Just thought I would throw this out there...

I am a cancer patient who carries the gene that makes it significantly more likely that I will develop breast cancer.  My mother died from this (breast, colon, liver cancer- they were never certain where it started), and my younger sister is currently fighting breast cancer- and she is only 40.  Consequently, I have decided to have a preventative double mastectomy.  It occurred to me, however, that the plastic surgery component may be of some interest to some here.  

After my weight loss the girls have paid the price, but paying for extensive plastic surgery is too dear at the moment given multiple kids in college at the moment.  I just went to a consult on abdominoplasty, most of which the doc anticipates the insurance covering.  I should find out soon on that.  While there, I asked about the mastectomy- something that I have already decided to do but am working on figuring out the timing.  Given for some women they use belly fat to assist with the reconstruction I didn't want to eliminate options by getting abdominoplasty if it was applicable.  The doc said he doubted I even had enough fat to do an A cup, and that realistically implants would be the best option. Thus, I am going to proceed with this surgery first I think.  

Today I called my insurance company and they initially said they would not cover the mastectomy, but after rattling off my risk factors they sent it to the auditor who said I would qualify easily due to the multiple factors I have going on. This includes reconstructive surgery.  Not sure ladies if you have ever checked out photos of what the finally product looks like, but it sure looks better than what I got going on right now.  And of course, I would have a 90% plus reduction in the likelihood of developing breast cancer- a near certainty for me IMHO if I do not get proactive about this.

I know that folks out there would not go for this surgery just for the covered plastic surgery that goes along with it, but I thought I would just throw this out there:  You can substantially reduce your cancer risk and have your PS covered.  

Think about it.  It could save your life.  And you could look great too!

Your boss does not get to pick when you seek medical treatment, period.  If you had cancer, would she expect you to wait?  With that said though, it may very well not be until the Fall that you can even get in if you are not approved yet.  

My weight fluctuates on a regular monthly pattern.  I can jump 3 pounds over night or lose 3 pounds over night.  It is water weight.   Don't get too hung up on the daily reading, but do pay attention to the overall trend.  

Lol, I didn't know there were meetings in Troy, but had heard there were some in Rochester on Thursdays.  Wednesdays, Royal Oak center (14 and Coolidge) and they start at 6.  My schedule will open up after next week so I will go regularly again.  Would love to talk- :) 

I am LO too!

I tolerate everything so I do not have a "never" list.  The closest I have to a never is alcohol.  I rarely drank more than a half a beer prior to surgery, and now have no desire to touch anything since it hits are bloodstream faster.  It just is not worth messing with sugar levels.  My shouldn't eat list is sugar, i still struggle with this daily.  I have become skilled at eating sugar without putting the weight back on, but that is a slippery slope for sure.  I was also able to lose while having sugary foods, albeit in smaller amounts than what I do now.  I also shouldn't go over 150 carbs a day and even that is carefully spaced out, but I still do too frequently.  I also shouldn't stop exercising.

In the upper right hand corner of the Chrome browser are 3 horizontal lines, click there, choose settings, look under the privacy heading and adjust there. 

Ahhh... I love ethnic food!

There are similarities to all of them.  Depending on the culture there is always a relatively cheap starch that is a mainstay of the diet.  This may be rice, potatoes, pasta, etc.  Stay away from that part.  Choose to eat the protein and veggies.  

middle eastern- shwarma, kabab, etc.  they have a lot of delicious meat dishes that are seasoned beautifully.  The crushed lentil soup is a good choice too.  

mexican- fajitas, but skip the wraps.  The filling is awesome!  Molcajete, Parillada, etc.  just skip the carbs.

same thing for the other cultures- stick to the protein and skip the carb.

Ugh, I was afraid of that  My insurance is switching in January and it is better now than what it will be.  I hate the idea of leaving the classroom, but dang- it is a significant difference.  I will wait to see what the doc says at the consult.  Maybe I can beg for a rapid date or something.  

Today I finally scheduled a consultation with a plastic surgeon.  The scheduling lady told me today that his surgeries are book up into October.  Well that just sucks.  I was really hoping that I could use the summer for recovery, and am not all that keen on waiting until next summer.  I thought about calling earlier this year, but wanted to wait to make sure my weight was stable for a while.  So my question out there is if you have abdominoplasty and maybe the extra skin off the back and the neck taken care of, how long until I can go back in the classroom?  I am wondering if I take off the week right before Chrsitmas and pair it along with the Christmas break then I could resume in the beginning of January.  Is this feasible?  I know they "say" 6-8 weeks, but is it truly that?

I am not so sure about this either.  I have a larger sleeve- up in the 40's somewhere.  I can eat 3-4 ounces of protein and a little veggie if I really pu****  Given that, I am not so sure how "stretched" you can be.  It is normal for all of us no matter the sleeve size to have more capacity further out when compared to being pre-op.  As someone mentioned in an earlier post- if you are at goal and doing well then I would not worry and certainly not go back in for surgery.  Even if I was told that my sleeve is "grossly stretched" right now I would not consider going in since there is no need.  

If you are pretty sure that the vitamin supplements will be challenging for you, then that alone would rule out the DS and Rny in my humble opinion.  I too struggle with supplements.  It is not that I mind taking them, but rather I forget a couple times per week.  The deficiencies are nothing to play around with!

I weighed a tad bit more than you and made it to goal in 8 months without difficulty.  Thus far, maintenance has gone well for the  9 months that I have been in that phase.  No reason to think the Vsg will not work for you, and as others pointed out it can be revised to DS if needed.