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I'm sorry that happened to you. I had something like that happen to me at Target when I was near my heaviest (540). The girl who worked at Starbucks called out to the security guard who was 15 feet away from her "I didn't know you had a girlfriend" and he was like "what are you talking about" and she just pointed at me while I walked out. I was devastated. I didn't want to go back to that store for a long time. I did call the manager though.That's awful that you guys had to hear those things. This is why i always wear headphones when i can. I got fed up of hearing guys and people snicker behind me. Made me paranoid i was being laughed at. When i wear my headphones i don't think about it. Just get lost in my music. Sent from my SM-G925T using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved in 12/2012 and converted to bypass on 8/14. I went from 240-lowest 166. In July I was 166 using phentermine but have since gained 17 lbs since July. Had an upper GI don't and the area btwn small bowel and stomach has stretched. I go back in 1/25 to discuss options bc of cravings and weight gain. I feel like a failure. Who has 2 weight lose surgeries and can't maintain. I do eat fairly well and work out 5 days a week. I also had twins in oct 2015 so I'm always busy!! Any questions, comments or concerns welcome! Be nice please! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had to do one, actually I don't know if it was my doctor or my insurance that required it. I have Empire BC/BS, and my surgeon was the one who did the procedure.

What state? I have anthem bc/bs. I'm hoping not a 3 +week wait!!!

Anyone know how long it takes to get the insurance approval? I am scheduled for 2/9 but still haven't heard on insurance approval since last Tuesday's last appointment. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

@@T_Hay81 Good luck to you as well. My first insurance was BCBS texas and they required the 6 months but then my insurance changed to FED and it went to 3 months diet. I have been blessed with that for sure. I really hope the best for you...

I have been in contact with my surgeons office for the last few months. I have my first apt Monday the 16th. I have completed 2 months of three month supervised diet. I have my last weigh in Feb 2 I only have Blood work and Nut visit left to do with an EKG at my last weigh in. I am hoping to be approved with a date mid to end of FEB. This last 3 months have been so long. I have BCBS FED and they only require 3 months.

Maybe you want to stay away from the scale? I never knew about any stalls (or highs or lows) bc I only weighed at my surgeon's office during that first year. That was about every 3 months. Just a thought.

I've been around for a bit, so I thought I would give you all a little insight into the insane inner working of my brain. I was sleeved on 10/26/2016, but in my previous incarnation, I was a nearly 300lb woman who when fed up with her situation, got her feelings hurt, and turned to the interweb of strangers to share my journey. Yes...a blogger. I blogged for years about losing the same 25-30lbs over 7 years, cried about injustices, shared my victories and my disdain for WLS. I love/loved my blog. I met amazing people and while I lost very little weight over the years, there were changes to mindset...some major, some still a work in progress. Today, I ran across an old post from 01/09/2012 called Things I HATE About People. Five years later and 59lbs down, I had a good laugh. Anyway, take a read if you're so inclined. Ok, Ok...so PEOPLE is a pretty broad term and to be honest...if this list were really about all people...it would be pretty detailed, less of a blogpost, and more of a series of blogposts. Or...a blog all in itself. This is just about people when it comes to weight loss and more specifically MY weight loss or journey thereof... To be fair, I am going to tell you straight out of the gate that I am guilty of some of these things. After all...I'm a people too! People who tell you the "BEST WAY" to lose weight. The problem I see with most of these people in my life is that they are always standing by and waiting to tell me that the best way is this new gimmick diet that someone who they know has a brother whose wife has an uncle whose cousin lost a lot of weight eating nothing but pickles and beer after 3pm. (This is not a real diet) (I hope). The fact of the matter is that we all already know the best way to lose weight is to decrease calories, make healthier choices, and work your ass off. The pickle and beer diet is only good for finding yourself drunk in an alley stinking of beer and vinegar. Not Good. People who try to push you to weight loss surgery. For those of you who are in an overweight or a "low" obese range...you may not see this one enough to get where I am coming from, but for a person who is 5'1" and 300lbs wearing her "sarcophagus" like a crown...I see this one more than I can stand. In one breath the person will be talking about my strength and determination. How they know that I am capable of soo many things and then they suggest that I lop off half my stomach if I really want a shot at losing weight. Wow....now I totally believe all the things you said about me before that (please note sarcasm). Not only do you people piss me off, but when I lose this weight through sheer will and determination...I will find you. I will have had less cookies by that time, so my mood will be questionable. People who suggest that weight loss surgery is the "easy road". Please note my above passage. I never said that I thought it was easy...I said that it is not for me and I hate when people assume that I can't do it without the help of surgeon and scalpel. I personally have checked it out. I have sat through seminars that have discussed all the options. I have talked to doctors, I have set appointments, but in the end I don't believe it is the right step for me. In fact...I think it may be harder than what I am doing now. My weight gain is a product of an emotional disorder. Creating "Frankenstomach" or naming it "Carrie Bradshaw" and dressing it in a fashionable "belt" doesn't fix that for me. I fail on this plan, but if I fail on that plan...I could die. Literally die. I refuse to let my tombstone say "Here lies Christie" followed by "Those damned mashed potatoes" If I eat them now...I regret it. I can LIVE with regret and move on. People who fail to recognize ANY obesity as an eating disorder. I believe that all eating disorders are emotional disorders. If I binge eat...its for the same reason that someone who is bulemic binge eats. I just HATE throwing up. I have the same body issues as a person who is anorexic, but starving myself to get the result they get will take time and unless you are a newcomer to this blog, you know that I have issues with follow through. (I am not condoning any of these disorders as a legitimate way of losing weight, but merely saying I can relate). I have an effed up relationship with my mom, I have an effed up relationship with my dad, I have an effed up relationship with my sisters, why should my relationship with food be any less effed up. I don't know one person who is overweight who thought, "Gee...I have nothing else to do today, why not make everything in my life HARDER" People who think they can change a person by pointing out that they are fat. They already know, thanks for pointing it out, Captain Obvious. Have you seen the sky today...its blue. People know they are fat. This is not an appropriate way to handle any situation. If you think it is, consider this is probably the reason that you do not have many friends. Pointing out someone's flaws or hurdles that they have to jump is not the best way to get them motivated to change themselves. Listen closely...you can not motivate anyone to do anything. The motivation has to come from within. If you care about someone and you have the type of relationship where you can have those kinds of conversations, then tell them that you are concerned, reassure them that you care about them and offer to support them if they decide to do something about it. Even Biggest Loser trainer, Bob Harper relayed a story about his sister and how he reaches all these people, but he just can't reach her. He can only be her brother...not her salvation. Remember, just because you are ready for them to make a change, doesn't mean they are. If you care for someone, you care for them no matter what. There is your free "Life Lesson" for the day, courtesy of me. Food and/or workout judges This is not the first time I have talked about food judges, but I find myself wanting to do this more and more. I guess it may be because I am finding success with what I am eating and I want to share my success, but being a victim of it. I know there is a right way and a definitive wrong way. I try to NEVER randomly judge food on someone else's plate, but in all honesty..it happens. Just the other day, I was in a restaurant with a friend and she had Bread...lots of bread. Cheese and Potato Soup. Chicken Tenders, a baked potato, all melty with butter and sour cream. (lo I have to admit. I saw her, I saw what she was eating and I thought, "remember when...." (mostly I was jealous...lol). I did have a twinge of sadness for her, because I was transferring feelings about myself onto her. NEVER EVER EVER, did I think about saying anything. It is not my place. If she had asked me for tips, about my weight loss journey, or to analyze her food then I would have gladly suggested swaps and told her what I find is the best way to make changes without feeling like I'm cheating myself. But she didn't so I sat silent. The point is that all people are not armed with the knowledge that you have and your knowledge is limited by your experience. If your knowledge is welcomed then share it. If you are not sure...say nothing until you are. Change is a delicate process in the fabric of one's life. Don't pull the loose string that causes it to unravel. Same for working out. Sometimes people are doing all they can do. It may be the first time they have made it to the gym. If you see them struggling and you start thinking negative thoughts, then you need to rearrange your thinking. At least they are there making an effort. The point is...become a support to those who are trying (even if you see the flaws in their thinking), life has enough road blocks that there doesn't need to be another you-shaped one in their path. Today's spark: Kicking my roadblocks in the peas!

I didn't read all the replies, so I apologize if you have to repeat yourself. Did you complete the requirements that were given in 2016? If so, then this is ridiculous. They should not deny you for a procedure if you already met the requirements in 2016. If this is the case, then it seems to me as if they're deliberately trying to sabotage your chances of having this surgery. My surgeon said that people, who are severely overweight, truly don't need the once-a-month check-ups and other requirements (excluding the cardiac clearance). He said that insurance companies require people to go through all these requirements, in hopes that they will give up and not go through with the surgery; because they don't want to pay for it. I could be completely wrong about all of this; it's just an opinion. If I were you, I would appeal this ASAP. I also have BCBS Fed. At first, the requirements were: 4 months of a doctor-monitored diet (having check-ups once a month), a cardiac clearance, a nutrition class, a sleep disorder test, a psych eval, and a clearance letter written by my doctor. I told my surgeon that I have Pseudotumor cerebri. This worried him, so he had a conference with BCBS. They approved me in 8 days (I did not have to complete all the requirements they previously gave me.) All I needed to do was send in paperwork proving 3 years of having a BMI over 40, take a nutrition class, and get the cardiac clearance. I had my surgery a month later, and I am now 5 months post-op.

Thank you Wonder Woman! Love the name btw! Scary thing is I work in an Orthopedic office after many years working in OB. I see the horrible things that happen to knees, ankles , and hips under excess weight. I am so so so glad that I started this process before I took this job Bc now I'm almost to surgery day. 14 days and counting! Excess weight certainly causes problems. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I must confess, I am 44 years old woman and been happily married for over 20 years. My hubby ALWAYS puts me and our 3 kids first and never allowed himself anything very nice vehicle wise. Well, a few months ago his truck was on its last mile and I practically MADE him buy a truck I just knew he loved. Him keeping his old truck was not so much a money issue as it was he would rather buy a kid a new bat or glove etc. We found the most awesome truck and I pretty much had to BEG him to buy it as the payment wasn't a problem. He is so genuine and so sweet that right out of the blue the other night he grabbed me in his arms and said... "Thank you"! I asked for what and his reply was.."for making me buy my truck". Now my confession... I almost hate it at the moment Bc I have to use the side step to get in and my knees almost all but scream at me to stop putting all my weight on them to get in the truck. I'm embarrassed. Come on 1/26/17 sleeve surgery! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@Monasmle: I agree with you. Why chance the sleeve, and then possibly have horrendous reflux only to have to go through a revision to bypass. No thank you, bypass for me. Also, one person here said that more SLEEVES are being done these days. Well that may be true, I dont know for sure, but if that is true it may be because bc the sleeve is easier, faster and the surgeon still makes the big bucks. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

A few months back I would have went to the grocery store and had atleast 30% junk. A few months ago I would have went through about 24 sticks of butter cooking and eating with a family of five. I would never look at nutrition facts ever!!! I didn't care what I cooked or how I cooked it. I realized last night when I went grocery shopping that I only bought three things that were snack unhealthy foods and they were for our kids it used to be way more then that and for me as well. Last night it was more shrimp and meats ,turkey bites, tuna ,cauliflower ,broccoli, cucumbers, all healthy foods. And for the first time today I realized I don't even miss the sweets anymore. I made it through the entire holiday season not one cookie or cake or pie and I'm proud bc while everyone else gained the weight through the holidays, I shedded the pounds!!! I went through a couple weeks of regret bc everything would make me so sick when I went to regular foods but I went back to shakes for awhile then tried again and then I was fine. I watched my family eat and it really sucked I'm not going to lie but I also know I did this for a reason and wasn't giving in. It just took me realizing last night how much in just a couple months my life has changed drastically, and the healthier choices I make now and how much I focus on nutrition facts before I purchase anything. Shopping last night opened my eyes to my poor choices in life!! HW 289 CW 230 bypass 11/22/16

My surgeon said sleeve not good for me BC if my severe acid reflux issues. Just what mine said. It may have also been in part BC I had band and it slipped and I'm s revision???? Sent from my XT1254 using the BariatricPal App

@@Bree1984 not good they give u 6 months to meet your goal weight, go to a bunch of classes, keep a food log, see a physc, a nutritionist (I payed 65$ every time I went for an appointment) I asked for help a bunch of times Bc I can't lose the weight and nothing it is why I'm looking into getting my surgery in MX. Where exactly are y getting yours? What regulations did they give you? I know I had a million loops to jump through Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi there! Congrats on taking your first step to becoming a healthier you! My surgery is scheduled for 1/25/17. I would first suggest finding out if your insurance company covers bariatric surgery at all, as some do not. Most insurance companies require 3-12 months of medically supervised diet/nutritional counseling, as well as a BMI of 40+ or 35 and at least 2 co-morbidities. I switched insurance mid-process, but both BC/BS and United Healthcare required 6 months. I attended an introductory seminar, 6 month nutritional counseling, and 2 support groups. Your insurance/physician may require additional testing like a sleep study, EKG, etc, as well as psychological clearance. It seems like a lot but I completed it quickly. Best of luck to you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I haven't logged into BariatricPal in a few weeks and it's funny that this should be on the top of the list for current topics. I'm 5 days postop and I am really wishing I had some help with this pain as well. The Zofran makes me throw up and the Tylenol codine is hit or miss at this point. This post has convinced me to talk to my cousin about what my best route would be. I'm thinking a vape also bc I hate pipe smoking and I don't have anywhere private to smoke anyway atm. I have the sublingual tincture but I don't feel like it's ever helped much. I'm gonna try it right now to see if things have changed since surgery. I only partake in edibles when I can't handle the pain of XYZ. That time is now. Lol. I have the best candies too . Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks so much!! My problem is I can eat a lot in one sitting I stop myself bc I'm afraid but I don't have that feeling like other have where they can't eat anymore bc they will be sick Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ohhhhhh Holidays 2017... A cottage in England for a week in March - post skin surgery. Three weeks in Canada on a motorbike travelling around Alberta and BC in June and then Africa in November. Bring it on I say ! Now you have me daydreaming Bill !!

Hello I'm also a marijuana user and I had the same questions. Bc here in ca when you're in process to get surgery you must be atleast 3 months clean. How has it been for you so far and I feel you on that one we always get some negative image of someone that smokes marijuana. I'm a full time employee and I work very hard. I smoke at night mostly to sleep and during the weekends when I'm off... nice to meet you btw Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello everyone, I'm new here and need help finding the right surgeon in MX. I'm from California. I've been struggling with all the requirements these different Dr's put on us. I had a goal weight to meet and I just cannot lose the rest of it, I mean that is why I need the surgery Bc i cannot do it on my own. Any advice will help. Thank you

I have fed BCBS also and was denied for the same reason so on to self pay it is Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Im a smoker... Im a choker.... Im a late night toker! (I think that's how the words go) If you are serious. ....reeeally serious about ur weightloss, im thinking some tree shouldn't deter you. If ur bs-ing, a lock-jaw procedure couldn't even save ya...u digg? I made "tea" on day 1 - broke down &lit up about 5 days after i got home from surgery...i went VERY slow. Im about 7wks out now & im just on reg pre-surgery routine. I workout. Im logging every bite of food, workout, sip of Water (&every joint if u can believe it) on a food logging app & i bet there's A TON of folks on this app/forum choking as they read this..... Control your munchies...your ass gone be puking if u let munchies control you. Ur stomach is tiny & vulnerable af rn. Bottom line is U know ur body. And I bet you have researched this surgery inside &out...so u know the signs of if something is wrong. If ur brave & in want, take a LIGHT hit of some reggies (sumn that aint too strong. Dont go rolling up some couchlock) and see how u feel. If good, go again. If not, stop. I would roll up a paper & not load a bowl or bong or blunt, pray & unplug. I would NOT do this on day 1, 2 or 3.... My bestie scolded me for not waiting a month like i said i would pre-surgery. Yes! A vape is a darn good idea...they're gentle.

I am in the exact same situation. I am 15 days post op and I smoked last night. I had not eaten dinner yet and actually I had eaten very little all day, other than Protein shakes and Water. So when I got home I had some Soup. I ate half the can way more than I have eaten yet. Today I was thinking I was ready to buy some to have at home but I didn't bc of the munchies. I want my surgery to be successful and it really frustrates me that smoking isn't really good for my diet. Hopefully that will change bc I miss smoking. Sent from my SM-J700T using the BariatricPal App