days ago. I walk 1 hour every day. No change on the scale nor my clothing. Wondering was it worth it.
