Daisee68

Unfortunately every plan is different - even within each individual insurance company. I had Cigna. They told me approx. 50% of their plans covered it and 50% didn't. You will have to read the exclusions in your policy to see. Even if someone here had BCBSTX cover their surgery, it doesn't mean yours would as they likely have a different plan.

​I have just been thinking this week that I would like to try casual bike riding again. I don't even know if I remember HOW to ride a bike but I would love to give it a shot! And if we are talking true bucket list, I think maybe possibly I would like to do a zip line. I think someone would have to push me off the platform, but I think I might really enjoy it once I tried it! My sister took this "trapeze" class here in town recently and said I HAVE to put that on my list. I don't know about that one, but it is cool to think I might be able to. Then again, maybe that would be a good precursor to a zip line.

I agree with @dhrguru. Those are really guidelines for how to determine what is "low fat" or "low sugar". You aim for it, when you are buying something but it isn't always realistic. Now it is a good guideline for your Protein shakes for sure, but otherwise, it is just a goal. My NUT said to always try to target foods with less carb than protein. Eventually you will know which brands you like and which work and you will just buy those and not have to check every time. Dumping is generally related with RNY though it can sometimes happen to those with sleeve. Luckily, I have not encountered it yet. It is a reaction to food to high sugar / high fat foods that your new stomach just cannot process (or in the case of RNY does not get absorbed correctly) - sweating, vomiting, stomach pain. It can occur from 15 minutes to 3 hours-ish after you eat that specific food. You will know once you have had it and you likely will not choose that food again.

​Ouch! I would try ice or heat maybe? If it gets worse or doesn't subside by Monday, call your dr office just to be safe since you are still so new out.

Wow Dub! I am so sorry this happened. But just wanted to say your determination and faith is such an inspiration to me! You got this man! Can't wait to see your progress and continue to watch your journey!

I agree with all here - chapstick, biotene, gas-X strips, flip flops for walking (easy to put on). The 2 things I wish I had taken were ear plugs (to cover up my snoring momma in the corner chair and the incessant beeping if the machines) and a heating pad. The hospital did provide a heating pad eventually but it took them 5 hours to deliver it! I was quite annoyed. They did bring me earplugs rather quickly. ????. Only good sleep I got was the 2 hours I was able to wear those darn things.

Go get the second dilation! I had 2 about 1 week apart and I cannot even begin to express how much better I feel. You are potentially losing nutrients if you are vomiting. You will still have restriction. You just won't have food backing up in to your esophagus. You are at goal which is amazing! Get this physical complication behind you so you can focus on eating a healthy diet and not fear of what you can keep down. I understand you are tired of this! No wonder if you have been dealing with this so long! I'm just 3 months post-op and was tired of dealing with it so I can only imagine how hard it is to be so far out and dealing with it. So very sorry you have had so many issues but Girl, you made it to goal which is to be celebrated! You did that! You can absolutely make good choices once you are healthy. Best wishes! Hugs! And promise you will call Monday to schedule your next dilation. ????

Had the same issue here and it was also a stricture so small that nothing would get thru. I didn't figure it out until 3 months post-op when I vomited everything (food, liquids, vitamins, etc) for 4 days straight. Even a visit to ER and CT scan didn't find it. They finally did an EGD and that's how they found it. They dilated with a balloon twice (about a week apart) and I am feeling so much better and almost feel like I am eating too much now! I'm sure I am not. It is just so much more than I was. All to say, please call your Dr and press them for an EGD to check for stricture

Gas-X strips help a lot (take several). Also try what I think my sister called a children's yoga pose? Kneel down and lay down with your stomach touching your knees, arms stretched out in front of you, butt up in the air. I know it sounds strange but it did help. Otherwise you just have to wait it out. It will subside in a couple of days. Today through 5 days is generally the worst so just e sure it as best as you can. Sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk. Don't get dehydrated. And don't be afraid to take your pain med if needed. Congrats on getting to the other side!

Fingers crossed for you!!

I think there are 2 types of gas. Will it help with what they pumped in? Nope. Only walking and sometimes heating pad (especially if your shoulder is hurting). HOWEVER, you will have intestinal gas and believe me Gas-X helps. I am 3 months out and still use it quite a bit. My surgeon said "whatever works". They won't hurt and it's great when it does help....

@@ginner1966 - I know this is an old post so maybe you don't need this anymore but here is the link https://cignaforhcp.cigna.com/public/content/pdf/coveragePolicies/medical/mm_0051_coveragepositioncriteria_bariatric_surgery.pdf

Congrats and thank you for posting this (and all your great advice). I especially like what you said about not being a "diet". I am still only 3 Months post-op but have been wondering what my life might look like long term and if I was getting hung up on calorie intake, etc. Obviously being so new still, I will continue to log food but I love the idea if knowing that it might not be forever if I get my head on straight. Funny enough my therapist said this to me yesterday (about not having to track forever) and I thought she might be crazy but your post/perspective has certainly encouraged me!! Keep up the great work and best wishes on the homefront!! Hope it sells quickly!

I have to set a timer on my phone for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes and only take another bite when the timer goes off.

How exciting! Congrats!

Yes, tylenol should be fine. just no Excedrin which contains asprin (or Advil or Aleve). Are you still able to have caffeine? I did and a very little of it with the Tylenol seemed to helped the headache. It will get easier soon! Today and tomorrow are the worst days!

I don't but just wanted to say congrats and good luck! Fingers crossed it comes back approved quickly!

Well logging/tracking your food is extremely important for several reasons. Firstly you need to know how much protein you are getting each day to make sure you are meeting your protein goals. Secondly, she. You hit a stall (and trust me you will), you will want to go over those food logs with your NUT to see if you can determine what to adjust, if anything. It is a very quick process to use an online food tracker.

I use Precision Engineering Whey Protein Isolate the chocolate one and the Vanilla one. They are both good. I love even the smell of the Vanilla! For unflavored I use Doc Hale's Whey-licious. I haven't experimented much with the other flavors. instead I just add flavors to these to get what I want. Eggface website has a lot of recipes - http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/06/my-favorite-protein-shake-recipes.html Remember your tastes may change after surgery so try not to buy huge batches now if you can help it and try samples whenever you can to see what you think before spending the money on larger portions.

​Wow! You are stunning! Looks like an incredible experience!

Saw my endocrinologist today. He was extremely happy with my progress. My A1C with NO meds was 6.0. It was 6.4 back in April (pre-op). He said today's still included some of the old sugars since I am still not 3 months out and A1C is generally a 3 month average. I am very happy with that! Cholesterol slightly high (with no meds) but he said that takes a little longer to come down and since I am now not considered diabetic (MUSIC TO MY EARS!!) my cholesterol goals aren't quite as stringent. He put me back on med but at half the dose from pre-op and expects to be able to take me off in a few months hopefully. And all my Vitamins were spot on. In fact, my Calcium and D was a little high - for me anyway because I have calcium absorbtion issues that leads to kidney stones (long time pre-op issue), so I even get to cut back a little on vitamins. B12 great but I have been exhausted and turns out thyroid is off again (as I anticipated). That's an easy fix as we just have to up my thyroid med slighlty which will hopefully fix the exhaustion along with coming up on 3 month surgervisary. All in all a great visit! Can't remember the last time I actually looked forward to seeing a dr and getting on the scales! Bariatric surgeon appt next Tuesday so we will see if she has anything different to say, but I can't imagine she will. Happy dance!!!

@DangerMouse007 Welcome! I was not on insulin prior to surgery but I think it can take a little longer to adjust if you were using insulin. It is also a little early yet, so remember if you endo does an A1C, it may still be high because you will have so old sugars still in that 3 month average. I would ask your endo about running cholesterol too. My surgeon didn't do labs until 3 months and someone else I know that had bypass has a surgeon that doesn't believe in labs until 6 months. Your endo will likely run your usual tests, but don't hesitate to ask him to run other things. And hang in there and keep working the program. Your sugars will eventually come down as the weight comes off I am sure!

@@meSparkle83 - Depending on which stage you are in, here is a link to some recipes - http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/06/my-favorite-protein-shake-recipes.html. Which ones did you purchase? The Premier Protein ready made shakes are good. For protein powders, I use Precision Engineering whey Protein Isolate (be sure it says Isolate) and for unflavored I used Doc Hale's Whey-licious. You may have to experiment with different kinds but I was pretty lucky to find this early in my search. I hated Isopure and nectar Syntrax though both of those are popular choices with others. Hope that helps!

@@dlw3412 - So sorry! I feel your pain! How long are you to be on Phase 2? They weren't very specific with me, so I started pureeds today (EGD was also 9/3). It just says "as tolerated". Not sure when I can move on to the next step. Guess I will just wing it! Good luck! Take it slow. Bites will come soon enough for us both!

​So sorry this happened to you but so glad you are healing! And it sounds like you have a wonderful positive attitude. You go this !!