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I'm a Newbie and just starting into this (I apologize now, if there is a list on this site, but I couldn't find it). My insurance is Highmark PPO Blue (BC/BS) of PA. I have a low BMI (36/37) so I'm learning that I need to document as many comorbidities as I have with my PCP -eg. my insurance needs 35-40 BMI "with comorbidities (eg., hypertension, cardiovascular heart disease, dyslipidemis, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea" (note- comorbiditieS, plural). While at an initial information seminar at the hospital I was surprised to see Asthma (I developed adult onset Asthma a few years ago) on their list of minor comorbidities during the slide show as obesity related (still don't know why as I didn't get a chance to ask, but now I know to add this in my documentation). I thought I'd start a list of what everyone's Dr's. have considered worth documenting to insurance as a comorbidity, then I can discuss the ones I have with my Dr. These are the ones I've found so far (no I don't have all these). Please add others you know of...Thanks! COMORBIDITIES - I've read these are the Major 4 insurance is looking for: 1. Hypertension- High Blood Pressure (Anyone know the threshold numbers for this? Do you have to be on meds?) 2. Diabetes Mellitus Type II-metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to produce enough, or to properly use, insulin (Do you need to be on meds.?) 3. Sleep Apnea- Obstructive, Pickwickian syndrome (I've heard some ins. need certain numbers on this as well). 4. Cholesterol: Hypercholesterolemia-High Cholesterol (What are the threshold numbers?), Dyslipidemia- abnormal concentrations of lipids or lipoproteins (eg. high total chol. or high levels of triglycerides) - Others/sometimes called "Minor"?: 5. Metabolic Syndrome: Abdominal Obesity (high waist circumference), High Serum Triglycerides and High HDL Cholesterol, High blood glucose levels, High blood Pressure (combination of 3 of the 4 above) 6. Respiratory: Asthma and Respiratory Disease, or Exertional Dyspnea- Shortness of Breath with minor exertion 7. Cardiovascular: Heart Disease, Cardiomyopathy, Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or Venous stasis disease - faulty veins that allow blood to collect in the lower legs (swelling), Venous Thromboembolic Disease 8. Pseudotumor cerebri - increased pressure in the brain which causes chronic headaches and eye problems (specific disorder mainly in obese women) 9. Liver Disease, Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis - fatty inflammation of the liver that is not caused by alcohol damage, 10. Gall Bladder disease 11. Gastroesophageal reflux disease- GERD- a digestive disorder that is caused by gastric acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus, or acid reflux 12. Incontinence: Stress urinary incontinence- involuntary leakage of urine caused by increased abdominal pressure from excessive body fat 13. Spine: Degenerative disc (spine) disease- wearing down of discs in the spine 14. Joints: Osteoarthritis or Weight-related arthropathies (joint diseases) which impair physical activity, degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint 15. Depression or Obesity-related psychosocial stress 16. Skin: Intertriginous soft tissue infections - infections in excess folds of skin that are caused by obesity, rashes, sores 17. Impaired Activities: Significant impairment in activities of daily living and work (list normal activities you can't do) 18. Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 19. Cancer: Some are related to obesity eg. endometrial, breast and colon

Hey all, How are you all?? I have missed you! I have been away, but not really away just being unhealthy and not wanting to get online and admit it. I now realize that it was a mistake not to get on here and at least read the posts. On the positive front, I went to the gym today and walked an hour. That was 3 miles, not great speed, but not a snails pace either. I go for my 4th fill on Aug 9 and I hope that it will be the one that gives me some restriction. Can you believe there are 3cc's in my band that holds 4cc's and I have no restriction. Hello!!!! I can eat at least 3 to 4 cups of food at a sitting. That can't be right! I know I am not supposed to. I know what you guys are thinking too. Why would she do that?? (sobbing) I don't know, because I'm hungry. Today though, I vow that today is the start (again) of a better lifestyle healthier choices! starting my journal again! exercising like I should 5 days a week! Hey, I know it's nuts. If crazy is the worst thing I am ever called then I live a charmed life. Why is it, that we as overweight adults have to keep falling on and off the wagon. It is sortof like alcoholics. Only its food and you do need food to survive unlike booze. I hope when I go for my 4th fill I am in the twos. That would just be the greatest thing ever!!! And then, I will strive for the 280's and then the 270's and so on. Until maybe one day I am looking forward to the onederland. That is such a long way away. But a girl can dream can't she. Thanks for listening to the rantings of a fellow bandster.

I am a "former" heavy drinker myself (by the "standards" I fall into that category, up until 2 years ago I drank 1 to 1.5 bottles of wine a night, 24/7/365) You don't want to hear what I am thinking, and I didn't want to hear it. And no, I didn't go to AA. I couldn't abide all the "rah rah" stuff. I just stopped myself. I still can tend to overdo when I drink. I try not to drink except when I am out to eat I will have 2-3 glasses of wine (and I don't drive), so unless I am on vacation that's fairly rare. You are in your 30's and young, but this is going to catch up with you if it has not already, and that is a stone hard fact, no ifs, ands or buts. I did not notice that alcohol affected me any more after the band than before. I can still pack it away....if I wanted to. If you are heavily overweight there is the possibility that is why you are able to consume so much straight alcohol in a sitting and still remain on your feet (though I tend to think you are probably in a fair state pickling 24 hours a day based on the sheer alcohol percentage in your body.) My concern, other than the obvious, would be that if you lose a large amount of body mass and try to consume as you have been you may be facing alcohol poisoning and potential death. Well, anyway...based on your past lifestyle and intent to continue I would highly recommend: make sure you have good backup in the bar whenever you are there, draw up a good will if you haven't already and don't make any long range plans. Sorry I can't be more positive.

There is a lot of wisdom in these posts, and a lot of "heart". I come hear to get information, to better understand what lies ahead of me, and to try to get my head in the right place for the life-long journey ahead of me. I have finally come to understand that food is an addiction, not unlike alcohol or drugs. Its not illegal to eat, but it is a sin to do what we have done to our bodies. I don't gorge, make myself throw up, or eat 2-3 hamburgers at a time. Yet, somehow I have lived my adult life overweight. Through this board I have realized I'd better approach this as an alcoholic must do that wants to get sober. Alcohol, even a little bit, will send them back to the world of alcohol. Bad food, even a little bit, will lead me to failure. The agreement to overcome my food addiction has to last forever and I must make the right choices forever if I am to succeed. Susan, I have looked for your posts for the last few months I have been on this board. You are so willing to help newcomers with good sound information. You are succeding in your struggle with weight. Don't stop being there for those of us that need your help. My hope for me is that as time goes by food and food restriction won't be a daily thought. When I gave up smoking 20 years ago I did it cold turkey. It was rough, but over time it was just a way of life. I can't imagine smoking now. In fact, its something I can hardly tolerant in others. That isn't to say that sometimes something triggers a thought and I remember what it was like to enjoy a smoke. Hopefully, the band will help me with the food and that overtime I won't be thinking all the time what can I eat next. We all come into this journey from different places, different mindsets, and even different histories. The one thing that we have in common is an addiction to food and the inability to keep our weight at a healthy level. Through this board, the use of the lapband as a tool, and our conviction that we will overcome this addiction, we all will be successful. It is a struggle we will have forever, but hopefully it will become easier over time. Thank all of you for your wisdom, your willingness to share, and for your honesty. It helps to know that others have walked the road I'm about to take and have found the journey rewarding, even if painful at times.

Aafter the doc gets the rash cleared up you can use bath and body works spray ( mostly alcohol) in all of the crease areas 2x a day. It keeps bacteria at bay plus you smell good.

About the carbs, I had to stay away from them as much as humanly possible. I, too, would have classified myself as a carboholic. I stay away from them just like a recovering alcoholic stays away from alcohol.

I told the doctor 120 and he said that was realistic. It is at the very top of what my BMI should be to be out of the over weight range. I do know that my daughter is my height and she is around 100 pounds as was I when I was younger and neither of us looked under weight. Tiny, but not too skinny. But the best I can hope for is getting to a weight that reduces my medical conditions such as my diabetes, especially my blood pressure (I am a walking stroke), sleep apnea, non-alcoholic fatty liver and fingers crossed my feet and back will hurt a lot less!! Whatever THAT weight is - THAT is where I want to be.

When you researched and prepped for VSG what did your surgeon and NUT tell you about consuming alcohol?

I'm not sure if it's dumping but I found that I have a very similar reaction to sugar alcohols. Intense abdominal pain, sometimes with diarrhea.

So I'm 6 weeks post op and experimenting with different options. I'm on a full diet and return to work Aug 6 (teacher) so I said I would try a bar to see if that could be an option if I'm in a jam or working late unplanned. I ate the bar slowly, it went down well and I was very full. About an hour later....my stomach started to send me hate mail lol. It is the first belly ache that I've had post op. Ugh! Soon after you know where I had to spend some quality time (at least I finally finished 50 Shades while in there lol). When I looked at the ingredients I think it was the sugar alcohols which I didn't have much trouble with before. Welp....cross those off my list!

I was so satisfied with scrambled eggs for breakfast and tuna at lunch. If the junk isn't around, then I can't eat it. (Maybe this is how my hubby has lost 30 lbs since my sleeve?? Ha!) So if an alcoholic avoids alcohol, a druggie avoids drugs, former fatties must avoid Rice Krispie Treats!!! It's sure true for me! Moderation and occasional indulgences are great and I do that - but having the temptation sitting on the counter while snowbound at home all weekend is a recipe for disaster!

Every surgeon is different, but my program doesn't allow any alcohol consumption for the first 3 months. I drink wine on occasion now with zero issue. I would not drink in public initially. The only reason I say that is because the first time I drank at home. It hit me hard, and quick. That type of situation can prove embarrassing if in a public setting. I know some people say that alcohol burns when they tried it early out, and others have zero issues. Can you shoot someone with Dr. Aceves' staff an email to find out if alcohol that early is okay? If you feel you have to have something, maybe ask if you can have a couple of sips of an alcoholic beverage. It takes me almost 40 minutes to drink a glass of wine so it doesn't hit my system and give me that heavy buzzed feeling.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how long you need to wait after surgery to partake in an alcoholic beverage? I am also looking for any advice on what would be the beverage to have. My family is having a surprise party for my mom the first Saturday in April and I know that there will be some alcohol. I don't really want to drink alot but I know it would look funny if I didn't have at least on drink. By this time I will almost be one month post op, so I am thinking it will be ok but thought I had better check. I am also making sure that my Aunt is having something on the menu that is considered the mushy phase since I can't have solids for at least one month after surgery

I posted a story, "Never Again." I had made frozen drink and drank about 5 sips and went into what's described as Dumping syndrome. Sugar+alcohol =HELL I walked around in agony! I had spasms from my throat to my bottom. The cold triggered it, sugar, and alcohol exasperated it. Relief came after I got into a hot shower, and after put a heating pad on my tummy. I did not have other gastro issues some might imagine. Just pain that I couldn't even stay still. June will be 1 year and white wine works for me. Vodka knocks me on my Butt. Red wine is too acidic for me.

Remember alcohol metabolizes as sugar so I'd be careful ........ but have fun[emoji873]

This is so smart! My doctors also told me to wait a year before I have a drink. My best friend is getting married in July so I have the bachelorette weekend and wedding with no alcohol I will just have to psych myself out! Pregnant for the day lol

Do you feel the alcohol faster since surgery?

Absolutely! It's about sharing our experiences with each other We know we're not alone in our WL journey. Also...our overall road to health. I'm really sorry about your mom and sister. Proud of you for breaking that cycle and making a change. I never had an issue with alcohol. I really don't drink often so it was never a thought really before or after surgery. I've had a drink on occasion, but it's usually just one. I never learned moderation with my food intake. I constantly indulged. Re-training your brain is so hard! We can do this and change our lives for the better in every way. I wish you the BEST of luck on your journey. It's not easy and everyone takes a different path. In the end, we CAN change our stories!! ❤️

My dh can eat a ton and stay thin and athletic while I can eat a small amount and get heavy. Metabolism is so vastly different in some people. I have a lot of heavy and thin friends and I don't really think of them in terms of weight so much as that is just who they are . . . kind of like some people have big noses and some have small noses. I do find myself having a bias when people blatantly disregard reason and do self destructive things. Whether it is overindulging in alcohol, food, drugs on a regular basis I seem to get upset. I am not talking about an occasional issue but a sustained issue over extended periods.

I had Lap band 1/5/08. The day of surgery i weighed in at 367lbs. As of this morning i am weighing in at 239lbs. Lost 130lbs so far and still losing. I am concerned with a few things though. One i have never gavr up my habit of drinking. I drink about a half gallon of Whiskey every week. I know many of you will say i have a problem but i dont i just like to drink. I drink about a 5th every Friday and another 5th on Saturday. Im only 23 so cut me some slack. The other problem is that i have recently been taking Adderall during the day for school and at night i take about 2mg Xanax to calm down after i work out. I dont mix pills with alcohol either. I am wondering if this can increase my risk of erosion. Is adderall/xanax/Hard alcohol anything like NASIDs. I am having no problems other than i get a funny pain near the port area every no and again almost like a tug. Simply wondering if i need to stop taking my meds. Are they going to increase my risk of band removal. If so ill stop immediatly. I will never have this thing removed it has completely changed my life. I can ride on an Airplane, tie my shoes easily, Sleep 5 hours and feel great rather than sleep 12 an still fell tired. I can run, lift weights, and dont even get me started on the ladies; didnt have a sex life before the band, i have made up for that. Went from taking, Lexapro,Diovan,Nexium,water pill,Toprol to nothing. Well until recently the xanax and adderall. Had obstructive sleep apnea; dont even own my machine now. If you are considering this procedure do it dont wait like i did just do it. The best 13 grand i have ever spent. If anyone has any advice on my condition let me know. I am not going to take another pill until i get some answers. Thanks to all fellow bandsters.

Wow...what a post I'm with the rest of the people and their advice. Congrats to you on your major weight loss, but seriously dude, talk with the Doc about that alcohol you are consuming. You've come along way with your weight, you don't want to waste it on alcohol. Like it was mentioned earlier, it definitely looks like you have traded one addiction for another. :cheers2: Just one side note, people on here are in your corner and wishing the best for you, they are just concerned about you. Hope all works out for you, :tt1: G

It takes alot less to have any affect, so you'll want to be careful when you start drinking again. I waited the full 6 weeks that had any dietary restrictions, since it was the 'healing period'. Calorie wise, alcohol is a beast, so be careful that you aren't eating well and exersizing and then blowing your weight loss cuz of the drinks!

I felt such a sense of relief after reading people's posts for this thread. I have experienced all of these emotions when I see obese people... empathy, sympathy, anger, disgust, relief, shame, etc. When I see someone who is morbidly obese, I want to just give them a hug and hand them one of my surgeon's business cards and tell the person how the LB has changed my life (empathy/sympathy). I also have felt anger/disgust when I have been out to eat and I see a morbidly obese person pound down a gigantic appetizer, an equally huge meal, and then order a monsterous dessert. I want to lecture them about how they are using food to kill themselves and that pigging out will not solve their problems. I then feel ashamed of myself for my self-righteous attitude towards someone's choice of lifestyle. I am more than willing to share my experience with anyone who has questions about the LB. I just need to remember that just like a drug or alcohol addiction, a person doesn't want help until he or she is ready to accept it.

I am addicted to one thing only food. I could care less about drugs, alcohol, gambling, just food and I believe it is all in the brain.

What are "pokies"? I think my personality is more obsessive than addictive. I abused alcohol in college, but never was "addicted". As soon as I 'fessed up to myself that I didn't like the taste of alcohol and only drank so that I wouldn't have to be "responsible" for my amorous advances to others, I quit. Plus I much preferred spending what precious little extra I had on food. And whichever person was the object of my desire at the time. That's my other bad addiction... The current object of my affections, reciprocated or not. Luckily the current object reciprocates... :eek: