Hi there!

I, too, have Priority Health.  For several years I was looking into WLS, and unfortunately my BMI was not high enough and my only comorbidities were Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia.  Nothing else.  I had no sleep apnea, no diabetes, no heart or kidney issues...nothing.  I was very, VERY frustrated to hear that they wanted me to go through their "medial weight loss"  prior to even considering me for WLS.  I went to the inital informational meeting and even went through the medical start up, before realizing how expensive it is.

For me, I had a young son and Husband and money was the big issue.  It's expensive and we just didn't have the money.

Of course, skip ahead 5 years and a daughter later my weight was really high.  I again, talked with my PCP who wasn't the most helpful but went directly to Priorty Health.  I found out that my BMI was now high enough that they approved me for surgery WITHOUT having to do the medical weight loss portion. 

For Dr. Kemmeter, GHP charges $1,000 from PH patients prior to surgery, this does not include the cost of your food or vitamins.  I have had 3 additional bills from St. Mary's Hospital...two for anesthesia $200 and another for the surgery $300.  So plan on shelling out about $1500 in just medical bills.   We were lucky that with our flex spending account and tax return, this wasn't a huge hit to our household.

Dr. Kemmeter is AWESOME.  He is the most caring, compassionate and kind physician I have ever met.  GHP is fantastic from the exercise physiologist to the Dieticians.  You will be in excellent hands.

Hey there,

I cannot take the sublingual or the chewable vitamins/supplements because of the horrible taste left and they make me want to gag.

I've gotten my dry ADEK vitamins from vitalady and use her "Tender" line, they are fantastic.  The only one I have had any issues with is Vitamin A, I have a tendancy to burp it up after I take them.  It's not a horrible taste, but not pleasant either. 

Maybe try to eat something AFTER you take them.  I try to always take mine with some sort of food.  It can be something small...like a couple slices of lunch meat, a spoonful of peanut butter, a couple bites of yogurt...something.  It may just need something in your stomach that is a little heavier.

LOL...a Margarita sounds WONDERFUL!!  

I have a whole bunch of strawberries that my kids and I picked and froze.  Wanted to get some raspberries, too. 

I wanted to just blend in some greek yogurt, ice, fresh fruit and a scoop of protein powder.  Is that all I need?  Would I add milk to it? 

I've never made shakes or smoothies before, so this is all new to me!

I just went out and bought a beautiful Cuisinart Blender a few days ago and I need some recipies to make my own protein smoothies and shakes.  Do you have any to share?? 

Hey congrats!  Now the fun begins!  LOL 

You look gorgeous!  WTG! 

Thank you all, so much for your advice and words of wisdom.  It's been a difficult journey for me, I haven't had anyone to really talk to about what I am feeling.  Husband doesn't quite get it (I am sure most of you know how that is.)

I weighed myself today while my Husband was at his physician's office and I am down another 20bs, so a grand total of 76lbs gone since surgery.  I am happy with my success, because putting a number to it makes it feel more "real", if that makes any sense.

Thank you again for your kindness, it's been tough, but worth it in the end.

I had my DS done back on 3/12/12.  The last time I weighed myself I was down almost 60lbs and that was about a month ago.  I don't have a scale at home to weigh myself with (yet) so I don't have a physical number of what I weigh.

My hair has been falling out by the handful, did I expect this?  Yes. Was I prepared for the emotional impact of having a wad of my hair in the drain after every shower, definitely not.

I am taking my vites.  I struggle daily with getting in 64oz of water, typically getting in around 40oz more or less.  I am also working at getting in more protein.  Every day seems like a struggle.  I don't want to eat, but I do.  Nothing sounds or tastes good, but I eat anyway. 

I am surprised at how depressed I have become.  I have told my Husband who tells me that I am losing weight and looking good, I don't FEEL good.  I am still wearing ALL of my old clothes.  A lot of them are much looser, but I am still in a size 28.  

I just haven't felt good since I had the surgery.  I don't have energy, I don't have desire....I have nothing, I feel nothing.

I will get my first labs drawn in the next week or so, maybe this is a vit deficiency??  I am afraid to talk to my physician because I feel like a failure and I don't want to be on any sort of anti-depressant.  Just another pill to add to the mix.

Is this normal?

I am glad your surgery was uneventful and you are on the road to recovery!  Welcome to the bench!

Awesome ladies, thank you so much for the advice.  I will stick with my VitaLady choices for my AE and K and will get a big dose of vitamin D. 

Thanks again for the help!!

A.

I ordered my multivitamin through Celebrate as well as my Iron + C.  I got a really good price through Amazon.  If I don't like them, or if my numbers are low I have only a 30 day supply and I may change over to VitaLady.

I am going to get my ADEK through VitaLady, the AquADEK just doesn't seem to give me ENOUGH of what I believe I am going to need.  It is more pills to take, but I think it will be better in the long run.

So do I have to take 50,000IU of Vit D?  I am 37.  Wow, it just seems like A LOT of vit D.

   

Thanks Gina,

I know you are a VitaLady fan...and I am as well.  I think the AquADEK just doesn't seem to be enough.  This is what they are, and they want me to take only 1 a day??

Each brown softgel tablet contains 18,167 IU Vitamin A, 800 IU Vitamin D (cholecalciferol), 150 IU Vitamin E, 700 mcg Vitamin K (phytonadione), with a combination of wa-ter-soluble vitamins.

Aquadeks softgels are a 60 count bottle.

I would think even with taking 3 of the multivitamins a day, doesn't give me enough of the needed ADEK.   Though VitaLady I am looking at:

25,000IU Vit A
5,000IU Vit D3  (I more than likely will need more)
400IU Vit E
1,000mcg Vit K

All of which are substancially HIGHER than the AquADEK.

I suffered from some serious nausea and esophageal spasms they day after I had surgery.  I had a fantastic team working with me and after a few medication tweeks, I was much more comfortable. 

You may have a bit of internal gas, but this is normal.  However, it can be uncomfortable at times.  The best thing to do is walk.  Remember to keep yourself hydrated, it will be difficult, but do what you can. 

I had 6 incisions, 2 on my right side were much more uncomfortable than the others.  This was wear the muscles were stretched to remove the stomach and another where the camera was (lots of moving around).  I was sore, ice felt great to me.  Others like heat.  Heat worked well for the gas.

Just remember you've got to walk, it can be uncomfortable but it will help you heal quicker and get that gas moving out.    Listen to your body...sip, walk, rest (REPEAT).  You'll do great!

I am 6 weeks out today and just starting to eat "normally" a lot smaller portions.  I am not working out, but working to walk a little more everyday.  I tire out easily after some busy days I have resorted to the motorized carts at Target and what not.  I was just too tired.