stacyrg2

My surgeon is by no means taking the easy way out. My insurance company has a no appeal policy on this procedure. So, while my surgeon has requested a peer to peer review, it has been refused twice. My surgeon is working with me and the legal team from the stretta manufacturer to appeal to my state Dept. of Insurance seeking an independent medical review. My surgeon is behind me 100%. There should be no question in anyone's mind that my surgeon isn't working for me. He's already done more than most when it comes to this fight. One of the reasons I filed with the Dept of Insurance rather than pay for my procedure and be on my merry way is because I don't believe an insurance company should be able to blanket deny procedures and/or medications without justification. I'm fighting through the Dept. of Insurance so maybe the next person who has this problem will be able to get the treatment they need without the struggle. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

And forgive me for my poor choice of words. I'm lucky in that I have options since I have the resources to pay for a procedure that likely will prevent me from developing esophageal cancer, as that's where I'm heading since there is so much stomach acid splashing up damaging my esophagus. But in my view, the insurance company sure as hell is forcing me (or those like me who don't have the financial ability to pay for the procedure) to convert to bypass, and face the potential side effects/surgical risks if I want to "cure" the problem by utilizing the benefits I pay for. Like I said, I'm very fortunate that I can pull out my checkbook and have the procedure tomorrow. But I pay for an insurance policy and I would like the individuals who work for that company to pull their heads out of their assholes and (1) read my medical records; (2) approve medication that offers some relief of my symptoms rather than insist that I try Omeprazole or other lower level PPIs which provide no relief (a fact that is reflected in my medical records); and (3) stop insisting on a medical procedure that I CAN'T HAVE because of my lack of a fundus. I would be more accepting if there was some actual thought behind the denial. So, you're right. The company is not "forcing" me to accept their very generous offer to pay for a conversion to bypass. Except they kinda are, if I want any insurance coverage. They've presented me with the textbook definition of a Hobson's Choice, since they disclaimed liability for any alternative treatments. I pity the poor person who doesn't have the financial means to make decisions regarding their care without relying on insurance coverage. Sorry if my position regarding the workings of insurance companies in the healthcare arena is distasteful to your sensibilities.

I'm a lawyer practicing insurance law, so get all about exclusions. There is no experimental carve out in my policy. And, at this point, stretta shouldn't be considered experimental as its well accepted in the medical community and has been shown to be a viable fix for GERD for close to 10 years. What bothers me the most is that they insurance company is forcing me into a potentially life-altering procedure when there's an available fix with little to no risk. Penny wise, dollar foolish. I'm planning on paying for the procedure, but will not abandon my appeal with the Department of Insurance because I'm hoping that by appealing, I can do my part to make this procedure more readily available.

Mylanta won't help control acid. You need a PPI (omeprazole or one of the prescription medications like protonix). If you're not on one, you might want to check with your doctor.

Good job! I'm running a 1/2 marathon on April 9 (I think that's the date) so my last long run was this weekend. I'm also doing the Tinker Bell 1/2 marathon at Disneyland on Mother's day. Glad you're training is going so well. I remember when you first posted about it and wanted to know if you were crazy! We told you it would be good! Good luck with the rest of your training!!

I agree. Immediately post surgery I was consuming 600-800 calories a day. 400 calories a shake seems really high. I aimed (and still do) for 10 grams of Protein for every 100 calories as an acceptable ratio Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

As VSGAnn said, google and read about telogen effluvium. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen and no amount of Fluid intake will stop it. I had hair loss from about month 3 to month 6. It stopped as quickly as it started and has now grown back. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I completely agree with everyone who has posted and completely disagree with the psychologist. I've lost 130lbs which equals 97% of my excess weight. I will lose the last few pounds to get to 100% excess weight lost. Even if I don't, I'm thrilled with what I've accomplished. Your total weight loss is ENTIRELY dependent on you and how you work your program. If you watch your calories, stick to high Protein, nutritious food, there's no reason why your loss should top out at 70 lbs. Put in the effort and you can lose as much as you want. Good luck!

I do ground turkey and cheese, and scrambled egg and cheese a lot. The turkey and cheese combo gives you a nice Protein hit Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just my opinion but in order to keep the "full" feeling as long as possible, you're going to have to severely curtail your fruit consumption during the active weight loss period. Your body processes the fruit as pure sugar and will NOT provide satiety. You will need to focus on (I did almost exclusively) dense Protein in order for the full feeling to last. As an example, I don't really get s hungry feeling but I stay satisfied for at least 3 hours when my meal focuses on dense protein like beef or chicken. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

sorry for the multiple posts. Apparently my computer went insane!

This is almost exact amounts for me too at almost 19 months out. It really varies from day to day, though, doesn't it? So weird how that happens! It does depend on the day. Some days I have "hungry days" and can eat more than what is listed and some days it's a struggle to get that much in. However, this is what an "average" day looks like for me with a few Snacks (nuts, yogurt, deli meat and cheese) thrown in the afternoon.

This is almost exact amounts for me too at almost 19 months out. It really varies from day to day, though, doesn't it? So weird how that happens! It does depend on the day. Some days I have "hungry days" and can eat more than what is listed and some days it's a struggle to get that much in. However, this is what an "average" day looks like for me with a few Snacks (nuts, yogurt, deli meat and cheese) thrown in the afternoon. This is almost exact amounts for me too at almost 19 months out. It really varies from day to day, though, doesn't it? So weird how that happens! It does depend on the day. Some days I have "hungry days" and can eat more than what is listed and some days it's a struggle to get that much in. However, this is what an "average" day looks like for me with a few snacks (nuts, yogurt, deli meat and cheese) thrown in the afternoon. This is almost exact amounts for me too at almost 19 months out. It really varies from day to day, though, doesn't it? So weird how that happens! It does depend on the day. Some days I have "hungry days" and can eat more than what is listed and some days it's a struggle to get that much in. However, this is what an "average" day looks like for me with a few snacks (nuts, yogurt, deli meat and cheese) thrown in the afternoon.

Preach it, VSGAnn! That was one of the hardest lessons for me to learn. Once you make this decision, you need to put yourself first. It's not selfish, it's self preservation. There is a woman I see at the same salon I go to who had surgery 6 months after I did with the same surgeon. I've lost 130 lbs . . . she's lost 40ish. She never got the memo that you need to put yourself first, so she never did. She feels that her kids, husband, didn't sign up for surgery so they shouldn't have to suffer. She continues to feed them (and by default) eat the same food that got her to the point were she needed surgery. You know what, that plan doesn't work. This new lifestyle takes commitment and the inner strength to do whatever the hell you need to do to get healthy. Teach your kids healthy eating habits, but if that doesn't work, make two dinners, You betcha. I know I'm hijacking this thread, but I feel it's an important message, and I'm glad you brought it up, Ann. This journey gets sooooo much easier when you realize you deserve to be on it!

I work 10-12 hour days. I eat on a schedule. I'm also almost 2 years post surgery so this may not work for you. I get to work around 8:00 and eat Breakfast at my desk while going through email. (usually ground turkey and a bit of cheese, scrambled egg and cheese or leftovers from the night before). Usually, breakfast will hold me until lunch, but on those days it doesn't I have a high Protein snack around 11-11:30. Lunch is usually at 1:00 and consists of 4 oz of protein and if room a bite of veggies (today was leftover steak and edamame). I have a small snack around 4:00 which usually consists of some nuts and a piece of cheese or something very similar) If its a workout night, I have another snack around 6-6:30 almost always a greek yogurt with 1/2 a tablespoon of PB2 blended in. I then eat dinner when I get home from the gym; 4 oz of protein and a veggie or salad. I average between 90-110g of protein a day. I find it helpful if I plan and portion out my meals the night before, that way I just have to grab out of the fridge and go. I also track in My fitness pal. Hope that helps

I'm 22 months post surgery. I can eat 4 oz of beef, pork, chicken or turkey and slightly more (almost 6 oz) of fish like salmon. After eating my Protein, I can fit in a few bites of veggies or salad. I don't eat bread, rice or Pasta, so I can't help you there. I do eat quinoa, and usually cook it with diced veggies as my side and can eat about a 1/4 cup. Breakfast-y type foods, I can eat 2 eggs with a sprinkle of cheese and before I go on long runs, I have 1/4 c of oatmeal mixed with 1/2 container of greek yogurt. Hope that helps. If you have any questions about specific foods, ask away and I'd be happy to tell you amounts.

Except, I don't think the OP's problem is a "stall" per se. to me, stalls happen when you're eating on plan, but not losing weight. It happens, happened to me, as the body needs time to adjust. She's, by her own admission, eating off plan and is bored. I think she needs to wrap her head around what this surgery is and what it's not. It's not a quick fix, it's not a fad diet. There is a misconception out there that you have surgery, wake up and the weight flies off your body or melts off at lightening speed. It's not that. What this surgery is, to me anyway, is a giant reset button. A chance to redefine your lifestyle, without the need to resort to fad diets. It allows you to eat smaller portions of nutritious food and hopefully curbs your cravings for crap so you can lose weight at a healthy clip. If you're unwilling to accept what the surgery is, and what it does, and continue to eat "bad for you" foods because you're bored and upset because you didn't wake up skinny overnight, you'll never maximize the benefits of the surgery. OP, I hope for your sake that you get to a point where you can accept what this surgery does, as well as its limitations and also accept what you need to do to make the tool work for you. You've had some good suggestions: a support group through your surgeon's office or the local hospital; OA, therapy. All these suggestions are good weapons to have in your ongoing fight against obesity. Good luck!I posted it because there is more to the post than just dealing with stalls: especially important is the part about assessing where you are and where you want to be, seeking help, and reevaluating how well you are following your program. I thought it might be helpful. I couldn't agree more with the points you raise in this post. I just wanted to point out, in my opinion, that what the OP was going through was different from a stall. In my mind, a stall is not the result of your own behavior but is the result of nature taking a much needed break. I do believe the post is helpful for the OP in terms of realistic goals and following the program. Thanks for the clarification Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I ask the server what the serving size of the Protein is. I'm almost 2 years post surgery and know I can eat 4oz of beef or chicken and 5 oz of fish. If the serving size is 6oz, I know what I can eat. I'm pretty good at eyeballing at this point but asking gives me a reference point to work from. I've never had a server question me or refuse to ask the kitchen Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had to ban Peanut Butter from my house. I was mixing it into yogurt on a daily basis and was cheating the serving size. I went back to PB2 and while I don't like it as much, it serves it's purpose. The only time I use actual peanut butter (natural) in when I mix it into my overnight oats before a long weekend run. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Except, I don't think the OP's problem is a "stall" per se. to me, stalls happen when you're eating on plan, but not losing weight. It happens, happened to me, as the body needs time to adjust. She's, by her own admission, eating off plan and is bored. I think she needs to wrap her head around what this surgery is and what it's not. It's not a quick fix, it's not a fad diet. There is a misconception out there that you have surgery, wake up and the weight flies off your body or melts off at lightening speed. It's not that. What this surgery is, to me anyway, is a giant reset button. A chance to redefine your lifestyle, without the need to resort to fad diets. It allows you to eat smaller portions of nutritious food and hopefully curbs your cravings for crap so you can lose weight at a healthy clip. If you're unwilling to accept what the surgery is, and what it does, and continue to eat "bad for you" foods because you're bored and upset because you didn't wake up skinny overnight, you'll never maximize the benefits of the surgery. OP, I hope for your sake that you get to a point where you can accept what this surgery does, as well as its limitations and also accept what you need to do to make the tool work for you. You've had some good suggestions: a support group through your surgeon's office or the local hospital; OA, therapy. All these suggestions are good weapons to have in your ongoing fight against obesity. Good luck!

I had no issues with reflux or GERD prior to being sleeved. I'm apparently one of the unlucky few who developed it as a result of the surgery.

Thank you. It is pretty miserable Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well if stretta doesn't work I'll be with you on the revision bench Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Losing was never a problem for me. I've lost close to 130lbs. The results of my 24 hour pH study show severe reflux (DeMeester score of 75.39 -- normal is less than 14.72). I'm really trying to avoid revision but the decision is harder and harder as the reflux impacts my life daily. I just want to feel good again Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm 22 months post surgery and suffering from extreme reflux. I take protonix 40mg/dexilant 60mg/Zantac 150-300mg a day. Revision to bypass is currently on the table. My surgeon has explained the science and why it works to cure the problem and I believe it will. I, however, do not want to jump into another surgery with a greater chance for complications both during and after. My surgeon performs a procedure called stretta which has shown to help minimize or eliminate reflux and have chosen to try that before jumping into surgery. I'm currently fighting with my insurance company for coverage (both for the procedure and continued coverage for my meds). It the insurance company refuses to cover and I lose my fight with the department of insurance I'll likely pay out of pocket. The Linx procedure scares me (and my surgeon agreed) I would be afraid of erosion into the esophagus. Also, it's not a good option for me as I've developed dysphagia as a result of the reflux and he's concerned that Linx would interfere with my ability to swallow. Hope you get some relief! (Formerly stacyrg1 -- my account seems to have disappeared) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App