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You are not alone on this journey we all have our resons for WLS and all are good one for it. Welcome . 2 years and 150 lbs way to go I'm 11 weeks post have lost 45 lb post op and a total of 62 lbs and only 60 lbs to go till target weight. It's nice to hear from people that are 2 years or more post op and doing great. Hope your health is doing better stay strong Surgery Anniversary 7/30/12

I have my follow up appointment with the surgeon on Monday and then they will submit everything to Aetna. With Aetna you're not suppose to gain any weight. Does the surgeon submit your weight at the time of your first appointment? Or does the surgeon submit start and end weight all at the same time?

My husband has Blue Cross Blue Shield and they paid. It has to be presented as a medical issue. We had to give them a five year history from the primary doctor showing he has been over a certain weight for 5 years or more. Plus he has high blood pressure, sleep apnea and diabetes runs in his family. If you have medical issues over your weight, I do not understand how they can turn you down? Did your doctor present the case properly? My husband just had his surgery this month, 8/10. But it took us a good portion of the year to get the packet together for insurance approval. Oh.. one more thing his primary doctor had to write a letter of recommendation as well. Not sure if this helps.

Wow you did great! I am having the surgery on the 24th. Today is my first day of all liquids. Thursday better get here quick! Are people questioning you as to why you are having the surgery if you have lost that much on your own? I am just wondering because I have gotten that reaction from some people. For me it's not about losing the weight but keeping it off.

My Surgery is on June 30th and I am very excited. My starting weight was 243. I was required by insurance to lose 24lbs and I have currently lost 40lbs. I am starting to struggle. But in just over a week i will be on my way to a better me!!! :smile2:

Had the Lapband in September 2008 lost 185lbs over the next 2 years. In oct of 2012 Lapband was removed because it was tearing into my stomach. I lost 8 pints of blood and spent almost 3 weeks in the hospital. Now I have to live without it and its really hard. I'm only up 8lbs from my "normal weight" but I'm starting to slip in old habitats.

Hi everyone, I am so happy to have found this website. The others seem more dedicated to the RnY WLS and I had the sleeve done exactly 1 week ago. I weighed 256 pounds prior to the surgery, down from about 300 at my highest. I had been hovering around 250 for the past 8 years. Anyway, I had Kaiser Insurance and they have a program that is extremely rigourous. First, you have to prove that you have tried all other weight loss options. You need solid proof, like your Weight Watchers log or documentation that is extensive. Once you pass that hurdle you wait to go into a class that lasts 6 months! You go once a week for 2 hours for 6 months where you learn about the surgery, nutrition, hear success stories. If you miss a class, you MUST make it up. If you miss 3, you are out of the program. After finishing the 6 month class, you are evaluated. If, during the 6 months, you have lost 10% of your weight (in my case, 26 pounds) then you go to the next step. I did not lost the 10 % and, in fact, only lost about 3 pounds in 6 months (so depressing) so I was referred back to the Dr. for another consultation. After being approved by him, it's on to a gall bladder scan and a fitness test. With Kaiser, you have to wait 3 months for a gall bladder scan (very frustrating). The exercise fitness test consisted of walking three times around a rather small building. This was the easy part for me because I go to the gym several times a week, love to exercise but for whatever reason, my exercise did not lead to weight lost, only maintenence of 250 pounds. After the fitness test and gall bladder scan, you are assinged a series of three appointments. One is for the shrink, who spends about 20 minutes making sure you are sane, then the nutritionist who gives you the same information you have gotten in the class and finally, a consult with the surgeon where you decide which of the three surgeries you are going to have. lap band; RnY, or Sleeve. For medical reasons, my surgeion pushed the sleeve. I was happy with that choice because I don't want to be fooling around with lap band adjustments and also, at 55 years old, I feel I needed a permanent fix. Then FINALLY, you get a surgery date. This whole process, including the 6 month class took a year. It was a long long year. Very frustrating because I could not lost that 10% and that slowed me down by a month or two. I had to get through Thanksgiving and Xms without gaining weight because in the pre op appt and in bold black letter in the pre-op instructions, it is stated "If you gain weight prior to the surgery, your surgery will be cancellled." That is a sobering thought after waiting for a year. Needless to say, I pigged out at Thanksgiving and gained about 5 pounds which was hard to get off by Xmas. My surgery was scheduled for Dec 29, so I really watched myself at Xmas and managed to check in on the 28th at the exact weight of 255.1, a whole 9/10ths of a pound lower than the last appointment. Whew! So on the 29th of Dec, I checked into Scripps Mercy Hospital in downtown San Diego (this is who Kaiser is contracted with for bariatric surgery) and waited to go under the knife. My surgery was delayed by about 3 hours but they gave me a bunch of Morphine and Versed so i didn't care. Finally, they wheeled me in and the next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery, feeling so weird but actually, not in a lot of pain. My biggist problem was the after effects of the anathesia and, of course, the bloating from the CO2 they pump into you to do a laproscopic surgery. I was up walking within about 5 hours. Conditions at this hospital were amazing. The staff was the best I have ever had and all they cared about was my comfort. Their goals were to control nausea and pain. I didn't have nausea and the pain control was a morphine pump which I used liberally. I also got liquid Ativan to help my bad back so all in all I was pretty damn high at the hospital. I got out Sat. morning and things have been pretty smooth sailing since. I'm still obsessed with food and can't wait to get a little something on Monday (12 days after surgery after bargainaing my doctor down from 14 days) I'm so happy to have found this site to help with my recovery and to answer all my questions. My surgeon was Dr. Janos Taller who is with Pacific Bariatric Surgery. I personallly thought he was excellent. Thanks for reading and good luck to all contemplating this surgery. If you have Kaiser in San Diego, now you know the protocol. Smillzee

I believe there's more than one way to interpret this...your interpretation of your husband's "look" may not be accurate. My husband is very supportive of my band surgery and efforts to loose weight, and sometimes he seems to take on the role of my "food police". I accept this as one of his ways of showing concern and support. Men and women actually use different parts of their brains as they approach problem solving and express their emotions. Check with him to be certain that your "interpretation of his look" is accurate. Best wishes...

Hi Julia, I am new myself. I was banded 3/26/07 and am just barely starting to eat. I have not done the best job of it either. Twice now I have been in alot of pain from eating to fast. Old habits are hard to break I guess. I am improving though, and I imagine it is all part of the learning curve. I started out at 291 and am down to 276, so even the pain is worth it. Good luck to you and I hope we both have success with our new tools in place. Shawna Goal weight 150

robint, I am not sure you will find an insurance to pay, and maybe not a doctor in the US. I think I have read of others with a lower weight to lose, maybe going to Mexico as someone stated. I have a bmi of 36 and have about 80lbs to lose. I had to sell it to the surgeon and I was worried my insurance may deny me. I have other health conditions, but not diabetes or high blood pressure, which seems to be the two most significant. But I did get approved and have a band date for June 7. Good luck. Janine

I am just starting my journey. My PCP and I just discussed it and he will be refering me to a surgeon soon. I am 280# and 5'4, I also have DJD and OA in my L knee. This seems like the best route for me. My husband will probably being having it done as well. He has sleep apnea and his BMI is like 45. Maybe we both will get done at around the same time..hehehe. So I am open to comments and suggestions. The part that has my husband worried is the "baby food" diet...LOL I told him it would all be worth it in the end and that we would get through it together. My mother had this done and has done great with a 120#+ weight loss in 1.5 yrs.

Hello everyone. I just had surgery with the lap band May 23. First three days were a struggle and slightly painful. I couldn't operate without my pain meds. I constantly felt a tightening in my chest. Now on my 4th day I feel better just extremely full of gas. I'm constantly burping and other stuff ????. I'm so worried as I want to do this right, considering this is something I've researched and thought about for 8 years before doing it. As of now I can't see any weight loss not sure if my stomach is still swollen but I'm going to purchase a scale later today. Please help me figure why there's so much gas and bloat on my stomach and please share if this happened to you.

wow, so here I go! I am scheduled to be sleeved at 7:30am on January 11th! I can't believe its here already! Started my liquid diet yesterday. Made it through day one lol...which I wasn't so sure I could do. I have my pre op clearance with my family doc today, so I am on the fast track to a new me. I am so excited, and majorly scared. I know that sounds kinda silly, but surgery just scares me to begin with. But a lifetime of being over weight scares me more. any helpful hints to surviving the liquid diet?

first i want to say welcome! congrats on getting through your 6months and getting your surgery date! you are well on your way to becoming a new person! someone healthy, happy, & the best mom to your kids grandma to your grandson and future grandkids! this will be your final battle of weight loss! im happy you found us!! my story, im 23. 5months into my 6 month supervised diet. im praying to be sleeved on dec 20th. i meet with my surgeon on nov 30th!

Hello everyone, I'm a complete newbie here, so allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tanya. I live in Alberta, Canada and I will be having a band to sleeve revision on January 27th of this month with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the OCC. I was banded in November of 2008 and I did very well at first. I lost nearly 90 lbs and kept it off for a year and half and then decided to have a tummy tuck. I had been a smoker for 22 years and my TT surgeon urged me to quit. I've been quit now since July 22, 2011 and since then (and my TT) I have gained almost all the weight back!! I feel like a complete failure ???? I got my band defilled today and booked my flights and pretty much got everything I will need so I'm excited. At the same time though, I'm terrified. I'm so afraid to fail again. It's really nice to read these forums and see that everyone is doing so well. It gives me hope. Is there anyone else out there going to be at the OCC the same time???

I decided to have weight loss surgery in December 2012. It took mow way to long to get through the pre op process. I finally had surgery 2/19/14 it was the best decision I have ever made. I am now down 75lbs today and feel amazing. I am now in regular size clothing and feel more confident every day.

YAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow you are losing weight already!!! Good for you. I will start mine on monday and im kinda excited but i hope i keep this" positive' atitude when im hungry and watching my family eat we can go through this "together" I have the Bariatric Advantage shakes and bars. ill look at how many cals/ carbs/protein and ill let you know yaaa!!!!!!! high five to you! Y

Thanks for sharing and congrats on your weight loss:)

Welcome to the club. :mad: My insurance required all those tests (except the sleep test) and a 6-month preop diet. I started in September 08 and finally had surgery in July 09. I was on the boards here and learned a lot before surgery, and I think that gave me an easier time. I also was able to drop a lot of weight before surgery and I think that was another big help. The tests were annoying, but I was able to get them all done in one month. Use this time to learn as much as you can and get ready. Good luck to you!

Congrats on your journey! I began mine with my first appt August 31 with the surgeon. I also have BCBS but I have the requirement of 6 month supervised health program. It ends Feb 23!! YAY!! I'm so excited to get going. My surgery date is tentatively March 21 pending ins approval. I'm 60 yrs young and have faught my weight most of my life, especially after having kids and having 10 yrs of a 20 yr marriage that wasn't so good. I fed my emotions alot. I never considered surgery until my ins finally decided to cover all but $1500. At first I felt like I was copping out because I know once I set my mind to it I can lose it, my biggest problem is getting that mind set and then keeping it off. The more I talked to friends who've had it done and researched it alot I decided to do this. I'm sick of being overweight and all the things that go with it. I'm excited to get started! We can do this! <3

welcome and great job on the weight loss!:biggrin:

Hi Ashley: There is a thread for people banded in June! Join us anytime! congrats on the weight loss!

Anyone use Dr. Nick I went to seminar tues waiting on them to verify my bcbs of OK. Anyone know the steps after that? My BMI is right at 40 I'm nervous on my day to weigh that my weight will fluctuate and put me under do we weigh with our clothes on or a gown? any suggestion?

THis process has been such a long one. It started in January. I had my husbands insurance BCBS of Alabama. They do cover the surgery with 6 months of diet and excerice. You also have to have a 5 year weigh history of a Bmi over 40. So I did my 6 month of diet and excerice with tons of preop testing and even self paid for a psych eval and a EGD. We sent it to insurance and they denied me twice. My Bmi 5 years ago was a 39.8 not 40. I was so frustrated and upset. Then I told myself I'm going to get this surgery. I started looking into all the Mexican Doctors and places to have it done. My family was scared for me to go down there even though I did end up finding a good doctor there. I then came up with the idea of working full time instead of part time so that I could pick up Mercy insurance. So I did that and resubmitted to insurance they only require a 3 yr weight history. They said YES in one day. I still can't believe it's finally happening and Dr Roller was able to squeeze me in the year so I don't have to repay my deductible. My surgery date is Dec 28th. So for everyone starting out on the journey. Don't give up if you want something bad enough you can always find a way. I am starting at 236lbs and I am 5"2 P.S. "Time For A New Me"is what my name stands for.

Hello everyone I'm soooo excited about getting the lapband (scheduled for 3/1/12). At first I was a little nervous, but after reading so many of your stories about the amount of weight you guys are losing has me feeling like I made the right decision. Thanks for your posting, it really helps the beginners