della street

Major congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ps, *love* your 'holy crapola' comment, lol! -- I *totally* get it)

I agree with @@Ladiec2 -- if he's having such serious surgery that it takes 7 months to get back to 'normal', he may not be back to normal by then -- I'd be looking for a new surgeon and not wait for 7 months to find out he may not be back anyway -- but agree, that is a big bummer (

That is good news!

Hi all, Just wondered about others' experiences -- I'm still pre-op, new insurance kicks in Jan. 1st and covers WLS. I've asked many times (both insurance company and surgeon's office) about coverage details and was repeatedly assured that sleeve was covered. I met w/surgeon, psych, dietitian, etc (did self-pay on those to get a head-start on pre-op requirements before new insurance kicks in...). So surgeon and I decide on sleeve. THEN -- long story short, just found out yesterday that sleeve only covered on grandfathered policies, not new policies -- for new policy-holders, it covers band and bypass. I'm okay w/bypass, but feel like I didn't HAVE to have that drastic of surgery (not diabetic; no GERD)... (and don't want band) -- so bypass it is. I had myself all psyched for the sleeve -- less drastic surgery; quicker recovery; etc -- now I have to change my mind-set to bypass. Anyone else go thru something like this? Thanks for your insights -- PS - and yes, I'm very grateful that new insurance covers bypass -- have wanted WLS for about 10 years, but hubby's insurance specifically excluded any kind of WLS -- I purchased a policy under the Affordable Care Act that is both affordable AND covers bypass, so I'm definitely grateful overall -- just needing to change my mind-set about sleeve vs bypass --

Thank you!@ -- that is very helpful - appreciate your insights!

I, too, was addicted to sugar, especially sugary sodas -- I started getting off of them by mixing 'regular' and diet soda, slowly making the soda more diet than regular -- it took awhile, but it finally worked -- you can ask even at restaurants to get half and half (reg and diet) -- tell them it's an allergy or something -- I couldn't do it cold turkey, but the gradual easing into diet worked for me -- hope that's helpful - best of luck!

@tshine01 I can totally relate -- however, if the office staff at my doc's office would fully answer questions, I wouldn't feel the need to send yet another email as follow-up -- for example, there has been much back and forth w/them about what kind of pre-op diet my insurance requires -- first, they said it was the 6-month physician-supervised diet (which I've done), then it was the 8-week with one of their nutritionists (which I started). So I contacted my insurance directly, and they, too, have given me diff answers, UGH -- I'm supposed to hear from someone from the insurance company on Monday w/the definitive answer. I do always try to be polite and ask everything in one email, but when you get partial answers, it begs a follow-up -- hang in there!

My kids are grown, but I can definitely sympathize -- (I'm pre-op sleeve...) -- we raised them on a lot of carbs, fast food was a regular treat, etc. Now they are in their early 20's and both, while not obese, are a bit overweight and fight it daily -- it breaks my heart into pieces to know that I could have done so much better for them, but did not, so I applaud your intentions while your kids are still very young -- I'd try not to make a big deal out of what you/your kids are NOT going to have, but introduce different foods to them gradually and make the switch w/o them really being aware of it. IE, fruit smoothies (add a bit of chocolate Protein powder if chocolate w/help) instead of ice cream, whole wheat carbs instead of white bread, roll-ups for lunch (maybe low-fat cheese and ham) - but also read up on their nutritional needs as they grow -- Anyway, kudos to you and best of luck!

@@Quest4TheNewMe Thank you! I mean, who knew there was such a thing? Not me -- thanks again

Also, related pre-op newbie question -- I've had lactose intolerance forever -- Lactaid milk is fine, yogurt is fine. I purchased some of the Premier protein drinks and realized they say they have milk protein -- is that the same as lactose? Are they safe to drink for those of us who are lactose intolerant? Thx!

Ok, don't laugh, newbie question -- what's PB2?

@@jomamacita7 Lucky you to have all your girls home!! You can do it -- just rest and let them take care of you as I'm sure you've taken care of them for many years!

Just two days of clear liquids -- as others have said, every doc/program is a bit different -

@@Diamond-Girl You're more than welcome -- I'm quite sure we've all got horror stories that are so sad and humiliating, in fact, there's a thread on here something about 'the straw that broke the camel's back' for you to decide to get WLS -- one of my many 'straws' was when I went for a bone density scan -- and got taken to a side-room and told that their scan-machine only went up to 300 lbs and they wouldn't be able to do my scan - talk about humiliating! ( Anyway, hang in there!

I definitely vote for Goodwill and agree about checking the men's section -- or WalMart -- you don't want to get sick from the cold and if something's too small, I'd be feeling fat every day in it when I couldn't button/zip it, whatever -- your mileage may vary - of course, I live in AZ and don't have the coat-problems any more )

@@Diamond-Girl I was going to "like" your comment, but that felt wrong -- just wanted to say, boy, do I know how you feel -- my orthopedist has tiny chairs so I wander around the office pretending to look at the paintings on the wall, praying they're not running more than a few minutes behind - (

@@Mommabird - I agree with @@Dabliss111114 -- he sounds confused - plus the fact that he's leaving the practice means something -- not sure what, but would give me bad vibes! I w/tell you that, once, many moons ago, I visited a new doctor, and I just had weird vibes that something wasn't quite right -- turns out he was soon sanctioned for drug abuse by the state medical society! Not at all saying that's the case here, but if your instinct (and your bari nurse...) give you pause, I'd say listen to them, not confuso-doc )

OMG - THANK YOU!! I, too, have been collecting tips, but this is great!! thanks again!!

@@NewLife'sGr8 Oh my, can I relate -- my daughter is 24, also living w/her boyfriend (I expect soon-to-be fiancee, lol - ), has her Master's degree, good job, etc....a great start to her life. But -- I see that since she graduated from college about 3 years ago, she's really put on weight -- which I totally understand, having done so myself -- and gained and lost and gained and lost, etc, till now at age 59, I'm 340 lbs, ugh ugh ugh, hopefully getting scheduled for surgery after first of the year when new insurance kicks in. (new insurance covers WLS; current insurance does not). I, too, want to talk to her about her weight - BUT - i vividly recall how upsetting it was to have my mother and mother-in-law 'mention' my weight to me---from my mother, it was well-intentioned; from m-in-law, was just negative -- anyway, I have no solution, but just wanted you to know you're not alone

I'm purchasing a BCBS plan in AZ -- silver plan Portfolio 3500. Max out of pocket is $3500. Will cost me premium-wise about $300-$350/month (net, after taking into account what hubby and I will save by me not being on his employer-policy which EXCLUDES bariatric surgery...)

Hi all, my first surgeon visit is tomorrow - (also w/dietitian, exercise physiologist and psychologist...) -- I have my list of questions, but what questions do you wish you'd asked on your first visit? Or what questions *did* you ask? I'd hate to get home and think "oh darn, I should have asked about XYZ..." -- thanks much! (I'm leaning toward sleeve, but that's the biggest question I have for my surgeon, whether he thinks I'm more of a candidate for sleeve or bypass, just fyi...)

@raquel_c@dashofsunshine -- thank you both for the info! I have about 150 lbs to lose, ugh -- but am so excited to take this next step on the journey -- if you think of anything else, let me know -- thank you so much again!

@@Samantha&Sunshine I had to do this exact same thing -- I went to my local Center, they sent me to Corporate WW (look on their website for contact info) and they told me that they don't keep records if you didn't reach Lifetime membership. So for my surgeon's package of info, I gave them my best guess, told them what WW said, and offered to sign a notarized statement that I did, in fact, do WW "x" times, "x" approx dates, "x" approx weight loss. They haven't asked me to do that (yet), but that's my story - hope that's helpful! Good luck!

What is it draining?

You might have to/want to gather as much info as you can -- maybe ask your doctor's office if they request your medical records from your PCP or do you have to, etc. I just felt better knowing I had my records in my hand -- and keep a copy of everything, just in case -- best of luck!