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@@Jess55 I think I misread at first. Don't wait the 6 months I'd you don't have to. That's time and money you won't have to spend. It's probably too late to get it done this year, but at least you won't have to wait as long maybe. What insurance do you have? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

I don't mind at all. I'm a revision patient, but I'll tell you about both. For my initial surgery (lapband) and if this(rny) had been an initial surgery (different insurances then and now) the requirements would've been the same. Visit with psychologist and his/her approval; 6 month physician (other than my surgeon) supervised diet with an inability to lose 10% of my body weight within the past 2 years; 5 year history of morbid obesity; bmi or 40 or more with no comorbidities or 35 or more with a certain number of comorbidities from a certain list (I will put a screenshot in pics In addition to this, my surgeon requires attending at least one nutrition education class that is 2.5 hours long, and at least one support group meeting. I continued the support group meetings because they are soooo helpful. At these, the first 45 minutes is a group discussion with a licensed counselor then the bariatric nutritionist talks to us for 20 minutes or so and gives us tips and recipes and such. The next part is Q&A where preop patients ask questions of post ops. The last part, the preops and postops divide into groups and talk about whatever. There are 2 bariatric registered nurses and a bariatric dietician at these meetings. This time, I was a revision patient, and my surgeon required a refresher on the nutrition and a support group meeting since it had been 7.5 years since my initial surgery. Insurance only required a letter of either surgical or medical complication. My initial consultation for my revision was September 26. My surgery was December 15, 6 days ago. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I'm a very open person. Screenshot_20161221-175846.png Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App I'm jealous. Lol. I'm revising too and they made me do the entire process again. All the pre op clearances and the 6 months. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do the 6 months and have my surgery this month. But the insurance coordinator said insurance would never approve without it. Now I have to pay my deductible again, pulse my out of pocket witch I'd already paid some of as well. Money I don't have, Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App Interesting you mention this. The lady in my surgeon's office told me the same thing. However, before my new first consultation, I called my insurance and asked what they required and had them send it to me in writing as well. When I told the lady that, she argued with me. She said she had never had a patient NOT have to do all the (long) criteria. I read it to her, and she still didn't agree with me. So, I highlighted it and emailed it to her. She still disagreed. She told me I would have to call insurance and have them call her on 3way to be sure. I did. She told the insurance lady on the phone who was reading her email regarding ME from the bariatric nurse case manager saying that if I was having my band removed and rny done in one procedure, I would be approved with a letter of medical or surgical complications. She told that representative that she talked to this lady (Raylene with BCBS) daily, and that she would call her herself to verify. She called Raylene and TOLD her I didn't have any surgical complications and read her my EGD report. Well, here's the thing, I never claimed to have surgical complications. Mine were medical. When I mentioned that, she gave me to another girl who told me it really wouldn't matter what my endocrinologist said because my band didn't "cause my endocrine problems" and that it would be pointless to submit, but they would if I insisted. See, medical complications to necessitate a revision don't have to be "caused by my band." They can be any medical complication that necessitates the need for a different apporach. So, I went to my next visit very upset, and my surgeon himself walked out to the office manager (lady above the two I'd been dealing with) and asked her if we would burn any bridges by submitting--him knowing we wouldn't--and she said no, we could always appeal then even reapply later. He said thought that was the case, and ordered them to send my paperwork in with my letter from my endocrinologist. I have no idea why they were so adamant that I wouldn't be approved. I honestly think they have been telling people just what they told you and me so that they can use the same checklist for everyone. When challenged by someone who knew better and had done her own research, they were surprised and didn't want to be wrong. That's the only thing I can think of. This submission was much less paperwork for them. I was easily and quickly approved. It's not that I'm stubborn, but I needed to have this now, not in 6 months for 2 reasons. First, my insurance changes Jan 1 and my out of pocket would be much higher. Most urgently, though, is that my endocrine issues were going downhill fast. Without intervention, I would almost assuredly have been diabetic by the 6 month mark. Seems like at this point you are almost there. However, whether it be bariatric surgery or any procedure, my advice is to call you insurance company yourself and ask them for the specific policy on that and to send it to you in writing. Your insurance company provides a service that you and/or your employer pays for. Don't be afraid of them. Know your coverage and advocate for yourself! Best of luck on this journey! It's hard but worthwhile! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

I have BCBS. My surgeon keeps his patients 2 nights minimum. He submits this to insurance when requesting approval regardless of insurance. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

I'm with @bayougirlmrsc. In the past, I wore LB jeans then shrunk out of them and went to Maurices. I love them! Of course, I grew out of them again and just basically refused to spend money on fat clothes again, so I live in leggings. Lol. Short dresses and leggings hide the many sins of my body and look cute/sexy. However, when I decide to buy jeans again, I'll be heading to Maurices. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Oh and fwiw, my surgeon won't set goals for us. If we want a goal, we set it ourselves. This is a change from 7.5 years ago when I had lapband. Back then, he did set goals. His entire program has been changed (all for the better) since then. I love my surgeon and his whole group! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

A couple of ideas here...not in any way researched or anything, just Amy's wonderings... For those who have been morbidly obese for a long period of time, do our bones become more dense? I wonder if the constant weight and pressure put on them makes them that way. One reason I wonder is that in previous yo-yo weightloss episodes in my life, I found clothing fitting me much differently than at that weight in the past. For example, I wore a size 16 as a high school senior weighing around 160. At 173 in my 20s, I was in a tight 12, loose 14. Also, my friend who weighed the same as me but was TALLER wore a bigger size. At 5'10" and 170ish, she was in a 16/18, while I was in a 12/14 at 5'3". Wtf??? Here's another thought. I have PCOS. My previous gynecologist (who is now in administration and no longer sees patients, thus new gyno for me) was best friends with the man who literally wrote the book on PCOS. He told me long ago, that my body had a "happy weight" that would always be above what BMI charts said was ideal for me. So, perhaps long term obesity along with other medical conditions make your surgeon consider what he/she deems realistic for you, not as a means to stifle you but to help you feel successful at a weight they feel is likely for you. I have my goal setting at 135. That is the high end of normal on the bmi charts for my height. If I get there, that will be awesome! If I don't, I'll be okay with that. Why? I weighed more than that in middle school. Lol. I wasn't "fat" then, but I was a little bigger than my peers. Most of my friends were in size 3 or 5. I wore a 7. Nbd. My main goal is to be healthy. My endocrine system is all out of whack. I want normal tests. I want to stay on one dose of synthroid for more than a couple of prescriptions. I want to no longer take meds for insulin resistance. I want to avoid BP or cholesterol meds. I want the arthritis in my hip and knee to be bearable. Mostly, though, I want the energy and stamina to play with my child. I have an almost 4 year old. (One week from today!) I want to be able to play with her at the park or in the yard, not sit on a bench. To me THAT, so much more than a number on a scale or in the tag of my clothes, will make me feel successful. I have probably rambled, but I hope you understand my point and my intent. Best of luck to you. This is not an easy road, but it's a worthwhile one! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

I've read several of your posts/comments and you seem to be a man with a good head planted firmly on your shoulders. Great perspective for OP. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

I don't mind at all. I'm a revision patient, but I'll tell you about both. For my initial surgery (lapband) and if this(rny) had been an initial surgery (different insurances then and now) the requirements would've been the same. Visit with psychologist and his/her approval; 6 month physician (other than my surgeon) supervised diet with an inability to lose 10% of my body weight within the past 2 years; 5 year history of morbid obesity; bmi or 40 or more with no comorbidities or 35 or more with a certain number of comorbidities from a certain list (I will put a screenshot in pics In addition to this, my surgeon requires attending at least one nutrition education class that is 2.5 hours long, and at least one support group meeting. I continued the support group meetings because they are soooo helpful. At these, the first 45 minutes is a group discussion with a licensed counselor then the bariatric nutritionist talks to us for 20 minutes or so and gives us tips and recipes and such. The next part is Q&A where preop patients ask questions of post ops. The last part, the preops and postops divide into groups and talk about whatever. There are 2 bariatric registered nurses and a bariatric dietician at these meetings. This time, I was a revision patient, and my surgeon required a refresher on the nutrition and a support group meeting since it had been 7.5 years since my initial surgery. Insurance only required a letter of either surgical or medical complication. My initial consultation for my revision was September 26. My surgery was December 15, 6 days ago. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I'm a very open person. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Hopefully it won't change my out of pocket expense! I've already paid a ton! Sadly, I'm pretty sure it will. You will have to meet your deductible again, I'm sure. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Had band to bypass revision, but only 5 days ago. Hoping for the best Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Oh no! I hate to hear of all you. with nausea. I'm a puker. This was my surgeon's protocol: emend pill, scopolomine patch, Decadron, zofran, Phenergan, and Reglan. I came home with a Rx for zofran. It has worked. I wish all docs would take such thorough measures. Mine definitely doesn't want his patients puking. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Ah man! So sorry! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Best of luck! A lot of the time depends on your insurance and surgeon's requirements. Even if it is 6 months (I know you don't want it to take that long!) try to use that time to research and build better habits that will lead you to success. I know it took me a while to "break up" with my daily McDonald's Sweet Tea. Some used that time to stop smoking or give up pop. Anyway, I wish you the best. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

I know. You and some of the other valuable vets are harder to find lately. I also miss @@bayougirlmrsc Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Hahahahaha! I know! I'm afraid if I "finished" I would hurt myself. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Sorry if this is gross, but here are mine. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App My binder goes from just under my boobs to above my belly button. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Hang in there. My liquid preop started on a Monday. I felt awful until I woke up Friday am and actually feeling great. It gets bad then better...at least for me Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Where did you find one for $15? I'd like to have another to wear while washing mine. I woke up from surgery with it on, and I have only taken it off to bathe since then. I'm on day 5, but I plan to wear it all least until my 2 week follow up appt. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

From what I understand, it will never be your old normal (or shouldn't be because that's what got us in this mess, ????) but we should achieve a new normal. I am in a support group run by my surgery group. We meet once a month, and there's a huge variety of people in there from ones who are just starting to learn to vets of many years. No one there is able to eat like they did before without issue. However, all the post ops are doing well with new habits and eating healthier. I don't mean to imply that you are asking about eating like you did before. However, there are some people on here that seem to think that is their goal for one day. Imo, those people will not find long term success. I have a friend I teach with and have lunch with every day (normal bmi, never a bariatric patient) who watches her weoght religiously. She eats like a post bariatric patient except for the quantity. Ever so often she may indulge in a treat or eat off plan (She meal plans for her entire family) but her indulgences are truly treats. That is normal for her. This is the kind of normal we will achieve. I'm earlier than you. My surgery was Thursday. I can imagine at a few months out, I'll still be struggling to learn the new normal. I do know that the post ops that are a year or so out seem to have met their new normal and are rolling on enjoying life. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Actually, tomato soup is the only "full" liquid I was given in the hospital. My other liquids were chicken broth, grape juice, apple juice, and Jello. However, my surgeon puts us on a PPI for life starting immediately. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for understanding my intended humor. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

@@laceemouse As I said, I intended to make a light hearted joke. I couldn't care less what anyone does in his or her bedroom. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App @@laceemouse, I think WLS woman was probably referring to safety. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

It doesn't matter. My post was meant to be funny. I had this discussion with my partner and he laughed. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

@@mpt809, can you still see if the stitch holding it in is intact? My nurse said as long as it is, you should be fine. I've had no new leaking today. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Best of luck to you both! Tomorrow is my birthday and your new birthday. I do, however, hope you two have someone to help yall once you get home. Maybe I'm a wuss, but I've needed help to shower and change my dressing. I also passed out this morning (day 3 post op) and idk what I would've done without help them. Best safe and get well quickly! Best of luck Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App