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Every insurance company has different requirements. I have an out of state BCBS (illinios) and my employer is Catholic Health Initiatives and they have a program called carewise. Through them I had to have six months of phone nutrition calls with a documented end weight from primary doctor at end of six months. I also had a RN case manager. Basically, we talked about any diagnosis I had, concerns, changes I needed to make to prepare for surgery. I lost maybe 10 pounds then regained bc I hurt my back and was literally in bed for a time. So in the end I weighed 3 pounds less then when I started. They were fine with that. I struggled with years being insulin dependent and very metabolically resistant even when I ate low carb. I also had to have a psych review, primary doctor review. The entire process went fast even though initially I thought six months would take forever. I am glad it took that long gave me plenty of time to weigh my options and do lots of research on complications and lifestyle changes. I started the process May of 2012 and had surgery Jan 24 2013. I can say trying to eat smaller portions, with baby spoons and all that is tough prior to surgery and for the most part I didnt do it just knew I would have changes to be made after surgery. I have had no issues since surgery. Good Luck

Experiment with water testing what the right temperature is right for your new belly. I'm 4 weeks out and still have to change my temp, style every couple of days. Did your PPI come in pill or capsule? I use unsweetened applesauce (squeeze bottle) squeeze a little on tablespoon, empty capsule, cover with more applesauce. In minutes pain gone. The gas release you feel will likely last at least a week and just do what you need to to get it out. Walk, rub belly, back, shoulders.... it's likely still trapped from surgery. Good luck, I swear it gets easier

You will do great. The begining is the hardest after surgery, you will have some pain but everyday it will get better. The head hunger for me is the hardest, it is still hard to this day and I am 3 months out on 3/4/13. If I can help you in anyway pm me I will let you know what I can.

I'm ranting here. I know what I need to do.. Protein Shake for Breakfast Protein shake for lunch sensible dinner DONE Where has the soda and bowls of Cereal come into play. It's like this crazy urge to eat and eat. I know part of it is from the lack of carbs throughout the day and I need my seratonin fix, but SHEESH....FAILURE! Four days to go and then three days of liquid I need some support here. I know I'm not the only one that's gone through this. Any ideas, tricks, techniques to DO IT? Obviously my forte is NOT will-power. Help...

Hi I just had the Gastric Sleeve on 2/26/13 I took two weeks off but I think I took way too long could have went back on this Monday. You just will have alot of gas it isn't painful but you very extremely bloated

I agree, the waiting to finally get the surgery is hard. The day of was no big deal, the 24 hrs following, I felt pretty yucky. I'm 3 days post-op and feeling better each day. Am looking forward to full-liquids tomorrow. Broth just isn't palatable, but I'm thinking creamy chicken soup will be as well as the protein shakes, I really like them...as least I did before surgery. Good luck, and I just keep thinking "Nothing tastes as good as being thin and healthy feels"

Alrighty thanks I am 6 weeks post op but wasn't sure when to start bars

Wow. It is so great to hear from so many people that found relief from their migraines after this surgery. I can't wait even more now! I talked to the dr yesterday and he said the pre-op week and first 6 weeks after surgery would be the worst. Magnesium pills? Do they help? Thank you girls for all of your help and advice!!!

Friday was so busy at work that I did not get a chance to call and if course no call From the doctors office. No news is good news?? It will be a week on Monday.

Hey everyone! Just wondering if anyone else has been sleeved by Dr. Kim at Florida hospital celebration? The reason I ask is because this is now the SECOND time that they have changed my surgery date and I'm beyond frustrated. My original date was March 1st, then they called like 3 weeks ago and told me that they were pushing me up to Feb 28th and, now, this morning, I get an email from them saying that they pushed me back to March 1st. Yes, it's only a day (so far) but its also hard for my husband and my family to keep switching days with their employers....just stressing. Anyone know if this is common practice with this surgeon/group?

I also have atnea and was approved 2 weeks ago and my date is march 20 start diet tomorrow; my bmi is 36 and I also wrote a letter and was approved the first time; I think they are no as hard to get approved as most insurance; just write a letter why u want this and all the different diet plans u have done and explain that the injections are painful and phentermine gave u heart palps. And just make it sound real good; hope this helps

I'm starting to get nervous! I've already been trying to cut back and watch what I'm eating and slowing down on sodas. I know this is all things I'm going to have to do, so I'm taking the steps now so I don't go into shock when I actually HAVE to do it. I know I get to skip a couple steps like sleep study and gallbladder since I've already had my gallbladder removed and am already on a CPAP machine. I'll have to go through a 3 month Dr. supervised diet for my insurance. I just I'm just rambling on and on. I keep thinking...what if I do really good on this diet and the insurance says, you can do it on your own??? I've got over 200 lbs to lose and I've gotten to the point where I KNOW I can't do this alone. I've started and dropped Weight Watchers more times than I can count... My husband doesn't really approve of WLS, but keeps saying he will support me in any decision I make for myself. But I have noticed that he is not very open to me talking about it. He doesn't stop me, but I can just tell he's not really listening to me. Although I do believe he is making an effort. I will have a big support system in my niece, who is hopefully coming to live with me before my surgery. I also have a cousin who had lapband about 10 years ago, and she's a big support as well, although she lives 400 miles away but is always a phone call away. I know this surgery (or any other WLS) is not a cure all and that it will be like a walk in the park to lose weight afterwards. I know I will have to work harder than I've ever worked at anything in my life. But I worked very hard to have my son. And if I went through that, I can go through this so that I can be the mother I want and need to be to him. I don't want to be a mother on the sidelines. I want to be right in the middle of it!! Right now, I don't go to movies or concerts or ballgames or anywhere like that. I'm too big to fit in the seats. I can't go into a store and buy clothes. I have to order my clothes online. I have a horrible time finding shoes due to my feet being so wide and fat. I even have a hard time finding socks for goodness sake!! Those are all the reasons I'm doing this and more. I want to be off my CPAP machine. I'm afraid I'm beginning to have high blood pressure. I don't want to go on meds for that. I want to be able to go in a store and buy an outfit. I want to be able to take my son to the park and actually PLAY with him instead of sitting on the bench watching him. I want to be able to go to a concert and not worry about fitting in the seat or crowding out the person next to me. Thank you all for your time in reading this and letting me vent. I actually feel better now that I got this off my chest!

I had lost 47 lbs while working with my dietitian and because my BMI dropped from 43 to 36 my Dr didn't want me to do the liquid diet, told me to stop losing weight but I am doing my presurgical flush today cause surgery is tomorrow *Surgery Scheduled 3/21/13*

I got my lap band surgery on Thursday and took the Thursday and Friday off. I went back to work on Monday. I just avoided driving for the next week and just had someone drive me to work and back. You may also want to consider if you have any stairs or elevators and if you have a long walk from where you get dropped off to where your desk is. If that is a comfortably short distance then I would say that a week is more than sufficient.

I know how you feel. My insurance can take up to 4 weeks! Usually its 2 though. Hope you've heard by now!

OK so i've pretty much 100% decided on Gastric sleeve, and I have it all planned out. I will visit the surgeon for the first time late august/early September, go on my six month diet, which will end in march, then i turn 18 in april 2014, which is when I will apply with my insurance type people, and hopefully get approved and have my surgery in june or july. Today I was nagging my dad again, and I finally got him to let me buy my own groceries so I have more control over what I eat. I really hope this will change something, i mean i reallllly doubt it will make me lose any weight but i keep thinking about the day of my surgery, what if i have the anestesia mask over my face and i start thinking "what if you had tried just one last time? what if you gave it just one more go, would this be necessary?" I mean traditional methods have never worked for me in the past but who knows?I know thats what the six month diet is for but seriously? by then i will only be doing it because its required.Maybe in these 3 months I will see some kind of change=....=. not counting on it thought... -Tisa

Welcome to swlc! They've had a name change.. It's now called Smartshape, at least that's what I think the new name is. You won't be disappointed with the care you receive and the compassionate way they are with you. Feels like home! Best of luck to all of you! Maybe once your surgeries are done and you're on the mend we could all meet up and share what we know, havent figured out yet. Not sure where you're from in Ontario? I'm a little north of Mississauga. Wishing all 3 of you the very best.

Thank you. They told me two weeks too but surprises are always awesome

Hang in there....depending on your surgeon, you will be on liquids after your surgery too. Mine has orders of 2 full weeks of clear liquids after. Good luck....It will get easier with time!!

I am going to my second weigh in with my pcp Thursday. Im plan on seeing my surgeon on 7/5, I've scheduled my psych and nut assessment for 7/18. I was waiting to schedule those appts for further down the line cause they are sort of expensive butttttt since Cigna changed from 6mo to 3 mo supervised weightloss I am rushing to get everything done so I can go in sometime in Aug.

I went ahead and started week 2 rather than repeating week 1 and the first day went ok. Woo! I may have to repeat this week before going on to week 3- that last 90 second run was definitely tougher than the first one. Hope everyone is doing well!

Hello LuvMeTheNext50! So happy to hear you are doing great! I plan to go to Dr. Ramos Kelly within the next few months. Wondering if you can update us on your progress since you are about 3 1/2 months post op. Thanks!

I'm so close 201 and holding, for the past 3 weeks. I wish it would just happen already. I'm making a concerted effort this week to eat clean and do some extra cardio...

i remember well starting my liquid pre op. i had to do 2 1/2 weeks being a southern gal and lots of hubs biker friends over at the house on weekends and us (frying everything) i was thinking there is no way...but you know what.....i managed to pull through it and so will you. to me, the first 4 or 5 days were the hardest....it showed me that there is something called head hunger (i wanted to eat because they were eating) and i also found out quickly that i was stronger than i thought i was and so are YOU. keep drinking stay busy stay positive

I gained 4 pounds during my 3 month weigh ins and I was nervous it would impact my insurance approval. It didnt. My doctor didnt even mention it to me. I had sleepless nights filled with anxiety (for the first time in my life) toward the end of my weigh ins. Once I got insurance approval a weight lifted. Now I have to have the surgery. I am still consumed with this process and can't wait for the actual surgery.