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Yes, I was over 65 years & spoke to them on the phone. They told me the hospitals I could get coverage in our state. Must be one that has a large bariatric section. Only 3 in Minnesota! This was in 2006 and I do have supplemental insurance so I did not have any expense. They covered all the pre-op tests & etc. Which was a good procedure as several things got updated and gave me a current healthy baseline! They have given me coverage on cancerous breast removal, broken wrist and surgery on a hammer toe since then. Plus several band fills with the dye scope of the upper GI. The band check-up is once a year now. . . . My lap-band has ingenuously saved my life.

I had to take the iron twice a day and the coromaga at night. While taking the bariatric advantage chewable multi. I also take a b12 shot monthly but that it.

Dr. Veninga is an excellent doctor with a fantastic reputation. I am pretty sure the surgery center he wants to use is the same one that TLCEdge uses, as he does surgeries for them as well. It is the newest facility in the DFW metroplex and is state-of-the-art with the hospital a very short ambulance ride away if there were complications needing something a surgery center can't offer. Are you aware it is less risky to use a surgery center than a hospital in terms of infection risk and quality of care? I can understand your fear and frustration, but I would seek to assure you that Dr. Veninga has a great reputation and if the surgery center is one I am thinking of, it does as well...it specializes in bariatric surgeries and is even better equiped for your surgery than the hospital would be.

Ditto to what Elcee said - having the sleeve now wouldnt worry me, I've lost half my colon and am doing fine without it, so meh, what's a bit of my stomach I'm not particularly using? You dont get malabsorption with the sleeve, that's bypass. You just have a smaller stomach. Also, it can be attractive to think of having restriction straight away with the sleeve, not finding it so elusive, and not having trouble with random foods. But make no mistake, all bariatric surgeries work best at first, and then you do learn to eat around them, the adjustability of the band is fantastic in that regard. If your sleeve loses its effectiveness, there's no tightening it up! Then again, I had to unfill my band totally for a surgery, have just got retriction back 12 months later and am now looking at an investigative gastroscopy (have bad Iron depletion, and am post menopausal which means a high likelihood of a GI bleed at some point in my guts and my colonoscopy this week was normal) so that means ANOTHER unfill. Groan. I've also endured my colorectal surgeon banging on all year about how skinny I am (I'm really not, I dont think). I'd love to have a sleeve that nobody could make me unfill! I'd love not to have to go back for fills. My band is almost full (only 0.2cc to go) and I dont have anythign like the restriction I had before I unfilled it. A sleeve, once it is done, is DONE. But the band is totally adjustable, totally reversible and it probably makes sense to try it first before you go changing your body irrevocably. In all likelihood, it'll work and be enough for you.

For many years I was a low carbohydrate denier...Haha...thought it was a gimmick. My experience post sleeve has changed my mind. I DID eat way too much presleeve so calories WERE definitely a factor but I have learned a few weird things. I lost 100 percent of my excess weight something my surgeon claims few do given my profile. BMI over 50, lifetime of obesity, post menopausal woman etc. I believe it was because I was a low carb hardass during about the last 60# of my weightless. I am no longer strict but I am still much lower carb than most. I know this isn't for everyone but dammit I wanted a chance to sample life as a normal size woman. We went ziplining and I didn't have to wear the fat person's extra harness piece. It was a small thing but I just love being a woman sizedhuman not a big person....I deserve at least a little time with that! Now that I am normal weight I have to work to maintain but I eat pretty similar to my skinny minnie gfriend. I have a solid 30# on her (she is actually underweight and bony by her own admission but also small framed whereas I am of a robust build). We are on a trip together so I know how our eating compares. I am more physically active too. However I am still more prone to stress eatin. The day I had the medical thing going on, I had a snack when neither of us normally would. I bet I do that unconsciously at to.we. she stops eating when stressed. My point, I admit to remaining dillusional at times about my real food consumption. It is easy for me to hide my bariatric history since truth of the matter is that thinmiddle aged women eat this way! (I am talking about three years post op food consumption)

yaborhoo I have attempted the 5 day pouch test and lost 3 lbs that was 10 lbs ago:(,Im not having any ill side affects from the medication I started today, the other medications that has weight gain warnings I cam off of 4 months ago,and the new medication for BED is the only one on the market as of now,I have also tried kundalini yoga, Miss Mac I haven't meet the bariatric Dr yet,More like the game Frogger ,me being the alligator trying to eat the frog,I only meet with a nut once or twice so I am so lacking in that department any advice would help, FrankiesGirl that is a great question my beloved husband does the food shopping I have been fired because I try to get more fresh fruit and veggies he dosn't like it retired cop needs his donuts,and he is constantly telling me I have to eat something I cant not eat.he also gained some weight ,Freshman 15 ha more like FL 30.but he has a 6'3"height advantage. BLERDgirl ED oh had to think about that for a moment ( I dont have those parts) eating disorder yes that I do have,I figured I would try here first.but that does sound like a good idea, thank you all so much

For anyone who has Caresource in Ohio, here is their policy as it pertains to Bariatric Surgery as of July 2016: A. SUBJECT Obesity Surgery B. BACKGROUND Surgery for morbid obesity, bariatric surgery, and gastric bypass surgery is a major surgical procedure with significant risk of surgical and post-op complications that should be considered medically necessary only as a treatment alternative when a concerted effort a conventional and conservative management has failed for those who meet the policy criteria below. Prior authorization request for Morbid Obesity Surgery and supporting information must be submitted by the surgeon intending to perform the procedure. Further supporting information may be presented by the PCP or other practitioners, but unless the prior authorization request is submitted by the attending surgeon, the request will be administratively denied for lack of information. C. DEFINITIONS N/A D. POLICY I. The surgery should be considered medically necessary if ALL of the following conditions are met: A. The patient is at least 21 years of age. Members less than 19 years old will be considered only under extreme circumstances. B. The BMI (Body Mass Index) and associated conditions suggest surgery is the most prudent treatment: 1. BMI > 50 with or without associated co-morbidities and failed conservative weight loss attempts as per 3B 2. BMI 40-50 with 1 or more significant co-morbidities not well controlled with appropriate treatment that a surgical weight loss treatment is likely to improve 3. BMI 35-40 with 2 or more co-morbid conditions that are not well controlled with appropriate treatment that a surgical weight loss treatment is likely to improve: a. The co-morbid condition is either poorly controlled on appropriate medical therapy and would likely improve with weight reduction OR by virtue of family history and existing clinical conditions, the patient would remain high risk for short term co-morbid complications without the surgery Examples include Poorly controlled hypertension on multi-drug therapy Inadequately controlled diabetes despite high does insulin treatment and other therapeutic regimens Lipid disorder on maximum drug therapy and lifestyle modification without control C. Written clinical documentation and supporting information from the attending surgeon must include: 1. Letter of medical necessity 2. Evidence that there has been at least a 9 month documented physician supervised trial of diet and exercise within the last 24 months (adapted from NIH recommendations) 3. Summary of co-morbid conditions 4. A description of a multi-disciplinary approach to preparing and managing the patient in the pre-operative and peri-operative periods and through an extended post-operative period 5. Evidence the patient has been evaluated from a psychological standpoint within the past 6 months and which supports that the patient does not have an underlying psychiatric condition which would interfere with the success of the surgery and that the patient will withstand the rigors of the surgery and maintain long-term follow-up care. If the member is under psychiatric care, documentation from their current treating psychiatrist is also required 6. Supporting letter of medical necessity from the patient’s PCP, recommending the surgery and documenting that the patient has undergone medical evaluation to rule out other treatable causes of obesity D. Patients with a history of non-compliance with medical care and any psychiatric illnesses that may hinder compliance with the post-operative regimen are not suitable for surgery. -- Your surgeon may also require additional testing and clearances, but this is what Caresource requires. Hopefully this helps someone.

Basically, everything I'll take will fit in my small travel backpack - my CPAP (only because I'm required to take it - my sleep apnea is quite mild and I don't use the machine as much as I should...) Smartphone and tablet (which has a keyboard add-on), plus chargers - having been through three previous major surgeries, while I will be tired and not very energetic, I will want to read a little (yay, e-book and e-magazine library!) and might want to listen to some music or answer an email or two. I'll probably bring a comfy robe for walking the halls - I know I could just wear another gown backward, but I know from experience I will find my robe soothing. Plus, it can serve as a lap-blanket if I'm sitting up. Gas-X strips and lip balm. Underwear and socks for the trip home - I don't mind wearing the hospital non-slip socks for the duration of the stay, but they just are NOT comfy in shoes . I'll wear yoga pants, a loose top and slip-on shoes that will be sensible for wearing home, too. I probably won't bother taking much in the way of toiletries unless I hear otherwise from my bariatric team - I'm only expected to be there for one night, and my experience with hospitals is the major things like soap, shampoo, toothbrush and paste will be provided. Plus, I'll be 30 minutes from home - if I desperately need something my husband will bring it to me, or I'll do without for a few extra hours.

Hello All, I am a long-time 'lurker,' first time poster - I'm strangley nervous! I was banded in February 2011 and have lost 45 lbs so far - slow and steady! I wanted to post and see if anyone else has experienced this and/or has any advice for how to get through the next 4 weeks ... Last Saturday night I woke up with intense upper stomach pain that wrapped around my back. After a few hours of the pain intensifying, I decided to go to my local ER around 3 am. Once checked in they gave me some pain killers through an IV, did an ultrasound, ran a CT scan, and did x-rays. I told the doctor I had a lapband and suggested he take all the Fluid out to see if that helped. Because I was able to drink all the liquid for the CT scan (that bright orange dye stuff?), he said it couldn't be my band. At that point I was high as a kite so I went with it. My pain was under control so they sent me home around 6 with a prescription for Vicodin and told me to check in with my PCP on Monday if I was still in pain ... 2 hours and 3 Vicodin's later I had to go back. The pain was so intense that I couldn't walk and they had to bring out a wheel chair. The new doctor on shift immediately recommended taking the fluid out of my band which was more than fine by me ... Unfortunately the hospital didn't have any needles that were long enough to reach my port (they had a .5" and needed a 1.5"). They decided to courier a needle from a nearby hospital and keep me doped up in the meantime. I spent almost 6 hours higher than high (I hate to think what I was talking about!) and finally they got a needle - only it was just 1"! We decided to go for it and I blew out my stomach and the doctor pushed as hard as he could with the needle - it took over 20 pokes (I counted the dots afterward) but he managed to get almost all the fluid out - phew! I immediately felt better and was able to go home (sans wheelchair!). I followed up with my bariatric surgeon the next day and after reviewing everyting, it turns out all that fuss was because something had gotten stuck - probably on Friday - and then the irritation grew and grew until the swelling in my stomach was too much! Thankfully he says my band still looks placed correctly, but he said I can't have any fills until my stomach recovers from its "trauma" - at least 4 weeks. EEEK!! I am absolutely terrified of getting through the next 4 weeks without my band - has any one else had to do this? Did you gain weight back? How did you cope? Thanks so much for any advice you can offer! - s

I had my sleeve surgery done by Dr. Alanis on 6/20/11. I have been pleased without any complications. I have lost 45 lbs so far. I think he is a wonderful doctor. I had it at West Houston Medical Center and they have very caring bariatric staff there. Many of the women have had the surgery. You will be fine and up and moving before you know it.

Yesterday afternoon, I was just bothered by the whole will they/won't they mind game of insurance approval. Now, I realize I can't even submit for another month. I have one more weigh in for my MSWL program requirement. I called BCBS-TX yesterday and asked her if I had to use one of their Blue Center of Distinction for Bariatric Svc. She put me on hold and came back and said for Bariatric Surgery, no I don't. She told me that it is all up to the policy riders that each employer puts in the coverage. She said our insurance has that requirement for Organ Transplant, but not for Bariatric Surgery. So then I asked her to repeat the requirements so I could make sure I wasn't missing anything. (I'm not. YAY!) I told her that I was stressed out about not being approved and she said that for almost everyone that applies they are approved providing all the requirements are met. She said that 90% of the denials are based on missing paperwork and most of those are approved on the 1st appeal. She was SUPER nice and patient and I realize that she's not the decision maker, but it did help put my mind at ease a little bit. I know I'm doing everything that I'm supposed to.

Hello, I've finally scheduled my surgery for January 22nd. A large part of my decision to move forward with this has to do with this forum, the comments and discussions have been great in helping me become educated. I am self-pay, my weight hovers just under 40 BMI and fortunately I have no co-morbidity's. I have a family history of Bariatric surgery and want to head off my weight problems before I develop co-morbidity's. I look forward to the good advice and support this forum offers. I'm in the Dallas area by the way and having Dr. Gonzalez perform the procedure. They're offering a great self-pay option right now.

I grew up in Venice and live in Englewood now. I had my surgery through Sarasota Bariatric's , who are run by Sarasota Memorial. They have a support group for their patients the first Thursday of every month. I started with their group, but got way more info here. PM me if you need any help with anything.

Are there any of you out there!!?? :help: My name is Rebecca. I am a proud mother of three ages 4, 2 and 5 months. I've been overweight since I was a child. With the birth of my son this past August came the realization that being healthy is more important now than ever. I am currently in the process of getting all of my paperwork to the surgeons office.... once my "packet" is complete - they will set me up with appointments for the nutritionist, psych exam, and then schedule surgery. I've hit a bump in the road, though. I recieved a call yesterday from the surgeons office saying that BCBS will require me to have 5 years worth of doctors notes showing supervised weight-loss attempts. I have notes from 1999 showing a prescription for Xenical and advise to diet/exercise. I think I can get a hold of records from 2002 from a bariatric center I went to. I also saw a nutritionist in 2003. But that's all I can think of. Supervised??? I can't tell you how many doctors I tried to discuss my weight with....and was told to "just diet and exercise." Why would I turn to those same people to "supervise" me tackle the biggest challenge of my life?? What was perhaps even more discouraging was that the woman I was speaking with was anything but helpful. I truly believed that the Surgeons office would help with this part of the process.....that they cared. Maybe I was just naive. I'm wondering.... could those of you who were approved with the same requirement talk to me more about the definetion of "supervised weight loss?" How specific must these records be? The receptionist at the doctors office was anything but helpful when I asked for mroe details.

Ive fought my weight all my life- sometimes healthy, but most of the time overweight, so dieting wasn’t new it me, BUT after covid and hitting peri/menopause, the weight came to stay. I was miserable- joint pain, pre-diabetic- and couldn’t lose weight no matter what - even on my usual low carb/keto path. Tried metformin—ugh, Tried contrave- Wellbutrin/naltroxene combo— sicker than a dog and scared of messing with my mental health. HRT was causing the weight to climb- and in november had hysterectomy - and by February hit my highest weigh of 195, Called and got a local Bariatric surgeon consult. Went in and discussed it- decided on VSG. I was NOT going to hit 200 - none of my clothes fit and everything hurt. Found out the process could be months log- so I got on internet and had Mexico- flights, surgeon and two days off work booked and planned for the next month. It cost me about as much as out of pocket would have cost me in the states and i was able to lose weight before surgery- where if id stayed in states, i could have been denied if i lost anything (MX requirement was BMI of 30, states was 35 and comorbitities, i think) I was READY-and was NOT in the mood to wait. So decided Feb 3, and surgery March 3. So glad i did it!

I am pre-op as well. My NUT just told me what to order for after surgery. I just went to Bariatric Advantage and ordered Advanced Multi EA Chewable Mixed Fruit (60ct) for $36.00 (this has all of the vitamins in one chewale) and Bariatric Advantage Calcium Crystal, (60 servings) $15.10.

Alex if you go to ebay and google things like...divided toddler plate..and other similar things you will find lots of ideas from cheap plastic to melamine to Stangle pottery. Starting there I bet you could find a manufacturer you could buy in bulk from and even have plates customized for Bariatric Pal. Maybe sippy cups too.LOL

Hi, I have been lurking around for a while and I finally have a date.:clap2::clap2: This Wednesday at 12:30. I am self pay so I was able to get in really quick. I am soooooo excited. I never thought I would say that about having surgery. My doctor is Dr. Brady with Southwest Bariatric Surgeons in Austin, TX. Tammy

Now I completed the Options program which is a prerequisite for Kaiser Habor City Bariatrics.....also your required to lose 10% of your body wt by time you meet the surgeon...Have I lost 10% not even close maybe 4%....but I'm just curious about what happens...Has anyone had this experience? I'm not worried because it is what it ...but looking for some feedback?

I did not get any support from my insurance. They flat out said no coverage for bariatric surgery no matter what. I paid $7,000 and had it done in Mexico with Dr. Zapata in Monterey. It was an awesome experience.

When did you guys start taking your multivitamins post op? I already have BariLife one a day with iron and the Bariatric Fusion 4 a day chewable ones now. But I don’t recall when they told me to start taking these exactly. Maybe I’m having brain fog. But I do take the Bcomplex everyday.

This soon post op, I would think you would go with you bariatric MD and not PCP??? edited to say...I should have read further down. I am so sorry you are going through all of this. I hope your hospital trip will be a productive and healing one. Saying prayers.

there are statistically more complications with bypass, but complications with either surgery are really pretty low. The rule of thumb lately seems to be if you have GERD issues, go with bypass, otherwise, it comes down to personal preference. They're both good surgeries, and you'll find people on this site who've been very successful with both. you will have to take vitamins for life with both surgeries, but there are more consequences if you slack off on vitamin-taking with bypass because of the malabsorption. But if you're diligent about taking your vitamins, then vitamin deficiency is rare. about 30% of sleeve patients develop GERD (or if they have it prior to surgery, it can get worse), and about the same percentage of bypass patients (about 30%) experience dumping syndrome, and in both cases that's kind of a crap shoot. You can't really predict ahead of time if you'll get those or not (although if you already have GERD, it's very likely not to improve and there's a decent chance it'll get worse with the sleeve. On the other hand, bypass usually improves if not outright cures GERD). If you have bypass and are one of the 30% who dump, it can be controlled by not eating a lot of sugar (or fat - some people dump on fat) at one sitting. hair loss is very common with both surgeries. Actually, it's a potential side effect of any major surgery (and childbirth, too), due to stress on the body. I think we see it more after bariatric surgeries than other surgeries, though, because in addition to the trauma from the surgery, we're also taking in very few calories the first few weeks/months. The good news is, it's temporary - the hair will grow back - and in most cases, you're the only one who'll notice it. A few people don't lose any hair at all, a few lose noticeable clumps of it, but most of us are somewhere in the middle. It's more like "shedding", and it's not enough for others to notice. I didn't lose much at all. It lasted maybe three months and then started growing back. But anyway, don't make your decision based on hair loss, because that's very common regardless of surgery. I don't think you can really make a wrong decision either way. I'd take into account what your doctors say, and also consider your personal preference. Some people are more comfortable with one or the other. As I mentioned, they're both good surgeries and you can get good results with either one.

LOL - thanks! I've been hanging out on bariatric boards for a few years - plus I used to work with the pre-op groups at my clinic (well until COVID hit, anyway - so for three or four years). You hear and learn a lot of stuff that way!

I just started investigating all of this .Glad to know I'm not the only one in the "unknown zone? " I actually have a musculoskeletal injury since 12/2006 that put me where I never thought I'd be "BANKRUPTCY" so 3 more years of that.My insurance excludes the Lapband as well.I'm going to see a Bariatric doctor this month.I think I qualify .I was diagnosed with sleep apnea 2 years ago,3 weeks ago I was told I'm hypertensive and diabetic,arthritis in both knees(no cartilage in one)High triglycerides and cholesterol and my BMI is 36.I also have GERD.I think I'll qualify,too.But what good does that do if insurance can't be convinced of the co-morbidity status ? Anyone have more info about what to do and how to get started?