JT2002TJ

If there is a complication, and if it is due to a medical error, tell them you will not pay for any added costs due to this error. You do not have to pay for medical errors (although they will try to bill you for it). I work in healthcare, insurance companies do not pay for these errors, so neither should you... If it is a complication NOT because of a medical error, then you will be on the hook for it.

My suggestion is to get a 0 mg (nicotine) vape, and keep that with you at all times. Whenever you get the urge, hit that. It will fill the void, and you will not have nicotine/cotinine in your system. I still think 26 days will be enough to show very low levels as long as you stop immediately. 0 mg vape juice does not feel the same (there is no throat hit), so I would jump right into a 2 battery regulated sub ohm mod (this is the phrase to tell the sales person). Talk to a local vap shop person and tell them you are all in, and skip the intro level mod. In order to get any feeling, you will want sub ohm as it makes a ton of smoke to compensate for the lack of nicotine. You will want to get something good, because you shouldn't smoke even after the surgery, the 0 mg vape can also help after the surgery. Disclaimer: I have no idea if 0 mg vaping will increase the risk of negative outcomes from surgery, but I have to believe it is WAY better than cigarettes. If you can stop everything, I am sure it is way better for you, but most people I know, would restart after the surgery while in recovery, and I'm sure cigarettes will put them at serious risk.

Congrats. Do you know what test they did? Carbon Dioxide? Cotinine levels? Blood/urine/saliva? I think those reading this thread and planning around how long in advance they need to stop should be aware that this length really depends on the test. Some tests you can get away with 3 days of abstaining, some can take over a year (hair).

I do not have reflux, and am pre-VGS. But, I have always kept my bed elevated. A trick I use, I heard from a doctor years ago, is to get a few pieces of plywood (3/4" thick or greater). Put these under the feet of the head of your bed. You will only slightly notice that the bed is elevated, but apparently it does wonders for people who have reflux. You can usually get scraps free from Home Depot/Lowes. Just get pieces at least a square foot so the bed doesn't fall off (if it does, it's easy to push the wood back under the feet). Best thing is, this is free/cheap, so if it doesn't help you can come back here and yell at me without your wallet hurting!

Sorry.... What was your BP?

Congrats! I passed my initial paperwork, I quit, and did 0 mg juice. My test wasn't nicotine though, it was the blood carbon dioxide test. I'm not sure what they are going to test for in the pre-op clearance test though.

Did they give a reason for the denial?

It might be helpful for them to know who you told, and who you didn't tell. This way, when they are around you and have questions, they will know if it is "safe" to discuss. I was with a buddy who a VSG, and didn't realize that the other friends we were with didn't know.

I go to Winthrop Bariatric Group (I'm seeing Dr. Keneth Hall). They have support group meetings in Nassau County and Suffolk County (I live in Nassau and work in Suffolk). Suffolk: 1st Thursday of the month (6-8 PM), 2nd Tuesday of the month (6-7 PM), and 3rd Thursday of the month (12:30 - 2 PM) Hampton Inn Hotel 2000 North Ocean Ave Farmingville NY, 11738 Nassau: 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month & 4th Thursday of the month (6-7 pm) 700 Stewart Ave Education Room, Suite 202 Garden City, NY 11553 Winthrop Bariatric Group Nassau: (516)663-1430 Suffolk: (631)475-1900 In order to have an appointment with their surgeons, you must attend one of their Seminars (not the support group meetings above).

It's in profile settings, I'm not exactly sure since the forum changed recently.

Wait... You'll be close to retirement at 40? Or, do you mean you are 40 now, and plan to retire at 55? Either way, wow, that's an early retirement! Good job!

I wouldn't just give up with what you have done so far. I would discuss with your surgical coordinator and have them look at your PCP's notes. Maybe it will meet the requirements.

I think you can use that, but you might want to consider continuing the next 2 with them. Did they also document that they discussed diet options? I believe it is more than just documenting weight. My surgical coordinator wants me to stick with one practitioner (even in the same office location) for my 6 months. Although my insurance isn't as strict as others, she doesn't want to leave anything up to chance.

Have you tried what I suggested? Sugar free Jam, and Splenda?

I didn't like Greek yogurt either, until I did what my support group suggested. I got plain Greek yogurt with the lowest sugar content, also got sugar free Jam. I mix a spoon full of the jam into the yogurt, then I add a spoon or two of splenda (it wasn't sweet enough for me with just the jam). Once mixed, it taste like any other non-Greek (regular) yogurt. Very low in carbs, because you minimize the sugar. My group also suggested another Greek yogurt flavor by also getting plain and adding a spoon full of creamy low sugar peanut butter. It adds protein and also limits the sugar. Also, if it isn't sweet enough you can add splenda. At work, and at home I keep a the big baking bag of splenda (store the splenda in a tupperware container). EDIT: The added sweetness masks the tart associated with Greek yogurt.

I googled bariatric psych evaluation questions, and they were very similar to what I had with the Dr. Essentially, they want to make sure you understand what is going on, what the risks are, and if you have any tendencies to abuse substances (alcohol/drugs) after surgery. It took me abut 20 minutes to get through about 150 questions (many are the exact same question or a variation of the same topic). For me there were a couple religious questions to see if they should advise I seek council there if I need it. Basically, they want to know how much you drink/do drugs (It is my understanding that if you admit to drug use, you maybe disqualified), if you will follow the instructions from your providers (or someone in a position of authority), and how your weight has affected your life. While I didn't lie, 99% of the questions were obvious how one "should" answer them. I hope this helps.

How about bring your mother with you to a support group meeting or two? Maybe a conversation or two with people who are on their way, and people who have been through it will help.

What are your thoughts on my theory: I believe that if we do not tell people, it puts other heavy people who haven't decided to take the step in a bad place. For example, they may hear the "well John Smith was able to lose the weight, why can't you?" Or they may feel shame, thinking "what is wrong with me, I have tried everything, and John Smith was able to do it with just diet and exercise." This self same may lead to continued depression eating, which a lot of us have experience with. My theory is, if we are proud, and not hiding about what we did/plan to do, it will help take the stigma off of bariatric surgery. At my last job, our Chief Medical Informatics Officer (CMIO) decided to do a bypass, he told everyone. He said, "I don't want anyone thinking I'm getting sick, or that there is any shame in what I did." 8 years later, he is doing well, and if you met him, you would never known he had a weight problem. I actually called him 2 weeks ago, to discuss my plans, and even as a practicing physician, told me if there is anything I need, call him. *Not trying to say anyone is wrong for not feeling comfortable telling everyone, just trying to spark a conversation on this topic, and see what people think about my thoughts. I am an open book, so it makes sense I would feel this way.

I had my second of 6 weigh-ins this week. So far I have had the Psych, Pulmonology (I already had diagnosed apnea), Nutrition, Upper Endoscopy, Sonogram of abdomen, and 2 required group meetings. Because my starting week was the end of last month, I technically have been at this for one month. I still have to do Cardiology consult (it is too early for me to do this), and the left over 4 weigh-ins. As you can see from this, I am all in... I list off the items and time frame to show that I personally believe, I should tell as many people as I can. As blizair09 said, I am a firm believer in shaming myself LOL! If, I fail at the sleeve, it will only be my fault, and I want people to hold me accountable. I have lost 150 lbs in the past without surgery, so I know it will just be easier to tell people, I had gastric surgery. People will not believe the drastic change was simply because of eating healthy. I also, do not want people to think that this procedure is shameful. There is nothing to be ashamed of, women get to wear makeup, have breast augmentations, nose jobs, shouldn't I have the right to improve myself? (I hope no one takes offense, I love it that women have the right to wear/not wear makeup, and have love the choice to live with or without "upgrades". I think of this surgery as an upgrade for myself that will have the added benefit to living longer, with a better quality of life.)

My first post... I am a far way from surgery (I'm in month 2 pre-application), but I am looking forward to fitting. LOL Simply always being able to fit into seats. Be it an airplane, the back seat of a car with a group of people, as mentioned above restaurant booths, office chairs, school style desk/chair combos, the list is endless... Oh, people turning sideways when passing you in a hall (can't wait for that to stop). LOL.