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Make an appt with your primary physician, and then have them give you a referral to a bariatric surgeon. I gave myself the out when I first went, told myself I wasn't 100% sure if I wanted to go through with it, i didn't have too. But i made myself commit to the process, knowing it would take 6 to 8 months (depending on what your insurance requires. Money required 6 months of appts with a dietitian, and after those were finished then a few other appts with my 0rimary to have an ekg and a physical). It isn't a fast process. I started last July, and finally am starting my pre-OP diet monday, surgery scheduled for march 3. So this is my long way of saying call and make an appt and get the ball rolling! Good luck!

Serum fat-soluble vitamin deficiency and abnormal calcium metabolism after malabsorptive bariatric surgery https://link.springer.com/article/10.1016/j.gassur.2003.09.020

I’ve decided I want to go for the gastric sleeve, after trying to diet for years and failing at losing much weight. I’ve done a lot of research, but I still don’t know where to start the process! do I go to my primary care doctor? Do I call the Bariatric surgery center directly? How do I find out if then insurance I have will cover some of it? It was a hard decision for me to even decide it’s what I want to do, but I know it’s the right choice. I just need a push in the right direction to get started. thanks in advance❤️

I tried it in my early 20’s but maybe I should give it another whirl. And yes! Stress is a big factor here. It seems like as of late if I’m not worried about school I’m worried about being approved for surgery. I keep telling myself what’s meant to be will be, but for me that’s easier said than done. Luckily I got a call from the bariatric center letting me know that they’ve made a note of the med change & all aware that mirtazapine causes weight gain. I’m determined to plow through this because I really want this!

Hi Bethy1234, There are 2 Dr. Ortiz's that do Bariatric surgery. I had mine done by Dr. Ariel Ortiz at OCC, he did a fantastic job. I have had no negative side effects from the surgery and highly recommend him to anyone considering the VSG.

I was wondering for those of you who had surgery in Mexico how you are handling your post op care? I had surgery in Puerto Vallarta and saw my PCP one week after surgery, then I'll see her every 3 months for labs. If I have any problems I'm to call her immediately and she'll refer me to a bariatric specialist. I'm hoping this is sufficient, but despite the fact that my surgery team is accessible via email or phone, it's not the same as your surgeon being local.

I’m paying out of pocket through Blossom Bariatric and it’s $9499 bc they are estimating they can get our insurance to pay the difference up to their $15k fee. The deal with Blossom is if your insurance doesn’t pay the difference then you only pay the amount they quoted you. If you’re 100% cash it’s $15k.

I did. I did the fast track program through Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas Nevada... I don't have insurance, so my total cost was $15,000, but I know they offer it for around $6500 with insurance if it's approved.

Check for insurance coverage of WLS➡ Primary physician ➡ Get a referral to Bariatric surgeon ➡ Decide if its right for you ➡ Eat at favorite restaurant ➡ Begin required diet/testing ➡ Wonder if you can just do it "naturally"➡ Tell family/friends ➡ Hear horror stories ➡ Eat at your second favorite restaurant ➡ Gain 5lbs & decide it's time to get serious ➡ Complete all prerequisites ➡ Wait for insurance approval & receive it ➡ Schedule surgery ➡ Wonder if you should just do it "naturally" ➡ Decide to do it anyway ➡ Start and finish some form of pre-op diet ➡ Have surgery ➡ *The rest is up to you* Good Luck 🌈

if you're avoiding bread for carb reasons, then I don't think toasting it is going to make any difference. I didn't eat bread at all during the weight loss phase, since I was following a moderately low carb diet (not ultra low carb like a lot of bariatric patients do). I do eat bread occasionally now that I'm in maintenance - but then thing to keep in mind is that it's not terribly nutritious, and it takes up valuable space in our tiny stomachs. You're usually better off filling the space with protein and nutrient-dense things like vegetables.

Hi! Thank you for the reply ❤️. I got tested for sleep apnea, doesn’t have it. I won’t lie I was really hoping that was the issue just so things can get solved! But, here we are lol. I’ve also called the bariatric clinic (I figured that would be smart lol) & made them aware of the issue. On top of that, I’ll be discussing the issue with my primary today. I will also try the PB in my shakes! Hopefully it helps me out! I’ll keep you posted!

Hey Anxious_mumma, I hope you are well. You will be just fine. I used to work on a Bariatric unit in the hospital as a nurse before I gained weight. It is such a routine and brief surgery. You have a higher risk of passing away from being overweight than from weight loss surgery. The best thing you can do for your daughter is be healthy and alive for her as long as you can. Show her that if you try really hard to do something (like losing weight) that you are not afraid to get help to make sure you reach your goals. Teach her how to love herself by loving yourself. That is what real love is.

My boyfriend of 7 years (who I live with) is not excited about the idea of me thinking of bariatric surgery. I had my first consultation appointment and my bf and I have been talking about what I learned, etc. Now as an upfront, I just turned 40 and have been struggling with my weight since my mid 20s. I am currently at my highest weight of 275 lb (5' 6.5") with a bmi of 43. I have just been prescribed blood pressure meds (my bp has consistently been 177/90 for 6 months!) AND cholesteral meds. I have yoyo dieted for years. YES, I could exercise more (or at all) but I do eat pretty healthy. My bf is a great support in my life and I love him very much. He does NOT want me to get this surgery and suggested that neither of us have FULLY "committed" to a diet and exercise plan since we have been together (he only "needs" to loose 10 lbs to hit his goal weight)....therefore, he thinks we should work out together 3 times a week for 6 months to a year along with a severe calorie counting regimin (which we have done) and overall healthy diet (which we do mostly on, sometimes off) before I even consider this surgery. I am DEVASTATED. I told him "my body my choice" and although I know he will support me if I decide on the surgery....I can't help but feel like he is putting off my health and hapiness by another year. I dont think these changes will move the scale that much, certainly not ENOUGH....and he thinks I don't have the behaviors in place now to maintain the diet needed post op to make this work. HELP. I need advice. I am not convinced surgery is right but I am 80-90% sure it is and may be the only option to saving my life.

My sister took 2 weeks off from her bypass surgery (office job, but had 2 little kids under 10 at home). My old boss took 4 weeks (teacher). Neither had robotic surgery which research said costs more but is supposed to be less painful with potentially faster recovery. I work in elementary special ed, and I'm taking just shy of 2 weeks (Mar 26-Apr 7) going back on a half day/non-instruction planning day Apr. 8th to see how I feel. I might take the rest of that week off for an extra 4 days if I'm healing slow. My clinic paperwork says patients will generally be able to swallow any med under the size of a pinkie nail after surgery. Pill powder (or crushed pills) can be put in thin liquid or applesauce. They recommend one a day bariatric fusion multivitamins but to take them x2 a day. The nutritionist said to either get the chewable or to open up the capsule and put it in a spoon of food/fluid. I have a splitter already but a pill crusher might be handy.

I've tried multiple weightloss strategies also. Even went to the weightloss management clinic at the hospital I'm have surgery at. My primary doctor is with Jefferson Hospital and my surgery is through that same hospitals bariatric center. I've done phentermine, topiramate, saxenda... thru it all I would lose maybe 20lbs and gain it + more back. This battle has been going on for years and it's time for this portion to end. The next stage is battle food addiction and get back to the active me. Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

Thanks for all your input everyone, I will take it all into consideration going forward. I will also look into finding a nutritionist that understands vegetarianism and bariatric surgery to make things a bit easier. Thank you!

Initially I didn't really tell anyone. I wanted to be secretive in the beginning and I was... but that has slowly changed. So... I first started talking with a co-worker about it. She had it done 4 years ago (I was September 2019). I got a lot of support initially from her. I waited to tell my husband until I NEEDED him to know. Why/When did I need him to know? After my first appointments with my surgeon and nutritionist and I had to tell him because I was leaving the country for 5 weeks and I needed him to help me schedule some appointments for pre-surgery testing. He did NOT want me to have surgery. He made that very clear. But I insisted I was doing it, so he begrudgingly (sort of) helped me make appointments. He still tried to talk me out of surgery until the DAY OF surgery. He was scared I would die or something. But... he was also the one who took care of me in the hospital. Now he is proud of me for getting my health back. My daugther: I told her a few days before I had the surgery, only because she lives with me and she needed to know why I would spend the night in the hospital and then not go to work for a while. She is 16. She thinks it was stupid I had the surgery, but she doesn't give me much flak about it. My sons: I waited until a month after surgery to tell them, only when 1 was coming home for a visit. Both boys were surprised I did it, but they didn't really say anything bad about it. My younger son is still trying to just figure out what my new diet is lol. Co-workers: I ended up telling a couple before surgery and I knew they would be supportive. Otherwise, I was keeping it a secret initially. I still have not told the rest of my family (parents/siblings etc). I have no plans to tell anyone else. I did end up eventually telling everyone in my main office building and a few in other buildings that I work with... very selective with people outside my building. I will tell you, I was shocked at how interested and how supportive almost everyone has been! I get the most judgement from my own immediate family, but even that hasn't been unbearable or anything. My husband's reaction was out of fear for my health and safety. My daughter, just because she is 16 and judgmental of everything (mom and dad are ALWAYS an embarrassment stage). The only negative reaction I got from others was from someone who is much bigger than I was, who needs something like this much more than I did. And really... other than whatever she said in the first minutes after learning that I had surgery.... she has simply not talked to me much since. And that is OK with me. She isn't ready to face having surgery herself, so I won't talk about mine unless she asks. And she won't. And that is OK. If she changes her mind, I will share my experience. So... all in all... I am now happy to share with the people I am willing to share with. And the rest? If they figure it out, fine. If they don't, that is great too! I will tell you also, I have another co-worker who has asked a ton of questions and is now in the beginning stages of considering surgery for herself. I am so glad she knows she can come to me for support/guidance and I am happy to help her and anyone else thinking about going through the process. Hope this helps! Edited to add... my PCP was the one who referred me to my bariatric surgeon. She was great about it. My Sleep Apnea doc didn't really say much. My OBGYN didn't care either way (But when I asked for more IV fluids for a procedure shortly after my VSG, he was happy to order them). Haven't seen my cardiologist since I decided to have surgery, but he wanted me to lose weight. If he isn't supportive or gives me a hard time about it, I would probably just switch docs. But I like this guy and I think he will be happy my weight is down.

I have UHC Choice Plus and have just chosen my surgeon and started scheduling the various appointments required, thus starting that six month insurance clock. From everything I have researched and been told by the Bariatric Center, BadWolfGirl is correct. I have had the same information and instructions. I must meet monthly for Weight Management Classes where we weigh in and can't gain any weight and try to lose, do a Psych eval, get a cardiac release from my Cardiologist, meet several times with a Nutritionist (I can't remember how many, but may pay for some extras, because I am f-ing serious about this), get some records from my Pulmonologist re: sleep apnea/ my biPap, i am having a lapband removed and revised to RNY, so I may have a couple extra requirements - that is not 100% set, yet. I haven't had to deal with Optum yet. My Bariatric Center has been around for years here in Houston and I have confidence in them. I hope that confidence is not misplaced. It's a good size practice in a large city in the Houston Medical Center, so they had better know! So, I have not been told that I need to document my weight other than the six month period - I could if they just need a number recorded annually from a doctor. I have never had any issues with UHC in the past for other things, so don't anticipate any going forward. The worst that has happened is that UHC has cut ties with a large hospital system in Houston and half of my doctors are employed through that system. Sigh. Both called the other's bluff and unless they come to terms in a couple months, I need some new docs. Surgeon is fully covered, thank God.

Hi first of all vegan sausage is VERY high in fat. Try eating veggies or tofu. Check out Dr V bariatric surgeon on iTunes. He is a surgeon who’s patients eat vegan.

So I have UHC but through a different company obviously. I worked with a Bariatric Center of Excellence where I live. I need 6 months of consecutive doctor visits where I was weighed and we discussed my weight and health concerns. for me, this was not difficult because I was suffering from severe stomach issues, including gastroparesis, which is why I was recommended for the surgery in the first place. I had also had consecutive visits with a endocrinologist for my PCOS. They did not require the 6 months to be from the date of, but could also be backtracked. In your case since you may not have this history, you may need to start from the beginning. But 6 months is not bad and it goes very quickly trust me. UHC also required three consecutive months of visiting with the nutritionist. This can be done in tandem I believe with the 6 months of doctor visits. You need to show that you can change your habits and lose weight during this time with the nutritionist. they also require that you meet with a psychologist to evaluate if you're mentally healthy enough for this surgery and the life changes it will bring. I did have to deal with Optum as well on their side, and never had an issue. I had to speak with a nurse for a few months and she would keep up on where I was, let me know where the process was on their end, and they did some follow-up post surgery. I really had no problem with them at all. They were very nice. All in all my process was very smooth, I had no issues getting approved, and it went quickly. I am not sure if part of that was because of how well the bariatric center was run, but I am very pleased with both United healthcare and my center. I did have to pay some out of pocket for vitamins and some hospital copay, but it was under $500. I hope this answers your question as best as I can, I realize that the insurance coverage may be different depending on the company and the program. But if you have any other questions let me know. Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Hi! I’m new to the forums. I am hoping to have WLS this year. Somewhat ironically, I work in Prior Authorizations for a health insurance company, so I’m very familiar with what it means to require auth. However, every company is a bit different. I’m a newlywed and my husband added me to his policy. This was planned as my previous coverage was not as good, and his plan covers bariatric surgery whereas mine did not. So we now have UHC Choice through T-Mobile. I have checked the coverage requirement thoroughly and have a couple concerns: A. They require a 5 year weight history. However my coverage before this has been fairly bare minimum. So I mostly only went to the doctor if absolutely needed. And the eye doctor, who does not weigh. How strict are they on having a five year history? Do I only need a couple weigh ins throughout that time? Or multiple a year etc? Also will they accept photo documentation or a written statement? I mostly gave up on getting help from my PCP’s previously as they’d tell me I “wasn’t trying hard enough” whenever I failed to lose weight. But I just established care with a great PCP in order to get everything checked out/ruled out prior to asking for a referral and recommendation for the surgery. B. I know when I’m ready for a consult etc. I will need to go through UHC Bariatric Resource Services through Optum. What is it like working with them? Do they actually help and guide you as if they’d like for you to get approved? thank you in advance! just to note: My BMI is over 40, and has been at least over 35 my entire adult life. I have attempted weight loss with phentermine multiple times, as well as keto, weight watchers, and CICO. I have hypertension, hyperlipidemia, exertions dyspnea, chronic back problems, and chronic muscle tension. I am active and I do watch what I eat, just fail to lose significant weight. When taking weight loss medications I lose up to 20 lbs, but then regain as soon as I go off the med even when sustaining my same lifestyle.

Thanks for the advice! In this case, I didn’t care about the stall. I was more so concerned about losing 17 lbs in one week and being 6 months post-op. Us bariatric patients are a strange group. It seems like lose or not, we’re always finding reasons to worry. LOL! I’m just gonna go with what the scale says and not stress about it. Thanks again!!

The bottom line is that this is a life long journey with a very short window of "quick" weight loss. And you only have one golden shot at it. Because revisions are not usually as "easy-ish" as the first time. So you do you, Boo. But I think for you to be so categoricaly mis-aligned with your doc/RD that it's going to make your journey difficult and the sad thing is you will likely give up going to your check-ups etc. Which could spell disaster for you long term and regain in your future. So like, why have it at all? Or why have it with them. There are docs/centers who espouse a WFPD for all their surgical patients. Look one of them up and make the transition now. I will also tell you that I DO have a bias. I am pro-low carb and pro-lower healthy fat for the quickest losses and maintenance is done by adding healthy fats rather than adding protein or more fast acting carbs. I would have never gotten to my goal nor been maintaining had I been eating the grains and lots of fruit. I wouldn't. I have too many metabolic strikes against me. And not that it can't be done, but I think the life of a vegan or vegetarian WLS patient is very hard. The ones I know of in real life have either not gotten to goal ever or they have suffered big time regain. But I do know of a couple of women here who are very successful following a WFPD. But, they are also endurance athletes and as such, they're as much outliers as I am... I encourage you to look at other bariatric teams who are more closely aligned with your belief system. Studies show that long term success is directly linked to after care by a team of bari pros.

Hi all, (VGS) I wanted to get some outside opinions. Firstly, I will say I am following what my dietician has directed. They want me to do a 3 month supervised diet which is fine, but they want me to cut out almost all carbs. I understand that getting the high protein is important and I agree. But my main concern is their opinion on things like brown rice, oatmeal, bananas and telling me not to eat ANY of it (even in small amounts).I feel like after surgery I would definitely try re-introducing some of those foods in small amounts because I believe they are healthy. I can tell my bariatric center is one of the ones that struggles to understand vegetarianism in detail, as everyone there pushes the protein and meat being easier (but no one has actually told me to eat meat or anything). It just seems strange to me that 3 whole months before surgery they only want me eating protein sources and vegetables,low carb fruits and no grains or anything at all. I have seen other surgeons in various places suggest different restrictions on diets and not all of them ban all carbs. I am at 38bmi and I don’t need to lose much before the surgery so it isn’t like, a rapid weight loss diet or anything pre-surgery. They sort of act like any carbs aren’t good for you. I understand immediately after surgery protein is top priority so getting in any carbs would be pretty difficult. It’s more-so that before and after permanently they are kind of saying to ban grains and things like that. But I know there are people eating a vegan diet etc and we’re able to re-introduce small amounts of carbs just fine. I am completely willing to cut down on carbs a lot, but has anyone else run into this experience ? My goal is to figure out a diet that works for me as a lifestyle and provides me with nutrients- before and after surgery. Just looking for some input from people who have gone through the surgery and how they handled this/what they are and if they agreed to long term elimination of most carbs. Thanks for any help!

Still hanging out in healing mode at home in my cozy compression garments + PJ's as my outfit for the month. Haha. Although the scarf does add a little pizazz, right? ;] But found new color way in that sparkly flat shoe with more neutral undertones to blend better with 25th gala ensemble. Designed the vest and ascot for hubby. Seamstress did a phenomenal job. She's now working on the sketch dress I submitted for our original matron of honor. Hubby was a penguin 25 years ago. This time, I thought the mid-grey tux (although the model looks 15!) with cool grey shoes + block socks were really hip + stylish for our gentlemen vow renewal party at 60 and older, but certainly young at heart. I think hubby gets more distinguished with age.