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It took only a month because I had 6 months of supervised weight loss. It doesn't have to even be 6 months consecutive. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have ameriheath in Pennsylvania and the requirements for me are bmi of 40 or higher with no health problems or bmi of at least 35 with two health problems. Also for me it was a 6 month program (im on my 4th month), and just like most others its a visit with a dietitian and psych eval. I hope that helped! Also if you go to google and type in your insurance provider and put requirements for bariatric surgery it should bring you a form! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Thank you for the response. When you say a 6 month diet plan is that through the surgeon? I have been on a diet plan through my pcp for months with weight loss medication. I wonder if that would be acceptable. Mine is through the surgeon but im not sure! Maybe as long as you followed the guidelines i dont see why they would say no Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Your surgeon should be able to direct you to a nutritionist (if he doesn't have one already that he works with) Barring that, if you want more structure, WW is a good weight loss program (and they offer 2 different diets now, I think)

It's something I am proud of, so mention it when weight loss or something comes up in the conversation, whether a date or an acquaintance. Proud of the weight loss Proud that I've maintained Proud of the hard work it takes and still takes Proud that I roll out of bed and immediately workout, seven days a week, with few exceptions I don't go into details, unless the person shows interest. Just a simple, "I had a sleeve gastrectomy to lose weight". Or if someone comments on how tiny I am, or maybe they feel bad about their weight, I let them know that I understand as I was almost 300 pounds and leave it there, unless they ask for more. I guess I'm more of love me or leave me type of person. At my age, I don't pussyfoot around the facts, I say things as they are in all respects. This way, I can be FULLY me and that is a VERY liberating feeling! I kind of wish I could have always had the confidence to be ME.

I know that when I went to WW prior to the sleeve, some of the members were not very welcoming to anyone that had any type of weight loss surgery. They felt like the surgery was cheating and the weight should just fall right off. If you go I wouldn't volunteer that information, but WW is a great program.

i think you need to change your thinking to how well you have done and loss instead of what you havent and being impatient. you sure didnt get gain all your weight overnight. you are not gonna lose it all that quickly. you need to chill and do exactly what it is you are doing. it seems to be working. so whats the problem??

Saw another post about this (actuallt it was about the 5 day pouch test) and it brought up more questions for me: Is our new stomachs stretchable and if so, will doing like 7 to 10 days of liquids bring us back to the restriction I once had? I've read both that u can and can't stretch ur stomach. I've read that since we don't have an actual pouch, the test won't work on us. I've also read that u CAN stretch it and a time of liquids can bring u back (even tho scientifically it sounds impossible that u can shrink the stomach by doing just liquids). If we could shrink our stomachs so easily, why would we have 85% of our stomachs removed in the first place. After a 4 mth stall (I eat the wrong foods in small portions but notice myself becoming hungrier and eating more) I decided to try 7 to 10 days of liquids only to give it a shot (altho I haave doubts that it'll work). Started yesterday. Drank Protein shakes and tomato Soup and literally starved. Coulda eaten my arm yesterday. When I read a couple posts about the liquid diet being unneccessary, I rethought my diet. Then I got on the scale. Lost 3 lbs. Haven't seen the 140's since getting married 2 yrs ago (after which my lapband slipped and I gained 34 lbs). So now I'm a little undecided on what to do. I'm pretty stoked about the loss. My plan is to get to my goal weight (most likely 135-140) and then Ill be able to easily maintain it with my portion control. I've been able to maintain my current weight for 4 mths fairly easily. Not sure what to do now. Advise? And yes, I know I'm sposed to track my food, protein first, lots of Water. So plz don't just give that advise....

I am with you guys. Every time I hit a stall, I wonder why and what can I do to keep it going. Lower carbs, increase exercise, change exercise, get more sleep, drink more water, eat more protein, track your intake. Pick some of these and see what works for you. I still can't figure it out either. And sometimes, I think it's just a waiting game. I wait and BAM! 5 lbs in one week. That was last week after a 3 week stall. Not my first 3 week stall either. On the bright side, I really do feel like even when my body isn't showing a loss on the scale, I am still loosing inches. Defies logic, but I'd swear it is happening. They also say the stall is the body's time to catch up with the weight loss, and that's how I try to look at it. Keep fighting the good fight and be patient grasshopper.

So I started at 284 on Sept. 19 now I'm 216 and cannot seem to go anywhere? Any suggestions on moving forward with my weight? Thanks!

Well, it's been almost 2 years and I'm still sliming and throwing up certain foods because I can't stand the sensation. I haven't had a fill for a year for fear the sliming will be worse. I am just stuck at my 40 lb. loss and that's it, because I am scared of more throwing up.Not to mention the funny sounds my stomach makes and my throat. I ask about the throwing up thing but so many people lied to me. I can't really say weither I am glad I had it done or not. I wish I had just stayed on the South Beach Diet because I was slowly losing . Oh yeah, I also developed panic attacks after the surgery! Anniemay

Now that I am "approved" for surgery and this is becoming a reality, I figured NOW is the time to post my story so far. I am 49, 5'7 and 235 at my highest weight. (Can't believe I actually wrote that down for public consumption!) That made me a BMI of 36.8. I had considered weight loss surgery off and on throughout the years of yo-yo dieting. My last good weight loss was about 30 pounds back in 2009 and I was lighter then. So that means I have put on about 40 pounds in four years. (Less than a pound a month, not too bad, right??!! Ha!) I have some lung problems, high blood pressure (if you would only lose weight, you wouldn't have to take these pills anymore....) and hypothyroidism. Too much for someone my age I decided and started considering the lap-band. I am a nurse and considered that to be "least invasive" and "easiest" to have done surgically. On November 28, 2012, I signed the hubby and I up for an informational seminar. While hubby wasn't interested (I'm hoping to change that), I listened to the doctor present the band, sleeve and RNY options. To his credit, he didn't try to sway anyone to any one procedure, but I had changed my thinking from lap-band to sleeve. I submitted my "insurance verification" form and left. In lateDecember/early January, I was contacted by the doctor's office and told that my insurance (CIGNA) did provide WLS benefits. I had started a post-holiday "kind of" diet about mid-January with Weight Watchers. I saw my surgeon for the first time on January 28, 2013. We discussed all the usual things and agreed that the sleeve was a good procedure for me. My only beef with the process was that the coordinator told me "All your insurance needs is the evaluation and 3 months of diet history. Just print out Weight Watchers and it will be ok." More on that in a minute.... From there, I had: EGD (endoscopy) on 2-4 and found to have a small hiatal hernia. Psych eval and nutrition eval on 2-13. In the mean time, I had researched CIGNA's bariatric policy and found out that I needed a lot more than "Just 3 months of Weight Watcher history." Rather than chance it, I went and got clearance from my PMD and met with a nutritionist for 3 months of a supervised diet. (2-20, 3-16 and 4-20...boy am I glad I started that "kind of diet" back in January!) Am now at 222 (fluctuating pounds.) My coordinator submitted my packet on about May 10th with a comment of "everything looks great...should be no problem." On May 17th, I was notified of denial...based on two points. My physician had failed to state that he BOTH recommended me for the surgery AND cleared me (he only recommended me....despite the fact I had asked him to do both.) The nutritionist did a summary report that detailed all three visits, with all of the components required, but CIGNA wanted it in three separate notes. At least it wasnt because of medical criteria! So...my coordinator got all that together and on May 21st, she submitted again, stating it could take up to 90 days, but probably not that long. The waiting is the hardest part!!! Well, today I got the news I was waiting for...APPROVED! It took 7 business days for the appeal. Now we are in fast-forward mode: 6-10: Pre-op meeting with surgeon to sign consents, etc... 6-15: Start of pre-op diet! (Not looking forward to it....) 6-17: Pre-op lab/x-ray work at hospital 6-25: Surgery I travel for my work (I am a healthcare consultant) and will be out of town three weeks between now and then, so it will fly by! I am so excited. I think now that it's a reality, my husband is concerned. I got the "If it makes you happy, it makes me happy" but I am not convinced. I know he is supportive of my decisions, but probably a bit insecure at the same time. food has always been a big part of our life and I have been slowly withdrawing from that over the last few months. Thanks for listening! I am so darn excited I just needed to share it with someone. I have told very few people. I will update after the surgery.

I have Aetna, yes they are strict. I got approved after the whole six month diet and after six weeks of submitting my papers. My husband on the other hand had the exact same thing, but only had 3 years of weight loss history....only because he hasnt been to the doctor, and got denied. Now we are trying hard to find to figure out how we can appeal.

I wore a big comfy tee shirt and pj bottoms. I wore the same thing home. You won't need much as you probably wont feel like doing make up and hair.

You lost an average of 4.5lbs a week and you're not happy with it? That is very good weight loss!

I was on this forum quite a while ago asking for help with insurance issues, etc. For 3 years, my insurance denied me, even though I appealed with a ton of paperwork from several doctors and made numerous phone calls, wrote letters and on and on. My place of employment finally switched to a different insurance company in 2017 and I had my first visit with the surgeon the beginning of February. I had already been to other doctors, been to nutritionists, taken weight loss meds, and done so many programs, so I had already met many of the pre-requisites. After jumping through some more hoops, having some tests done, seeing another nutritionist, I was finally approved for surgery and it is now set for July 25th! I am so very happy to start my journey, my only regret is that it took so long to get here. But, I'm here now and wanted to share my good news! I'm a little nervous about it as I've not had many surgeries in my life, but I know Ill get through this and my life is going to change for the better in so many ways!

Hi I know your thread has been going a while now - but I wondered if you are getting used to your 'new you'. I see you have reached your goal too - which is fantastic! Well done. I am newly banded 28 Feb and so I am just beginning. However, I have been on this journey before and lost 5 stone myself - twice ! Only to pile it all back on. Funnily enough, I remember when I too had lost a significant amount and looking at clothes in shops - thinking, oooh that size 14 looks like it is would fit age 7! I will never get into that, and then finding that actually I could. It did take a while to get used to looking and feeling trim - my brain was still hard-wired to think I that 5 stone heavier. One of the moments I remember was asking my husband if he had seen a particular t-shirt. Oh, that one he says, I thought it was Jack's (our son aged 10 at the time). I am in the weight-loss zone now and for me, in the past couple of weeks am finding that clothes are now getting roomy. I am struggling to find work clothes that don't look I could smuggle a couple of cushions inside! It's a great feeling. Well done on your journey - I bet your life has changed so much, you must be very proud.

Keep up the good work! I know it's especially hard to stay motivated if the weight loss isn't stellar... so you're doing great.

Good wake up call! I'm the same way. Had my surgery on 3/19, have lost 52 lbs and in a stall. Everyone else that I am friends with on this forum that had surgery the same day have outpaced me. I'm 6'0 and my weight loss show immediately - very lean do to distribution. I think that is the reason why it is slower. Plus, I'm perimenopausal too. Comparing is Madness! Great post!!!

Hello sorry to hear about ur loss my situation is similar lost my mother about a month ago due to obesity and it's complications she was 53..taking care of her it terrifies me..I'm contemplating this surgery not only to longate my life but to have better health. I've lost 52 lbs over the last year with exercise and WW. But still weigh 255 at 5'2 so long journey ahead but hoping if I go thru the surgery it works out for me. If u need someone to talk to I understand hope with each day your mind eases a little because stress and emotion can cause you to sabatoge your efforts. Good luck don't give up and God Bless

Greetings to all, I am a 43 year old single man living in Staten Island, NY. I had a lap band installed on 8/16/2012 which would have been my grandmother's 101 birthday if she were alive. I chose this date because I felt she would be watching over me. Also, it was exactly 5 months after my first visit with Dr. Marina Kurian of NYU Langone Med. Center in NYC, NY. Also, the number 4 has been prominent in my life and I consider it a lucky number. 8/16/2012 are all multiples of 4. I was 320 when I went to Dr. Kurian, lost about 10 pounds on the liquid diet to prepare me for the surgery and now I am at 292. My goal is to get al least to 200 pounds if not less. I lost my wife, Tracy, on April 4, 2011 exactly 2 years and two months from our wedding day. In about 8 months I gained 60 pounds from eating and depression after she died. It was the heaviest I have ever been. I decided in February 2012, I decided I wanted to be healthy and decided on weight loss surgery because dieting failed me. I wanted a R n Y Gastric Bypass but my personal physician suggested the lap band because he had one done at NYU Langone Medical Center. Well, that's enough for now. If there is anything you want to know, feel free to email me or respond to this post. Also, feel free to check out my blog website, www.grizzlybearspeaks.com. Cordially, Rob "Grizzly Bear" Bennett

Annette-- I was banded a week before you and i have only lost 12-15 lbs. I only weigh in at my fills for the most part so I am not exactly sure of my weight at the moment since I haven't had a fill in 3 weeks. I am also a low bmi patient so I have expected my loss to be slower. That being said--- I have had 3 fills and my 4th is next week. You've had only 1? And you don't really know how much is in there. I felt ZERO restriction until my 3rd and I definitely need more. Also--since day 1 after being able to eat solids I have been told by my doc to only eat 4oz at a time--3x a day and nothing more. This was to teach me portion control, what hunger feels like and to be able to gage if I need more fills. The goal is to be able to go 5-6 hours with out being hungry. I am at about 4-5 depending on what I eat. And that's a big thing too. I HAVE to eat 3oz of a more dense protein-like chicken or steak or pork. Otherwise I get hungry much quicker. But I wouldn't know that unless I was sticking to the portions...... I am not going to lie-- I have cheated and ate more before I had any good restriction. I also sometimes don't make the best choices. But it is 2-4oz of a bad choice--not a whole bag. Also---I was told to take at least 30 minutes to eat 4oz with NO liquids 30 min before or after. I literally have to lay my fork down between bites. Taking the 30 minutes to eat REALLY helps me-gives your body time to send the full signal. When I eat faster I don't feel as full We're in the learning process Annette!! hang in there-- GET A FILL!! :tongue2:

Nope, starting to love my band! I was frustrated waiting for the right fill level but this whole experience has been great. Very little pain, nice weight loss, feel better, down at least two sizes. I rarely get food stuck or slime or PB ( so far) so I'm very happy and BTW I was self pay and think it was worth it.

My first appointment is today too in just a few hours, I feel like it's a formality as I've been reading about the surgery for six months, I don't think I have any questions left. Never the less I am excited to finally be getting started, I have no medically supervised weight loss required so I shoul have surgery end of next month or early November if all goes well.

Yes, I have definitely felt this, though not currently. I always recommend therapy, even a two month “tune up.” It can be cost prohibitive so other resources I found useful are body movement classes like yoga and Thai Chi that ground me in my physical body. I like to walk meditate, journal. Use what you have done in the past that helped you recover or grieve like art, music, a house of worship. O.A. meetings have discussions on the topic. WLS is a wonderful tool that helps with weight loss, but it doesn’t fix our brains. The fabulous thing is you have already begun your amazing journey of great success to heal your whole self.

Just remember that eventually you probably will be *able* to eat anything. However, that will be months and months and months down the road -- after your new sleeve has fully healed. But even after your sleeve has healed, it probably doesn't mean you *should* eat anything. Which foods you can and should eat regularly depends on whether those foods nourish your body and on whether your body's and your mental responses to certain foods are healthy and don't lead to over-eating those foods. Some foods will wind up being "trigger foods" for you, and you will have to avoid or greatly minimize your use of those foods. For example, some people have problems with certain "slider foods" or alcohol or high-calorie coffee drinks long-term. Many people have problems with carbonated beverages long-term. Many people have real problems with sugary foods and other slider foods and fast foods and fried foods long-term. Again, they have to avoid or minimize those foods. If you have any kind of eating disorders or what some refer to as "food addictions," weight loss surgery will NOT *fix* those issues. If you have those challenges, you should address and resolve those issues in therapy. Some people also find twelve-step and other kinds of recovery programs helpful. Some may need to enter residential treatment programs to address severe problems. Bottom line: "Can eat" doesn't always mean "should eat."