Bluegreen

10lbs is great. That's a noticeable amount of weight loss! Congratulations!

Welcome and I hope you have a speedy recovery. I just learned about the plication on this site a few days ago. Sounds like it could really help. I plan to ask my surgeon about it. I am still pre-op, so I appreciate the pos-op updates. Glad to hear you are tolerating the liquid diet. I am a little concerned about that.

Hi Everyone. So I am scheduled for surgery on September 29th and as the date gets closer, boy has the anxiety increased. Today I had my second appointment with a nutritionist and after leaving that I know am on the path of getting my supplements and finding Protein shakes that I like. I am a little overwhelmed since there are so many different types and they are kind of costly. I know they say you have to just try them out, but I don't want to spend a fortune just trying all of the different products. Any suggestions on which products taste the best?

I am a teacher and am have a Thursday and Friday off from school, so am having the surgery early that Thursday. Do you think I will be able to get back to work Monday or will need more time off? I am not anticipating needing more time due to pain but possibly more to getting the liquid diet in.

All in all, I am excited for this new change, but am still on the nervous side. I think the liquid diet and the puréed food part of the diet are what I fear the most right now. It seems like a lot of work...making sure you eat the right stuff at the right time, allowing for time to eat the meals, the fear of how I will physically feel after eating.

I know this will be a huge life change and that scares me. I am sure that anyone who has made the decision to have this surgery had the same relationship or one similar with food that I do. I love it! And honestly, it is scary knowing my relationship and feelings towards food will change. Even though I have been told over and over how I will feel towards food after the surgery, it is hard to imagine that actually happening. I know these feelings are normal, but I guess I just wanted to reach out to people who were in the same situation and see how they got over this hurdle, acclimated to their new life.

Thanks for the suggestions, feedback, and help!

Emily

Be prepared that this will not likely be a fast process. Most insurances have their requirements. I am in month 4 of a 6 month process dictated by my insurance company and it has been time well spent. I have to say it is somewhat frustrating because I cannot be approved until I have completed all requirements. I could potentially get to the end of the 6 months only to be denied. I sure hope that is not the case.

I have seen this topic posted a lot lately. It's a big concern. So hang in there. Time goes by fast. Good luck at your appointment!

I am pre-op, but I am drinking the unjury chocolate Splendor Protein shakes in the morning. I wanted to try to find something I liked before surgery. I tried the chocolate Amplified from GNC, but thought it was terrible. I also tried the Body Fortress Super whey Shots (from Wal-mart). These were also terrible. I seem to be on the picky side when it comes to these drinks.

One nice thing about Unjury is that you can order a starter kit which comes with packets of their flavors, a shaker bottle and a thermometer. They have a chicken Soup one that can be heated, but only to 130 degrees. I didn't care for it too much, but online it gets good reviews. As far as I know, you can only purchase Unjury online - www.unjury.com. My dietician recommended this brand as it is high quality. She recommended mixing the strawberry flavor with diet lemonade. I haven't tried that yet. You can mix the unflavored or fruit flavors with drinks like Crystal Light, so that gives you a few more options.

I haven't tried Isopure yet, but that is one that I would like to try next.

My surgery will hopefully be in October, but like you, I'm nervous about the liquid diet. Also nervous about getting insurance approval. I have done everything I'm supposed to do, but they can always find a reason to say no. I will have to do liquids two weeks before surgery, then a few weeks after, as well. That alone should induce some rapid weight loss.

Congratulations on your surgery date and best of luck to you.

You have done really great. Lost so much weight. I'm sure you can take off those remaining pounds.

My doctor's nurse lost 120 lbs with the lapband. She said that she occasionally goes back to liquids for a variety of reasons. She has been able to maintain her weight loss. She is at goal now. It's been close to two years since she had surgery. Maybe you are on to something.

Just curious if you exercise. I joined a Water aerobics class a couple of weeks ago. It's the first time that I have found an exercise program that I do not dread. I actually look forward to it, even though it really takes a chunk out of my evening hours.

I'm still pre-op, so it's helpful for me to read these posts.

This is a comforting post. I have not had surgery yet, and I hope my experience is like yours. I am glad you are doing so well. Good luck in the coming weeks/months.

We have an inexpesive one that we purchased in a department store. It works great for meat and Beans, too.

I think a good place to start would be checking with FL Medicaid to see if they cover the surgery and what the requirements are. Be prepared for a 3 to 6 month process. I am 4 months into a 6 month process (ins requirement), but it's not wasted time. There is a lot to learn and habits to break before surgery. Just give yourself time to work through the process and don't beat yourself up for being where you are now.

This is good to hear. I currently drink diet coke when eating in restaurants. I really dread giving them up. I always thought as far as bad habits go, a couple of diet cokes in a week couldn't be too bad. Maybe I will lose my taste for them also. My nutritionist says no one needs caffeine or carbonated beverages. I have done pretty well. I drink Decaf tea with splenda at home, but I haven't given up the diet cokes at restaurants yet. At least I don't drink them at home.

Yes, I was craving a Diet Coke and ordered a small one at Sonic about a week ago. I had a few sips and was fine, but found it didn't quite satisfy me the way it used to. Maybe I've lost my taste for them. I figured that I really need to be trying to get in my Water, so why drink something that has no nutritional value?

Just know that your Aetna policy could be different from others. They can provide you with the specifics of your plans coverage of bariatric surgery. It should say what types of bariatric surgery they cover and what the criteria is for gaining approval. They need to give you something more specific than just saying it must be medically necessary. For my insurance, it's a 6 month process. According to my surgeon, even if you are self pay, it's still about 3 months. I'm sure they are exceptions, but it's not a fast process. I agree with sweetpea - it's time well spent.

I'm 4 months into the 6 month process for my insurance company. I'm trying to be very careful to meet all of the plan requirements, but I'm so worried I'll miss something that will result in a rejection.

My surgeon does not charge an additional fee. I can't imagine how they can justify it.

I live in Oklahoma, but have spent a lot of time in your area! I am a remote employee but my company is located in Cary. That just caught my eye in your post. Anyway, I have BCBS and I know each employers plan is different, but my plan covers a BMI of 40 with no other health issues and a BMI of 35 to 40 with health problems.

I have PCOS and I'm insulin resistant. During my pre-op testing, I also found out I have sleep Apnea. So, these are reasons why the insurance company should cover the procedure. If you have high blood pressue or other weight related problems, this helps get the coverage. On my plan, it is a 6 month process. I have to see my primary care doctor and nutritionist 6 times in 6 months. That's they downside of using insurance. If I were self pay, I wouldn't have to wait so long.

Best of luck to you in your decision. I'm getting close. My last PCP & nutrition visits are scheduled for Sept. If all goes well and insurance approves, I should get banded in October.

Hope you get to feeling better soon. I haven't had surgery yet. Hopefully, in October. I think my doctor said I will be on liquid for a couple of weeks after surgery. My nutritionist said a lot of people do not feel hungy at all for a few weeks after surgery. It sounds like that is not the case for you. At least you are craving something healthy.

I'm 7 days post surgery, been doing ok. Lots of pain on right side,hard to sleep. I want to have a scrambled egg! My follow up isn't until 17th! I will chew the crap out of it.

I'll let you know. After my dietician and primary care visits in Sept, my surgeon's office will submit the request for approval. It's getting close.

Good luck! The end result will be totally worth the wait. Let me know when you get your approval I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!

Well, I'm glad it worked out for you. I have been right at a BMI of 40 for several years now. I have my medical history and I'm hoping it's enough to qualify me. I have sleep apnea and insulin resistance. Thanks for responding. It's hard going through 6 months of testing and doctors visits when you aren't even sure you'll get approved. My surgeon things I won't have trouble getting approval. I'll be glad when it's over.

I wasn't over 40 bmi for two years. Actually I never made it to a 40bmi, and they didn't consider my medical history enough. I've already had spinal fusion surgery and I have pretty bad asthma. So my surgeon's office suggested I go through Walter Lindstrom at obesitylaw.com. They're advocates for us. Best part is Allergan footed the bill

Just make sure you have all your medical history going back as many years as your insurance requires.

Good luck!!

Hi - just reading this post and noticed that at one point your insurance denied coverage. I started the process to be banded in April and hope to have surgery in October. I have my insurance requirements in writing, and I think I am doing everything right, but I'm really worried I'll get to the end, only to be denied. Just curious about why you were denied. Looks like they ultimately covered the procedure, but if you don't mind my asking what sort of reasons they would use to deny the procedure.

Thank you!

Hiya

I'm up northeast of you in the everett area. I see you were banded by Dr. Chock, she's up at NWWLS right? I was banded by Dr. Michaelson at NWWLS. They have support groups in the area also, they have a yahoo group that you will get an invite to I'm sure you know this, but their website is NWWLS.com, there's support group information on that site if you need it.

Welcome to banded life.

Not all insurances cover bariatric surgery. It doesn't matter whether it's medically necessary or not. Most of the offices have financing available at low interest rates. Some people justify the cost of the surgery by looking at the cost savings of losing weight. For instance, you may no longer need some medications that you currently pay for. The cost of being obese can be significant. We spend more on food, clothing and healthcare than thin people. I heard someone say they save $700 per month now that they have lost weight. It wouldn't take long to pay for surgery at that rate.

Do you have other options for health insurance? If you are under 25, you may be able to be covered under your parents insurance. Or, if you are married or have a partner, you may have the option of joining their health plan.

There may be more options than you think for getting the surgery paid for. It may take some research and just laying out all of your options.

Congratulations to you and you should pat yourself on the back for walking when you would rather be resting.

When reading your post, I felt like I had written it myself. I am also 46 and just started the process to be banded back in April. Due to my insurance requirements, my surgery won't be scheduled until October sometime.

Hunger has been my biggest issue, too. I have actually been at the same weight for many years, but I guess I'm just eating to maintain. I have been seeing a nutritionist (insurance requirement), but I'm not doing very well. I lost 7 lbs initially, but have gained most of it back.

I have found this website to be very helfpul. I am trying to jump on here daily. Earlier today, several people posted before & after pictures. Those were great.

Best of luck to you!

I recommend calling your insurance company's customer support line. The number should be on the back of your card. They can tell you if weight loss surgery is a covered benefit. If it is, they will provide you with their requirements. If it's not a covered benefit on your plan, then their is nothing you can do except pay for it yourself. Insurance companies are not required to cover the procedure. Before you give up, call them yourself. That way you will know for certain where you stand.

I know each surgeon is different, but my surgeon required several things prior to the first appointment. One was that I had to attend a seminar. He also required me to gather the past 2 years worth of medical records and obtain a letter from my primary care doctor stating that she supported me, and my decision to have the surgery. I started this process back in April and should be ready for surgery in October.

If your insurance is paying, you may find that they have requirements as well. I have to see a dietician and primary care doctor 6 times in 6 months before they will consider approving the surgery. So, I knew right from the start that this will be at least a 6 month process. In addition to the monthly visits, I have undergone a lot of diagnostic testing and even a psych eval as part of the surgical clearance process. I have finished everything except those monthly visits. I'll keep doing that through September.

This forum has been very helpful. Everyone here seems eager to help and answer questions.

Good luck to you with your decision!

Congratulation! 50lbs makes such a difference. I am pre-surgery, and I love reading the success stories and seeing the picture. Thanks for posting.

I found this post and responses very helpful. I am pre-op now, with about 85 lbs to lose, and trying to eat healthy, but I find it difficult. The perfect post-op scenario for me is to be able to eat what I want in very small portions. (Much like the French Women Never Get Fat book.) I expect to give up certain foods like carbonated beverages and bread, but overall I want to eat good quality food that I enjoy, including dessert.

I joined the YMCA about a month ago and have been doing Water aerobics and Water walking 3 to 4 times per week. At some point, I hope to switch to lap swimming. Of course they have all sorts of exercise equipment, so I may decide to try out the the other equipment at some point.

I have to agree with marfar7. If I could restrict myself to lean Protein, fresh fruits and veggies, then I wouldn't need the surgery. I could easily just lose the weight. I am counting on the band to help me with Portion Control and hunger, which are my biggest problems right now.

It probably depends upon whether or not you are losing weight at the appropriate level. (Or maintaining if you are at goal.) It is my understanding that the stomach never actually shrinks or stretches.

This is an excerpt from the WebMD site:

While it may seem hard to believe, the size of the stomach does not correlate with weight or weight control. People who are naturally thin can have the same size or even larger stomachs than people who battle their weight throughout a lifetime. "Weight has nothing to do with the size of the stomach. In fact, even people who have had stomach-reducing surgeries, making their tummy no larger than a walnut, can override the small size and still gain weight," says Levy.