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Anybody having surgery the 24th of Nov? What a countdown buddy?
sarina55 replied to Jacqbult's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
emsgirl114.. I think that I have some of the same problems in that I have to make a point to pay attention to what I am eating.. sometimes I just eat without thinking or planning... although I have not puked at all.. except for trying a bariatric vitamin the second week. Which was a mistake. I also have been a little too free with my food choices, nibbling all through Christmas. However, the net result was that I started to lose weight again because I was grazing.. but not taking in a lot of calories. Then, I got a stomach virus on NYE that laid me out for the last three days.. just starting to eat now.. and basically pureeing my food again to avoid upsetting my stomach. My issue has always been pain in my stomach if I do something wrong.. not nausea... and it does knock the stuffing out of me when I eat too much.. again, I don't vomit, but it hurts like heck and I just want to burp but can't! I have lost a total of 21 pounds.. so behind the others here.. but feel very confident it will come off as gradually as I am hoping.. because I haven't gotten back to the gym yet.. next week! -
Well said, @The Greater Fool. I was one of the fortunate ones & didn’t feel hungry & wasn’t interested in eating for ages. One thing I did discover was real hunger feels different from head hunger. For me, I feel restless, like something is wrong but I don’t know what. I can then logically understand why I should feel hungry - missed a meal, it’s been a long time since I last ate or haven’t eaten much today. With real hunger I usually don’t mind what I eat as long as it’s nutritionally sound but if it’s a craving (yes cravings still occur but I can recognise & manage them way better) I know exactly what I want to eat & aren’t satisfied unless I eat it. Like @vikingbeast, if I don’t succumb to the head hunger straight away, the desire passes. Real hunger remains. But that’s me. The psychology behind why we eat is fascinating & confusing & challenging to understand & recognise & manage & …. Even simply coming to terms with portion size is huge. How can what seems a tiny serving be enough for my body to function when I used eat to T-H-I-S much. Sometimes we just can’t work though this alone & therapy can be very helpful with the psychological aspects. Your surgeon or medical team should be able to recommend someone with experience supporting people having or who’ve had bariatric surgery. Good. Luck.
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My story -- June 9th surgery
Ginger Snaps replied to Ginger Snaps's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Little update... Landed back in the hospital Friday with pneumonia. Really think it's directly related to not being allowed to walk that first day. Still just pressure in the chest. At least now they are letting me roam the halls all I want. Should get out late tonight or Monday. Very easy to stay compliant when they're bring your Clear liquids on a tray. Even getting the hospital's bariatric Protein drink! When I was admitted Friday I was down 10 pounds from Mondays surgery weight. Probably in one-derland right now. Need to have them weigh me again! Lol -
@sassy14 Was your ventral hernia repair, ab wall reconstruction and panni covered by insurance?? I will be having a ventral hernia repair sometime this year once I get some more weight off. I am not looking forward to the recovery from that. That ventral hernia is what started the ball rolling with me getting sleeved. My bariatric surgeon said he could do my hernia repair when I was ready and when he was in there pull my muscles or tummy area in tighter. not sure what that will do but figured it couldn't hurt.
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Medicare will approve Lap-Band Surgery! Approved facilities List
HapiCat replied to someonelsehasit's topic in Insurance & Financing
I have a medicare replacement policy through United Healthcare. Upon coverage verification I was required to go to a Bariatric Center of Excellence, have a nutritional and psychological consult prior to submission of the request for surgery. ($334 for those two visits combined not covered because there is no DSM-IV coding) My total out of pocket is $1,080 which is the $334 (mentioned before), $500 program fee and I believe a fill or two. -
When I started considering WLS, particularly VSG Surgery, I researched extensively. I read medical studies, case histories, personal blogs and watched hundreds of hours of YouTube videos posted by patients and bariatric surgeons. I cannot remember where I read or saw the European study called "The Three Month Marker", nor have I been able to find the article or video again. The "supposed" study was of VSG patients and their success rates. The results of the study indicated that the total average weight loss at 12 months post-op was double the amount lost at the 3 month post-op mark for patients who closely followed the bariatric guidelines. Has anyone else heard about "The Three Month Marker"? For those who are at least 12 months post-op, does this study relate to your experience?
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My surgeon was Jacqueline Osuna, the wife of Dr. alejandro lopez. Both only practice bariatric surgery. I would recommend Dr. Osuna to anyone and everyone!!!
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Any Austin TX sleevers!
BJames42613 replied to twins2016's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was just sleeved on April 26th... I'm north of Austin. My doctor is Dr. Acheson from Southwest Bariatric Surgeons. He was absolutely amazing. 2 days after surgery I found myself crying and asking what I had done to myself... day 3 I woke up and felt amazing. Once the gas pressure passes you'll feel so much better. Gross to say - but fart and you'll feel better. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App -
Forest Park Medical Center - Dallas, TX
luvthe8r replied to Carrie's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
I was a Forest Park Medical Center (the staff was great!) however, they overbooked (guess they confused surgery with taking a flight on an airplane! I am still wondering if they expected no shows) and there were no rooms available, so I had to stay in Recovery. There was no room for any visitors and no clock or TV. Not that it really mattered the first day since all I did was sleep. The problem was the next day. It was very noisy in recovery and there were no lights above the beds, but the lights in the hallway never went out, so I had no concept of what time it was. Then they tell you to drink every 15 minutes and keep track of it. I didn't have a clock so couldn't time myself, and no lights so couldn't write anything, and they told me not to go to sleep because I needed to get my liquids in, however, with NOTHING to do, it was hard to stay awake. I would walk as much as possible (and I do think that is probably why I feel pretty good today) But I didn't have the advantage of other bariatric patients around so I didn't get any walking buddies. They said this has only happened one other time and that was over the Christmas holiday. So I say if you are going to Forest Park, make sure it isn't over Christmas or Spring break or any other holiday. -
So it will be one month this coming Wednesday since my last required appointment. I have been waiting impatiently to find out if my insurance has approved my gastric sleeve surgery. I was initially told it takes about two weeks for insurance approval/denial. I waited the two weeks and contacted my insurance company for an update on the prior authorization. I was told they hadn't received any information from my bariatric center. I then called the bariatric center and they told me they "dropped the ball", and didn't submit it. Boy, was I bummed!!!! When you work so hard for something, you can't wait for the next step! So, here I sit waiting for the phone to ring to give me my answer. I hope I get an answer soon!! I can't wait to begin my new journey!
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I was swallowing pills hours out of surgery it was fine but a tad sore. \ Although I can't tolerate Multivitamin pills for some reason within 5-10 minute of having one i vomit. So been having chewables but just ordered some official bariatric chewables which should be of better quality than the ones I've been having.
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Blue shield of California (medical)
la.pereira replied to fatmommy1808's topic in Insurance & Financing
Can someone translate this for me? I take it as they want me to fail a diet before seeing my surgeon and bring them proof. "Patients should have documented failure to respond to conservative measures for weight reduction prior to consideration of bariatric surgery" -
BCBSM Pre-Op Appointments not covered..
Jerseygirl4523 replied to genia_deanne's topic in Insurance & Financing
Soooo I have Anthem BCBS and their policy is similar. They do not cover diet or exercise programs. However, when the Bariatric center I am using billed my insurance for my nutritionist appointment, it was completely covered. These places know what they are doing. I was also able to use my primary for my 6 month requirement which is always covered as a normal office visit. They just need to make notes that you discussed surgery, diet and exercise and weight loss. -
I am going through the same problem. I have BCBS of FL through my employer. The employer(thanks, a lot), b/c of the fact that we are a small business, chose the most basic, cheapest plan out there - So there is an exclusion to the policy which states that they will not cover bariatric surgeries of ANY kind - And none of the individual plans will, either. I have been frantically and desperately searching around for someone who WILL cover the surgery - I do not qualify for financing b/c of my credit score and debt to income ratio. I have been in touch with the agent for my insurance - the office - and am fortunate that the lady there understands my pain, or whether or not she understands it, I don't know - But I do know that she is sympathetic and is trying everything she can. She told me that she was going to look into certain plans like AFLAC, etc. that may have some sort of ryder or to see whatever she could do to help me. That is my suggestion to you. You can also go ahead and let the surgeon submit the request, and if it doesn't work, have his office send it in again - That would be considered an "appeal". You could call your insurance company and hassle them to death, but I don't know far that would get you, either. I'm half tempted to do it, myself. Either way - I IDENTIFY WITH YOU. I completely get what you're going through right now and it's hearbreaking ... Write down everything about this surgery and what it means to you to get it done. You should include any medical issues that have been a problem with your weight, and talk about the money you have spent on doctor's visits, etc. due to your weight issues. Explain that this would take care of so many of those issues, and that while it may be a large sum to look at now, in the long run, you will be healthier and they will be able to stop paying out the money they've been spending on medicines, dr visits, etc. Hope this helps...If you find a way to get it covered, let me know. Thanks, Krystle
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Do u ever wonder how people here eat such a perfect diet - all the time?
*Lexie* replied to marfar7's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I was glad to see this post and to read through it all, I found it interesting from all points of view. I would love to be a perfect bariatric patient but find myself somewhere in the middle. I work out pretty strenuously and track everything I eat but I don't make perfect choices all the time. My calories are always below 1000 but there's a day or two where I may not get my Protein. Combine that with being a slow loser and I often feel like a failure and beat myself up a lot. Maybe our mental state effects how we interpret other people's posts. -
Yikes. Sorry that your family of all people are not being supportive. I got lucky in that category. I have only have one person say to me "Well why did you get surgery?" I told her because I was never going to do it on my own. That is the truth. People may say that is laziness but there is really so much more to it than that. Very few people look at Obesity like they would look at Anorexia, as an eating disorder. Luckily my surgeon and their office do look at it that way. And WLS is a tool to help you to relearn healthy behaviors. Seeing the results that come with it and having the support of your doctor's office, friends, and people who are going through the same things you are like the people here on Bariatric Pal will really help you out along the way. In the end, this is about your life - prolonging it through better health AND improving the quality of life immensely!!
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October 17 VSG, need October friends!
Hopeful Spirit replied to Hopeful Spirit's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Hi. I am a Oct 16, 2011 Sleever and have to say that I am "doing ok" and "not doing ok." That is, I still have an OVERALL weight loss from start to now of 70 lbs, but have gained 30 lbs since my lowest weight which was in May of 2012. I have just updated my profile now since the new Bariatric website, so you can look at the pictures. I am REALLY struggling with not regaining weight. I have continued periodic appointments with the psychologist at the Mass General Weight loss Center and also am working with another psychologist because this is so difficult. I need to start connecting to others again through this website. I have just been reluctant since everything seems to have changed since the original VSG site which I was very active in. So that is me so far, HOW ARE YOU DOING? You didn't mention anything. If you want others to reply, you need to say something too! Please? Phyllis aka Still (somewhat) hopeful Spirit -
Do u ever wonder how people here eat such a perfect diet - all the time?
ziggypbang replied to marfar7's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I love this discussion - just finished every post. I think I'm somewhere in the middle, but all I can really know is where I am, right? Because this truly is about knowing myself. I know where I've come from, I know how I feel when I eat certain foods, I know how I tend to eat on most days and I see the success my choices have resulted in. I know how exercise makes me feel, and how much easier it is to lift up my disabled son when I stay close to the gym. I know when I chase my head hunger with real food I can never get full. I know my partner from work and her best girlfriend eat everything they want with their sleeves but work out like crazy and are forever working not to go underweight. I know getting back on track is much harder for me than staying on track. I know all the bariatric "rules" are based on scientific studies, which publish data based on how the majority of patient behaved and responded. I know that sometimes I am in in the majority but that very few people can be in the majority 100% of the time. Yes, there are generalizations & rules that have to be made for the sake of effective communication, but I can choose to follow all, most, many or few depending on how my mind & body react. So, take the information you gain here, and from your own experiences, and learn from it. Learn about yourself, and you will succeed. -
Since finding out about, and deciding VSG was the right surgery for me back in August I knew that I would have to wait until after the 1st of the year to really get the ball rolling on the surgery due to finances. I initially decided on a doc, but the program fee charged plus my out of pocket maximum for my Blue cross PPO would put my out of pocket expense @ $9200 at a minimum....no F'n way I could or would swing that amount at this point in my life. After a few more seminars I have finally decided on Dr. Kelvin Higa of ALSA medical group in Fresno Ca. I did my labs and chest x-rays last Wednesday, and have my PCP appointment tomorrow @ 7:30am. I normally go to the FNP that works for the the doctor I am seeing tomorrow, but I guess he has to be the one that says I am a good candidate for bariatric surgery. My 1st appointment with Higa is on this Saturday, and my EGD is scheduled for next Wednesday. After Dr. Higa approves me as a patient I can use the Psych and Nutritionist @ Fresno Heart and Surgical free of charge. Hopefully everything is banged out before the end of January and I can get a Blue Cross approval and surgery date for the end of February.(Crossing fingers & praying) Since my PCP appointment I have had a ton of anxiety now since this is actually moving along.I'm not scared to the point of backing out(never will be either), but I feel like a 5'11 365lb 31 year old baby... I'm a worrier at heart but this is getting pretty tough. I have two little kids (5 and 2) that I'm afraid of leaving fatherless...I have faith that I will get through this ok, but it still scares the @$#% out of me. Did anybody else have this much anxiety before surgery? If so what did you do to cope with it? I really want to get my mind right for this so I don't end up being rolled into surgery crying like a big baby. I don't post much on here, but I would like to thank everybody for your stories, information and support given. It is such a great resource for people, and hopefully after I am sleeved I can become as big of a provider of help and information as the rest of you folks are.
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I think you should lay this at the feet of your bariatric surgeon's insurance person. Most bariatric practices have a person (usually a lady) who is well versed in what it takes to get approved. They talk to insurance companies all the time as part of their job. After all, the doctor's success at getting patients is primarily up to this person. They need your insurance money more than they need you, so let them find out the criteria. Then, if they're worth their pay, they will do everything they can to get you cleared. Don't stress over this...it's just another hoop you have to jump through. Good luck.
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Cigna Center of Excellence 2+ hours away
Luvin_Life125 replied to Luvin_Life125's topic in Insurance & Financing
I gave it the old college try and it was a no go! I spoke with someone in the authorization department, customer service, and someone from HR at my husband's employer. Everyone confirmed bariatric surgery is only covered at a Cigna designated center of excellence no ifs, ands, or buts about it. It was worth the try and I tried a few different avenues to make sure the information was accurate. I worked as a medical billing manager for quite a few years and I know Cigna customer service reps aren't known for being the most knowledgeable. -
Hello! I have been researching my insurance coverage of bariatric surgery and Cigna will only cover the procedure at one of their (Cigna's) designated Center of Excellence for Bariatric surgery. I found the closest one which is about 2.5 hours each way. I contacted them and I have to have all appointments with their clinic as far as dietician, psych, etc for a total of 5-7 visits prior to surgery plus the post surgical appointments. I just have to say that sucks big time! I have chronic back pain from an injury over 10 years ago when I was in my early 20's and now also have nerve roots impinged. Driving is sheer torture over 20 minutes, and the hubby cannot take that many days off work just to shuttle me back and forth. Besides the fact he is the only one working and we can not do without his income. Grrr, Sorry, I just had to vent my frustration. Don't get me wrong, I will find a way to make it work because I need to have this surgery in order to get my pain down. I just wish it didn't have to be so far away for that many appointments.
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Well I want to thank you for your help and info you were very helpful the lady told me were to go on the wen site. I went to search typed in bariatric she told me the links for the guidelines and anthing esle I needed to know but the guidelines link doesnt show im probaly doing something wron thanks
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Preop Diet concerns?
Pookela replied to bosslady99751's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My doc did a preop (he said it shrinks the liver which he has to raise to do the surgery) basically it was 2 Meal Replacements with a bariatric shake and a sensible meal. day before surgery no high fat foods. Hope this helps -
I went to a buffet for dinner with my family tonight, we were out running errands and the kids and ex got hungry, so they wanted to go to a buffet. Well, I asked if they have special pricing for bariatric patients and was told they do. So, they charged me the kids price (was like $4.45 with drink). It was nice. Then I ran into the lap band coordinator for my doctor there and told her about that, she didnt even know they had special pricing for band patients. I would have never even thought to ask if it wasnt for this group! Thanks, I saved over $6 just on my dinner tonight!! (and it was great to have a little steak for dinner since Chicken doesnt seem to agree with me and gets stuck)
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