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My doctor's office called and said they have the verbal approval yesterday, and we scheduled my tenative surgery date for 6/9. They won't firm it up until they get the letter. So i called the Insurance to find out when they would be sending the letter out, and if I could get it faxed to me. They girl i talked to showed it was still pending. So i called the dr's office and left a message that i was confused. I get a message back today that they are now saying I need to notify them 6 months before Surgery to get approved, not that I have to have a medically supervised weight loss, just that I need to notify them 6 months in advance!!!!! Now, I called and checked my benefits, and the Dr also called and verified benefits, and was never told any of this, and I went on my plan website and logged in as me, and you can see below that it states nothing about a 6 month noitfication!!!! I am so Frustrated, it has been 6 months of gettting all my appointments in and getting everything ready. The coordinator at my Dr office is not giving up on pushing this through, and neither am I we are both going to call the insurance tomorrow again.....I am just to irritated, I just needed to vent!!! Notification Requirements Special Note Regarding Medicare If you are enrolled in Medicare and Medicare pays benefits before the Plan, you are not required to notify us before receiving Covered Health Services. Prior notification is required before you receive certain Covered Health Services. You are responsible for notifying us before you receive the following Covered Health Services: · Ambulance – non-emergent air and ground · Clinical Trials · Dental Services -Accident Only ● Emergency Health Services if you are admitted to a non-Network Hospital. · Obesity Surgery · Reconstructive Procedures · As soon as the possibility of a transplant arises (and before the time a pre-transplantation evaluation is performed at a transplant center).

So my surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, right?! Well I have pulled a muscle in my neck/back. I did it in my sleep and it woke me up it hurt so bad. I have been in severe pain all day. I called my weight loss surgery nurse and she said it would be okay to take Tylenol. She said if I was in too much pain that they could postpone my surgery. I said NO WAY!!!!!!!! She just laughed and said she understood. I don't care if my husband has to carry me in there, I AM going to that hospital on Wednesday and I AM getting my band!!!!!!! So my new heating pad that I got for post op is getting broken in early!! :-) Good luck to my fellow Wednesday banders!! Here's hoping we have a fast and easy recovery!!!

I have to admit, I was. I was one of those people that thought about bypass, but never did it because it seem so extreme to me. That was in 2003. I loss weight and got to a comfortable 223 (still fat), but lived there and just excepted that was my life. I was active, I exercised and had great labs. So here I am back at 259-260 and going through the sleeve process. I admit I have had several friends that had RNY and I was always supportive, but always stated it was not for me. Now I am dealing with my own hypocritical feelings. I said I would NEVER do this.....NEVER is a mightly long time. I always believe in life everything ain't for everybody. So I am sure some people in my life will call me a hypocrite. I will deal with that when the time comes. Anyone else feel the same way prior to making this decision?

I've been thinking about bariatric surgery in general for a couple of years now. My BMI is 37, and I turned 35 on April 29. That was the crucial day for me, the day I realized that I had to do something, because I realized that I am now older than my husband was when we first met. He's fifteen years older than me, and I'm afraid that if I don't take drastic measures, that he'll outlive me. We've already been through so much together in our nearly thirteen years of marriage. I have diabetes, hypothyroidism, high cholesterol (jaw-droppingly high, despite medication), back problems, and a minor heart condition. I take far, far too many medications every day to treat these obesity-related illnesses, and the side-effects are unpleasant. I want to be healthy! And I'm willing to do what it takes. Previously, my husband wanted to either go through insurance, or wait a few years to do this, and since I'm unable to work, it would be his paycheck funding the whole thing. But the insurance route is a for-sure no-go, specifically excluding weight loss surgery. But, on Saturday we went to a seminar done by Dr. Myur Srikanth, and now my husband is enthusiastically on-board to do this as soon as it can possibly be arranged!! We're going to take out a home equity loan to pay for it, and later on this morning, I'm going to talk to Dr. Srikanth's patient coordinator about getting the process started! I am so excited that I woke up at 3am, and I have been poring over statistics about weight loss for this surgery, calculating how much I might/will lose, and thinking about all the things I want to do after this actually happens. It still almost seems like a dream, that I'm being ridiculously optimistic, that I should keep my expectations low so I won't be disappointed. And it still feels almost crazy-silly to speculate about doing all the things I want to do: the annual Seattle-to-Portland bike ride, hiking part of the Pacific Crest Trail with my husband, backpacking and hiking and bicycling in general. I'm not sure it's going to seem solid and real until I actually have a date for the surgery. I still have to get a one-on-one appointment with Dr. Srikanth (scheduling to happen today), and see a psychologist (to be arranged), and all the preparatory things for surgery. I haven't even told my family, except for my mother, that I'm doing this. And the only reason I told her is because she's a nurse and will be coming to help me out post-surgery. I'm sure that some of my family is going to react negatively (extremely so), and frankly, at this point, I don't care and don't want to hear it. Hence my keeping silent. But I'm soooo excited! :001_smile: More to follow, as events progress. Wish me luck, please!

So tonight I walked/jogged my first 5k!!! And I wasn't even close to last! That's all I cared about! Lol two of my girls joined me (7 and 5) and my sister. they did fantastic! I'm SO proud of them! As a bonus, when I went to shower I decided to step on the scale and was shocked to discover I have hit 50 lbs loss!!! 70 to go! I love, love, love my sleeve! I'm finally LIVING instead of merely existing. It feels amazing! (the first pic was a week or so before surgery)

Thanks everyone. The 20lbs pre op loss is a combination of what my personal goal is as well as what my doctor Wants. My last appointment with him I was 262lbs on his scale (weird because I was 270 on mine). I am fluctuating between 275-278 right now. He did mention that at my next appointment that I cannot gain any weight from the 262lbs that I was at..which stresses me out. So that's why I got the one week extra head start. The diet doesn't bother me. I quite enjoy the glucerna shakes. They taste real good! I just hope I will be down to 260 by September 27.. So that means 1 month to lose 15 lbs..do-able right? Especially on liquids only?

My wife got that one for me great read. You may also like Weight loss surgery for dummy's & Weigh loss surgery cookbook for dummy's Surgery Anniversary 7/30/12

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Hello, I realize there is a mentor area, but I want to find someone who is pre-op. This way we are nutritionally similar. ME: 5'5" 305 30 years old Mother, wife and student Need to loose 20 before surgery- not on a liquid diet. I will have my surgery nov-jan, not sure yet Live on the west coast looking for someone who will text randomly daily to find out if I am logging on MFP. I do best when logging, but lately I don't like documenting. I also know that I DO NOT want to let others down. You: female late 20's-early 30's working on weight loss pre-op Have something I can help keep you accountable with? (if you want, I would love to reciprocate) I would love to learn a little about you. Also, feel free to ask any questions you have about me. Lets help each other out! I can't wait to hear from you! Best, Sannah

I have heard several people mention they have gone from straight to curly, but I don't know much about it. I read about it on the obesityhelp website. http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/3990512/My-hair-turned-curly-after-RNY

I am only 8 months post op. I have been losing hair since the 5th month. Just over the last two weeks it seems to have slowed down some. I hope it comes back period, curly or straight, hair is hair. No grey would be nice too, asking to much?? :-)

For me, it has been so many little things all adding together already to make me not regret my decision for even a single second. My life has been changing in so many ways. I just had new bloodwork done about two weeks ago and for the first time in many many years, almost all of my numbers are within normal range. Even my cholesterol is down to 166. Holy cow, i havent seen anything below about 200 since I was in my 20's. I have been feeling good enough to start doing more activities around the house. I am finally doing all of the cooking again, helping with the routine house cleaning. Going out shopping with my Mom where I am doing the driving. Able to move around more to spend time with my wonderful husband and loving family, chasing after my beloved nieces. I am still in a great deal of pain because of the severity of my hip issue but it has reduced a good bit since my weight loss and that is truly something to be thankful for. And my little lifts also come from people who have not seen me in awhile and they exclaim how good I am looking. All of hubbys co workers who he keeps updated with my weight loss, some family and every time any of my Doctors see me at visits. It never fails to put me in a great mood when I see any of them and does wonders for my ego. lol,

I worry with you off the birth control one they are hormones and you have just stopped these hormones and it will play with your mind. Next getting pregnant now will stop your weight loss and add to what you are now....keep thst in mind. Also get your doctor to get you on anti-depressants and maybe anxity meds also this will help tons..set your elf up for success and you will do it you have a long road before you are on a paved road but hand in there this works and you will grow as a person as you body gets smaller...we are here for you

Ugh and belive me I cant wait. Need to have something other than liquids already. I mean dont get me wrong weight loss is going great, I had to have a sneak peek of my weight and I feel like im doing good. But I miss the different textures. Also my hubby had to stay home from work 2day, because Ive been feeling a bit dizzy and weak. And having an 8 and 4 yr old. Yea theres not very much rest. And to top it off the incisions are itching like crazy. Well thank you for letting me vent a little...

Damn scale. I work out and jump on that scale and it seems like it hardly moves then go to the dr and realize I lost 9 pounds in a month. Felt like I had lost nothing because I was watching it go down ounce by ounce. I weigh once a week now, at the gym, don't even have a scale at home. The scale will drive you crazy! LOL I feel great, that's what is most important! So many non scale victories to enjoy along with the weight loss, don't forget how rewarding they can be too! Good Luck!

Hi Everyone I am still considering wether I feel the band would work for me.:scared: The problem is I have a habit of working against things that are good for me, particularily with weight loss. It seems as though it is my way of rebelling against a world that has shunned me for being over weight but unfortunately it's only myself I am hurting in the process. I am concerned that I will find ways of cheating the band but at the same time I am wondering if this will give me the kick up the backside I need. Hmmmmmmm Did anyone else feel this way before having the band? X Katie

Hi Everyone! I was sleeved June 27th and I have only lost 25 lbs. Am I doing something wrong? I knew a stall was to be expected but it's been almost 5 weeks. I'm getting my protein and water in. I'm also working out. What else can I do?

Welcome! Don't fret about gaining a bit of water weight post op, just keep doing what you're doing and the pounds will slowly follow. You are in the healing phase after all, not the weight loss phase. Start getting a bit of exercise in and drink lots of water and the weight loss will be slow but steady. Good luck on your journey,

I was thinking that too. My sister had bypass and she looks older and more sickly. I think its b/c of the malabsorption and loss of nutrients. She doesn't take her vitamins like she should.

Thank you very much for the tips, I can not lay in bed unless I'm sleeping so I will be walking the halls as soon as I awake from surgery and able to stand, this person loves the term COWBOY UP it was our battle cry when I served in the Army and that training will help give me the motivation. Congratulations on your weight loss and your support ... Peace my friend

Good Luck to you firs of all on your surgery!! Take it slow and follow the rules and procedures that are given to you I actually went into a crying fit the night before surgery because of the hair thing...lol....I've been told to make sure that I take my Vitamins on a regular basis and work really hard on getting 60 grams or more of protein/day once you are allowed food again (pureed, soft, whatever) 2 Protein Shakes made with milk will almost get you there daily! keep positiive...and I'll be thinking about you! Congratulations on a NEW YOU tomorrow!!

So my nutritionist requires you lose 10% of your body weight (14 pounds) before surgery. I started a diet the day after seeing her which will be exactly 4 weeks this Saturday. In that time I've dropped 20 pounds...this happens everytime I diet. I drop weight quick then it stalls and i gain...will I be disqualified for losing too much weight???

How much more do you need to lose? Depends on provider. I would call your NUT. 20 lbs in 4 weeks preop is awesome!! I have same problem but usually stall after 16 pounds loss. I am down 11 and have 9 more to go. 4 to go to get appt with psych. Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

From your recent post in this thread http://www.lapbandta...27#entry1550127 it sounds as if you are still experiencing the pain you described there and thus are asking the question regarding slipping again here in this thread. If you are in pain you should definitely call your doctor and get an appointment pronto to have your band checked out. Just as was recommended by the responders in your prior thread. As to whether a band can slip in two months or two weeks or two years for that matter - my understanding is that slippage is not really a result of the length of time one has been banded. That would certainly be a good question for your surgeon though. Please keep us posted as to what the outcome is and I hope your pain is relieved soon. Congratulations on your successful weight loss so far too - that's a lot of weight in a short time.

Hi, I am scheduled for November 6th.....I have lost 33 lbs since surgery. How much have you lost in the Pre op phase of this journey? Are you thinking you dont need the surgery? Second thoughts cross my mind all the time. Kim