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Someone told me to do this if insurance ever denied a procedure. Apparently the boards that make these decisions aren't doctors. 1. Who made the decision? 2. Are they Hippa certified? (Very imp ????) 3. Can I see their certifications? Insurance resubmitted the paperwork and they were approved. I don't think it was regarding bariatric surgery, but I wrote them down just in case. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Of course I'm set with Dr. K in Colorado - but, I called all day Thurs & Fri - was unsuccesful in getting someone to accept me for local fills. fillcentersusa is not local for me. So... today, I begin considering going local and paying more. So, I'm posting messages to asking for prices locally (Chicagoland/Indiana). I do have 4 prices here so far. Actually found a couple good prices - just need to know if they will accept my current financing option which is all set and ready. RightWeigh Bariatric in Kentucky charges $12,500 - they also have a location in Indiana - I will call in the morning to see what they charge (hoping its so close to this). Lifeway Bariatrics in Downers Grove & Merriville, IN charge $15,500. Synchronyhealth: $16,000 Midwestbariatrics: $16,211 If any of the lower ones accept my financing and can band me sooner, I'm going to make the switch ASAP to free up that 10/30 date at Dr. K's office.

Here's a link to what is included: Columbia Bariatric Associates

Check your insurance policy. It will say whether weight loss/bariatric surgery is covered or not, and if it is what it will cost you out of pocket. For example, in my policy is it listed under Surgical Procedures in Section 5b. You can also call customer service at the number on the back of your card and ask them what your policy says about weight loss surgery. Schedule an appointment with your Primary Care Physician (PCP). Ask them to please refer you to Nutrition Services to be considered for for weight loss surgery. They will probably mail you some forms to fill out and return. Then they will send you a letter. If you qualify you will be on the program waitlist. Unless they pick up the pace you will wait 6+ months to get into the pre-surgery program. You will have 8 weeks of classes plus blood work, program specialist and psych visits, etc. If you pass the classes you will be scheduled to meet for final checkoffs with psych, pre-op bloodwork/physical, and finally to meet with your surgeon of choice. You'll also have to do either a 3-day or 14-day pre-surgery diet. I'd recommend the 3-day, so lose some weight before and/or during the 8-week program, that way you're more likely, but not guaranteed, to get the 3-day diet vs. the 14-day diet. You will get to choose from one of two surgeons: Dr. Husain or Dr. Chae. I chose Dr. Chae, but I have heard good things about both surgeons. The differences: one is female, the other male. One is younger, the other a little older and probably has more bariatric surgeries under his belt. One doesn't use a post-surgery drain tube (from what I've heard), the other does (from what I experienced). Ask for details so you can make an informed decision that you are comfortable with. Maybe you feel comfortable with a surgeon of the same gender as you. The choice is yours. My surgery was at Saint Joseph Hosptial in Denver. Yours probably will be as well. NOTE: When they discharge you, make sure they send you home with prescriptions for pain (probably liquid Lortab), nausea, acid reduction (acid reducer/PPI), and blood thinners (if you need them after you are discharged, I didn't. This seems to vary based on your condition, medical history, etc.). Have your family or friend fill them before you are discharged so you don't have to stop on the way home. You might not need the pain meds to mask unbearable pain, but they are great for a couple/few days after discharge if for nothing else than to ween off the morphine drip and to help you get some sleep. If all goes well, you'll get your surgery. My plan covers sleeve. Apparently some don't, but most people I was in groups with had the option. Depends on what your policy covers, I guess. The bottom line is, the wait and process is long but well worth it. It took me almost a year to get through the entire waitlist and pre-surgery stuff. Be patient, but if four or five months passes on the waitlist and you don't get a call, be proactive and call Nutrition Services to ask where you are on the waitlist. If you need to contact Nutrition Services directly: Kaiser Permanente offers gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding (also know as the Lap Band) procedures. Not all benefit plans cover weight loss surgery. Please call 303-788-1154 for more information. http://www.kphealthy...for-adults.aspx

I have heard the patches are of dubious merit - not enough research yet on what you do actually absorb, or don’t. My surgeon won’t allow them for that reason. There are great chewable vitamins out there. Flinstones chewables. Or Celebrate. Look in the Bariatric Pal Store on this site - they have a great range!

Oh and there's optisource post bariatric surgery chewable a too. I tried those first. They're not bad and you can buy them at Walgreens. ????

Is there anyone out there from Mississippi? I am thinking of using Dr. Cunmmings @CMMC Bariatric unit. Anyone here use therm???:lunch:

Hello All : ) I just started going to my nutritionist for my pre op approval process and she told me to start trying out Protein shakes. I wanted to ask you all which ones are your favorites? I have used Pure Protein in the past, not sure if that is a good one for Bariatric surgery though. Thoughts?

Thank you all for the support. I think talking with a bariatric therapist is probably a good idea. I'm just not sure how to find one. I am planning to attend a support group (hosted by my nutritionist) later this month. I will ask her if she can recommend anyone. It's good to know I'm not alone. I still feel a little crazy though.

i weighed 280lbs at my highest. when i started the bariatric program, i knew they would make me lose weight, so i started losing. i was at 262 when i had my first surgeon consult and he told me i had to lose 20 lbs. I knew i could do it, but i never dreamed I would lose 60!! The pre-op diet is low carb, low fat, high Protein. It is not that bad becuase it is very well balanced. I like it. It is something that makes it easy to stay on. Now, I have strayed a time or two, but mostly, I stay on track! Thanks for the well wishes.!! When I do have my surgery, I will have a very short goal of 55 to 60 lbs. That will make me VERY HAPPY!! Best of luck! Kelly

Well first, I'll say congratulations on your decision to take care of yourself in this way. This is not an easy decision. I think sometimes the 'intrinsic value' that society and 'our' culture puts on the diet and exercise mentality is easy to internalize. It's easy to feel like 'well I 'should' be able to this on my own.' The truth is for most of us, if that were possible it would have been done already. Staying in that place can be depressing. But the bottom line this is a life changing decision. It's empowering. This is an opportunity to rebuild, create an even more authentic identity for yourself. Is there a counselor/therapist that specializes in bariatric patients? You can do this!

I'm about 4 months post-op. I ran out of bariatric Vitamins for a period during the holidays and some extensive travel. I noticed during that time despite generally complying with the diet recommendations that my rate of loss slowed to a crawl. I recently got my bariatric vitamins replenished and have been taking them for about a week and have noticed the rate of loss seems to have picked back up. Has anyone had a similar experience? I'm wondering if this is just a coincidence, if I was just in a stall, or if proper Vitamin supplementation really has an impact on the rate of weight loss.

I'm wondering if anyone else is having to complete the following checklist from their PCM with Tricare Prime? I'm actually Tricare overseas Prime Remote. I just spent the entire AM on the phone trying to explain that this is not the requirements per the Tricare Manual Chapter 4 Section 13.2. After I couldn't get a clear explanation on how they came up with this checklist through International SOS (3rd party used by Tricare Prime overseas for referrals) I spoke with the regional Tricare office in Germany. I was informed they came up with this checklist so "not just anyone" could get the surgery. I was then informed I could just go to the PCM and have them submit a letter addressing my Hx of attempts, comorbid Dx and etc. But was informed approval was on a case by case basis and if denied could appeal. (Duh Rolling eyes) So aggravated that the requirements are not the same across the board for Tricare Prime. I'm 5'1 and approx 198lbs with sleep apnea. I'm aware that b/c I'm not 100lbs overweight according to Metlife charts I will be denied although my BMI is and has been above 35 with the comorbidity for >5 years. I have tried every diet known to man as I'm sure you all did too. I loose the weight but it never stays off. We have been overseas now for 6 years but I don't have the documentation they are requesting in my medical record b/c we are remote (not at a MTF) and these diets are not covered by Tricare therefore paid for out of pocket. I also recently read in the Fed Recorder that the requirements will change from the Metlife Chart to BMI on 3-16-2011. Anyone else aware of this and have spoken with Tricare in regards to the change. Right now I'm afraid that I've stirred the pot too much and will be denied just for demanding where they came up with this checklist. If anyone has a better contact through Tricare I'd love the name and number. Any advice is appreciated. Wish me luck. I plan on seeing a PCM on the 16th of March and keeping my fingers crossed. Step 1: Patient Review (All items must be checked by the PCM and applicable to the patient) Documented morbid obesity for 5 years. Meets definition; body weight is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure, according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table, and such weight is in association with severe medical conditions known to have higher mortality rates in association with morbid obesity; or, the body weight is 200% or more of ideal weight for height and bone structure. List any co-morbid conditions: ________________________________________________________________________________ DEROS date at least 12 months from the anticipated surgical date. Date of DEROS: _____________ Participation in a documented nutrition/exercise program for a cumulative total of 6 months with documented ability to lose 10- 15 lbs within the last two years. (Patient‘s inability to comply with a diet and exercise regimen prior to surgery indicates poor compliance and an increased risk of adverse outcomes) Comprehensive evaluation and review of significant medical or psychiatric history by their Primary Care Manager (PCM), surgeon or mental health professional/counselor indicating good candidacy, readiness for bariatric surgery, and confirmation of positive family support system. Education regarding the need for lifelong follow up. The patient has been advised that TRICARE policy does not cover breast lifts, thigh and arm reduction, and that a panniculectomy must be deemed medically necessary to be covered by TRICARE. Step 2: Post-operative Management Primary Care Manager must acknowledge capability to provide appropriate post operative medical management to include: (all items must be checked in order to be considered for approval): Dietary Counseling Mental Health assessment or referral Laboratory assessment plan for possible nutritional deficiency _________________________________ __________________________

Hello to all the 8/17 sleevers (and 8/18 I can't believe a month has gone by either! Last year at this time I was unhappy with my weight and wondering what I would be able to do to get to a weight I would be happy with. I was wearing a size 22W, and just miserable. I could never have imagined that in March I would call the bariatric center and start this process and be ONE MONTH out at this time! I'm halfway to my goal...and I'm so thankful. Everyone seems be doing so well! Keep it up!

I thought I'd write about my journey for the older folks out there considering this surgery. Last Nov I turned 71 and after regaining 50 pounds I had lost two years ago (the story of my life) I could see that if I didn't do something drastic I would spend my remaining years in a wheel chair. So off to a bariatric seminar I went. I was encouraged by all that I saw there and decided to take the plunge. I survived the two week starvation diet with out murdering my husband or eating the furniture and had my surgery on Feb. 4th. I started my journey at 298.5. The surgery was interesting I guess. As they put in the gas to blow me up, the gas hit my vagus nerve and my body slowed way down. 40 heartbeats a minute. They backed off the gas and did chest compressions to get me stabilized. Then contacted the cardiologist who told them to go for it so they compleated the surgery and then sent me to the cath lab for a heart cath. That came back normal. Surgeon said I gave them quite a scare. I wouldn't know as I woke up in the ICU and don't remember a thing about even going to the OR. Let me tell you, I used Tennova at Turkey Creek as my hospital and the care was outstanding both in the ICU and the bariatric wing. I couldn't have asked for better. Woke up only to walk far enough to get them to take the catheter out. My surgeon checks for leaks during surgery so I would drink as soon as I woke up. Yayyyyy. I could drink easily and like the very cold the best. I had no nausea or pain when still. When I tried to get up that was another story. Seems like when they blew me up they also disturbed the scar tissue from my mastectomies of 9 years ago and that gave me fits for about a week. The actual surgery part was a breeze. I have had no problem meeting my carb, Protein and Fluid goals daily. I can drink normally but not as much as fast. I'm on liquids for 4 weeks on then on to purees. I am so looking forward to some refried beans!!! So for you older folks considering this--go for it. I'm a two time cancer surviver and figured I had nothing but fat to lose and everything to gain. I'd do this again in a heartbeat. Oh, and I'm down 23 lbs. from the start of my pre op so that part is going well, too. Chris

Though regain and difficulty with maintenance is very common....Few people who are struggling with regain stick around and post on this board. Most folks here are new to surgery and excited about possibilities, going through the process...high energy. You will see a few people talking about regain on the veteran's forum and revision boards. If you want statistical information about percentages of people who reach goal, regain, what is considered "a success" in the industry...talk to your bariatric surgeon. They are excellent, tough questions that you really should ask.

I use my fitness pal and I track everything I eat. It causes me to decide if I am going to eat something bad or not. I don't justify anything...I can't....that's why I got where I was to begin with. The best thing I did though is right after surgery I went through my pantry, freezer, and refrigerator and threw away ALL the bad stuff. I simply got it out of the house and I don't buy it anymore. That's right...no more goldfish, no more chips ahoys, no more big glass of milk with every meal, no more candy, no more chips, no more ice cream.....none of it. If it is not in the house, I can't eat it, right? To curb my sweet tooth, I plan for a Protein bar...that way at least I am getting something from a sweet fix. I have also joined some blogs and recipe pages for bariatric patients and weight loss recipes. I focus on protein. Not very exciting most of the time, but as long as I do well 99% of the time, I can afford a treat every now and then.

I just recently got switched over to Bariatric Advantage Multi EA, a combination multi and all of the other supplements I was taking, except the Calcium. It is a horse pill as round as a dime and as thick as a pencil. I could not swallow it whole, and I could not swallow it cut in forths because it got caught in my throat both ways. What I ended up doing is taking it during the night with blueberry flavored applesauce. That seems to be working.

It's amazing how a good office staff can make or break a practice. When I first started exploring getting my lap band out, I went to the closest bariatric office, three hours away, I liked the surgeon and his PA, but the office staff was a DISASTER. You could never get hold of anyone on the phone, and they gave me a lot of incorrect info about Medicare benefits. So I started seeing the next closest surgeon, 5 hours away. The difference was like night and day! The office always answers your questions, and if they can't, they get you an answer the same day. There are a lot of good surgeons out there, so if the office staff is bad "shop around" if there are other options where you live.

Pre surgery here but I just bought the Bariatric Advantage Multi Vitamin with Iron and a bag of their calcium chewy bites. Hoping to find good alternatives after this first batch.

I've only taken Bariatric Advantage CHEWY multivitamin, calcium, & iron vitamins since my surgery 12/1/16. Do you know of any equivalents that are not as expensive? I don't mind making a switch as long as the quality is there AND they MUST taste good (don't want to feel like I'm eating chalk) Please offer any advice you have. Thank you!

It can be overwhelming. We have focus on what we are eating, drinking and exercise too. I had my surgery over 4 years ago. I had some problems with strictures and I had 5 endoscopes with 4 dilation I actually couldn't even hold water down. So I really had a problem with food. I was very limited in what I could eat or drink. I developed an aversion to food. I started counseling with a local counselor, she tried but she didn't have a clue. Finally, my Surgeon and his nurse became concerned enough about my weight loss that he set me up with a Bariatric Counselor. She told me that I needed to eat every 1/2 hour and drink Boost for snacks. Now, a person that has fought so hard to lose her weight does not want to hear this. I told my hubby that I refused to trade one eating disorder for the other. I just could not justify that!! So yes we do live our new lifestyle and adjusting to what ever we have to. Listen to your Dr when he says get your weight loss within your honeymoon phase. Hang in there!! Take care of you!!

I've been using Bariatric Advantage Calcium Chews. I've been told that I need 1500 mg calcium/day (as a woman). Anyhow, each 250mg chew is 20 calories. That adds up to 120 calories per day. I would much rather be using those calories in food! Any suggestions on lower calorie calcium citrate options?

Luu - Yeah I ended up having to go self pay. Again I would call your Insurance Co directly and ask all questions as it pertains to Bariatric Surgery. I think each "company has different riders that can include/exclude certain procedures & have different requirements. I'm going to guess that your employer does not have the right to know that you plan on having this done (unless you tell them), the same they wouldn't if you participate in an EAP (employee assistance program - depression / drugs / etc.)...Good luck, please keep us updated on your outcome. Lulu

First, I'd start tracking calories for at least a couple weeks. Most who don't track calories are shocked at how much they're actually consuming when they do start tracking them. Keep in mind the band isn't supposed to make you feel full. It supposed to make you feel satisfied, or no longer physically hungry, on less food for longer time periods. Don't expect that same full feeling we had before surgery- that is not what you're supposed to strive for. Have you been to a nutritionist? If not, that would be another smart step to take. A nutritionist who deals with bariatric patients can help you set up realistic food guidelines for optimal weight loss. It's possible you don't have adequate Fluid in your band yet, but if you want to lose weight I'd still stick to a cup or less of food per meal and count calories in the meantime.