KristenLe

@@mlgok Assuming your in the hospital - take advantage of the knowledge of the medical staff while you can.

I can't on my plan. It would depend on what your plan allows.

That may be more of a problem with Bypass but call a pharmacist or your surgeon to double check.

@ I got nowhere with BCBS either. They told me that my surgeon will have to tell me what the requirements for BCBS to approve authorization. If the incompetent Rep I spoke to have me the correct info when I initially called - I would have already had surgery!

Ask them to assist you in getting that scheduled right away. They are the ones who have to order these tests and should be making sure you receive them. It sure seems like someone there may have dropped the ball.

That's ridiculous. Most chronic diseases (comorbities) can be treated pharmacologically. Hopefully you Peer To Peer will be successful. Sometimes I wondered who the hell is approving/denying these.

How about getting a temporary job?

@@bigmamaAfrica It looks like it's the same.

Often creamed soups (especially low fat) have a high amount of sugar and could cause stomach upset/dumping. You could also be having an issue with lactose.

@@miterin62 Cream of broccoli soup will slide through your sleeve so you are unlikely to feel stuffed. It's important to measure your food and only eat the amount recommended. Soup is not going to stretch your sleeve.

I get the sense from additional comments made by the @OP that he's always been an asshole! I think it is harder to tolerate now. Although, I will go on record and say that I don't care what my BF eats after surgery (we shall see if I live up to this!).

People can easily gain their weight back by tricking their sleeve - eating high caloric drinks, grazing and snacking continuously, eating high carb diet, etc. Whether the sleeve can actually stretch is a topic that has been debated. I have been told by my Team that over time it is possible. You avoid it by following your plan, measuring your food portions, eating Protein first and then produce, drinking non-caloric drinks (don't drink your calories), exercising, drinking plenty of water/fluids, and not grazing.

@@PixelToph @@Tina4heath4ever Usually the 80% is the allowed amount by the insurance and it is irrelevant how much the hospital/surgeon charges. You can ask your BCBS plan what the allowed amount is for that procedure - but be aware that there will be additional charges on top of just the surgery (anesthesia, hospital days, medications, iv's, supplies, etc.) that you may have to pay a portion of as well. Your surgeon and hospital will go over all of this with you prior to surgery (no doubt) - and many will require payment upfront for a elective surgery. If you have a max out of pocket expense - look into that as well (it may cut down the amount you'd have to pay out of pocket).

@@cseidman I think it is important to find a nutritionist / dietician with Bariatric Surgery experience. I don't know how easy that is to find. I'm lucky that my Bariatric Program has all of the Team members under the same umbrella. Depending on what you are looking for from this person will depend on how often you consult with them. I'm meeting with mine once per month pre-surgery - but I don't believe I'll need that same frequency post-op. They do a wide variety of things to help - including education as to what is the right plan to follow, foods to eat, Protein amounts, etc. Honestly, if I was going to pay for someone to provide education/assistance - I'd seek a counselor with Bariatric Surgery or eating disorder experience over a nutritionist. I know what I'm supposed to eat - it's a matter of actually sticking with it and not being an emotional eater or mindlessly eating. Are there any Group sessions as part of your Program? Maybe try one of those first.

@@betterme38 Good luck tomorrow! It would be unusual to actually gain on your pre-op diet but retaining fluids, etc. could cause it to happen.

@@UpandAtom Have you spoken to your surgeon? Maybe they can switch the medication - or add something to it. Hope you feel better - I often had that during the night and it was miserable.

@@claire f galvin I read a little about it and it's still very new. Usually recommended for people with BMI between 30-35. Seeing that it is so new - very few insurances (if any) cover it.

@@RobertD16 Why aren't they giving you the chance to lose more before the original date of the 17th? Did you have a meeting regarding pre-op instructions and/or a pre-op diet? That's usually standard (I would hope).

@@NPR No one can guide you on this decision. Remember WLS is just the Tool to help you - but you have to change your lifestyle and eating habits in order to be successful. This is a major operation and you can't base whether to have it or not on what other's will think. What do you think?

Go back to basics. Hope you feel better soon!

If your policy indicates 40 BMI or above with no comorbities then I would say there's nothing to worry about. Usually it's right in the policy.

I do not see why the pill would be ineffective with sleeve surgery. You do become more fertile after WLS - but the pill should be effective in preventing pregnancy (unless you are often vomiting). It could be an issue with Bypass because of the malabsorption.

I have read it can last up to 6 months or so but does grow back.

I bought a sleeve of them on Amazon.

It is water - there's no way you could gain anything on a liquid diet unless you were drinking milk shakes or sugary drinks. It is probably from not getting enough fluids.