Reputation from MaineDoc - Page 2

MaineDoc got a reaction from catwoman7 in 6 month of diet monitoring prior to surgery January 20, 2020

My insurance has required 6 months a pre-op medically supervised weight loss program. The program I'm participating in, itself, is also quite up front and says that they require multiple visits with a nutritionist and social worker, in addition to a medical work up (e.g., endoscopy, sleep study, cancer screenings if applicable, etc.) and so even without insurance requirements, they're clear that it's likely a several month process on their end. In fact, I started participating in August and just got cleared by the program last week. They will submit the prior authorization request to my insurance in the next few weeks.
When I first started looking into the surgery, I wanted to get it ASAP. I was annoyed by the insurance and program requirements as I did not want any delays. However, having gotten this far, I have to say I'm glad to have gone through this deliberate, fairly lengthy process. The changes I've already made with what and how I eat, I think, will make post-surgery transition easier (TBD of course, but I'm optimistic). I basically already am eating quite similar to what I'd have to eat post-op--small meals, small Snacks, high-protein, low-carb, lots of veggies. As I don't eat meat and I'm a picky eater in general, I was a bit hesitant at first as to whether I'd find enough foods that met the post-op Protein requirements. I've had time over the past few months to explore a variety of food options and feel pretty good that I've identified foods that will meet nutritional requirements but also enough variety so that I won't get bored, assuming that my tastes don't change drastically after surgery.
In terms of BMI requirement, you can see that I'm close to dropping below 30, having started at 39.7 with multiple comorbidities (hypertension, dyslipidemia). The program I'm participating in is confident that I'll still get covered as they have said that the insurance looks just at the weight/BMI at the time the PCP referred me to the program and my initial weight/BMI upon starting the program. Incidentally, as others have suggested above, I contacted the insurance company directly to ask this question, but got a non-answer. I am going to keep my fingers crossed that I get approval, given that I have my surgery scheduled for March.

MaineDoc got a reaction from Krimsonbutterflies in Has anyone kept their surgery a secret? January 5, 2020

I haven't had surgery yet--still waiting for my date. Only my significant other knows and I plan to keep it that way. Unfortunately, the lay public still does not understand the disease of obesity. Even medical professionals don't understand. When I asked my PCP for a referral to the medical and surgical weight loss program, she was skeptical and said "what do you think this is going to do for you that you can't do for yourself?" I just don't think most people can appreciate the decision we're faced with: a) stay on a path of poor health with attendant medical complications or b) have someone cut into you and fundamentally alter your anatomy and physiology. It's not exactly like "b" is an "easy" choice but for those that don't understand, I guess it appears that way. It's funny, culturally, we don't perceive other elective surgeries as the easy way out. I can't imagine anybody passing judgment on someone who has knee replacement surgery and frankly in many ways, the more I learn about bariatric surgery, the more easily justifiable it is compared with many other surgeries.

MaineDoc reacted to AZhiker in advice appreciated: surgery, exercise, and weight loss maintenance? January 3, 2020

As far as exercise goes, my doc said to work toward 10,000 steps a day with a step tracker. I started walking within hours of surgery and was up to 10,000 steps by day 7 post op. I gradually added stair climbing and wall pushups. Then some leg exercises and very light weights for upper body. I worked up to walking 5K at least 3 times a week, and then got a bicycle. I finished a sprint triathlon (400 meter swim, 14 mile bike, 5K run/walk) 8 months after my surgery. Then I finished a 50 mile bike race a month later. I am currently training for another tri in March and the ultimate of ultimates - a one day rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike, which will be 24 miles of all down and then all up.
I currently ride my bike twice a week (30 and 16 miles), do 5 mile hill hikes twice a week, Elliptical machine twice a week. Daily routine includes pushups/arms/upper body weights, leg routine, 30 flights of stairs, stretches, and of course at least 10,000 steps. (At this writing I actually have over 19,000 steps today so far.) All of these numbers will greatly increase as the year progresses. I want to do a 100 mile bike race in November and will be gradually working up to at least 80 mile rides before then. The GC hike will be in October and by then I should be doing 70 flights of stairs/day, and working up to 20 mile day hikes.
I am focused more on endurance events, but do the weights to keep muscle strength and tone. I am amazed at how fun and enjoyable it has been to see my body changing, becoming more fit, and able to meet all new challenges. My resting heart rate is now in the low 40's. I have no pain, stiffness, or soreness, even after long workouts. Once you are healed - GO FOR IT! There is no stopping you!!!! Be very careful to follow all recommendations for weight lifting. Do not cheat on this. You do NOT want to go back for hernia surgery, which will lay you up even longer and has its own set of complications.
To your second question - bariatric surgery is the perfect answer for us who have yo-yo dieted for much of our lives. Doing so has wrecked our metabolisms and short circuited to stomach-hormone-brain connections that tell us when we are hungry and when we are full. Remember the contestants on "The BIggest Loser?" Most of them gained all their weight back, and with slower metabolisms as a result of the weight loss. They could not sustain, because they had to eat so much less. What is really neat about bariatric surgery is that the metabolism gets a change to reset. Your body gets a chance for a complete "do-over." You will lose the weight and finally have the best chance possible at keeping it off for good. WLS is only a tool - and the lifestyle modification is up to you, but it is a powerful new start to a new life for many of us. Personally, I feel better now than I did 30 years ago! I am more active, have less pain, and have eliminated every co-morbidity. I am determined that I WILL NEVER GO BACK. This is my chance for a new life, and I am grabbing it by the horns and not letting go.
Sorry for the long reply. I wish you the best in whatever decision you make. For me, there was no yo-yo left. I just couldn't do it anymore. Maybe being a bit older (63) gives me a different perspective - I knew surgery was my last shot. Best decision I ever made.
One of the biggest challenges for me was to find a way to eat enough calories to sustain my exercise without losing any more weight. With a small pouch and volume restrictions, I've had to change some things. I found a hydration/nutrition system that works for me during long rides or hikes. I also have moved to a whole food plant based (WFPB) diet which provides more carbs and a lot more energy, without compromising Protein. I feel like Wonder Woman since starting on it! Watch "The Game Changers" on Netflix if you want to see how some world class athletes are dealing with nutrition.