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I’ve been making myself a little crazy and losing sleep worrying, so I’m hoping I can get some of your thoughts on this. I’ve completed my six months of medically supervised weight loss appointments. I’ve had the sleep study, EGD, psych eval and all of that jazz. I called my doctor last week to ask how long it should take to hear back regarding scheduling my surgery, they said that they have to submit everything to my insurance company and then it will take 2 weeks to hear back after that. Okay, that’s all good, but then I did a google search for my insurance company, “McClaren” and “Weight Loss Surgery.” And I found a website for a hospital here in Michigan that does weight loss surgery (not one I’m going through, just a random one that my Google search found), they listed requirements of a bunch of different companies, including mine. For my insurance company it says that they require a “Medically Supervised Diet for 6 Consecutive Months. food & Exercise Journal, Showing a consistent weight loss with no weight gain.” Here’s the thing, the last month of my supervised diet, I gained weight. I’m not sure why. I’d had the flu for a couple of weeks that month. I wasn’t eating much, I really expected to lose but didn’t. So, has anyone ever been denied coverage because they didn’t do well during their MS diet? If so, what happens? Do you have to do it again? The whole six months over again? Is there an appeals process? My insurance coordinator at the doctor’s office isn’t very familiar with my insurance company, in fact she said that this is the first time she’s worked with them. She’d told me that they want to see you “lose a few pounds, here and there.” I’m totally freaked out about this. Could I have totally blown everything in one bad month? What do you think?

I doubt red wine and ginger ale (regular or diet?) are the sole factors in your weight gain (though neither is a great idea, as you no doubt know). I'd suggest going back to MyFitnessPal or a similar app to log everything you eat and drink and see how the calories stack up.

Hi guys this is my first post and I have a few questions for those that have Cigna about the approval process. I currently have UHC, however, I will be starting a new job in January and they offer Cigna. I am currently finishing up the six months of dietician visits required by UHC and I have just one month left before I would be able to submit for insurance approval. However, now that I will have Cigna through my new employer I have been researching their requirements. From what I have seen all In need is 4 months of appointments however my fear is twofold: 1. I never discussed exercise with my dietician and I see that is one of Cigna's requirements, how strict are they about this in your experience. I plan on discussing it at my next appointment so I will have it on my records but that would be only one month so would that be grounds for denial. 2. I have gained weight since starting this process. I have gained about 15lbs from the time I started to now. I am now working on my emotional eating and am making progress but I don't know if a pattern of weight gain will be grounds for denial from Cigna. Do any of you know? Thanks for all your insights!

Just curious for the Sleevers that have been sleeved 9 months or more. Has anyone fell off the wagon and gained back a significant amount of weight ?? Or some of there old weight back ? And is your restriction still good as far as how much you can eat?

I really don't think you are going to find a man who finds you worthy of loving, until YOU find yourself worthy of loving. My advice...and I am not saying it is worth anything!!!...would be to find things in life that make you happy. Work hard to make the best and most productive life you can for you and your son. Focus on the morals, and the attitudes you want him to possess as he too becomes a man. When people, not just men, but everyone, sees that you have that positive outlook, and that you are productive in your life, they will want to be around you. Think about it, if you met a man, regardless of his looks or size, and all he did was complain about how horrible his last relationships were, and how ALL he wants is love and marriage. You would wonder WHY? Why did all the relationships go bad? Was it all the other persons fault? Was he giving relationships time to develop or just wanting seriousness right off the bat? Even tho we tend to put men in another category, they think the same things... And it will be hard for them to see someone worth pursuing a relationship with, if you don't see yourself as worth it. Like P-nut, I too was married twice before. When I married for the first time, I struggled to gain enough weight to keep my dress from sagging in the back...I made it to 116 pounds....I am 5'9". He cheated on me. The 2nd time I got married, I had become a Mom, and was up to 130 pounds. He abused me, and is currently serving time for attempted murder...mine! That began my weight gain.....years later, for the 3rd marriage, I was well over 260 pounds, and he loves me. And I love him. More than I could ever convey in words. He knew me years ago, when I was skinny...but he loves me, and married me when I was fat. He would love me fat til the day I died. But I want more time with him.... Work on making YOU happy. Work on making a good life for you and your son. Then if someone fits into that life, and can improve it, let it happen, don't try to force it. It is much better to be happy alone, than married and miserable! Good luck, be happy!!! Kat

Thank you Anaxila, your suggestions are very helpful! I'm 42, our profiles are very similar. I haven't heard of the DVDs you suggested I'll check them out. I'm planning on going to the Y, I just have to get over the intimidation factor of the whole bathing suit thing. It's been such a cycle for me of gaining weight and wanting to isolate because of my appearance which contributes to my weight gain and on and on. I'm ready to step off of this ride!

My surgery is scheduled for July 23rd and I got my packet in the mail today. It says in there that if you gain weight during the process your surgery could be canceled. I quit smoking almost a month ago and I'm sure I have gained about five pounds or so do you think I will be ok???? Really hard to quit smoking and lose weight to

I was sleeved on 2/14. I found it interesting that they did not wake me before surgery luckily I weighed myself before going to the hospital and weighed in at 250 however when I was discharged yesterday I weighed myself at the hospital and wait in that 256. Is that normal? Did anyone else experience weight gain? When did you start to notice weight loss?

I too have PCOS, but stopped getting my period. If you haven't already, you should "google" PCOS and read all about it. There is a wide spectrum of symptoms that go along with it. I have all the aweful ones- darkening of the skin, skin tags, weight gain etc... I take the same meds as you've been prescribed. Expect to feel a bit on the nauseated side. I felt like I was car sick for about 3 weeks- YUK! I think I've had it for a long time, but was just diagnosed last summer and that was when I made my final decision for WLS. I am extremely frightened of getting diabetes and heart disease. I wish you the best of luck with your journey. Keep us posted!

I have bipolar disorder with major depression and adhd. I am only taking meds for the bipolar disorder. I refuse to take medication that will cause any weight gain, so therefore no meds for the depression. I am not taking anything for the adhd because the medication that was recommended for me causes serious liver damage. I am as stable as I can be considering I no longer have access to marijuana, which really helps me with my mood swings. It was a very hard adjustment after getting banded because of all of the throwing up and other nonsense associated with just being banded. I'm ok now as far as band stabilization. I go for another fill in ten days and I'm almost two years post op.

WELCOME HOME - BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY!!!!! So happy your home sweetie!!! Well I know some of the pain your going through. I too had lipo of the stomach- thighs & butt. Please I know you won't- but you must be EXTRA careful about any weight gain in the future. My tush is now & has been deformed for years bacause I gained weight after lipo. It looks awful- the GREAT news is it seems to be getting better as I lose my weight with the band. Don't those over garmets suck the big one! you poor thing- I feel the frustration & not to mention its summertime! Wow- I waited till winter just because I knew about those horrible garments. Well you take extra care of yourself & stay thin. Your TT will have been the best thing you could have done- i think all women should have one if they are able too. The Lipo- for me thats a different story. Except the Lipo under my chin was FANTASTIC> Good Bless & I am so happy your safe & sound. Can't WAIT FOR THE PHOTOS!!!

One of my loved ones is BP II and they are now trying to decided if she also has BPD. She gained a TON of weight from Abilify..which was billed inititally as 'Weight-Neutral". Weight-Neutral my AS*! She also takes Seroquel and now I'm wondering how much a role this might have played in her carb binging (although this is also typical of Bipolar disorder as well - i.e. not in relation to a med alone). She was on Lamictal as her first line mood stabilizer for a long time and just recently had to be switched to Lithium. I am not BP but I have been on Seroquel for a few years for sleep and anxiety. I have a fairly vicious shift work disorder situation going on and regular sleep meds like Temazepam just don't cut it. I'm on 150 mgs. I haven't noticed weight gain on it but I know meds like this along with the front line mood stabilizers...can bring with them much good, but also sometimes very undesired side effects. I've normally seen the ppl in my life gain the most from the atypical anti-psychotics. I DO know seroquel can impact your cholesterol for sure. The one thing I know for sure is that all of these very important meds bring a host of side effects and many are known impacters on several things that could negatively impact your weight along with simply having bipolar. Would be nice to see more conversations about trying to do this while dealing with some fairly difficult...emotional/mental/spiritual challenges. I know how hard a road it is to walk...with significant challenges like this, while I do not have BP myself, someone who is EXTREMELY close to me...I watch her suffer so much...it breaks my heart over and over...and then add on top of it that she has gained over 100 lbs in a year...on top of already being MO. I just love her so much..and am tired of seeing how life...just continues to throw so many unfair and awful situations her way. I KNOW life is NOT fair, but when you have something like bipolar as a diagnosis..unless you've been there/been beside someone going thru it, it is hard to explain how much it impacts every single aspect of your life sometimes...

I completely agree with what you said. I also don't understand when people freak out over gaining a pound or two in a few days. There are SO many things that can contribute to a small weight gain like that......water weight, time of the month, did you just eat, have you pooped.....that it seems so trivial to me to get worked up over 1 or 2 pounds. I think these people need to step off the scale and bring it out only weekly or monthly. Now if you gained 5+ pounds in a few days, then that's something to pay attention to and make changes for.

I have the Nexplanon implant. I have not had children yet and my Dr said that Mirena is not recommended unless you have already had kids. I have had no weight gain with Nexplanon. It lasts for 3 years and it has also stopped my periods like the Depo shot used to. It is about the size of a match and gets implanted in the inside upper arm (near the bicep). My arm looked bruised for a week after insertion but it didn't hurt. Insertion was uncomfortable but if you have had a tattoo you can handle the pain. Now they say that it can be less effective in Obese women...but I've found it to be very effective.

I'm very nervous about the weight gain too and hence the reason I am hesitant! I know there's many options, I'm aware of the pill (just not thrilled to add another one to my pile... I had a post op GI bleed and currently on soooo many meds!) I also am uncertain what I can take due to have the bleed...

I am 6 years post op and throughout the past couple of years I have gained a substantial amount of weight back after I had lost it. I lost 100lbs and have gained 45lbs. I am so upset with myself and I don’t know what to do. I don’t feel like I overeat but there has to be something I am doing wrong. I don’t even remember the basics anymore. Please help!!

Ok guys! So I've lost 2 kilos, 4.4 pounds. BUT! This is in 6 weeks. I'm a pre-sleever working through my food issues to get sleeved June 2013. I've been struggling this month- extreme hunger at night, fatigue, cravings, pms with out the M! So I see the head of the clinic today, I paid full fee for the pleasure, only to be told that the general doctor who had been treating me had prescribed endep (for my sciatica) in complete contraindication with my regular cymbalta. Not only has it been causing the severe fatigue, but it CAUSES weight GAIN!!! And hunger, and Water retention, dry mouth, emotional lability! So, in order to treat weight-related sciatica, the doctor gave me a pill that causes gain?! And a high dose of it to boot!!! Soooooo angry!!!! I've been going crazy the last few weeks! I thought I just didn't have the willpower! Then I find out its not a question of willpower at all! It's a miracle I didn't GAIN weight, and that would have been very very bad!!! Now I have to gradually come off the stuff so I don't get insomnia and all sorts of other side effects... And I thought the OxyContin had been bad!!! Bloody endep! Bloody doctors!!!! So anyway, here's hoping all you folks on myfitnesspal will notice a marked improvement in my eating again over the next couple of weeks, and my friends and DH notice I'm less cranky!!! To everyone on any medication: please get a second opinion, you never know if even the doctor you trust implicitly (as I did) can miss something big!!! Peace!

So, I am completely new to blogging but thought I'd give it a try. I'm hoping that by putting my thoughts, fears, and hopes down, it will help me through my journey of weight loss. If in the process, it happens to help any of you who stumble across my writings, then that's even better!! First of all, although I have not always been obese, I have always been "chubby" and/or have struggled with my weight and had an issue with food. I am an emotional eater. I eat if bored, angry, depressed, happy. . . you name it, and I'll eat for it!! I come from a very Italian family who solved everything with food. I recently came across a diary I kept when I was in high school. Most of the entries were about me complaining about how fat I was and if I could only lose a few more pounds I'd be able to fit into a bikini!! I couldn't believe how fat I thought I was when looking back I know for a fact that I was 120lbs at my heaviest in high school!!! Most of my weight gain came about after a miscarriage, losing a baby when I was 23 weeks pregnant, then from my first and second successful pregnancies. I ballooned eventually up to 252 lbs and this was way too much weight on my 5'3 frame. My back hurt, my knees hurt, I had high blood pressure, pre-diabetes. The list goes on. I tried many different weight loss programs, diet pills, gym memberships, etc. Nothing worked. I finally got up the courage to go for Lap Band. This is my physical, mental and emotional journey. First off, I was banded on 3/1/13. Liquids one week, pureed one week, soft solids one week then. . . regular food. Lost about 18 pounds. No problems to speak of until I went for my first fill on 4/9 when my doc found a kink. . . literally. He could fill but not aspirate! Apparently, my tubing had kinked he believes due to intra-abdominal pressure within the first few hours or days of banding! So, he only filled about 1.5 ccs. Went 4/11 for an x-ray, and lo and behold. . . staring right at me is a very sharp kink that of course, my doctor and the GI fellow both could not manipulate manually to unkink! Fast forward several weeks, and here I am again fresh out of surgery on 5/3 where I had to have the port replaced. Luckily, it wasn't as invasive as the first surgery, so I am not experiencing any of that wonderful chest, back, shoulder pain, etc., Basically, just pain at the incision site. This poor site has already been used 3 times! Originally to remove my gallbladder, then for band surgery #1 and now #2! Any more incisions in that area, and I think the scar will stand up and slap me!!! Now I'm on liquids until Tuesday when I see my doc again. He filled my band to 3ccs. Total weight loss so far is about 24 lbs. I'm hoping all will be well this time. We will see!!! I'll update again after I see my doc on 5/7. Wish me luck!!

It has been over seven years since my surgery. I have gained a lot of weight back, what have you done to get back on track?

I'm still going through my weigh ins, have two left. I'm worried because I'm gaining weight. Is this normal?

I am new here, I haven’t been on a public forum in a long time (and for a reason) but I thought it might be helpful to write out my bariatric surgery journey as best I can. I don’t know anyone who has had the surgery with chronic illness, disability, multiple medical conditions, etc. let alone anyone with M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) which is a kind of immunodeficiency. I’ve lived with this from childhood and also battled with my weight longer than I care to remember. This is long and hard to talk about without going into intense detail. I wasn’t not diagnosed with M.E. Until I was in my early twenties. It was a long road to get there and led to many questions and many other medical conditions down the road. At some point my weight skyrocketed out of control and I was at a loss as to what to do. I was diagnosed with metabolic disorders but meds made me sick and doctors don’t discuss weight. They only vaguely agree that the metabolic disorders cause weight gain. And at most prescribe risky weight loss drugs. At some point I was just too sick to know what to do. The reality is I always will be sick. It was easier to eat carbs when I didn’t feel well enough to tolerate much food. I was always a clean plate person and hate waste. My weight grew to over 215lbs and my body couldn’t take it. I needed to do something even if it took every ounce of my being. I didn’t know then what I know and doctors know now about M.E./CFS. But I studied holistic health and nutrition, trying everything to no avail. I ended up trying a combination of low carb/Atkins and calorie counting (weight watchers points) slowly I lost weight (I was 5’ 4” then 5’ 2” I kept losing inches due to degenerative disc disease and arthritis in my spine , I’m now about 5’) I got down to the lowest I’d ever been at 123lbs. But it crept back up by 10lbs. But I had to accept it. I started having trouble eating certain foods and feeling very sick. I had some major stress events happen, several surgeries on my feet and tendons, and also Major surgery (hysterectomy) I wasn’t eating the best I could for reasons I couldn’t control. Eventually my weight hit 160lbs about when I moved with my mother to a new state. I was on a beta blocker and reduced my calories further and did strict low carb again. But reached about 134lbs. I couldn’t sustain it. Not that long ago, months, my sense of time is terrible I can say what happened but not the order or time. I fought as hard as I could and would go on nature walks until I learned more about the birds and became a birder and took to loving photographing them. I went as often as I could and it wasn’t often enough. I found out the hard way that Myalgic Encephalomyelitis causes something called post exertional malaise. Doctors only now are starting to understand it and it explains a lot. Activities from simply writing out this message, taking a shower, making a meal to exercise, make my medical condition worse and cause lasting damage that I lose bits of my self. And doing no I enjoy hurts like a punishment. My weight started a sudden drastic climb from 134lb to 160+ and I went to doctors and specialists hoping for an answer why. And then again it continued to climb to 180lbs. I had thought about bariatric surgery the first time but wanted to do it on my own. But this time I couldn’t, my body just wasn’t burning enough calories and how little could I eat without getting too sick. I was eating healthy the same portions as my mother, almost the same meals, I prepared us lunch almost every day and she is the same height but at most 100lbs. It was fight for surgery or nothing. The first time I saw a bariatric surgeon he talked at me and didn’t listen, my weight was slightly below BMI to qualify with comorbidities, i had plenty. But nothing acceptable by my insurance. I had just had to have surgery for another problem and could hardly eat. But I kept gaining. And I gave up on that doctor. I forgot to say I found out at some point that the reasons some foods made me sick was my gallbladder and surgery was recommended so I decided if I have to have that then I should pursue bariatric surgery since recovery is quite similar. eventually it reached 200lbs and I was on the edge of being nearly 40 BMI. I decided to see another endocrinologist about my medical conditions. She couldn’t help me since the meds make me too sick and I explained how I eat and count calories and yet my weight skyrocketed. I was about to quit when I decided to say I was fighting for bariatric surgery. She said go to Cleveland clinic. It’s a far distance from me and I needed medical assistance for rides there. But I got in to see Dr. Szomstein and he right away was ready and willing to help me, I was a hair from 40 BMI at the first appointment. He didn’t quite understand all my medical conditions if at all but he knew what to do. He said I should have RNY Gastric bypass due to severe GERD and I was thankful for that since it would reduce calorie absorption as well. I was almost not expecting approval from my insurance. I had months of my doctors noting my efforts to lose weight and letters from the endocrinologist and surgeon. They had me go for pre op tests and medical clearance. I still didn’t expect anything. i was in target when my mom and she got a phone call. Scheduling surgery in two weeks and for me to start the liquid diet that day. The surgery date was April 29th. I was so unprepared my gastroenterologist had wanted me to have a colonoscopy before surgery and that didn’t happen (he wasn’t happy with that) I knew I was possibly in for hell with this, but it was either surgery or give up. surgery day I was like this is easy. But I hit a bumpy road. Without going into too much detail right now. I didn’t expect it’s impact on my chronic illness. Waking up from surgery was like a long tunnel I couldn’t get out of. I was partially aware of things around me during the entire surgery just sped up like a weird dream. In the hospital room when most people get up and walk, my body couldn’t move at all. And when I tried once I crashed hard. Every chronic pain in my body was screaming all at once in the hospital. I was having severe pain in my chest, they blamed on gas I knew it wasn’t. I was struggling to breathe and needed the oxygen longer. My surgical drain kept getting full too fast. The catheter hurt. I high pain tolerance and yet this was slamming me everywhere all at once. They tried me on liquids by day three and I just wanted out. I got home and had trouble breathing and was very weak. I struggled to do laundry and get groceries. Then I started spiking fevers. My body doesn’t react with fever when it needs to, my lungs are sometimes too weak to cough when I need to. My temp went over 102 at night then dropped to low grade by morning. I ended up being told to go to the ER but I couldn’t get to Cleveland clinic. Long story short it was another long three days in hospital, pneumonia, acute uti, and critically low potassium. My temp was normal. They pumped me with potassium and antibiotics but had no concept of pain control and knew nothing about post bariatric surgery diet of protein drinks and liquids. They brought me a regular meal for breakfast. By day three I wanted out. I left with a diagnosis of Aspiration pneumonia, and esophageal dysphasia and told to see an ent (who then told me to see a neurologist) and a incidental finding of a pelvic adnexal mass that I am see my euro/gun about. Swallowing is painful, the pain in my chest never went away it waxes and wanes and gets out of control painful at night. I am still mostly liquids. I was supposed to start purée some time ago. I tried some things that were palatable but the first tiny bite I got Nauseous and couldn’t push it even sitting drying to consume either liquid or purée took nearly an hour and the purée was just not working. I don’t regret it yet I do yet I don’t. I’m still trying to get answers to some things. Other things I won’t go into detail now. This is much too long. I saw the doctor for follow ups twice. This time he ordered a upper GI fluoroscopy, and then a endoscopy. The first is this Wednesday. I’m struggling to get in at least 50 grams of protein a day. I lost around 27lbs but am in a five day stall. I think that’s as much as I can describe for now. But my one issue no one ever addressed is no nsaids aka Ibuprofen for life. I took it three times a day to take a bit of the edge off my chronic pain. My muscle relaxer doesn’t do much and it’s impossible to grind and swallow tablets. Thankfully diphenhydramine comes in sleep melts. But I have no pain management now. And I can’t function to walk as much. I try to keep on my feet as much as I can to at least do what I need to do. But now when I crash each day I crash hard. I got extremely sick doing laundry when I had to do three loads and threw up more than once. (I have a bit of ptsd when it comes to throwing up) but this is too much to write here and now. I just am finding myself alone in this, my mom can’t quite understand how it is. And I don’t know anyone else who has chronic illness that has had gastric bypass surgery. I’m not worried about food, I can make my mom a meal and not want to eat it. Actually my taste is nonexistent. I had trouble with it prior as well as my sense of smell. But so much just tastes nasty and bitter. (Didn’t help I ended up with nasty oral thrush I can’t shake) i feel weird putting this all out there. So I hope that sometime say can relate to someone somewhere in some way. christine

How can Splenda, Equal or any other calorie free sweetner contribute to weight gain? I'm sure many people don't tolerate the chemicals that make up these sweetners, that's another issue. But gaining weight from drinking sugar free sodas? How can you gain weight if there's no calorie content? Point me to the studies, please.

I have UHC Choice Plus. My case manager just got all my stuff sent to UHC yesterday so I am still waiting to hear whether I am approved or not. I have not had a BMI over 40 for five years and I actually just barely made the weight at my last weigh in (UHC required me to do a 6 month Dr. supervised diet) and I also don't have any comorbidities so I am very nervous about what they are going to say. This really doesn't anwer your question, but I guess I'm trying to say I hope they overlook the BMI and just look at the weight gain over the years. Good luck to you!

I'm going to have a revision soon and was wondering if with the sleeve do you get that food caught in the back of your throat feeling like with the band? I can eat and be fine and then never fails with my band after a few bites sometimes I feel like food is caught at the back of my mouth. Different feeling from a productive burp. Yes I get that too with this thingy in my stomach. The band was great my first 3 years andI lost 95lbs. Then about year 4 it all changed and constant band issues with weight gain of about 45lbs and tons of throwing up. I'M TIRED OF THIS LAP BAND GAME!!

I had 2 kids, then did a tummy tuck after losing the pregnancy weight gain and I had a great looking stomach, with stretch marks gone and even a four pack. I then had two more pregnancies over the next few years and my stomach went flat again and it was a great result to see the tummy tuck held up so great. No added stretch marks for me and no pouch. The four pack went away but the rebound was awesome. Hope that help, Good luck. M.