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Pre-authorization for surgery without a surgeon giving your medical information is not going to happen for the majority of insurance. Your surgeon needs to evaluate you to see if you are a good candidate for surgery, and then he will send in a pre-auth request form with your medical information. In the meantime, you can call your insurance company and get a copy of their bariatric policy in writing, so you will know exactly what the requirements are.

Well, I made it through my first shift back at work. But I have to say, I was BEAT this morning! Thankfully, it wasn't a hughly busy shift, so I could pace myself, sip on my water all night, got to take a break, etc. Some nights it is so crazy that even a bathroom break is out of the question (sorry, TMI!). Only problem was, I was way to beat to swim with my roommate this morning before going to bed. I got home and told her, "sorry, I am headed straight to bed!" And I slept like I had died. So now it is back to work again tonight and tomorrow, and then I have a couple of nights off, which will be nice. When I got home this morning, I made my usual "Pit stop" at the scale on my way to bed, and was disappointed to see that I weighed the same as yesterday morning. Sort of discouraging. I walked a lot last night at work, and thought that would help in the weight loss battle. But then I know that weight loss isn't always smooth and even. I was somewhat discouraged when I got to work last night. I had told two people at work (IN CONFIDENCE!) about the upcoming weight loss surgery, and when I got to work, it seemed like EVERYONE knew I had had the surgery, that I had gone to Mexico to have it, etc. I am not sure which one of my co-workers "spilled the beans", but am sort of upset that one or both of them would tell something that I had told them in confidence, and asked them NOT to tell anyone about! I am a contract worker, and did this between contracts, so it isn't like I had to inform administration or HR about the surgery. For all they knew, I was just taking some time off between contracts. I had tons of "unsolicited" advise last night, about my diet, my weight loss, my vitamin intake, etc. There are three gals at work who have had various bariatric procedures (not sure what exact procedure) and one of them came to me to tell me how it was "the worst thing she had ever done in her life!" Now why would she tell me that? I am working hard to make a success of my surgery and post-op experience, and she tells me about her infections, her subsequent surgeries needed to "fix what the weight loss surgery did to me", etc! I mean, how depressing. I guess some people just can't let someone else be happy that things are going right! Oh well, enough complaining. Have to start getting ready for work. Hope all you pre and post op Sleevers are doing well. Talk at you more later............

Thanks Nola, That is a good point. The doc I chose in Florida is considered the "grandfather" bariatric surgery here. He was the first in the state to perform the sleeve using the Spider technique. I think he's performed over 12,000 surgeries in addition to being a bypass patient himself. So he's definitely qualified, but that doesn't mean that he's the only one that can perform the surgery safely. Ally

***BIG RANT*** 2.5 months out are you training to compete in something??? or to lose weight???? Did you tell him your workout goals??? Am I reading this correctly? How many hours a day? Why is he having you workout every day and some of it returning to the gym for 2 to 3 times each day? No rest days? Look into building muscle...It builds on rest days. I would love to see if he is certified. and what type. ACE or ACSM? Your trainer may have worked with other patients. Ask what type of education he has in bariatrics. Majority have none. https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/make-the-most-of-your-rest-days.html Only you can gage if what your experiencing is normal DOMS or needs medical attention. None of us here are medical professionals. I don’t give medical advice. Trust your professionals. Check in with your Dr. for medical issues, dehydration or unusual inflammation. Dehydration is nothing to mess around with. You are 2.5 months out. We all start out with a lower fitness level and work our way up. I would caution against upping your calories this early. The last thing you need it to sabotage your weight loss. Talk to your dietician for nutrition advice due to increased work outs. Give them your calorie burn and your workout schedule. They will advise you if you need to change up your diet plan to support your workout, May advise you to seek a different training program. Many of us here are competitive lifters, power lifters, and endurance sports, I am a distance runner. - If you choose to become an athlete look into a sports medicine dietician -

I was cleared for ANY pills, capsules, gel caps etc... one month post surgery. I've been off bariatric Vitamins and back on Silver Centrum since 9/1. I couldn't stand taking the baritrak vits (mixed with 8oz of Water downed in 15 minutes), or the chewable ones, they didn't make me sick, they were just disgusting.

Find out what your insurance requires. Some insurances don't require monitored weight loss, but most do. From 3 months-1 year. Some insurances that don't require the monthly weight loss instead have a percentage you have to lose to be approved (though some of the monitored weight loss insurances have this too). My insurance was different then yours and it required a 6 month monitored weight loss program, but did not have a requirement to lose weight (you just couldn't GAIN weight). You can actually generally ask the insurance coordinator at the bariatric office what your insurance requires if you don't want to call your insurance yourself. After they send the paperwork in to the insurance it takes 2-3 weeks to approve and then they'll give you a surgery date. So really it depends on 1. your insurance, and 2. how long they're scheduled out for (because I got approved at the end of November 2019, but my surgery was scheduled 2 months later on January 23 2020. So my wait from my first bariatric consultation until surgery was 8 months). The time actually goes by pretty fast. Or, at least it did for me. I ended up losing 68 pounds in that 8 month period so... I was productive lol.

I went to Obesity Contol Center. It is an International Center of Excellence in TJ. My surgeons were Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Dr. Arturo Martinez, both Bariatric Surgeons of Excellence. Dr. Ortiz is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has actually taught laparoscopic surgery technique in the US and Canada. Fantastic care while there - the entire staff is dedicated exclusively to bariatric surgical care, they were friendly, incredibly helpful, skilled, and spoke perfect English. The followup communication is also great. They have been available for any and all questions I had both before and after surgery via phone and email, including the surgeons, cardiologist, nutritionist, anesthesiologist, office manager and followup Doctor. Much easier to get a hold of than the US surgeon that removed my gall bladder! My PCP has taken care of my postop bloodwork. That's really the only followup care I've needed. My OB/Gyn actually offered to do it, too.

Thank you all for your responses. I went to the initial 2 hour group seminar with the bariatric surgeon at the hospital and they did give me a huge packet afterward. When they asked for the ins info, I told them I currently have an *** that doesn't cover weight loss surgeries and would have BCBS on January 1st. They wouldn't make an appt. with me until Jan, so my PCP and I have decided to get a 3 month jump on the 6 month requirement so I could seek approval by March. My PCP wanted some specifics on format/documentation but it looks like I'll have to wait to see the surgery center in Jan?

Hello! Not being sleeved until Feb 2014 but gathering my info and product slowly but surely. The multi Vitamin lingo is over my head and so is comparing vitamin labels/content. Are the veterans here for or against: Special bariatric Vitamins? Tks! W

It sounds like it could WLS related but only one way know for sure so please contact your original Bariatric Surgeon if you can (or a new one) for diagnostic testing and guidance.

Exactly why I'm not telling anyone. Double edge sword for you - on the one hand at least you work with people with a medical background so they understand (well, many I'm sure) why somebody would look at bariatric surgery in the first place. On the other hand they see outcomes, good and bad, and focus on the bad outcomes (as most people would do). There's nobody I know that would think anything but what most typically think - 'it's the easy way out, why don't you just eat less and exercise more'. Even if I were to tell people how much I've struggled with my weight most of my life, they wouldn't get it - how many things I haven't done because of my weight, how many things I regret because of it, how many missed photos there've been (my older kids' high school grads, university grads, any kind of special occasion). My mom passed away recently - I hadn't flown home to see her in 2 years because seeing everyone - family and friends - was just too embarrassing for me. In the end, I had to go back for her funeral and of course saw family anyway. We miss way too much when we feel bad about ourselves. But people who don't suffer from being overweight or obese don't and can't see this. (What sort of bad outcomes are your co-workers referring to btw?)

I had a wonderful experience with Dr Kelly in Mexico. He is very experienced as a bariatric surgeon, and also has trauma training. I had 2 full nights in the Florence Hospital, and the price also includes 2 nights in a very nice hotel. The cost was $5500. Dr Kelly and Trish even visit you at the hotel. I had discomfort from the gas immediately after surgery, but no pain with the sleeve itself. I had no nausea or throwing up. They administered meds thru my IV for pain, acid, gas elimination, and antibiotics. After the drain removal and leak test on day 3 I felt good, had no trouble walking around, and had no pain or problems drinking gatorade and eating jello and chicken broth. I am so grateful to Dr Kelly for an easy surgery and speedy recovery. Good luck on your decision!

My surgeon - the bariatric team at St Joe's hospital in Chicago does it so it was provided as an option. I know not all surgeons do it though. Here's some more info from a press release I found: SILS -- A New Houston Weight Loss Surgery -- Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery Posted on : 2010-02-01 | Author : PRWeb News Category : PressRelease In Houston, Texas, a new weight loss surgery technique known as SILS – single incision laparoscopic surgery – is now available for some bariatric operations (weight loss surgeries), including the Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB) and the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG). It involves performing the entire obesity-surgery through a single small incision... (PRWEB) February 1, 2010 -- A new weight loss surgery technique known as SILS – single incision laparoscopic surgery – is now available for some bariatric operations, including the Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB) and the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG). It involves performing the entire procedure through a single small incision, ideally at the umbilicus (belly button). SILS is usually less painful than standard laparoscopic surgeries (4-6 small incisions), and the cosmetic effect is thought to be superior. Some obesity surgery cases still need a balance of diet and exercise after the surgery to maintain long term results. SILS weight loss surgery is done under general anesthesia with the patient completely asleep. A small incision is placed at the umbilicus and either 3 standard trochars (tubes through which the instruments are passed) or a single specialized SILS port is placed to gain access to the abdominal space. The space is then insufflated with carbon dioxide to create enough room to manipulate the instruments. SILS requires specialized instruments that are able to articulate (bend into angles), and a novel camera that can be turned to a variety of angles. The operation is done using the same methods as the regular laparoscopic surgery. For the AGB procedure a tunnel under the skin and fat layer is created to place the port for later band adjustment. This is required to move it away from the umbilicus. Postoperatively, the patient will only have one incision, usually with less pain than a weight loss surgery with 4 to 6 incisions. Also, as the scar heals and contracts it usually becomes less noticeable as it is partially hidden by the umbilicus. Most weight loss patients feel this has a better cosmetic result. Not all patients can have the SILS approach. It is best used in patients of lower weight (BMI of 35 to 45) and whose body habitus (the physical and constitutional characteristics of an individual) is favorable. This depends on the individual patient and their surgeon’s judgment. Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. BMI-Body Mass Index formula is a specific calculation. For basic understanding of the BMI, here is a simple example. A person who is 5’5” to 6’0” with a weight of 225 to 300 pounds could be a possible SILS candidate. For each 7 to 8 pounds of body weight, they will get 1 point of BMI. So, if you divide 250 pounds by 7 you will have an estimated BMI of 36. If you are dealing with obesity or are interested in the SILS version of either the AGB or the LSG operations, please ask your Houston surgeon prior to starting the process to qualify for Houston weight loss surgery in Texas. There is also the option of a gastric bypass surgery for people with higher BMI. Houston Surgical Specialists Operating on a Personal Level (713) 993-7124 Houston, Texas

I live *damned* well. I mean, I live so well that it's embarrassing. But my living well doesn't have to include having this or that particular food. Y'know, during my pre-surgery period, I went to an awesome wedding. I had two shakes over the course of the day -- at one point, I even stepped out of the reception to have one -- and then at the dinner, I had some of the meat entree, and a little piece of the vegan-gluten-free carrot cake they had as the wedding cake. But there's the thing. If you ask me about that wedding, I'm not going to tell you what I ate, or how much I enjoyed having the food. I'm going to tell you that we danced to awesome ridiculous 80's hair band music because the bride's family is from new Jersey, and *I* was dancing too because I had already lost 20 pounds from my pre-surgical diet. I will tell you that I found the citrus theme colors and citrus tables hilarious. I will talk about the amazing pictures or just how beautiful a wedding ceremony it was because it was focused on the bride and groom's roles in local activism for marriage equality. I will say the bridal FEZ was amazing. But what I'm going to remember, 20 years from now, is not the food. Honestly. So, do I love great food? I do. But the central part of my well-lived amazing awesome life (and it's pretty fricking awesome right now, seriously) is not food. It's not gonna be food. I'm okay having food be the background, and not the centerpiece. Last weekend, 3 days after surgery, I spent the day at a friend's 15th anniversary puzzle hunt and vow renewal and party. We raced all over downtown San Jose solving clues. (I just raced a little slower...) Afterwards, people had great Mexican food (but I had a tiny Syntrax nectar shake) and we did silly costuming things and the memories now are again, amazing -- even though I didn't get to eat anything at the event. :-) Three months ago, it would have been much harder for me to do that. I want to have *those* memories. I'm not really worried about eating pizza or ice cream, if I can be there with the people and do all the great things. :-)

Thank you for this! While I am very committed to this massive life change, I'm also in the pre-surgery jitters stage. 5 more days! So, my anxious litte brain is fixating on any and all of the worries and complications associated with bariatric surgery. Nice to read some positive stats while in this frame of mind. Obviously, I have all the evidence I need that this is a great choice for me and lots of others (hello message boards). But, whew! I underestimated this anxiety in the home stretch. I think it's less about the actual surgery than is it about the fact that I absolutely hate being touched by strangers and especially in a medical setting. I'm also horrible about speaking up for myself because I'm trying to be the perfect patient. Therapy topic for this week perhaps?

Kempner, TX but working out of the Killeen office with the Texas Bariatric Specialist group. Sleeved December 2018 and had revision to Roux-en-x-y gastric bypass on October 7th, 2020 per GERD/Acid reflux issues causing damage to my vocal chords and creating a cancer risk. Lost 20 more lbs since revision and am happy with results as I was only able to get to 173 with sleeve and now I am 8 bs from goal weight ( Now weighing 153) and finally within reach. I have had no complication and no longer any problems with GERD or reflux and am very happy thus far.

I have developed a technique for dealing with people I don't want to tell about bariatric surgery and it works so well. Here's how it goes... There is a particular pattern to most conversations about weight loss that goes like this. Observer: Wow! You've really lost a ton of weight. Person who lost weight: THANKS! [explains how they lost weight, how much they lost] All I do is when people I don't know/like enough ask me about my weight loss, I just politely say "Thanks." That's it. I don't give details on how much I lost, how I lost it... nothing. I then either smile and move on to something/someone else or I flat out change the subject. You would be amazed how well this works. People don't know what to do when you won't play the game. When they give you the opening to tell them about your weight loss and you don't take it, they just freeze. It works like a charm.

Hi there, How often do you see your bariatric team and primary doctor? How often do you take antibiotics? There could be a number of things in play but only medical practitioners can diagnosis. You may need pre and probiotics as suggested but also have a look: https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2009/msu-professor-studies-links-between-gastric-bypass-immune-system/ Do your own research, Check in with your physicians and ask them to run more extensive testing. Safe journey!

I had already placed a call into my bariatric surgeon's office - the nurse was gone for the day. They should be calling me back tomorrow. I was just hoping to get a jump start on understanding.

I was told 3 flinstones vitamins for Menstrual women and 2 for non Menstrual also I take bariatric advantage calcium (3) and b 12

I read that book its an excellent book..the best is how it describes your rebirth...think of all this like ur being reborn as a newborn you fussy, learning your body, discovering yourself...its not gonna be the same when ur a 2 yr old toddler u know what u can so and cant and u have the energy etc... My bariatric center has a library we can borrow books from and i borrowed it there...it has real life scenarios and stories which .ake it great.

When did you start your 6 month plan and when did it all get submitted to insurance? Insurance has denied me because they say there isn't 6 months of a documented weight loss plan. I went to my PCP in October of last year. She weighed me and we talked about diet/exercise along with getting my referral to a bariatric center in our area. I started going to them in November and have not missed a month. So, March should have been month 6, correct? I'm not sure if they just aren't counting the PCP one or if they count their months differently (October-November, November-December, December-January, January-February, February-March would only be 5?). If anyone has had this situation and had it resolved, I would love to hear from you! Although I will know the answer in a few days I can't help but ask!

Ok I think he’s part of Chi Franciscan’s internal bariatric program. Again I have nothing but good things to say about everyone I dealt with from testing to surgery to recovery. [emoji4]

I had a really easy surgery. Everything went much better expected...with the exception of one little hiccup:) I had just gotten to my room, was talking to my husband, feeling really good.....when this extremely worried looking hospital administrator came in and asked me if I was feeling up to talking for a minute. I felt great...so I was like...Of course.. And she asks me..."Are you in the process of having your surgery financed?" And I go...."Uh, no. I have insurance." And she goes...."I was just on the phone with your insurance company and apparently there's been some mistake. Your rider doesn't cover bariatric surgery." I can't overemphasize how grim this woman looks. She knows she's giving me horrible news, and it's her job to protect the hospital financially....she looks like she feels terrible for me. She's trying to be really gentle and says "We could do an 18 month financing plan. We don't usually do this and we're really not sure how this happened. Usually financing is in place." And I go..."Um, can I show you something?" I had my husband get my folder of stuff that I had sense enough to bring to the hospital with me. In it...was a copy of my approval letter from my insurance company. So I give her the copy of the letter....and she looks baffled. I go..."Will that help you?" And she goes..."It just might. Please give me ten minutes. I'll be right back." She comes back in ten minutes...all smiles. "I'm so sorry. You have the same name and birth date as another patient in the system and we were trying to bill the wrong person. You're all set. I really appreciate you bringing this letter with you, it helped immensely. I'm really sorry about worrying you when you're already stressed." And I'm like..."I feel so shockingly good, I'm just grateful the surgical team is top notch. No one's perfect. If mistakes are gonna happen, I'd rather they happen in billing, you know?" She smiled, apologized again, and excused herself. Later that day I got flowers from the hospital with a note from her thanking me for being understanding about the mix up. Moral of the story: Bring a copy of your approval letter to the hospital with you. Other Moral of the story: Give your kid a somewhat unique name. Mine is as generic as John Smith... and this has caused me issues a couple of times.

Someone on another blog recommended syntrax from Bariatric choice website. I personally love premier protein and so did the other person who recommended Syntrax, so maybe you will like it maybe not.. I guess it's all trial and error.