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Hahaha! Great! I have not had the same experience. I am not losing hair but I am not growing hair either. Especially in the places it doesn't belong. I take 30000 mg of Biotin a day! I would rather wax it off it does grow where it's not supposed to. But I am nearly 7 months out and haven't had any issues. Good luck!

Here's some steps of things I did and I was using Insurance to pay: 1. Schedule and attend free doctor/hospital bariatric program orientation session to learn about their programs, doctors, etc. 2. Usually they give you a packet of information to fill out and mail in to them to see if you are a good candidate for surgery. 3. Check with Insurance company and find out specifically if they Exclude Bariatric Surgery including Adjustable Gastric Lap Banding and/or Gastric Bypass/RNY, etc. and what the qualifications are to get insurance coverage approved. What BMI and what co-morbidities do you have to have to qualify - i.e. sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc. being co-morbidity examples. 4. Many of the Insurances will require: Surgeon consultation visit to see if you are a candidate, 5. Cardiac clearance - most of us are overweight enough they want to make sure you are okay. 6. Sleep study/clearance - if you haven't been cleared for sleep apnea 7. Psychological study/clearance - its pretty basic but they want to be sure you are mentally and emotionally ready for this life change. 8. Diet and nutrition counseling - at least 1 pre-op session with the doctor/hospital 9. Primary Care Doctor supervised weight loss effort - as noted in other posts - sometimes 6 months consecutive evidence in the doctors' progress notes - not just that they weighed you but that you discussed weight loss issues. Some get by with 3 months - varies by insurance. 10. Any other 'hoops' to jump through the particular doctor gives you or their bariatric program for that hospital.

Tomorrow is my last weigh in for my 6 month supervised diet. In the beginning of my diet I gained about 10lbs and then lost the weight I put on. So 6 months later I think I'm only about 2lbs less than my 6 month diet starting weight. I did however lose 60lbs on my own before I was being medically supervised, and that is reflected in my 5 year medical history. My question is will the insurance company deny my surgery because I didnt lose 10% of my 6 month starting weight? Should I do another month of dieting to try to lose more weight before submitting my paperwork to my insurance? I have BCBC of Texas...I'm really nervous about this.

I have BC/BS of IL. Their requirements don't stipulate and weight loss during the 6 month program. In fact, here are their words: · It is expected that appropriate non-surgical treatment should have been attempted prior to surgical treatment of obesity Non-surgical treatment of morbid obesity appropriateness criteria: · Medical record documentation of active participation in a clinically-supervised, non-surgical program of weight reduction for at least 6 months, occurring within the twenty-four (24) months prior to the proposed surgery and preferably unaffiliated with the bariatric surgery program. [NOTE: The initial BMI at the beginning of a weight reduction program will be the “qualifying” BMI used to meet the BMI criteria for the definition of morbid obesity used in this policy.] · A program will be considered appropriate if it includes the following components: 1. Nutritional therapy, which may include medical nutrition therapy such as a very low calorie diet such as MediFast or OptiFast OR a recognized commercial diet-based weight loss program such as WeighWatchers, Jenny Craig, etc. 2. Behavior modification or behavioral health interventions. 3. Counseling and instruction on exercise and increased physical activity. 4. Pharmacologic therapy (as appropriate). 5. Ongoing support for lifestyle changes to make and maintain appropriate choices that will reduce health risk factors and improve overall health. Good luck...Dan.

I would like to meet more members that had the DS or revision from RNY to DS. I am in Arizona and my doctor has been outstanding from the beginning to the end. I had my revision 12/29 ; preoperative testing on 12/17 then postoperative testing 12/30 to check for leaks . The radiologist said he did a wonderful job on my surgery especially since I had a ton of scar tissue. I want to get meal ideas and chat with more people. Also they say there was no good Duodenal switch doctors in Arizona which wasn't true there was a lady the travel outside of AZ to come here for her surgery. Good luck to your weight loss journey and your decision

Okay please tell me DS is also known as loop or MGB or SIPS am I right? Why are people saying that surgery is better weight loss in very curious if people can give me the scientific reasoning or personal experience??? All I can find is information showing bad bile reflux with the DS/MGB They both sound similar RNY or DS??? I'M THINKING ABOUT RNY but maybe someone can convince me otherwise before I choose surgeon!!

Would love to hear your stories! I've had the sleeve done, but not much success with it (you can read my story which I posted here for a better understanding: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/360924-my-unsuccessful-sleeve/) After some long and intense research, I truly feel like the Loop DS is the tool which my body needs to get this weight loss going. I feel like the sleeve is an amazing tool but as we are all different I guess my body needed more than just the sleeve itself. Looking forward to any options/stories!!

Thank you everyone for the kind words. I went through a rough patch and couldn't bring myself to think about this. Its been over a year but it still hurts every single day. I know my friend has had a rough go at things, and I know she just had major surgery and could have been on an emotional roller coaster, I am just sad the way she took this out on me. I tried to explain to her that I wish she had talked to me about the issues she perceived in our relationship before cutting me out like this. Because I know I was going through a tough time and maybe didn't realize that I was complaining because chronic health issues tend to do that. I actually found this site because after her surgery I was researching things she could eat and sent a huge care package her way. I even told her i could visit her post-op if she didn't want to be alone. But I guess the truth is she didn't want me around, and used my health issues and depression to manipulate me into getting angry so she could make the end of our friendship my fault. In some warped area of her brain, I guess I was a "repeat offender" of something I didn't realize was a problem. And she projecting her insecurities onto me, that people get to where they are because they choose it. I feel she has also been victim to the cult of positivity, that nefarious meme generating cult that sucks up those with chronic medical conditions, surgery, etc. The truth is my friend is not the person I thought she was, and she is not a nice person. She probably has a personality disorder like her family members, and her difficult childhood and subsequent weight issues tipped the scales and shes gotta figure her life out. I am still hurting because I trusted this person. I wish I had just been given a chance. But, it is healthy for me to be away, to not have to listen to her complaints and anger and blaming others for her unhappiness. I bore the brunt of it for a decade. My advice to anyone getting surgery would not be to write off your friends and loved ones forever. Some of us want to be supportive and we just didn't know how. We don't know how we are supposed to be either when this new person emerges. I didn't know how life altering this was going to be for her, and I had no idea the extent of her pain and suffering and what she perceived to be my role in her pre-op negative lifestyle. Now its too late, she has removed me from her life, blocked me on social media, phone, etc. I thought it was my fault for a long time but through talking with people I realize this is not on me. I don't know if she will get in touch years down the road. I know I am not the first person she has done this to, many friends and family have had it happen....some deserved, some, maybe not. In the end, I guess it is her loss.

Lovely WellPoint anthem - jackpot. Ok take a look at this site. The duodenal switch is bariatric for them. That said each employer who purchass the plan can decide what is or is not going to be covered. You need to check your personal group policy to confirm no bariatric exclusion http://obesitycoverage.com/anthem-bcbs-requirements-for-weight-loss-surgery/

What an incredible story! Talk about a new lease on life! Good luck and God bless you as you move forward with your weight loss journey!

I too am a victim of loosing hair. It has gotten better the last month or two. I use Nioxin products I get from my hairstylist. I think they help me. It will take a couple of hair cycles to catch back up and it is now beginning to look better. I have baby fine hair to begin with. Hang in there, it will get better.

It depends on your hair type. If you go to Nioxin.com, click on Assess My Needs and it will ask you a few questions and then tell you what number you need. I use #5 because my hair is very course and curly and not dyed. I would suggest buying it on ebay, that is where I found it the cheapest. I would also suggest first buying a starter kit to see how you like it before you spend a lot on bigger bottles. I have used it for almost a month, and I can see a difference. I actually have little hairs growing back. I don't know if it is from the Nioxin, but I'm just glad it's coming back in.

I originally went to my surgeon with thoughts of the band in my head, but after learning about the sleeve I knew it was for me. I am married to a Marine, and we move every three years so I knew that the required permanent aftercare (fills, unfills) would get tiresome. Also, after I learned about the port and the possible problems with the band I became worried about the foreign object I was going to put in my body. Anyway, I had my sleeve done exactly two weeks ago, and I am feeling great! I had absolutely no pre-op diet (my "last meal" was actually KFC) and I have lost 16lbs so far. I do not feel hungry or have an acid problem. The first four days were hard as I had problems with nausea and headaches and dehydration, but after I crossed the week mark I was feeling pretty good. Now I am getting my water and protein in and able to walk a mile a day on the treadmill. Deciding which surgery is best for you is very personal, but I honestly think the sleeve has less problems and complications and better weight loss. __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I was sleeved less than a month ago so this isn't yet a concern for me, but have any of you who were sleeved further out experienced any hair loss? I'm wondering because I haven't come across any black sleevers who mentioned anything in the hair loss threads that I've seen.

What led me to weight loss surgery isn't what led most people here. I didn't (don't) have food addictions, etc. I had medically induced obesity due to auto immune disease and long term corticosteroid use. So, I got a Lap Band in 2013, and lost about one hundred and forty pounds. I never got to a "normal" weight. It's like I reached a new set point and stopped losing. I pretty much maintained that for about five years or so and then I developed GERD. As @Tomo said, the GERD associated with Lap Bands/Sleeves doesn't respond to meds and there's always a gnawing, hungry sort of sensation that makes you feel like you always need something in your stomach to stop the torment going on in there, and that led me to eating slider foods, because they felt the best to my GERD tormented stomach. So I regained maybe ten pounds during my GERD period. Then in 2021 I had the band removed, then I lost the ten pounds that I had gained, because the GERD eased up a bit and I was able to eat healthier fruits and veggies that my Band wouldn't tolerate before and kicked the carbs to the curb. I'm currently almost 7 weeks post op RNY revision and I've lost twenty-nine pounds. So the scale is finally moving after years of being stuck. I feel like I didn't regain weight even after my band was removed due to a change in eating habits and behaviors that I adopted when I got my Lap Band. I maintained those, and yes it was easier after my Band was removed because I could eat healthier again. My Band wouldn't tolerate fibrous, healthy veggies most of the time. So I would say maintaining success in the long term relies on a change of behaviors and eating habits. One other thing that I think helps a lot of people maintain success is lifetime tracking of calories/macros.

I hope I can communicate my question to you all. I am in a long waiting period for surgery like about a year. So I've been reading lots. My question pertains to people's tendency to regain. For those of you especially who are years out from surgery has your appetite come back as strong as it was prior to surgery? Do you have the desire to eat even more frequently to compensate for your smaller stomach or can you eat like you did before? I have dieted so very many times in my lifetime with soul searching and introspection. I've been sure this was it to never to regain my weight back, several times. However, its never worked for me. So am I unrealistic to think that this surgery could be the physical help I need to help maintain weight loss? I guess I'm looking for insight as how the actual surgery worked for you long term. I know there is the change in eating but if that were all there were I would think more of you would be unsuccessful. Thank you in advance for any insight you can give me.

Like you; I have always been a big water drinker. If I worked-out, it was nothing to down 2-3 bottles immediately after. So the loss of water left me feeling panicked and really thirsty. I've found that a few popsicles help, and the urgent thirst is quenched until I can get more water in. Also, I went and bought pedialyte frozen popsicles because I was worried I wasn't getting enough fluids. It's given me a little more peace of mind. I hope your Doc says everything is ok

hunger/appetite usually come back sometime during the first year after surgery (and a minority of patients never lose it at all). After that, things get more challenging. It's hard work - but it does "work" as long as you're committed and stick with your program. during year 3, most people experience a 10-20 lb regain as your body settles in to its new set point. Of course, some people can gain much more than that if they aren't careful. basically, the surgery keeps you from eating a lot AT ONE SITTING. I'm over seven years out, and I can't eat nearly as much at one sitting as I could prior to surgery. As an example, before surgery, I could easily eat half a large pizza. Now, I can physically only eat 1-2 pieces. Again, at one sitting. the major problem is grazing. If I eat 1-2 pieces of pizza at 6:00 pm, and another piece at 7:30 pm. and another piece or two at 10:00 pm - ta da! I've eaten half a large pizza. So you really have to watch that if you want to maintain your loss. like others have said, though, it gives you a huge reset. I lost over 200 lbs, which I could have never done on my own. But after that loss, it's on you.

It's BS, it's statistics. The 65% comes from the average weight loss of the entire population in the study. Some people work the tool, and some don't. If you put in the work, there is no reason to believe you can't lose 100% of your excess weight. I had LapBand in 2009 and lost all of my excess weight (about 110 lbs). I didn't actually start exercising till I was at about 80% from goal, and frankly not even a lot at that point. The most important factor was watching what I ate, because it is definitely possible to cheat. I kept the weight off for years too, it was only recently that my band failed that I started to gain weight.

I keep reading the expected weight loss percentages per each of the different procedures. So if you are only expected to lose 65% of your excessive weight, what keeps you losing to lose to your goal or healthy weight. Wouldn't you be following the same eating plan from the time you start eating solid foods again? How do you get rid of the remaining 35%?

Hi I am 1 and 1/2 years out from surgery and mostly get compliments and good stuff my way. Last week a good friend said, "geesh, you look so thin!" He doesn't want me to lose more weight -- that actually made me feel good, and I took it as motivation actually. Even if people say I don't need to lose weight, I told them I need to get to goal, which was a healthy BMI and that usually ended the conversation. On the other hand, almost all of us know of people who had WLS and regained weight. Take it as a challenge for yourself NOT to do that. It scares me to no end to gain back weight. That can be a GOOD thing actually. I say to myself, "ok you've been given this new body, NOW what are you going to do with it? We've been given a gift, and I look at it that way and not many people are given a second chance at a body. So take it as a scary challenge for something you vow not to do. It's not always a bad thing to hear of those who regain weight. Apparently it is a possibility (not sure of stats with the sleeve though). Ok, so let's do all we can to put practices into place for us to succeed and not fail! I admit there are days I eat badly and I yell at myself. I made a deal with a coworker that I would let her know everytime I was one ounce above goal weight, and so far I have had to confess one time only. This is a good thing knowing I need to fess up. Good luck with your continued weight loss and getting to that healthy BMI!

it's hard to understand, but don't take it personally....it's just the way people are....you keep on with your weight loss, that's what is most important for the moment. keep up the good work and if people don't congratulate, you be happy and proud!!! cause you definitely deserve it. CONGRATS CONGRATS!!!!:001_tt2:

I am sure you will have a great weight loss result too

I’m just over two weeks post op and a complete newbie. I’m currently on the purée stage and I was told by my medical team a meal at this stage should consist of 2-4 table spoons. What I was wondering what does it feel like when you’ve over done it? I’m way to worried to finish my meals as I don’t want anything to jeopardise my weight loss.

Sorry you didn't get the support or reaction you had hoped, Mini. You can see you weight loss is amazing and I'd say most people were just jealous or perhaps uncomfortable. We are here for you and I think you are doing amazing!