India928

Not to bust your bubble, but even once it is in you may have to wait. I received a quick turn around from my insurance company however my surgeon is booked through the summer and my date is anticipated in September. Waiting is definitely horrible to ones mental health! Aarrgh

Good luck with your bypass, but you may not end up with dumping syndrome. My surgeon said that many people don't get it at all. Edited to add: I have MS too, no one has mentioned anything about not having one procedure vs another because of it, but I have chosen the sleeve. What I was told regarding the MS is this: With the Bypass, an MS patient with a flare up requiring use of a steroid (for example, Solu-Medrol) risks developing ulcers at the joining sites of the new pouch regardless of surgical time frame. With the sleeve, you have a "cushion" so to speak - you still have stomach properties that aid with the safe absorption of the medication - with the bypass you do not.

If we are here, on a journey to Weight Loss Surgery as a life line to normalcy, we ARE addicts and our choice of drug has become food. Therapy is definitely needed to address all of the underlying issues because we will either revert back to food or likely transfer to something else. I know many people who have had WLS, lost weight and who have gained weight back (myself included) because they didn't work out the inner issues. My brother-in-law lost over one hundred and forty pounds. He switched to alcohol his weight back (and more than what he lost). A coworker had the procedure and is now sexually promiscuous, plenty of people in my support groups have their struggles as well. Just be mindful and set yourself up to win - therapy doesn't hurt anyone. Best wishes

Originally I wanted the Bypass but because of my multiple sclerosis and potential for steroidal use during flare ups my doc wouldn't do it and I was given the sleeve. I was successful, lost over one hundred pounds but gained reflux.....Last year I had some serious health issues of which I was immobile and have since gained forty pounds back. I am now scheduled for the Bypass there is still a potential for steroidal concerns but at the moment not an issue. September 21st is my date. If you have been on many boards, you may see my reply that I wish I had just went with the Bypass to begin with. Well.....prayerfully and with therapy, third time is a charm - I have had the lapband, revised to sleeve and soon revised to bypass. Best wishes

How annoying is it that we are expected to hurry up and WAIT?! After all the appointments, and all of the paperwork......Finally, Finally I received an approval and now the earliest I can be booked is September 21st. Lord help me! This is really a lesson in patience.

AllisonK: My packet was submitted on Thursday June 18th. The scheduler was out sick a couple of days earlier in the week, which held up my packet from being submitted. Regardless, today is Wednesday June 24th and I received word that I have been approved by CIGNA PPO GWI. Insurance did require all the documents, consults and letter of supports I mentioned earlier in previous messages. My surgery date is scheduled for September 21st as my doctor is of high demand and this is the first date available. Any news on your status? Best wishes

"I regret.... not having it done earlier. I regret.... not choosing the bypass instead of the sleeve. I have the sleeve of steel, and can eat anything I ate before surgery without tossing my Cookies. I wish I could say that sugar makes me physically ill, but it doesn't. Cakes, candy, donuts, chocolate....anything fried... nothing bothers my tummy. Sooooo....I'm having to "work" more at making sure I eat a healthy diet and not too much of the bad stuff. Having the sleeve is an excellent tool, but you have to "use" the tool. It ain't gonna use itself! (except for that first year, of course). I have gained about 15 pounds back since I stopped losing last January (nearly 1 year post op). I'm now having to really watch what I eat. Not how much, I still have the restriction, but how often! I can graze without realizing how much food I'm eating over the course of a day! I was really hoping that I wouldn't have to go on a diet any more after surgery!" I am there with you. I had the sleeve (revision band to sleeve) in 2008 and lost about 110 pounds. Kept it off until last year - I had two major surgeries that limited my mobility (Achilles tendon release and repair and a total knee replacement) and gained 40 pounds back. Now out of sheer frustration, I am hoping to have the bypass. The sleeve allowed for sugars and carbs which I went back to when feeling sorry for myself during the surgeries. Sleeve did stretch, bad eating habits crept back, and addictive tendencies returned. Now, since working on my head in therapy, my surgical fate yet again lays in the hands of the insurance carrier. Part of why I didn't choose the bypass when I did was because I have multiple sclerosis and the surgeon was concerned of steroidal use as treatment for flare ups (not good for bypass patients) - I could have fought it, but I didn't want to totally give up food pleasures.....if I am being real with myself. Now, here I am, needing the ultimate "Antabuse" for food addiction and chancing any future needs for steroids. Just keep at it and remember YOU are STRONGER than you THINK you are! Keep trying in this life and never give up on striving for self acceptance and pride. Life is short! God bless.

I believe it is very normal! You are excited and hopeful to achieve something very important to you and you are keeping your eye on the prize. That's partly why the forum is here - to give people a support network; to speak of successes and challenges; to encourage and make each other accountable; to let us know that we are not alone in this journey. I too have been doing what you have. I log on from work; home; my cell (lol). I also go to youtube to hear all the stories. I haven't watched the surgery itself, don't think I want to - a bit squimish here. Anyhow, I say keep doing YOU! This is ALL about you. Remember that, your doing something for yourself and you should be excited and take interest. Best wishes......hugs from New York!

Premiere Protein chocolate flavor - 30 grams of protein; 160 calories 1 gram sugar and really tastes good. I just purchased a sample pack from unjury. ill post my opinion once it arrives and I try.

What steps did you take towards change, when waiting for insurance approval? Did anyone NOT do any changes until the pre-op liquid fast? How do you manage refocusing your thoughts when a craving jumps in your head....

He will likely need to send you in for a scan, to get a image of what is going on in the area. I wouldn't wait any longer and go see the surgeon or honestly, If it was very painful, I would go to the ER of the hospital where I had the surgery. This way at least they will have some staff available familiar with the gastric procedures.

Five days is still very new. You could be retaining Water (fluids)....you just had surgery. Everyone's body heals differently. Just stick to the post op plan and you will do just great. Stay away from the scale for a week. You will be surprised.

So, I have been seeing my nutritionist every two weeks for the past three months. At my last visit (Tuesday June 16th) she told me that maybe I am not ready. It certainly didn't help to hear that because I have been flip flopping this entire time. Its the whole, "hurry up and get these appointments done, and then WAIT for a surgery date" that's driving me bonkers. Her statement certainly didn't help but it was a good kick in the butt because it angered me and well......"Hi my name is Bill-amina and I am three days sober" Maybe just what I needed.....

Thank you for responding Daisee. I actually have been seeing a therapist since August. I have to be honest though, it wasn't until the nutritionist made her statement that I finally "heard" it. I have always spoken about food as an addiction, and would say I was addicted but I NEVER labeled myself as an addict until last week. I need the surgery if I am to live pain free, both physically and to some extent emotionally. If of course, it is approved- this will be my third procedure Thank you again

My regret is that I didn't do the Bypass the FIRST time or the SECOND! I did the band (waste) then I converted to sleeve (success) but stomach has since stretched (yumm yumm ice cream = No no, Mmmm carbs = bad, bad) and have some regain....off to the bypass. I needed the sugar dumping! I am an addict - a sugar/food addict. Who wanted to change but didn't want the vile aftereffects that bypass offers, and I so need. Dumping is the Antabuse for food addicts. Suggestion - be brutally honest with yourself and take the leap.

oh one more thing, the progress notes from your PCP have to be 30 days apart. If you saw him on 1/12 your next appt. must be no sooner than 2/13; next one 3/14; 4/15 and so on

I will tell you that you will need at least three progress notes from your PCP indicating that he is monitoring you on a weight loss program. Basically he has to complete: Monthly weigh in's with you, ask you if you have been exercising and if so doing what and for how long and as of what diet you are incorporating (ie. Low fat; low sugar; shakes; Atkins....ect) AND then he also has to write you a letter of support. In addition to all the usual stuff everyone has to do: Endoscopy; nutritionist; psych; abdominal sonogram; bloodwork up; etc.... I will definitely let you know my outcome

I have them as well. My surgeons office is in the process of submitting my paperwork to them this week. I will let you know the outcome once I have word.

Congratulations to you! That is fast Wish mine was in mid-July. I am waiting for insurance approval and y surgeon is already booking into August- so frustrating. Keep us posted!

Oh how frustrating to hear! I was so hoping to have the effects of a rapid ice melt initially. I feel like crying! I should have just had the bypass from the start and I probably wouldn't be here for the third. I was just so afraid of the finality of the procedure so I opted for the shortcuts....the lap band (a total waste) then the sleeve, great but I still ate carbs and sugar and now, I'm right back where I was to begin with ten years ago.

Suusje - you mentioned that losing weight will be slower this time around. Do you happen to know why that is? And, is it slower for all sleeve to bypass conversions? That's a bit disappointing and makes me sad!

Hi All: Just wondering how much time I should plan on being out of work post surgery? What do you do when home immediately after surgery? I know we should walk as much as possible, but what else? How soon are we able to travel by plane after surgery? Has anyone traveled by plane like four weeks post op?

Dhrguru - Congats on being six weeks out! Experiencing any head hunger, and if yes, how do you deal/cope with it?

LoveX - Does it feel weird not having your original belly button? How much pain are you in?

Agggh! So, today I will complete my last pre-surgical insurance requirement. Prayerfully I will be approved. But now comes all the self doubt in: "Am I making the right decision".... "I wont be able to eat many things".... "Will I have the self control to stick to my nutritional guidelines to be successful".... "Will this procedure really be effective"... "This is an addiction, an addiction to food, can and will I be able to do this"... "or am I trying to talk myself out of it"... Your feedback, insight and experience's are appreciated.