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ask them to send you a copy of the policy on weight loss surgery, so you can read it yourself. also find out the greivance process for challenging this.

Hi there! I would suggest speaking to someone in your HR department at work. When they set up your benefits they pick and choose what they want covered. They should be able to tell you right away if weight loss surgery is covered. Hope this helps! ~Amanda

do you have co-morbidities? If so, I would reeapeal. If not, kaiser has other really great weight loss programs you could look into. they have a medical weight management class (where to do meal supplements and so on) that is supposed to be really great. Just because they say you can't have surgery doesn't mean you can't lose weight.... it just may be in a different kind of program. Plus, if you try their other programs and your body does not respond, that gives them more reason to approve you for weight loss surgery as well.

I had a split study done in october, the tech told me if the sensors indicated severe apnea-they would use cpap on me. They didn't end up having to. My results showed I have mild sleep apnea but my doctor wants to see if weight loss helps it before talking about needing a cpap.

Hi Fairydust. sorry that your weight loss isn't going to plan and great idea to turn to this forum for some help. I know you are intending to see a dietician but in the meantime, why not keep a food diary and post up a typical days eating so we can spot any obvious flaws in what you are eating now. I am early days with my band and am not fully restricted yet (only one fill so far) but I have steadily lost weight since my pre op diet in August I am down 52lbs. I follow the weight watchers plan as i have always lost weight with it, although pre band ended up putting it back on. I keep a daily food diary to help me keep on track. Sue

I simply cannot understand the rationale behind insurance companies denying weight loss surgery. The effects of morbid obesity are much worse on one's health. So, are insurance companies telling us they would rather pay for illnesses we get for morbid obesity? Someone enlighten me.

Wow, it's been three whole months, since January 7th, since I checked in with any update! So, the thyroid issue I wrote about in post #8 - during the biopsy appointment I learned that it was a growth covering the entire right nodule of my thyroid. Very scary. The lab work came back okay, non-cancerous. Doctors want me to just let it be and they'll check it for any changes down the road. I'm now 3+ months into my Paleo way of eating and still going STRONG! One of the brightest moments these past few months is that my most recent bloodwork showed that I have REVERSED my borderline diabetes! Thrilled beyond words. My chronic head-to-toe pain is greatly diminished. My gastric issues are at least 75% improved. I don't have a scale and only weigh at the doctor, but I've lost probably about 20 lbs now. I've dropped about 2 sizes and I'm getting back into some of my old smaller clothes. It hasn't been rapid weight loss, just steady. I'm very happy. I keep checking in at my monthly required NUT visits, and they are very happy with what I'm doing. I was anxious at first and deliberately tried to lose weight a bit slowly because I was afraid that I might disqualify myself for surgery. They keep reassuring me that the weight and BMI that I started with is what they will submit to insurance. I still have co-morbidities that I'm taking meds for, and apparently that will get me in, for sure. Tomorrow morning is my #6 of 6 nutritional visit, the LAST requirement to get approved for insurance. After 7 months of working this bariatric pre-op process, I'm super excited at the prospect that I might soon have a surgery date and soon be getting ready to change my life!

Hattiesburg's Weight Loss Surgery Support Group meets the last Tuesday of each month. Tuesday, December 29th 6:00 pm Office of Dr. Beverly Smallwood 206 South 28th Ave. (across from the Super D) Hattiesburg, MS 39401 601-264-0890 No requirements on the types of surgery, or where you had your surgery. Loved ones are welcome to come too. Hope to see you there! ~ Tammy

Ok Ok.... soooo the good news....i took the liberty of calling APRA today (to see if my supperanuation release had been approved) and YIPPYYYYYYY they approved it!!! I was totally stoked until....... *plays dramatic music, bar bar barrrr bar BARRRRRRRRRRR* its going to take about a week to send me the paperwork. i was straight away going shyttttt bugga pizzz bunnnn farttttt! I have to make the payment 1 week prior to surgury which means im not gonna make it!!! esp when i called my super people and they need a few working days to send THEIRRRRR paper work out then i have to translate their paperwork into checques for each bunch of people involved in my surgury!!!! theres another 2 days!!!!!! :001_rolleyes: Now the next story is my date has been put back to 10 Aug now... and i know its only a week....but in that week i could of already lost a few pounds and been well on my way to recovery and 1 week post op *slaps self for dribbleing on* Sighs..... get over it hey! its a week! ohhh adn hope to hell it doesnt get put back another week while im waiting for all this bulk paper work to come in!!!! (wheres the smilie that pulls hair out??) guess there is a good reason they are all bald right!!! *laughs* bad when i can laugh at my own bad joke the ironic part about all this is for the last week i have been emptying all my *healthy food* finishing it all up and not buying anymore, ready for the opti fast diet that i was ment to be starting on monday.... and sure as my butt points to the ground, im having to play the game for another week! lolololol *slaps self again* at least i got the dietition and blood work tomoz! theres a start. deep breath.

Wow!! What an amazing story! Congratulations on the weight loss! Here's to our sleeves and the amazing journey they take us on =)

I watched a ton of the episodes during my two weeks off while recovering from surgery! What annoys me the most is that like 80% of the husbands are total trash. If you really cared about your partner, you would support their weight loss/journey to become healthier and not b**ch and whine about how you like "bigger women" or you "don't want to also have to change your diet"... blah blah blah. Trash. Also annoyed that Hulu doesn't have the Asanti family episode! I've heard its a must see!

Hi Where do you want to be in 1 year from now? When I had weight loss surgery, I had no idea how long it was going to take me to lose weight; I was older than most of you and everyone l drops their weight at different speeds. Most all of us ladies know that men lose much faster than we do. For me it took me about 14 months to lose 105 pounds. I was thrilled it only took me that long. I know when I started this journey like the rest of you I wanted it to just melt off of me. As first it felt like it was, but I knew that would slow down and it did. What I want you to do it take it in small steps. Set you goals by weeks or by a month, and DO NOT put yourself down if you don’t reach that goal. Remember we are all individuals. I had a walking buddy and she was good to keep me motivated and when she was down I did the same for her. She had sleeve surgery with Dr. Aceves about 6 months after I had mine. I was honored when she asked me to go with her for her surgery. Mix things up, become creative with your food ideas. I actually have become a much better cook now that I am healthy and at my goal weight, but that didn’t happen overnight. I started searching out recipes that I could incorporate in my lifestyle and something that taste great and that my husband and I both would eat. Find the Protein that you like and find 50 different ways to cook with it and watch your carbs. chicken happens to be a protein that I use the most. Those sneaky carbs have a way of messing up your weight loss. If you are eating carbs make them WHOLE GRAIN carbs, not whole wheat—the key word is Whole Grain. Summer is coming along find some great salads and put your protein in along with a little fresh fruit—like strawberries and then make the salad your entire meal. Watch the dressing that you are using. I learned to NOT put the dressing on my salad, but dip my forks into the dressing and with every bite I always get dressing. :angel: So look at the calendar and put a goal in your mind where you would like to be one year from today. Some will be there and some will not. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too big of a goal. :thumbs_up: I also used to like to look at catalog or magazines that had beautiful clothes that I wanted to be able to buy when I reached my goal. Looking at these beautiful clothes kept me from eating too. Do what works best for you. I will admit I have bought a lot of new clothes once I reached my goal.:wink_smile: If you haven’t picked your doctor yet I would like to tell you the Dr. Aceves is the very best that you can have for your surgery. If you have any questions about him, I am more than happy to answer anything you would like to know. I wanted the best I could have and after a lot of research and talking to people on these boards, I knew he was the one.:attention: I wish you great success, remember do this one day at a time. If you had a bad day the good news is that day ends and you can start all over the next day. Hugs,:cheer2: Suzanne Sleeved 10/210/2008

I'm right behind you jillw8. Having my surgery on Thursday in Mexico with Dr Kelly. I'll be 50 in April and there's no way in he** I'm ging to be fat and frumpy. Sometimes I start thinking about the things I have binged on and wonder if I will miss them. I miss them already being on the pre-op diet. I know I have to change my whole attitude about food. It's like losing my best friend and comforter........which is so wrong. The Lord, my family and friends are my comforters. Not longer will it be food. I'm so grateful for this surgery. mrskhicks your weight loss is amazing!

Thanks! Me too! I lost 27lbs so far but i was told today that the weight loss may slow down now : ( but im game for it all! This time next year its on!

Well IMO you just had surgery 3 months ago to lose weight. The investment you have now put in should be in the forefront to be a success with this VSG. You should wait from what I hear at least a year. The first 6 months of VSG is the best time to lose as much weight as you can. If you get pregnant now you will hinder your weight loss and then possibly never get to your goal. Is this not what you wanted in the first place?

My surgeon told me for best weight loss results wait two years. However...I've been going through infertility treatments for years and had the surgery mainly to become more fertile. Since I am 37 and already having trouble, both my reproductive endocrinologist and my surgeon agree that we can start trying at 6 months.

Hi all! I'm day 17 post op and down 37 pounds! ! I'm thrilled at my loss! But, having a really hard time with nausea and coughing up stomach bile. I often get a metallic taste in my mouth. I am trying my BEST to get all my Water and Protein shakes down and have good days and not so good days. But, this constant nausea that started back up after a week is making me lose my appetite. Does it ever go away??

congrats, good to hear you're doing well and ready to start losing.....you will definitely love your new journey to weight loss.....goodluck and please keep us posted.

Also getting banded Jan 3rd! Today is day 5 of the pre-op diet, and its just now starting to get easier. It's been hard having to go to holiday parties and be surrounded by food and not be able to eat any of it (yesterday there were bagels and lox on my dining table, a huge test of my willpower to not eat any!). I'm excited to ring in the new year (sans alcohol, unfortunately) knowing that the year will be filled with weight-loss accomplishments. Good luck to the rest of the January bandsters, and happy holidays!

Congrats on your weight loss! Are you hitting your protein goals? If so, I recommend checking with your nutritionist before adding any supplements into your diet.

Mine was falling out in clumps a few months ago. That's when it started for me.. beginning of summer I suppose. Back in April I cut my nearly butt length hair way shorter (above the shoulder) so it wouldn't look gross when it started falling out. I've been using Garnier Hard to Grow Hair shampoo & conditioner. I don't know if that's been helping the slow down in hair loss or if it's just slowing down on its own but it's not nearly as severe as it was. I've also been using Garnier's Smoothing serum that has argon oil in it. When I got my hair cut last week, she told me she hasn't seen my hair looking this healthy in YEARS. She did fuss at me for not taking my biotin religiously though. I think the hair loss thing is inevitable and we just need to figure out how to make it work until it stops. I've been playing with styling my hair (something I've NEVER done so I'm completely inept at it) and using hair flower clips and things like that take the focus off my thinned out hair.

Good morning. I just posted a very similar question before even seeing your post. I've been thinking about hair loss lately and I have to say I am extremely nervous as my hair is already sooooo thin. I've heard of several people taking Biotin but I wonder if it really works. I was just sitting her thinking should I prepare myself to be a wig wearer - which I don't have the face for; a weave wearer - but what can the weave be adhered to if I don't have any hair; or should I make an appointment to see the first available doctor at the hair club for women. I know everybody is different and I may not lose any hair at all but I really do want to be prepared in the event that I do. If I hear of any proven remedies I will let you know. Until then, be encouraged! All the best, Niki

Hi everyone. It has been 3 months this comming saturday since my surgery...and My hair is just falling every second. My Dr says its normal, not to worry, but....when will it stop !! He does not want to give me any meds for it, but i am just so stressedvevery time i see a little hair on my clothrs, car, room, floor !!!!! When did it stop for you, or any shampoo you trust to work, help !! Thank you A

It usually starts at about 4 months. I started taking Biotin before I had lap band surgery. I took it the entire time and i am still taking it. I don't think it does anything, but I am afraid to stop taking it. I lost a lot of hair with lap band surgery and then lost it again when I had my revision. I was taking Biotin and hair and nails Vitamins the entire time. I also used Nioxin Shampoo.

I don't think there is a "usually" when it comes to these things. My surgery was 10/25/10 & my first fill of 1cc was on 12/1/10. There was 3.2cc's placed in the band at the time of surgery so that gave me a total of 4.2cc's at 5 weeks post-op ( 24.5lb loss at this point). At my 1/5/11 appointment we discussed how much I could eat & how long I stayed satisfied and decided to add .5cc's, so I am now at 4.7cc's at 10 weeks post-op (36lb loss at this point). I can eat any food I have attempted, it just takes less of it to fill me up and to maintain satisfaction. I'm happy with this & my next appointment is 2/2/11 so unless something drastically changes by then I think I will stay status quo on the fill aspect.