Search the Community

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?

I'm just about done with my two week preop diet regime of two Bariatric Advantage Protein Meal Supplement shakes and one "sensible" meal per day. I don't mind the flavor of the shake; I ususally mix it with crystal light lemonade or add cinammon with the powder. I blend them with ice to make a cool, frothy and filling shake. Only issue is GI upset since the first day of the shakes. After a week of running to the bathroom, I got some Immodium and things seem to havve slowed down. Anyone else have this experience from the Protein Shakes? Wanda

Hey everyone, I just wanted to write a little update. I am so not a blog writing person, but I think writing helps me stay accountable and then I am able to go back and read what I wrote. Ok.. so for the stats. I am three weeks post op, I had my surgery on Jan26th (self pay). My starting weight a week before surgery was 220 and then my weight day of surgery was 211 (I think the first scale was a little heavy because I was not required to do a pre-op). And I weighed myself today (without clothes) and I was around 203. That’s only about a 7/8 pound lost from the day of surgery in 3 weeks. I am little disappointment but I know I have cheated a couple of times and I am not very strict about the protein and liquids. I know I need to get it together!! But I am glad that at least I am following my progress so that I can implement some changes and see results. I dont know if I told you all... but my short term goal is to lose a lot of weight by my 30th bday on June 30th. That leaves around 4 1/2 months to lose weight. I want to lose around 30 pounds. I would absolutely love to be 170 something by my 30th b-day. lol. You wont be able to tell me I am not cute. hahaha. OK so back to the stats. I've been on mushies for around 3 weeks. I was lucky in that my dr did not require 2 weeks of full liquids but instead wanted us to do mushies for week 2-4. I can do that. I went to the 2 week nutrition class last week and it was good. I told the nurse that I was only getting about 40 grams of protein a day and she warned that my hair may fall out if I dont get the 60-70. Ouch,, I dont want that. So while I have beefed it up.. I am not where I need to be. So starting today I am taking a renewed effort in getting my protein. I just cant seem to find any vitamins or calcium that taste good.. eeew, the chewables are soo nasty; they taste like chald. Am I the only one that misses eating. OMG.. I knew I was a emotional and mental eater but I never knew it was this bad. I just miss the social aspect of eating. Like now.. Im like well what’s the point of going to the mall or to eat if I cant eat anything good. I guess I am saving money...but I sure do miss eating. I have my first restaurant outing tonight with a girlfriend...hopefully that works. Because I haven’t told her about my surgery and I want to just act like normal. My mushi stage includes fish... so I think I will just get fish and mash potatoes or a veggie. That seems to work good for me. But eating with people..I notice that people eat so fast and just slurp their food up. My gosh... I never knew how much we as a people dont stop to really enjoy and taste our food. Speaking of not telling people.. I just told my BF about the surgery. Ouch. I was really nervous about it. He lives in a different state so I was able to hide it from him but since he was coming down for Valentines day I knew I had to say something. Surprisingly he reacted alot better than I expected. His main thing was that he wish I would have told him so that he could of been here to help me. I asked him would he have tried to talk me out of it..he said yes cause he doesn’t think I needed hte surgery. And I told him..see thats why I didnt tell him. He was really helpful while he was here.. He is a Chef..so he made me lots of soft food and even ate the same foods as me. It was nice. OK.. so I need to focus on a couple of things. I think I have gotten kinda complacent with the surgery already. I need to make sure I take all my vitamins, calcium citrate and water and protein. AND exercise (well I still can only walk until next week) and make better choices of food. Right now.. I am eating any soft thing that I can and not really paying attention to caloric or sugar or fat contents. And I am sure that is the reason for the lack of weight loss. So starting today I am going to get it together. I have my 4 week appointment next week and I want to record some weight loss. I also need to stop cheating . Right now the biggest cheat for me is candy. It my twisted little reasoning.. I was like hmm if I can have chewable vitamins then I can have something like sweet-tarts or smarties. And they go done just fine. Argh, I need to stop eating them. So.. like I said I go for my 4 week appointment next week and for some reason they are combining my 4 and 6 weeks appointments and will be giving me my fill then. I didn’t think anything of it initially but now that I think if it...it seems a little soon for a fill. The good thing is that I wont have the bandster hell that everyone talks about but then I wont really get to enjoy regular food. Because right before I hit the 4 week mark I will have the fill and have to back on liquids for a bit. Has this happen to anyone? Should I ask the dr for a fill later than 4 weeks. OK thats enough for now... I should write more frequently so I wont have as much to say. I think I am going to take progress pics tonight so see if I notice a difference. That should be fun. I know I have a NSV... I was able to button up a coat and not have has much pull as it used to have. it was great. now I don’t have to use a scarf to cover up the snug button. Have a good day everyone.

You need to spend time asking yourself why you are "fat" . There are reasons we are fat, and the problem with the lapband and ANY bariatric surgery is that the surgery WILL NOT CHANGE WHY you are obese. You will skirt around the band and form maladaptive feeding patterns, just as you have being overweight. I say this with all the love and respect of a fat person myself! I've been banded for 10 mths, 55 pound weight loss. There is alot of mental stuff that you have to fix along with the diet. The weight is all symptoms of something else. Food should be a source of nutrition and not emotional fullfillment. Good luck! God bless...I struggle with this EVERYDAY!

I wouldnt get another fill. Ive been there. I thought the tighter I was the more weight I would lose and that just wasnt the case. I had to end up getting an un-fill. I found I wasnt able to get enough calories in to substain my workouts let alone lose fat. Its been 10 months for me and I just hit 45 lbs lost. For many of us it is a VERY slow process. If you are one of those people you must just learn to accept that. The band does about 15% of the work. 70% is your diet and te other 15% is your exercise. 5 bariatric surgeons told me this in a seminar I went to before surgery. I didnt believe them. I really thought I could work out hard and lose weight quicker. NOT true. I lose maybe half of a pound a week and I do all the right things.

i email the Alberta health care and i got this. Alberta Health and Wellness does cover medically required bariatric surgery for weight loss for extremely obese patients with medical complications from the excessive weight. There are two procedures, stomach stapling and gastric banding. Alberta Health and Wellness does cover both surgeries if the physician performing the surgery feels the patient meets the program requirements. These procedures are now being done in Edmonton by 2 surgeons (Dr. Douglas Davey and Dr. Dan Birch), as part of the Capital Health Adult Bariatric Surgery, at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Patient selection includes: age 18 years and older; Body Mass Index greater than 35 with two co morbidities, or greater than 40 with or without co morbidities; and some other criteria. If you wish to calculate your body mass index, there is a web site: http://www.halls.md/body-mass-index/bmi.htm where you can have the body mass calculated automatically. Patients have to be referred to the two surgeons performing this surgery. Once they have seen the surgeons, the patients go through the Bariatric Clinic to be further checked to determine their eligibility for surgery. Only after it is determined that surgery is the best option, will surgery be booked. After the surgery is actually booked the wait is usually less than six months for the surgery to be performed. If an Alberta resident goes outside of Canada for this surgery, the physician’s fees and hospital bill are usually paid by the patient and submitted to Alberta Health and Wellness for consideration of payment later. Alberta Health and Wellness does cover the surgery, at the same rate as it would be paid in Alberta. The hospital in-patient charges are only paid at $100.00 per day. The fees charged by physicians and hospitals outside of Canada will be significantly higher than the fees payable by Alberta Health and Wellness. The patient would still have to be medically eligible for this type of surgery for payment to be considered. I trust this is the information you require. well today i had to go and see my doctor for the mix up from last year when the apply for the bypass and they weigh me and messure me im short 5.4 my bmi is 45 thats bad. He told me he was going to talk to a surgent and see what they could do for me if the lab band would be better I need a new doctor he makes my blood presure go up and on the way out the nurse said to me so after all of this is this going to help your husband to lose wait and pete is not over wait he could lose 20lb but thats it and i cant believe she said that this nurse is 2 times my size. andree