silverthreads

Wow, what a transformation you look great! Good for you! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

With respect to holding the hose--you can buy a little clip with a Velcro loop that lets you secure the hose to your blanket. I find if I clip it maybe 18" down with a little slack it keeps the weight of the hose from breaking the seal on my Swift FX (I toss and turn a lot). Just a small thing but it makes a world of difference for me. Search Amazon for "CPAP clip" and you'll find it. With that setup I have slept all night with the CPAP for 12 years now. It took me some weeks to get used to it, but now I fall right asleep as soon as I turn on the machine. I don't ever sleep without it. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Thanks @@jaxmom ! I'm being sleeved the day after tomorrow and will order these tonight! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's not a HIPPA violation for HR to require a doctor's note prior to an absence, or medical clearance to return. You're needlessly playing with fire here--why run the risk of angering your boss or co-workers? Be a considerate employee and you will reap rewards--game the system and leave people in a lurch and you may have consequences. What if you have a complication and need more time? Do you really want to have to admit you started by lying?? Please reconsider.

Leaving your co-workers in a lurch isn't a good idea and might have future consequences. I told my boss that "I need to have some surgery" -- he never asked for specifics. I'm in a fairly responsible position and I'm taking 6 weeks off (perhaps more than I need, but I've got over 5 months of leave saved up). So that allowed me to make a plan and find several co-workers to cover for me while I'm gone. I told each of them the same -- "I need to have some surgery". Not one person asked more. I was prepared if they did to say "It's a GI thing -- I'd rather not go into details". All truthful of course, but it wasn't needed. Everyone was very supportive and wished me well. I only told a few about the surgery, but the word will get around as it always does.

Also Thursday 4/28. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

A truly awesome accomplishment! Good for you!! I think you've earned a spa day to recover... Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon's protocol seems more aggressive food wise, but specifically mentions egg drop soup is OK starting on day 4. Start slow of course! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

You look awesome and more importantly both happy and proud. Good for you. Keep up the good work! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I also had trouble documenting my weight over time. I went to the Weight Watchers location where I had been to meetings and they were able to print out all my weigh ins even though it was about 5 years ago. BCBS accepted that as evidence of the weight and attempts to lose. So perhaps WW or Nutrisystem might have some records you can use? BCBS won't care what your doctor told you about it not being a problem so definitely don't rely on that in your appeal. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is a personal decision of course. In my case I'll tell her after I've had the surgery. I don't want her to worry--which I know she'll do. I'm sure she will be supportive but there is no need to cause needless angst. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Only my wife knows, and I'm booked for April 28. I may tell a few after the results show. I booked time away from the office and told a few people I was having surgery but left it at that. Nobody asked for details. If they pressed I was ready to say "it's a GI thing, let's not go into the gory details". I did tell one other person--my dermatologist who had always kept me accountable for my weight. His disapproving stare made sure I won't tell anyone else! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Doh! Now I'm drooling like Homer Simpson. I LOVE Filipino food...(and doughnuts--no wonder I look like Homer). All that ends next week! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

...can you tell my surgery is soon and I'm hitting all my favorites while I can? I'm a bad bad boy! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

And don't forget Tom--you can still have a couple of bites of the Hub's adobo, it's good protein! Just skip the rice and lumpia. (OK, now I'm craving adobo...) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Your surgeon, PCP or OB/GYN will have an answering service if you really need someone tonight. There are always ERs too. But unless you start feeling physical symptoms you don't need to put yourself through that. Worrying only makes you feel worse. Call your doctor in the morning -- even if you're feeling fine. You'll feel better and it's the safe thing to do. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I don't know of a 0 sugar yogurt, but my NUT recommended Fage 0%. It has 0g fat, 7g carbs (sugar), 18g Protein per cup. That's hard to beat. It's a little thick, so I mix in an ounce or so of soy milk which makes it a very nice texture. (I'm pre-op so I can still eat a cup... ) Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

First please accept my condolences for your loss. Suicide is an awful thing, and it leaves much sorrow in its wake. I hope you find the strength to make peace with it in time. Truly that's all we can do when faced with how powerless it reveals us to be. As a fellow science nerd I just have to reply to the low T idea. Very interesting indeed! I hope you'll get some help from the endocrinologist. It may be a subtle change, but do keep us posted. Hugs... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You can also buy them on Amazon or eBay if you prefer to play it straight... @@kmorri I completely agree. This sneaks up on you and it's easy to avoid the truth. My moment of truth was when I had this great job interview and realized none of my nice suits fit. Nor did any in the stores! I drove 50 miles to pick up a jacket that a kind salesperson found that barely fit--and there was no time for alterations. Needless to say I looked awful and it totally undermined my confidence and that showed during the interview. No dream job for me! So I'm making changes so I can project the image I need to in order to move forward in my career--but mostly I just want my health back. Good luck on your journey. It will be hard at times--but not as bad as your recent trip! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congrats @@maggie409 ! You look great and your story is inspiring... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Appeal--that makes no sense! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

There are also tons of YouTube videos you can listen to. I found the ones from Endobariatric especially informative. That's Dr. Alvarez in Mexico. He has recorded some long videos going over the whole process. The visual content isn't really important--but listen to what he has to say... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon said to bring it to the hospital too... Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Be sure you look up the plan brochure online--there is more than just the 3-month medically supervised weight loss program -- most of the rest is pretty easy (psych clearance, NUT consult, etc) but still takes time. The hardest for me was records that I was beyond the threshold BMI for 2-3 years. I was, but finding a record that I didn't create myself was tricky. My PCP didn't often weigh me so not much there. Fortunately my local Weight Watchers was able to print out 5 year old records (I didn't keep the originals). So do your lawyering--look at the book, find the specific requirements and build your case!

I have BCBS Federal and have been approved for VSG. You need to get the online brochure from fepblue.org and search for the word "bariatric". You'll quickly find their requirements. I sent in a package showing I met their stated criteria, had done the required steps, and was approved. One thing was that their online provider directory didn't list any bariatric surgeons so I upgraded to the Standard plan (more expensive but has out of network coverage). When they approved my surgery they told me about two local practices that are in network--I should have called to ask. That mistake cost me a few thousand buy I'm not changing horses midstream--still using the out of network surgeon. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App