BeagleLover

http://wlsappeals.com/2094/walters_bariatric_surgery_blog/20-years-bariatric-surgery-patient/

Welcome! I hope you feel better soon.

I just attended my 3rd nutritional seminar. One woman just heard that she was not approved because her 6 months of nutrition seminars/weight loss were not "supervised by a physician." It was run by a dietician. The bariatric surgeon and coordinator are discussing this with the insurance company and hope to work it out. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up to check on their coverage.

Uhhh, I think you need a new spell checker!

Welcome! I am so glad you are having the surgery BEFORE you get diabetes! That crossover from pre-diabetes to diabetes is when you lose about half of the pancreas cells that produce insulin.

I came across this powerful stance from a college freshman (and didn't know where to best post it): Powerful Student Advocate Marissa Lindstrom

Lots of good points on Walter Lindstrom's blog: "Lessons Learned: Celebrating 20 Years as a Bariatric Surgery Patient" http://wlsappeals.com/2094/walters_bariatric_surgery_blog/20-years-bariatric-surgery-patient/

Yeah, I saw an earlier post on that-- the surgery was never done!

Wow! You look great! How many lbs. did you lose?

Her post mentioned the Obesity Action Coalition. They are having a conference, Sept. 25 - 28 in Orlando, FL.

Believe me, my little tummy would look a whole hail of a lot worse if I died 10 years early, which is the path I was on!

Fantastic that you were approved! The Anastasia test! What is that! Sounds like someone's trying to see if you are an relative of a distant Russian czar!

Yeah, I've been told that too. a friend going to the same program as I am said, "But you're not that big." Uhhhh, I beg to differ. I'm big enough to start having hip pains from trying to do the treadmill at a high elevation a few months ago; big enough to have diabetes and sleep apnea; big enough for back pain. It seems to be harder and harder to move around by the day, & am VERY glad I started this process in May. I started with a BMI of 39, now approximately 36. The day of the weigh ins, I have to make sure I eat Breakfast the day of the weigh in and not go to the bathroom! I'm so afraid I may land on the BMI of 34.9 and the insurance company won't cover it. I haven't tried too hard to lose weight, it's kind of happening thanks to the book on emotional eating, "Emotional First + Aid" (the bariatric one) by Cynthia Alexander. I figured, if I don't get the emotional part, after the surgery, I'll start grazing and gain some of it back. I want it all GONE! The insurance companies aren't going to pay biggo bucks for someone's surgery unless they are in a very unhealthy situation. Their cutoff is a BMI of 40 without co-morbidities. As time goes on, the co-morbidities, i.e., diabetes and sleep apnea and others can kick in, not to mention more and more wear and tear on your joints. You will be much healthier, the earlier the better (my opinion).

Holy smokes! You HAVE been through the wringer! I hope you wind up with knees of spring steel and tiger meat! Seriously, if there is so much damage, would they do knee replacement? I wouldn't assume you're going to lose the nutrition points you've gone through already, especially IF you've gone through all of them. I would call the surgeon's office/bariatric coordinator to find out, if approved, how much time that approval is good for to actually go through the surgery.

I saw a you tube video. To me it looked as though the gizmo is making a zipper. It's a very safe operation. It stops you from overeating and you learn not to drink carbonated drinks. No prob! You've got this.

Welcome! You'll learn a lot reading this site!

Check out the blog, "The World According to Eggface."

I go to a great program at Medstar Montgomery in Olney, a Bariatric Center of Excellence. Sometimes insurance companies will require that the surgery be done at one of these. The surgeon's name is Dr. Brebbia; the Bariatric Coordinator is Kenny Alexander (301) 570-8593. I attend once/month support meetings (next one is July 30th @ 6pm) and the required once/month nutritional meetings. I've been told the actual surgery will occur at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. No they don't add any surcharges.... WHAT NERVE! Hope this helps.

Protein powder, preferably made with 100% protein isolate & have pretty good taste reviews. Some brand names are: Syntrax nectar, unjury (chicken soup), Isopure. Crystal Light: the Peach Tea is very good

This book helped me a lot: Emotional First + Aid by Cynthia Alexander (the bariatric one)

I suggest sugar free non- or low-fat yogurt + Sweet N' Low + Torani syrup or a little fruiT (try a little mango - OMG!). Unsweetened applesauce.

Stamps were S&H Green stamps . A&P was a chain in new england thru around 2005 Yet another person has a better memory than I do. My Mom used to lick them and stick them into booklets!

In the final analysis, it is YOUR decision. You don't need his permission. Since you are so close, you are doing him a great service by taking the step that will help you live longer and better. It is YOUR health.

Woo Hoooooooooooooooo!

A&P? When I was very young, that was an old grocery store chain....ugh, I'm showing my age... enlighten me please?