Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

TurnThePage

Gastric Bypass Patients
  • Content Count

    682
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by TurnThePage

  1. TurnThePage

    Getting Ready For G.by Pass

    The pre-op diet is mainly intended to shrink your liver so the surgeon can move it to do the surgery . Less risk of nicking the liver that way. No body expects you to lose a ton of weight on the pre-op, but doing it as best you can gives you a good head start and helps you adapt to the changes in your diet that are coming after surgery. Don't hesitate because of your age. I'm only a few years behind you and I feel it is more important than ever to make the best of the years we have left. Others have had the surgery into their 70s. Growing older is a challenge, but it the surgery makes it easier to stay active, which improves both your physical and mental health. It's not often we get a chance like this for a do-over!
  2. TurnThePage

    boy problems lol

    Not everything in life is a function of your weight. You may have chosen your poor partners because of your low self-esteem. Sometimes people like that have to further damage your self-esteem in order to boost their own shaky egos. This would be the perfect time to start seeing a counselor or therapist with a specialization in weight loss issues. Cognitive therapy is a great way to reprogram your mind to think positively and can be learned relatively quickly. You need to love yourself before you can really love and accept love from another person. Otherwise you are very likely to keep repeating your mistakes. You deserve better, so take control of your situation and get the help you need. Take good care of yourself!
  3. Hard to call it love when 2 people do not respect each other and do not share mutual goals. Ideally, it is a partnership to build a better life together and you have neither a true partnership or goals. Sitting on one's ass playing X box games like a 12 year old is hardly the mark of a mature man. Are you just afraid to get out of a comfort zone? You can't cross a chasm with small steps. It requires a big leap. Why on earth would you chose to continue in a menial job when you have a master's degree? Such a waste. You only have this day once in your life, so don't waste it. Losing his 200 (or whatever) pounds is likely to be the healthiest weight loss decision you'll ever make. Unless you really love your hometown and can build a future there, maybe it is time to toss out the trash, pack up and move on. Now just explain to me how you bought a house when you couldn't afford rent??????
  4. TurnThePage

    1St Night Was Aweful

    Be sure to stay ahead of the curve with meds if you are having pain. Take them on schedule, don't wait for pain to build because it becomes much harder to stop. Pain slows your healing down. If nausea continues, your doctor can prescribe meds for that. Take it easy when you get home and take good care of yourself! Get as much rest as you can--when you are not walking, that is!
  5. TurnThePage

    Insurance changes post-op

    Pear, yes the aftercare can be connected to the bariatric surgery and they can refuse to cover it. Please see my previous post, just above yours.
  6. TurnThePage

    Feeling Defeated And Depressed

    Call your surgeon's office for advice and/or go to one of their support group meetings. Are you logging your food, Fluid and exercise every day? Perhaps reviewing your log with the NUT will give you some insight. You may need to adjust your intake to 're-boot' your loss. Sometimes it happens if you are taking in too few calories and your system goes into conservation mode. As suggested above, try to change your routine. Try a different form of exercise, eat different foods. Stalls don't last--nothing ever does. Good luck!
  7. Oops! Sorry! Forgot to put in the link to UHC's Statement of Medical Policy. https://www.unitedhealthcareonline.com/ccmcontent/ProviderII/UHC/en-US/Assets/ProviderStaticFiles/ProviderStaticFilesPdf/Tools%20and%20Resources/Policies%20and%20Protocols/Medical%20Policies/Medical%20Policies/Bariatric_Surgery.pdf
  8. TurnThePage

    Insurance changes post-op

    It is highly unlikely that an insurer will cover any services, tests or fees after the policy termination. You will have to be very careful to choose a new policy that picks up the costs---specifically for bariatric-related services, especially those tied to surgery done prior to the policy. (For example, a standard blood test may require 1-2 vials of blood, but a bariatric set can require 10 vials and many more tests. The costs of self-paying for test can be a couple thousand dollars, depending on where tests are done.) And make very sure you have it in writing from the insurance company! There is so much confusion in the insurance world right now. There's another post I just responded to where four calls have been made to the insurance company on an issue and they have gotten 4 different answers. One poster reported that her company sponsored insurance paid for WLS, but she just retired and the retiree version of the policy (part of her retirement package) specifically does NOT cover any costs related to an earlier bariatric surgery. Good luck and shop carefully!
  9. Here's a link to UHC's Statement of Medical Policy. Near the bottom of page 3, one of the bullet points stipulates the six month program. There seems to be some gray area and that may vary depending on whether you have an HMO or PPO or other type of policy, and may also vary by state. You need to get the answer in writing from the insurer in order to be certain. My surgeon's office was not told of this requirement they phoned to verify my HMO coverage at the start of my program. Months down the line (delay due to death in the family), I completed the surgeon's program and my file was submitted for insurance approval. It was denied due to lack of the 6 month program. I appealed and did win approval--but only because I had completed the insurance company's own diet program 6 years earlier. [Ok, so me mentioning I had consulted with an attorney specializing in bariatrics and citing my comorbidities may have helped.] So for my HMO it was a requirement, but when I brought it up on a forum, some UHC PPO insured said they did not have that requirement. I strongly recommend you get a letter from the insurance company that clearly states your requirements--and whether or not you are required to fulfill the 6 month diet program as stated in their Statement of Medical Policy.
  10. TurnThePage

    When Does It Dtop Hurting

    Get your doctor to give you adequate pain meds NOW. I only needed pain meds the morning after surgery and then I was okay, but others need help longer. Take the meds as scheduled and do not wait for pain to build--the key to pain control is to stop it before it starts. Pain slows healing so you need to get ahead of the curve and stop it in its tracks. Can you get someone to take your toddler for a few days or at least come help so you can get rest? You are going to have to explain to the toddler that your tummy hurts and ask for help. Wear your abdominal binder to help protect and support your middle. This will pass and it will be better sooner if you stop stressing about it. Take good care of yourself.
  11. Appeal the decision. Contact a bariatric attorney for a free consultation. They will often provide enough info for you to do the appeal yourself. Might take 30 days. Change insurance companies to one with less stringent requirements.
  12. TurnThePage

    Spitting Up Food

    Call your doctor's office for advice. Peanut butter and bread can both be difficult for some people until long after surgery.
  13. TurnThePage

    What Should I Wear?

    Buy some Spanx to tame the pooch and let hubby show you off in the outfit he bought!
  14. Only 2% to 5% of morbidly obese people are able to lose their excess weight and maintain their loss long term. It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. I think you have answered your own questions about your potential for success by standard dieting. The remaining question is why are you reluctant to have surgery? If you sort that out with a therapist, you may find the right path for you. I had RNY at 60 and sailed through surgery and recovery. No more beating my head against a brick wall. I finally took charge of my life and my body and did what I needed to do to protect my health and to enjoy my remaining life to the fullest. Instead of dragging my ass up the stairs to my home, I am going to walk the hills of Tuscany and the streets of florence. My only regret is that I put this off in 2006 and wasted 7 precious years and damaged my heart and even more of my joints. The best analogy may be this: If you car had a flat tire, would you try to pick it up yourself to change the tire? No, you'd use a tool--a jack--then change the tire and get on with your life. Well, RNY is a tool, too.
  15. TurnThePage

    Did exercising cause you weight gain?

    You could be losing fat, but gaining a little weight from increased muscle. Or you just could be in a stall. Every body stalls and most people do so repeatedly during their loss. Just stick with your program and your body will sort things out. Good luck.
  16. TurnThePage

    Decisions Decisions...

    Go to the consultation with an open mind. Research all you can, then ask lots of questions. You don't normally have to make a decision until you are much farther down the line. The band is falling out of favor due to inferior results, but you should consider the vertical sleeve and bypass. There are many pros and cons for each and your decision should consider many factors. For example, bypass patients cannot have NSAIDs after surgery due to the risk of ulcers. So if you need NSAIDs for arthritis, bypass may not be for you. For now, keep your mind open to all options and learn everything you can--that will help when it does come time to make the decision.
  17. TurnThePage

    Excessive drinking

    Drinking contributes to depression so you are making a bad situation much worse. It is called transfer addiction, trading one addiction (food) for another (alcohol) and adding ulcers to the mix. This has to stop! Please, get professional help now before you cause serious injury to your body! Be kind to yourself--you deserve much better than this.
  18. TurnThePage

    Hair loss

    A recent review of major studies on Biotin showed it was not effective, but there are still lots of people who believe in it. It just grew hairs on my chin! It does help to use a gentle shampoo and conditioner, some of the new ones that minimize hair loss due to breakage, and try to shampoo a little less often. Go easy with hair dryer, curling Iron and other tools. Maybe shift your part or zig zag it to make it less obvious if your hair is thinning up front. Sometimes having your hair cut with layers makes it less obvious. Your hairdresser should be able to offer suggestions.
  19. TurnThePage

    Nurse said Could be denied so nervous.

    I'd fight that like crazy. That's ridiculous. Tell your surgeon that you cannot afford to pay the deductible to have it done next year. You can find studies on the National Institute of Health website which show that the 6 month pre-op diets are rarely successful. However, it is important to do the immediate 2 week (or whatever) pre-op diet to the letter so that you do not have liver problems during surgery. Reschedule appointments outside your menstrual cycle and give the next diet your very best efforts. The health benefits of substantial weight loss vastly outweigh the implications of your 4 lb. uptick. Good luck!
  20. TurnThePage

    first surgeversary

    YAY for YOU!
  21. TurnThePage

    losing weight before surgery

    Crash dieting usually means you are not eating a balanced healthy diet. It takes a toll on your organs, your complexion, your hair and your energy level. This is NOT a good thing to do before surgery! You want to be as healthy as possible so you heal quickly and are less likely to have complications. A far better option is to eat well, but restrict your calories as suggested by your doctor and dietician, and get plenty of exercise. You will look and feel so much better! Take good care of yourself!
  22. TurnThePage

    Insecurities

    I agree. There's a lot to be said for enthusiasm and creativity!
  23. You must be very disappointed that they are not meeting your expectations for support. Sometimes though, you have to be specific with guys as to the specific type of support you need. Do you need them not to eat snack food in front of you or not bring it into the house? Do you need a hug? Not to say certain things because they are hurtful? Be specific, but do it in a way that enlists their aid for your cause. Like me, lots of people do this on their own, so I know you can too. Your husband is right, the surgery is no magic bullet or guarantee of success. You are going to have to work at this every day for the rest of your life. But the best way to show him that you CAN do it is to just hunker down and DO IT. It may take a month or perhaps two until your weight loss is evident, but you'll soon have your proof! As for your son, I wonder whether he is concerned that something might happen to cause his family to fall apart when you slim down, get healthy and be happy. From the net or perhaps from thoughtless comments from others, he may have heard stories of marriages that break up, wives that throw in the towel and run off or other such things. Maybe he watched a friend's family fall apart. Plus, I'm sure at 16 he has heard plenty of MILF jokes among the guys. Perhaps it would help to sit down with him at a quiet time and explain that you are doing this to get healthy so you can be there for your family, live longer, be more active and all have more fun together--and it would really be great to have him cheer you on as you have always cheered for him. Wishing you all the best!
  24. So glad you have finally gotten some help and pain relief! Take good care of yourself. Please file complaints with the hospital administration so they can rectify those problems and provide additional training. It may spare someone else the trauma you have experienced.
  25. TurnThePage

    Ulcers?

    It sounds like you may have an ulcer, perhaps even a bleeding ulcer and the blood is darkening your stools. I do not understand why you were given or have been taking NSAIDs as they are taboo for RNY people because they cause ulcers. Perhaps your ob/gyn is not up on bariatric issues. Call your surgeon tomorrow morning and try to get in to see him/her ASAP. If not possible, try your PCP or the ER. Bleeding ulcers are serious! Good luck.

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

×