Bryn

the legalities between an american certified doctor is quite different than that of one in a foreign country. kind of how so many people go to asian countries to get plastic surgery or other elective surgeries; cheaper, no insurance approval, very hard to sue them if something were to go wrong. there has to be standards set in place. especially with insurance companies. i've met many doctors who have stated that even if their patient is paying OOP, that they must follow their program plan. Like KinkySlinky mentioned, it's liability. Doctors want to /decrease every possible risk of anything happening. People here in america are sue happy; they'll sue for anything and everything. Doctors are already spending a ton in malpractice insurance, so it's only right they "demand" every possible test, weight loss, exercise regiment to happen. I think of it this way, if an orthopedic doctor needed to perform a knee replacement on a 400lb 6' male, he would demand he lose weight first to make the surgery easier, and increase the chance of a speedier/healthier recovery. If a bariatric surgeon is willingly going to perform a surgery on a patient, they want to make sure that patient makes them look good as well. No doctor wants a failed patient. So when a doctor says "you should try and lose 15 lbs before surgery", it's saying that the doctor wants to see some effort on the patients part. losing weight helps decrease the size of the liver so the doc doesn't have to struggle while in. Don't get me wrong, I don't know crap about Dr. Aceves so I can't comment on him and his practice. I'm sure he's a fine doctor; or else no one would think so highly of him. Or maybe I'm completely biased because I work in healthcare and I know how much professionals need to protect themselves so these pre-requisites are necessary to keep all parties "safe". Maybe some tests aren't necessary, I feel all the tests i had this far were quite necessary. Everyone has their own opinion and everyone has to do their own research. Nice to see that you have done yours and quite honestly, you've supported your claims and opinions; nothing wrong with that. Not every doctor is alike, so it's up to us as consumers to do our research and also protect ourselves.

I am secretive because I'm afraid of failure nor do I want others in my business. Sure we can shout that we had something to save our lives, but how many other things do we shout out in our lives that are no one else's business? I'm a private person and i feel comfortable that way. People at my job are incredibly nosey and all they do is talk and gossip. I try to shy away from it and even i get taunted about not diving into the gossip; apparently i'm too good to gossip I have yet though to think of what to say if someone straight up asked me if i had WLS. I'm probably 50/50 on saying yes or give another answer.

My doctor wanted me to lose 15 lbs in one month. I have failed miserably. I will lose 5 lbs, then gain it all back w/in a week. while working out and dieting I don't know what's going to happen. I go in for my follow up on monday. she's gonna be disappointed but i don't know what to say. I haven't cheated, i've even changed my diet drastically, i cut out red meat and started eating vegetarian "meats", elminated a ton of carbs, no soda, no snacking etc. substituted one meal for a protein shake etc. Been hitting the gym 5-6 times a week and nothing. My insurance company does not require me to lose weight, but my doctor does. my surgery isn't schedule til april 26th so i don't know what's gonna happen

I think it all depends on your BMI, your weight history, eating habits, other routes of weight loss you've tried etc. Obviously, surgery is a last resort for most of us. At 18, i was chunky, but not grotesquely overweight.With that being said, no I don't think 18 is too young. You're an adult, you know your body and you know yourself. Lots of teens get surgery for a variety of reasons. As long as you go through the testing and psych consult, I don't see why you shouldn't go for it. Much luck to you and your decision.

I think it all depends on your BMI, your weight history, eating habits, other routes of weight loss you've tried etc. Obviously, surgery is a last resort for most of us. At 18, i was chunky, but not grotesquely overweight.With that being said, no I don't think 18 is too young. You're an adult, you know your body and you know yourself. Lots of teens get surgery for a variety of reasons. As long as you go through the testing and psych consult, I don't see why you shouldn't go for it. Much luck to you and your decision.

lol, iirc, the nurses/docs just ask "what are we doing today" and as you your name to make sure that they have the right patient and that you understand what is actually happening today and you are your own person. but nice story none the less, thanks for sharing

I must say this is the first powder protein i purchased and loved it from the beginning. I've purchased all flavors of nectar, tried isopure, costco brans, muscle milk, oh yeah, about time, etc. and nothing beats the GNC brand. it's also nice that if you purchase any of their products, and don't like it, you can return it w/in 30 days for a full refund. also optimum nutrition has an array of flavors and they all taste like what they're suppose to be. except for the cinnamon roll while it DOES taste like cinnamon rolls, it tastes more like the icing and takes on the consistency of the icing, yuck! too sweet as well but like everyone mentioned, you gotta taste different varieties and sample packets are the best way to go. i am gonna suggest taking a trip to vitalady's shop for samples. also check your local gnc/vitashoppe for samples. Jay Rob makes a tasty chocolate and vanilla. Mind you i've never had any of these mixed with Water, all has been almond milk or fat free milk.

wow, unless he's the only doctor within a 300 mile radius, switched doctors. i'm sure now that you're approved with your insurance company, it can't be that difficult to switch. maybe go through a few loops with another doctor. good luck to you

I would find another doctor, specifically one that specializes in bariatrics. you can keep both doctors, and just find a bariatric doc to handle your bariatric needs. This isn't that uncommon for a doctor to refer a patient to another doctor to handle a case. The doctor simply may not be familiar with such a specialty there for they would not be appropriate to handle the case. It's not only a safety issue for yourself and your health, but it's also protection of the doctor and their licensure/practice. So don't think of it as something nasty, but simply having your PCP/the practice wanting quality care for you and your health and of course no liability upon themselves for things they may not be familiar with.

I went in Monday for my final appointment after I completed all my "pre-req's", and the doctor then told me she could schedule me that day I was confused and asked her about the insurance approval, and she casually told me she can't see how i wouldn't be approved etc, and told me it was a tentative date. So I went ahead and scheduled for April. Now, by no means am I excited because I don't wanna be disappointed if I weren't to be approved or something else popped up. but because my doc switched practices at the end of last year, there was a problem with HIPPA and getting my documents switched to new practice, but luckily I called all the offices and had them fax over my info to the new office, so by the beginning of next week my doc's office should have it. she then told me they would send everything over to the insurance company for approval. the office even went as far as to schedule when i start my pre-op diet, my pre-op appt., my anesthesia consult, and first post-op appt. So I'm just hoping all this pans out smoothly. but has anyone else gotten a date before insurance approval?

eek! ok, i did a small happy dance thanks everyone

Yes, If your doctor writes you a letter of medical necessity, with extensive documentation Aetna MAY approve the procedure. but you may be looking at increased pay on your end; Aetna most likely will not cover the entire procedure, and if they do cover some of the costs, your out of pocket payment may be higher than someone else under another aetna plan that covers the procedure. it's worth a shot to try

people live without body parts everyday. technology is amazing. i'm not worried.

people live without body parts everyday. technology is amazing. i'm not worried.

wearing pretty much anything from your home or outside is not considered sterile, hence the no wearing of pretty much anything. when i had a surgery a couple years ago, they even asked me to take out my scrunchie. underwear can get in the way, they may clean and wipe iodine (the brown stuff) all the way down to your pubic region. and if there's ever an emergency, you never know what they need to do and time is of the essence when you're in the OR. if you're worried about them seeing your lady parts, i wouldn't worry, they've seen that and much more most likely we're all human

I went the same route you did. I wasn't required to see a pulmonologist, but I just found my own place that would perform it and accepted my insurance. all went well. I too didn't sleep well, maybe 5-6 hours total? i did the split study, slept 3 hours w/o cpap, then 3 with it. I knew I had sleep apnea because i had a study done 3 years ago but never went ahead with the cpap. i have it now (renting it for $66/month which astounds me). it does make me feel refreshed, but i am still getting use to it. i'm a huge tosser/turner when i sleep and this thing makes it impossible to do so w/o having the nasal pillows on correctly.

Studies have shown that people with the sleeve lose approximately the same amt. of weight as they would with the gastric bypass w/in a 5 year time frame (if not less). If you sincerely want the gastric bypass, then by all means you should find another doctor that will respect your decision. I'm a firm believer of a second opinion, maybe even a third! I would see if you could get a consult for free with another bariatric surgeon in your area and see what they say. do not let them know what the other doctor mentioned, just hear them out and ask them sincerely which surgery is the best for you and what can you expect 5 years down the road with each surgery. if the outcome is the same for both, i don't see why the sleeve wouldn't be an option for you. like others mentioned, no re-routing of the intestines, no dumping, and no malabsorption, and iirc, less pills to take in your lifetime. you'll lose less weight with the sleeve in the beginning vs. the gastric bypass, but i think that's easier on the mind knowing that you aren't gonna look like a skeletor in 5 months much luck to you and your decision. get that second opinion!!

nice! ironically, i just picked up my cpap today

it's a complete gimick you may "feel" something, but there are exercises that are completely more beneficial than the shake weight. you can take a few medium-large size can of Beans and use them as weights vs. the shake weight or even free weights. in essence you're performing an isometric contraction. anyone can do that and become totally exhausted doing it, but isometrics are not as beneficial as a dynamic exercise with complete range of motion you're better off investing in some free weights

it's a complete gimick you may "feel" something, but there are exercises that are completely more beneficial than the shake weight. you can take a few medium-large size can of Beans and use them as weights vs. the shake weight or even free weights. in essence you're performing an isometric contraction. anyone can do that and become totally exhausted doing it, but isometrics are not as beneficial as a dynamic exercise with complete range of motion you're better off investing in some free weights

I'm not a nurse but i work in physical medicine/healthcare and i'm surprised at how many of us are overweight in the field. i am doing this surgery for me, but i also feel a bit of myself wanting to do it for my patients. if they look at me and see i'm not healthy, how can they ever trust in me to guide them in a healthier lifestyle? so i hope that after my surgery i can be an inspiration to my patient and others.

i think you should stick it out with the 6 month diet. I have Aetna and can do either the 3 month diet or the 6 month diet. i started with the 3 month but quickly came to realize it's extremely difficult (for me anyhow) to complete more than 10 appts in 3 months. Not to mention i am going to school full time and working full time. some people can do it with no problem. but i think you'll be surprised at how short of a time 6 months passes. i learned a lot since i began my journey and feel completely confident in my decision. if i'm not mistaken, most insurance companies require 6 month diet/supervision anyhow, so best to stick with what you have. I have not had my surgery yet, i have one more appt. with the surgeon before paperwork is submitted, but it has all been worth it. good luck to you and your decision.

i had this question as well. i initially started doing the 3 month option, but my surgeon got rid of her private practice and moved about an hour away and my appts, got switched around so i'm now on the 6 month option. i started in sept. 2010 and saw my PCP 4 times since then. my surgeon stated i only needed 3 meetings with my PCP. but i will reconfirm that when i see my surgeon next month and will call the insurance company. i'm just need to make sure what i'm doing is right. i don't have a ton of support from my surgeon with follow up

I love Crystal Light fruit punch, lemonade and yellow lemonade. the wyler's light (walmart brand) tastes just as good. i tend to go for what is cheaper or if i have a coupon/it's on sale. i also like the lemonade raspberry hawaiin punch mixes. the sugar free original hawaiin punch flavor is just bland imo. i also go for sugar free apple juice diluted with Water. and the occassional skinny white mocha from starbucks

the low car slim fast shakes were on my doctor's approved shake list. i hate the can as well layla's grandma, has a bad metal after taste if you're drinking from the can. i generally pour it in another glass and/or add ice cubes if i'm on the run, but if i have time i will blend it with some ice and a quarter of a banana