i just want to make it clear to everyone that no one on this show got a handout all surgeeries were either paid for through insurance or by the patients themselves dr garth preformes my bypass 2 years ago this month and the show followed me through some reconstructive plastic surgery im in the first eppisode and all surgical fees were paid by me and not tlc thanks for your time, lauren
I agree with Lauren, My name is Annie i'm turning 25 years old next month and i'm from Canada, i am my self in the middle of going thought the procedures to have the operation done, however i hvae to go to the US to have it done since they have the newest technology and here in Canada there is a waiting list of many years. I agree that if someone needs or have soncerns about there weight the 1st step to take is to consult a doctor to get a referal to a specialized hospital, DO NOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR YOU!!! YOU NEED TO STEP UP IN THIS CASE AND SAY I WILL DO WHAT I NEED TO DO TO LOOSE ALL THIS FAT!!! IF SOMEONE DOES IT FOR YOU IT WILL NEVER HAVE THE SAME END RESULT SINCE YOU WILL NOT HAVE CONTRIBUTED AS MUCH TO IT AS YOU SHOULD. I my self have to pay for everything, and i have to go months after months to the hospital in the US in Rochester NY. i have to drive 7 hrs to get there each time and i have to miss work each time. I have been lucky with my work they are verry understanding and they know that after this operation i will be able to give them a whole lot more than i am now. I'm at the step where i'm just waiting on the phone call to set a date. i cant wait for this day to come it will be a beggining to a new life!!... If you need to reach me for anything i'm at ziggyziggydo@hotmail.com Thanks! Annie
Lauren,I'm glad you are on the message board. It actually gives us a chance to talk to someone from the show. How exciting to see you on TV and then be able to talk to you. I'm glad you cleared that up that it wasn't free as many were begging to be on the show.
I'm sorry you think we are "begging" to be on the show. I am not begging...I would pay if I could get financed...I would use insurance IF I could find insurance coverage.
Hello all my name is Martin i'm 36 yrs old. I'm so glad this show came out. This surgery has been available for a while now. But people don't really see what the people go thru before and after. I'm a 36 yr old male I'm not sure what i weigh but i would guess between 350 and 400lbs. my highest being over 500lbs.Anyone knows that has had to deal with being over weight this much is not easy to get weighed. you can't get ona regular scale.I have been over weight all my life being of a hispanic decent you always ate pretty good. everything was based on eating birthdays, aniverssary's, holidays, graduations etc... and you were always told to finish your plate or you couldn;t leave the table. Wow! i look back now and think that's crazy. This show is awesome I been looking forward to it being aired for a while. I been really fortnate to have such great friends and a positive attitude. God plays a big part in my life.I wantthis surgery more than anything I now have made up my mind to move forward with it. It's time to get busy living or get busy dying. I choose to live. We deserve to happy like everyone else. martin
Lauren you look Great! I had surgery a year ago this month. I will need to have the plastic done in another year or so, I still have weight to lose. Was it as painful as it looks? Thanks!
She looks wonderful. Really fine in the bathing suit too I can not wait to be able to go swimming again. You would think it would be easy for a guy to do it but let me tell you it is not. Soon though.
Originally posted by hunterhawkins: She looks wonderful. Really fine in the bathing suit too I can not wait to be able to go swimming again. You would think it would be easy for a guy to do it but let me tell you it is not. Soon though.
I love swimming I go but in a lake because I dont' have a swimsuit that fits to go in a pool---do you have yahoo messenger??? if so contact me heylookitsangie
Hi lauren I was just wondering..... back before you had the surgery did you too experiance alot of health problems due to being over weight as some do. I was also wondering what type of weight loss methods did you try before deciding on surgery was it a last attempt or did it just seem impossible?? I am currently contemplating the surgery myself, and I am just curious how did you know when it is time to give up on dieting and take more darastic steps to loose the weight. Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated... Melissa
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Originally posted by lorliz0929: i just want to make it clear to everyone that no one on this show got a handout all surgeeries were either paid for through insurance or by the patients themselves dr garth preformes my bypass 2 years ago this month and the show followed me through some reconstructive plastic surgery im in the first eppisode and all surgical fees were paid by me and not tlc thanks for your time, lauren
Hi everyone! This is Penelope. I understand the complete frustration of trying to get this surgery approved. As was shown on TV last night, it took me over a year (and a lot of hounding of the insurance company) to finally get this approved. Dr. Davis' office also pushed from their side.
I know what it feels like to want something so badly and to ready for that change, but it seems like you just cannot get it done. HANG IN THERE. Stay positive, stay focused on what you want and it will happen.
It seems like it took forever, but patience finally paid off. I now had the suregery 8 months ago and have lost 120 pounds and never felt better. IT CAN AND WILL happen for you too!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: penelope1974,
You were very brave to go through such a procedure, I'm sure you were in a lot of pain! I guess if you will go as far as you have then you must go all the way. Congrats!
I am glad you posted that the surgery was not paid for by TLC or anyone else. I, too, am on the show (in a future episode), and I paid for the surgery out of pocket...every penny. In fact, I'm still paying for it, a year and a half later. But let me tell you, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I cannot express strongly enough how much better my life is today compared to how it was before! It was worth every single cent I paid.
Lauren, I watched the show last night and I was unclear exactly where they removed skin from during your PS. They showed skin being removed from the arms and panni area, but I'm wondering if they removed it from anywhere else? I was specifically wondering if they did the lift on your breasts. Were those the only areas that needed it or do you plan on having additional PS? Also, how visible are the scars on your arms? Thanks for the info!
Actually I haven't even thought of that. I guess I could get a website to show before and after's. Thank you for being interested. I will think of something and let you know....
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Originally posted by tahoetracey: Hey Penelope,
You looked great on the show. Do you have a website where you update your pics as you progress?
I totally agree with Penelope. I am 5 months out after it taking me 2 years to get qualified by my insurance company.
I hated it at the time, but I use it as motivation to keep going to the gym, keep eating right and to stay as compliant as possible.
I sort of understand why insurance is hesitant to cover it, because of the upfront cost. But as more and more people have it, and are successful hopefully those wait times will come down. Best of luck to everyone!
Lauren, I'm 25 and almost 4 years out of Gastric Bypass. I cannot tell you how many PS consults I have been to. I keep hesitating, because I don't want to have my tummy done before having babies. I'm sacred I'll end up having to have it done again. What did your doctor say about pregnancy and stretching your tummy out?
Good luck with the weight loss. I use to weigh 400 pounds and I am down to 190. I have had the weight off for 10 years now. I didn't have the surgery. Took the weight off by diet and exercise, but I still struggle everyday to keep it off. Food is such a big temptation all the time.
