Daisee68

Sleeve is definitely becoming more mainstream and a lot of people are going that route, but I was told they only have about 5 years of real results from it. I have seen a lot of folks gain their weight back afterwards (but of course, that can happen with any of the WLS). Biggest determining factor for me was reflux. It can get much worse after sleeve. My dr strongly recommended against that for me because I do have reflux. Having said that, from sleeve you can always have a conversion to bypass if needed later. Still not sure what age would necessarily have to do with it. Good luck with whatever you decide! Agree that you can't make a bad decision here. Seems from the veterans the only bad decision is not doing anything.

@@drmeow Great advice! I needed to hear that. Thank you!

I went in asking to have the sleeve but was experience bad bout of acid reflux that day and she said she really did not recommend the sleeve because it can make the acid reflux worse. It took me a while to come around to the idea of bypass, but I am finally there. I really don't want to have a revision later either and plus I'm tired of the acid reflux and given bypass can essentially cure that, then I am ready to go with bypass. (PS - those I have known that had the revision was due to either reflux and/or weight gain.)

I don't know if this has anything to do with the WLS, but when my thyroid is messed up and I am hypothyroid, I have severe RLS. Do you have thyroid issues normally? If so, maybe you need an adjustment in your med? I am told it may change after surgery as we may have trouble absorbing the synthroid.

@@TMG1980TMG - Funny you should ask! I actually just got the equipment and am supposed to do the sleep study tonight. FINALLY!

How about taking measurements? Sometimes you are losing inches when not pounds and it helps. Or go to the store and pick up a 25 pound bag of dog food and you will suddenly realize how much 25 pounds is! You are doing great and can't wait to join you! (And you can quote this back to me when I am asking why I am stalled... )

Not sure what insurance you have but I have Cigna and specifically it says " "Medical management including evidence of active participation within the last 12 months in a weight-management program that is supervised either by a physician or a registered dietician for a minimum of three consecutive months ((i.e., ≥ 89 days). The weight-management program must include monthly documentation of ALL of the following components:  weight  current dietary program  physical activity (e.g., exercise program) Programs such as Weight Watchers®, Jenny Craig® and Optifast® are acceptable alternatives if done in conjunction with the supervision of a physician or registered dietician and detailed documentation of participation is available for review. " You might ask your insurance company for a copy of their requirements, but it is likely fairly similar - in that you will have to have it verified by a physician or dietician.

I'm in Dallas. Still a few months out from surgery. Best of luck to you next week! Let us know how it goes!

Perhaps addict isn't a fair description for everyone but for me it is. First thing my counselor said is that I will always be a recovering food addict just as a alcoholic is in recovery the rest of their lives even when they stop drinking. And so yes, the surgery doesn't stop you from being an addict and I think that's the whole point. I didn't get to 326 pounds because I was eating like an "average" person. So if I don't deal with the addictive behaviors upfront then the surgery, for me anyway, is nothing more than a quickie diet. I may lose the weight but I will eventually gain it back if I fall into old patterns. Learning the surgery is only a tool to aid in the weight loss and not a "cure" for obesity has been key for me. And my counselor has been great. We aren't necessarily spending the hour bemoaning a bad childhood, etc. We are just figuring out why I turn to food and then she brings every single thing I say back to the food and my control issues (or perhaps lack thereof).

I wonder the same thing every single day several times a day. I keep telling myself though that I can change my mind right up to the point they put me under. Our wait is only 3 to 6 months though not 2 years. If I were you I would put my name on the list and then try the other things too. Hey, if the 1 more diet / 1 more trainer works, then you don't have to go through with it. (Assuming it is not something you have to pay for to get on the list.) One thing that has been super helpful for me so far as I go through the pre-op process is counseling, and honestly several times a day I think "maybe with her help, I can do this without surgery". In fact, I have an apt with her tomorrow and was already going to ask her what she thought. Sigh.... You know what I think she will tell me? "It is possible but at this weight you need something drastic and in typical addict fashion, you are lying to yourself again. " Who knows. Maybe she won't. I'll let you know what she says...

Oh wow! I am so sorry! That is awful. Have you called them yourself? I know there is a written appeal process for most insurance companies. Have you tried that? While it is supposedly covered under my plan, Cigna has been very difficult approving other things, so I fear in the end they will decline as well. Oops. just saw you already mentioned the appeal. Really so sorry...

Sorry you seem to be struggling. I am sure that will be the same for me and certainly is for many. I have been going to a counselor in my pre-op preparation and I find it very helpful. Have you had a chance to do that? Even if just a few visits. I have been stunned as some of the issues I have uncovered / realized in just 1 short month. Don't get me wrong! I cannot even pretend to understand what you are going through right now so I am not discounting your feelings at all! Just wanted to say glad you came here and I am sure you will get lots of encouraging feedback from others in your same position (and which I will hopefully look back on for advice in a few months myself.) Best wishes!!

I am required to have 3 months nutritional counseling and dr office told me best case would be 5 months from initial consult date IF they got right on everything. That was Jan 20 and then I did the seminar/info session on Jan 30 where I saw NUT for first visit. I will finish those visits April 30 but then they have to apply for approval from my insurance (who states they will respond within 5 days) and then wait for dr to schedule. I suppose if all things fell in to place just right, we could have surgery by the end May which would only be 4 months from initial consult but that doesn't seem likely to me for some reason. Suppose it also depends on how busy surgeon's schedule is.

I am also Type II diabetic. I went in asking for sleeve but was experiencing painful bout of acid reflux at the time. While she didn't say she wouldn't do the sleeve on me, she thought I was a better candidate for bypass. She said that bypass is a better solution for acid reflux. She ordered a barium swallow upper GI and they found a small hiatal hernia. Nurse said it shouldn't prevent me from sleeve but as a diabetic, bypass is always a good choice. She said the weight loss is faster and often times diabetes goes in to remission fairly quickly. I was (and kind of still am) worried about the malabsorbtion also, and I am still not 100% sold on the bypass, but after processing and researching for 6 weeks, I am getting closer to accepting bypass. I want to get my endocrinologist's opinion but ultimately I will likely trust my surgeon's opinion for what she feels best option for me is for long term success. As far as the meds, you may not even need insulin after the surgery and could be switched to oral meds if you need anything at all. There are chewable glucose tabs but again, hopefully you won't need those. (By the way, I have read a lot of people on here say swallowing pills wasn't an issue for their dr especially if small - M&M candy size or smaller.) Will be anxious to see what you decide and will keep you posted on if I find any other information also and maybe we can make a firm decision together.

Oh my goodness I had no idea this could happen! I mean it makes sense, but I am so excited about this! Size 11 to 11 1/2 (which they don't really make). Would be thrilled to be able to wear a 10! So many more options in a 10.... Happy dance! One more reason to look forward to this surgery!

My understanding is that net gain means gain from your starting weight.

I have a friend who just had sleeve with Dr. Nicholson about 3 weeks ago. She's doing great and had a very good experience with Dr. Nicholson / office. She did have a hernia and they fixed it and then did the sleeve all in the same surgery.

I'm back. I just was reading someone's post about their surgery getting postponed unexpectedly and apparently lied to about it. in my response, I said "everything is perfect in God's timing", so I got a smack in the face that maybe there is a reason this isn't moving as fast as I want it to. I still don't like that Cigna is being so difficult but will try to patiently and calmly make sure the process moves forward.

Well I am ticked off for you! I would be furious! But as others have said, don't think it is something you did. I would definitely let them know how you found out and ask WTH. (Let us know what they say!) Now, having said that, I believe there is a reason for everything - even when we can't see it. About 15 years ago, I had a surgery scheduled on my shoulder. It was the 1st of many surgeries I would have and I was extremely anxious and frankly very glad I was going to be off work a week. Day before surgery I get a call and the dr is unable to perform the surgery - he had a blocked tear duct. I felt bad for him but mostly I was just ticked. The next day (day my surgery was scheduled), I got a call from my mom to come urgently to meet her and drive her home. My grandfather suddenly passed away. It was awful (and I still miss him and dream about him), but the whole week I just kept thinking, what if I had been in surgery and my mom couldn't have left me to be with her mother or she did have to leave me there alone, etc. etc. I am not wishing something tragic to occur in your life, but just a little reminder that whether we like it or not, everything is perfect in God's timing. (Now excuse me while I go edit the post I just made about being so frustrated that this whole process wasn't moving fast enough for me.... )

FRUSTRATED - So, supposedly Cigna finally approved the sleep study - in home only - after a conversation with my surgeon. The patient coordinator tells me this 2 weeks ago but needed to "get it in writing from Cigna and find a sleep lab that does in home studies". Still no word from them so I follow up and they never got anything from Cigna and haven't followed up but will soon. I just called Cigna and they say it still isn't approved. Again, if Cigna is this difficult to just approve a sleep study and the surgeon's office isn't good in following up, it could take forever to get Cigna to approve this once I have met all the requirements. For what it's worth, I have met all the requirements except for the sleep study and the last nutritionist meeting (which by the way has been underwhelming up to now to say the least). The counselor on the other hand has been extremely helpful. I have seen her 4 times and plan to continue seeing her. So, it is not about the 90 day "diet" that makes me want to self-pay, but the mere fact that I do not want to be at Cigna's mercy and their potential stalling and then land in the busiest time of my work year and not be able to get this done until October.

I am so sorry to hear that. I can only imagine how frustrating and upsetting this is! As a Type 2 diabetic, it sounds like you are doing all the things you are supposed to be doing. How long have you been taking those meds? Also, when are you taking your blood sugar? Should be before you eat and 2 hours from the time you start eating to get your after meal number. My diabetes educator said the difference between the 2 numbers over 1 meal should ideally be only around 40 points (i.e. if you were 120 before meal, after meal number should be around 160). If it is more than that, re-evaluate what you just ate and see if there is something in that you should have modified. Also, my NUT just told me to concentrate on keeping my sugar grams less than 50 grams. (I actually have never been told that before from all the diabetes education I have had.) Another suggestion my endocrinologist gave me is walk / exercise 15 minutes before each meal. (Can't say that I do this, but thought I would throw it out there. ). At the end of it all, I would agree with the others and suggest seeing an endocrinologist if you haven't. They are MUCH more educated in the area of diabetes than most PCP's. Maybe they can help you by adjusting meds to get you to a level acceptable for surgery. (OR - and I almost hate to say this, but have you considered discussing with a different surgeon? Seems like others have had surgeons that weren't quite a strict with the number. After all, many of us with diabetes are having the surgery in hopes of ridding ourselves of the diabetes.) Best wishes! Again, so very sorry this is happening. Try not to let it derail you.

I know this is an old post, but I thought I would post that I have chosen Dr. Colleen Kennedy. While I haven't had the surgery yet, I can say that my initial consultation with her definitely sold me on my choice. She is definitely the right person for me and her staff is wonderful!

Don't know if this will help, but I had the conversation with my counselor 2 weeks ago about the fear of failing at this. She asked me how I would advise a friend who came and told me they had failed at something. And when I said I would be encouraging and loving to that person, she reminded me that should be the response I gave to myself as well. Not give yourself license and grace to do whatever you want, but don't be too hard on yourself. Instead try to encourage yourself as you would lovingly encourage another in the same position....

I'm sorry you are in so much pain. I haven't had knee troubles, but I have had 4 shoulder surgeries so I do understand pain and what it can do to the mind causing depression. Mostly I want to say hang in there. My dad had knee replacement for same situation you were in and man, he wouldn't trade that for anything. He is good as new (as are my shoulders now ). I hope the injections work, but if not, just try to look at the knee replacement the same as the WLS - which is to say short term pain for a long term freedom. PS - 35 pounds is great!! Don't discount that!! From what I have read on here, everyone hits stalls. If you haven't checked your measurements yet, try that.

I agree with you. Keep calling. I was told 10 days ago I was finally approved for sleep study (surgeon requires ruling out Sleep Apnea but insurance had declined to cover). Now insurance has finally approved home sleep study only but surgeon office had to "find someone who does home sleep study". Still no word. I like getting stuff checked off my list and I am trying to be patient but if I was as close as you I would probably be calling even more often!