Apple203

With my luck, I'll be the 1%-er that doesn't lose Introversion, would you say you are/were a rapid loser? And at the risk of asking too many annoying questions (like the cow in the Lactaid commercial, LOL), is there any evidence that where you carry your weight influences success or failure?

How does one get the genetic test? Can a person send Ancestry genetic data, for instance, somewhere for analysis?

BCBS Maryland -- 6 months supervised, which is really such a bummer!! With my luck, next year's plan will waive that requirement just as my 6 months is up! There must be some seasonality to surgery -- for the introduction seminar in early August, they had around 50 people compared to the normal 5 -- ?? I;m not sure if people are trying to get surgery before the end of this year or early next year.

I'm happy for you guys -- and I wish I was as far down the road as you! 6 months of supervised nutrition classes reqd by my insurance company, oy...

Lots of good ideas, there, FluffyChix! I'd also suggest purchasing an InstantPot -- it can do everything a crockpot does (and more), but in an hour. If you like cooking, Sous Vide is a great way to prepare fish, shrimp, chicken breasts.

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling. Have you started pre-surgery consults and tests? They might uncover a hidden condition that is making it harder for you to lose weight, or perhaps its a medication you are taking.

Congratulations in your positive experience!! Why do we always expect the worst?! LOL Tooth extraction midway was a mere bump in the road

I'm not sure how to cook 2 oz. of chicken, LOL -- sous vide? I love leftovers, fwiw, its like "free" food!

It sounds like a progressive form of VSG -- maybe its the wave of the future!

Hi fellow Marylanders :-) I have appointments with AAMC and Johns Hopkins Bayview in a few weeks -- which one do you think has the better program? Am I crazy to schedule first appts with two separate centers?? AAMC is closer, and I have started the nutrition classes already.

Oooo, I love that calculator!!

Plus, how is this advise useful to someone pre-surgery?

No, its more than discipline. I am looking forward to shocking my body to a new set point and less grehline production. I am bottom range (obese) BMI, and worried about dropping below insurance approval range, and I feel confident that set points are quite real (otherwise, I would be gaining). Yes, discipline has a role, but you and OP (and I) are all in the same boat and you would be wise to ditch the fake bravado that we are in control of our weight. Don't bother telling me you are kidding, I'm not buying it second time around. Fool me once, etc.

If it was really pretty simple, we wouldn't need to have our stomachs surgically removed.

Hello, does anyone have information about whether Weight Watchers online qualifies as a "structured diet program"? I am just about up to 6 consecutive months. I haven't had one-on-one consult yet, just the informational webinar. Of course, I want to know right now, LOL.

I can't believe I haven't heard of this before!! What do you think happens to the remaining stomach, verses a more traditional surgical removal? I would love to hear from anyone who has had this procedure. I have an appointment at Hopkins in a few weeks, I think they perform these. I am "interviewing" two different centers in one week.

My surgeon warned us at the seminar that a fair # of women get pregnant soon after surgery because their "free" birth control (fat produced estrogen) goes away.

I thought I was the only one concerned with sharing -- I'm not planning on telling anyone but husband and (adult) kids -- and I haven't even told my kids my plans yet!! I broached the topic with my mother once when I was thinking about it, and she was aghast, so, nope, not discussing with her. For work, I think I'll just take a 2 week "vacation", and if I am really lucky, I may be able to time this over the Christmas break. We shall see :-)

Will do! And I sent another note to insurance, pointing out that this is their requirement, not the doctor's. Here's what I sent: "I'm not trying to be difficult, but the bariatric program that I am considering says this is strictly an insurance requirement. This one requirement could conceivably require an additional 6 months at Weight Watchers".

When I asked them, my insurance company said this: "All of the information would need to be submitted with your claim once services are rendered. XXX does not track this information. It is up to your physician to track and submit all necessary medical documentation upon submission of the claim. I hope this helps to clarify what is required and how it would be submitted". Sigh.