Recidivist

I got bypass for standard weight-loss purposes, but my insurance company denied coverage initially. I had the doctor call the insurance company directly to explain the medical necessity of the surgery. That did the trick and I was approved. Perhaps it would be worth a try in your case.

I'm not sure how long it has been since your surgery. The challenge I found in the first couple of months when going out to dinner was getting enough protein with very limited capacity. As a result, I brought along my own protein when I traveled (powdered shakes) and had them in the hotel before going out to eat. I would then have just a small appetiser or something to drink at the restaurant while others were eating. You could do the same at family events, although I realize that's easier easier said than done. In my case, family and friends kept insisting I eat things because they were low-calorie, without understanding my need to prioritize protein and not fill up on other foods. It can be quite challenging to keep telling insistent relatives that you really don't want to eat more. For the road, there are some wonderful snacks in the Bariatric Pal store than you can bring along. None of this is ideal, but it's worth the effort!

I was on a full liquid diet for two weeks before surgery (protein shakes) and found the first few days the hardest. I was also going through caffeine withdrawal, which gave me terrible headaches at first. It was pretty easy by week two. Rest assured that it will be easy to stick to your diet for a few months after surgery, because you won't feel like eating. I totally understand your breakup with food. I binged on some of my favorite food the day before my pre-surgery diet. I'm now four years out and am eating more or less normally, although not in the same quantities nor the same unhealthy things I used to eat. I'm no longer tempted by my pre-surgery favorites and don't miss them.

I'm a male who was 59 when I had gastric bypass--and yes, loose skin is an issue. I have it on most parts of my body to varying degrees, but it was most noticeable on my stomach and neck. I was obese for decades and skin just hasn't snapped back. I look older than I did prior to surgery due to sagging skin on my face (jowls and neck), and the only plastic surgery I've considered is a lower face lift and neck lift because they are always visible. (I still might do it.). I can live with the loose skin everywhere else--but I'm now almost 64 and am way past caring about what other people think of my body. Yes, it's a bit embarrassing to appear on the beach in a swimsuit, but I've managed to find a high bathing suit that covers the worst bits. In spite of all the above, I have zero regrets. I'll take a saggy body that is healthy and energetic over my old fat body any day!

What she said!

I was a profuse sweater and always felt hot prior to RNY surgery. Now I'm always cold and want the heat turned up! That has been an unexpected side benefit surgery, as my spouse is also always cold, and we used to fight about the temperature of the house.

In general it's true that you don't have to actually lose weight on a supervised diet program for it to "count" toward your surgery. However, I don't know about Carefirst specifically. Perhaps you could check with them now to see what their policy is so you know what what to expect--and hopefully give you some comfort that you will ultimately be approved for surgery. One thing I would say is that your diet is by far the most important factor in whether you lose weight, now or later. Exercise plays almost no role. (I did not exercise at all during the first year after surgery and lost more weight than I expected.). Perhaps you could check with the dietician on your team (if there is one) to ensure that you are not doing something to impede your progress. For whatever it's worth, I did a supervised diet for six months and lost only 20 pounds, which isn't great. However, my surgeon and insurance company didn't care about the results, only that I had done it.

I was on shakes only, and I found that it was extremely hard only for the first three or four days. After that, it seemed like my body adapted and it was much easier. I looked at it as a good test of my willpower for later on when I would really need to be disciplined about my diet. (Turned out that I wouldn't feel hungry again for months!)

My favorite is grape, but they will turn your tongue purple.

Big Sue took the words out of my mouth. In general, I don't think the amount of weight you will lose is a major factor in determining which surgery to have. For me, it was gastric bypass because of GERD, which was already an issue for me before surgery. The bottom line is that you are going to lose a significant amount of weight with the sleeve, which will vastly improve your health and your quality of life. At this point, that's what you should focus on and not the fact that you "might" have lost more weight with a different surgery. People have very successful long-term outcomes with both sleeve and bypass.

First, you should ask your surgeon about his/her guidance on caffeine after surgery. Most surgeons don't want you to consume caffeine for a certain period. (Mine recommended a year after gastric bypass, which is when I resumed drinking coffee.) I think the only acceptable option would be black coffee, with skim milk and artificial sweetener if you like. (That's my go-to drink every morning, made at home.). You really shouldn't do anything with sugar or fat after surgery, including whole milk, syrups, whipped cream, processed sugar, etc. Any of those would be empty calories when you should be prioritizing protein. When your surgeon says you can have caffeine, you could do an iced coffee with skim milk, but I'm not sure there is any way to make a Frappucino bariatric-friendly.

And sue him for malpractice!!

Arabesque, that's the cheapest option offered on Bariatric Pal. I think my best bet might be to send them to a friend in the U.S. and have them send it via the U.S. post office. Since you're in Australia, where do you get your multi-vitamins--and what kind do you use?

Hi, Sigh. I did find Bariatric Pal on Amazon, but when I go to purchase it says that they can't be delivered to my address. I should have mentioned that.

Hello, all. I have been happily using soft-chew multi-vitamins from Bariatric Pal for the last four years. I live in Australia and shipping has always been expensive but manageable. I just placed an order for more vitamins and three types of protein snacks, and the cheapest shipping option was US$ 225! That is way more than usual--and more than I'm willing to pay. Can anyone recommend a comparable product that is available on Amazon? Thanks!