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Do anyone have Aetna insurance? If so have anyone gained weight from the 1st day of the program and still got approved? iv gained 12 to 13 pounds and I am trying my best to get it off in 30 days if I don't will I get approved or denied?? My last nut appointment is the 15th Please help

First I must state I know this is life long, and have no issue with resolve of watching every morsel I consume, I wear a fitness watch and do well with tracking everything. My honest real issue came when I started working 110+ hours a week and not doing what I used to do everyday ie (walk 4 miles and bike 11 miles) yes I did that every single morning without fail and I know full heart; I didn't loose weight as fast as others, as I was building muscle in place of the flab. (currently i do not exercise at all!! My body joint hurt because of the even small weight gain my body is revolting literally~ I am ready to do ALL that I must! I am looking if someone has gone through this for guidance and the best fight is fought informed! SO I seek knowledge of where to start besides the fundamental basics, as I am sure I can not be alone in this!

Almost had a full blown panic attack when I got on the scale this morning. I've lost 120 lbs. I am 17 months post op and for the last few months my weight has been stable. I normally fluctuate from 162-164, which I think is mostly water weight. Two weeks ago I started doing crossfit and got on the scale today expecting to be on the lower end of my flux or even slightly lower. Instead I weighed in at 165.4. I know it's not much, but it's got my anxiety through the roof right now. My husband doesn't really get it and thinks I'm nuts about freaking out about a pound. Needed to get this off my chance to someone that can relate to the fear of gain. I'm just so confused by how this happened when I've upped my exercise level.

Mine lasted about 2 hours. Did labs, EKG, told me everything that was going to happened. I was supposed to talk with the anesthesiologist but he was running behind and I didn't want to wait. I asked if they did a leak check but my doctor doesn't unless he felt there was reason for it. The one thing I would suggest packing was Chapstick for the hospital. I forgot that and really wish I would have had some. Good luck!!! Thank you meganmom! Everything went GREAT today!! I love my surgeon, he has the best bed side manner ever and despite the 10 pound weight gain, he told me to enjoy my Christmas and he would see me on the 28th. Going today has just made me even more excited about this life style choice I chose! All I did today as far as tests go was labs. He said he would do a leak test, get a sample of my liver (if its fatty or abnormal) and put a scope down my throat to check it but all that will be done while I'm under anesthesia. How are you doing?

I apreciate you not WANTing to sound like a cold heartless a$$, but you are only reading what you want to read. Does nobody actually read an entire post? I have said many things in my posts but I don't recall talking about wanting to EAT. I said and I quote "I am looking for options on removal, but in no way am I looking for imeadiate removal. " and the reason: "One less thing to cope with and one less thing to learn to function through one less kind of pain." Which means I AM IN PHYSICAL PAIN from the band, the gas is one thing, but everytime I eat I IF I get solids I have to take TINY bites and chew VERY slowly, more so than what the doctors have explained over and over to me. THEY (meaning the doctors) unfilled me because of this... it has helped but not entirely. Nausea and shoulder pain are STILL a daily thing for me ON TOP of everything else. This has been going on Since the first day I was banded. NO WHERE DID I SAY I WANTED THE BAND OFF TO EAT!!!! Where do you get this??? I know I haven't been as successful as the rest of you but why do you think I would get it off just to EAT!!!???? I lost 35lbs my first month...I went from 292lbs - 257lb...yay me...everybody dies then unfortunatly I began drinking alchohl and fruit juice...whole milk....ice cream...mashed potatos...because A.) those were the foods I could keep down and, B.) Yes they were comfort foods. I gained back up to 278lbs and I stopped all the foolishness once I realized what I was doing...I switched to healthier semi-solid foods...I am back down to 270lbs( have since been mantaining that weight), however the weight gain I am most disapointed about was the gain of FAT and Loss of Muscle that is what really worried me... lifting weights had to stop because of port pain. stretching my arms over my head or twisting, crunches all resulted in feeling like my port was being ripped from my muscle. Curves hurts but if I start to over tax myself (unlike other gyms) no one puts me down or looks at me in disgust for taking it easy til the pain gets to an easier point and I can begin again. BUT I KEEP GOING! I have also said that I have been working to correct what I've been doing...instead of a milk and Ice cream I'm now just sipping slimfast. I can keep that down. THAT is also a baby step in the right direction is it not?? I know how big I am I know I could gain more weight with band removal...thats why I am just taking in OPTIONS. Being on the band isn't the easy way to lose weight...so why would you attack me for wanting the option of removal which is Obviously a harder way??? Instead of trying to talk me into keeping the band users attack me and call me stupid and lazy and to top it off you think I want if off for the sole pleasure of EATING? I could have kept eating the ice cream and mashed potoatos and shakes if all I really wanted was to eat because those were my comfort foods before the band anyway. But I haven't...I am 22lbs down STILL from my heaviest. What are banders who are happy with their bands doing on a thread for people who aren't happy anyway? Do you get a sick kick out of making people who probly already feel like failures feel THAT musch worse about themselves?? Do you feel better? You said come here to vent and scream and whine...I thought thats what I was doing...but as of yet you and the others have not allowed me to do so without feeling like a complete A$$. Like you said, this is MY LIFE and MY experiance how could you take what I said so personally when I've been spending all my time defending your attacks? Better question; why would I want to be a part of such a judgemental community? I thougt I was in a forum where I could complain and discuss removal without judgement. I am grateful for those who have given me the little kind support I have recieved. I'm hurt and disapointed in those of you who think I'm looking for an easy way out...by now there is no such thing as the easy way, I am damned if I remove (no tool to help in my weightloss) and damned if I leave it in (constant physical pain)

My band eroded. put in feb 2003, emergency removal and fixed hole in stomach 4/07. I had NO symptoms at all except weight gain due to no restriction! They couldnt even see the erosion thru the fluoro. THey only saw it in an endoscopy and took me right into surgery to get it out. Pretty bad...ICU, etc. I think that people with slips have more "symptoms" and can try to unfill and play around with it to fix it first before having it removed. Doc said no more bands for me, trying for DS surgery now. Gained all weight back. good luck, make sure you get a fluoro, and perhaps take out some fluid!

I'm crossing my fingers I get approved I'm glad u did I hope dr doesn't say anything about weight gain fingers crossed

Hi TaraJane I have also cancelled several appointments recently. Its just so humiliating having to get on those scales and have the nurse record the weight gain. I actually gathered up my courage and went back for a fill in April. Unfortunately, I got too much put in and I basically couldnt eat any solids. I lost 4 kilos in two weeks but it was so horrible, I had to get the band loosened again. Of course, I've regained the 4 kilos and now I'm nervous about getting a refill as well as embarrased about the weight gain. Do you want to support each other in making a commitment to go back for a fill within the next month (no matter what the scales say)? I'm game, if you are.

Alot of nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. The reason for not drinking fluids with the meal is so that the food isn't flushed down to the small intestine where your stomach isn't giving a full signal, therefore, we eat more. That could add to increased weight gain or no weight loss at all.

I was downing carbonated drinks very early on, I had no specific prohibition. Probably week four? I drink several cans of diet sodas a day, it’s how I get my water intake needs met. never had an issue with bubbles or cravings or weight gain or blood sugar levels etc. ymmv and your doctor may not approve…

yes unfortunelty once you have the band removed or deflated weight gain in inevitable, but what is more important is to make sure that area is ready to receive the sleeve, in the 15 months I have had problems i have gained 60 lbs, i no longer know who is in the mirror (have gone from a size 0/2 to a 14) so i understand about the weight gain. it would be great to have done it all in one, but for some (and all who have an eroded band) that can not be done at once, and actually the surgeon does not know till they are in there.....great success for all with everything they pic....

The only chocolate I get these days is the chocolate protein shake. Pre WLS I was a chocolate fiend. It wasn't a good relationship as it contributed to my weight gain and I'm sure it didn't help my diabetes. I'm trying to not introduce the foods that led to my health demise pre WLS. I'm the type that a "little" always turns into more than I should have.

There is a lot of conflicting stories & advice out there about whether you can drink carbonated drinks after WLS, but apparently there’s little scientific evidence to support either the yes or no position. The only evidence is that drinking carbonated drinks increases weight gain. There’s also information coming out that artificial sweeteners are just as bad if you go down that route. (Basically they trick the body into thinking it’s getting sugar but isn’t so it stores more fat to compensate for the perceived reduction of glucose - which the body does need.) Plus artificial sweeteners continue to feed your craving for sugar. As with many things after surgery, some can & some can’t. It’s really your choice if you can & it works for you. Personally, I gave up carbonated drinks years ago because they aggravated my reflux & gave me horrendous hiccups. I only had bubbles in a gin & tonic & champagne but too many of them & urrgh! So no change for me (though I drink less alcohol & drink it less frequently now).

I have read A LOT of research studies on the theory that diet soda causes weight gain, and the evidence is far from convincing. Dr. Matthew Weiner (a bariatric surgeon with a huge YouTube presence) says he doesn't mind if people drink fizzy water, but doesn't want his patients drinking diet or regular soda. The belief that it stretches the stomach isn't really true from what he says, and from other evidence, but also it just doesn't make sense. But he says, many people just find it uncomfortable. Like @PolkSDA said, it can be hard to find non-carbonated unsweetened drinks on the go other than water. I travel a lot for work, and I had given up soda 6 months ago as I prepared for surgery, and when I started to travel more again, I gave up and started drinking diet soda again. I've stopped now that I'm on my pre-op diet. One thing I did at first was carry packets of sugar free drink mix (like crystal light, but I don't like that brand) and a water bottle and just refill it and add a packet of drink mix. That worked when I didn't want plain water. I met a woman on a trip who drank Coke Zero from day one and drank it with her meals. She said she had gained some weight back, but she felt it was from too much alcohol.

Was your band to sleeve revision done as a band removal first followed by a subsequent VSG to allow your stomach tissue to heal? Or were you able to have it done in one operation? If the latter, how long did your surgeon want your band empty so that the tissue could relax as much as possible before surgery? I guess that the risks of leaks are higher with the single operation method because the tissue is more fragile and there may be more scar tissue from the band. But the alternative involves being put under twice (each time is a risk, plus pain!), and you're highly likely to be gaining (potentially a lot of) weight during that interim period. My surgeon requires a 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery, and I'm hoping if I get the band emptied right beforehand, that would help the healing and prevent the weight gain. But is that a safe plan?

Thank you MommaCEO for the 200 lb. issue. Maybe that is my problem. I'm at 202 right now and holding steady. Although for a fleeting moment, I was 200.9. That was such a great day......... Yes, the stall is still here. No weight loss in 12 days except for a 1 pound weight GAIN. Lots of others have experienced the same thing, from what I'm reading. And from what I see, the stall can last a week or two. Here is an article I found while obsessively looking for others who have stalled. I thought this was interesting... http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html#.U7FAqBYvvHj Okay ladies (any men following this? I dunno) it's Monday! Let's all get on here and tell everyone our progress! I would love to hear from you!

I knew you meant one week per stage. U might need longer... They took me off the combination blood pressure pill so I no longer have the diuretic aspect... just in a regular bp pill that doesn't cause weight gain..first change my gp made Seeing endocrinologist is a great idea to rule out medical problems. I keep thinking there is a test that can show if your sleeve is still correctly done....?? I hope you keep or kept logs if your diet reset and weight numbers to show the Dr. They love stuff like that pkus when we're re fat, ppl don't likely give us the benefit of a doubt when we say, the diet isn't working or related!!

Unless you eat like 40 sticks of butter for dinner, or are a medical anamoly, overnight weight gain is going to be Fluid fluctuations. Mushy foods tend to be high-carb foods. Liquids tend to be low-carb. On liquids you probably were in ketosis, eating the potatoes threw you out, and the result was a bit of fluid retention. You're only like 2 weeks out from surgery. Don't worry about losing weight at this point, just focus on meeting nutrion needs and resting so that you can finish healing. I don't know if your surgeon was clear about this, but weight lost between surgery and restriction is a bonus, not an expectation. Most people will lose a chunk after surgery because generally you don't want to eat or drink much, or are afraid to, but you can't expect that weight to stay 100% gone when you're doing things to alter the way your body treats its fluids, and when you're gradually getting back to a more "normal" diet. For hunger, do as many Proteins (not liquids if you can help it) as you can, as long as they fit into your food stage. Proteins make you feel full longer than carbs, fats, etc.

In addition to other posts above, you may also want to look for water retention as a cause for weight gain. If so, review the sodium levels in you food choices. You are eating a fair amount of food for your time out from surgery. I remember only eating shakes for a month after surgery (2-3 ounces every hour). Once I got solids, it was tough to get more than an ounce of protein like pork, chicken or beef. Salmon was easier. I ended up only having 300-600 calories a day until month 3.

Sleeved on May 7 so I'm almost 2 months out and have gained 6 pounds in the last week. I'm freaking out!! Is this normal?

April: Just received your note, have you been on Norco, it is a stronger version of Vicodin, I took it for several months until the knees got so bad and was not cutting the pain, also check with a drug book and go over your medications you are taking along with the Percocet you can also ask the drugest about weight gaining medications or possiable weight gain medications you are taking. They said at the class they could not say it would effect everyone that way but I did notice everyone in the class I was in was struggling with weight gain. Some times I think they think all we do is sit around and eat bon bon's all day. I talked to the Richmond office and they said I was too early to worry about not making mandtory appointments, and the only think I had to do was to be sure to get a weight to they with in the month. The Pill book I picked up was from Wal Mart and was cheaper then the book stores around here. By the way your address says Sacramento, is that where you are? I am in Shingle Springs need the new Red Hawk Casino. I will close for now take care. Sincerely Judy:blush:

I am so sorry that you were told by him that you couldn't be scheduled for surgery. I know that would have been the point of melting for me. I have had my share of emotional wrecks through this and yes they should know that we are putting our hearts and souls as well as a lot of time and money into this. I had to take the whole day off of work to drive from Rocklin to SSF for a half hour appt. I totally agree that they need to get this stuff happening up here. As for what I asked, I was requested by another woman to ask how strick they were going to be as far as weight goes. She too is going to see Dr. Le and is having trouble loosing the weight required. Having lost more than the required weight put me in a position of trying to ask without making him suspicious. So in trying to get the information for someone who asked me to, I decided to find out if they would cancel someone's appt for that time of the month. I mean when I even broched the subject I got a really funny look because I have lost twice their required weight loss. The look said "What do you plan on gaining a bunch back?" Having opened the subject I HAD to go somewhere. His response was that they have people banging down the doors and they don't have to give surgery to people who don't want to follow the program. He also said that they would NOT stop surgery because of Water weight gain for that time of the month. He said "we're not concerned with 5 pounds." I am sorry that he told me one thing and then denied you because of that reason. I truly don't think my question caused that and I would do it again because someone who was having trouble loosing the weight asked me too. If it were me, I would call and ask him (or email) if I could prove it was my time of the month water weight gain by weighing in at the class on the 27th would he schedule me? By the way, they are scheduling for late February. Again, I am so sorry that you got denied but I didn't break anyone's trust. I only did what was requested of me.

So sorry you are experiencing this. Your PCOS is the likely suspect or at least a contributing factor to your struggles. Also check your medications. Many common meds are renown for resulting in weight gain. There is not one diet/way of eating that works for everyone. So your nutritionist saying you eat healthily & gave you no other help is pretty poor. Like @Sunnyway, I made changes to what I eat. I did lots of reading. And as I was slowly introducing foods back into my diet, there were some I didn’t start eating again, some I started & dropped again. I really listened to my body & what it needed. There are foods/food types I avoid, others I restrict or reduce my intake. Much like @Sunnyway, I cut out a lot of added sugar, artificial sweeteners & sugar alternatives (so no desserts, cakes, biscuits, sweets, etc.), little starch (no potatoes, bread, rice or pasta). General keep to fairly low processed foods prepping most of what I eat myself which allows me to control the ingredients & how it’s cooked. I eat some carbs - about 2 serves a day but whole or multi grains. But I found this is what works for me. I feel better: no bloating, less gas, more even energy levels, etc. Don’t really miss anything. Eating this way works for me. It may not work for you. Question the nutritionist further - they are there to help you. You may benefit from a eating plan that incorporates aspects of anti inflammation diet, or to reduce foods naturally high in hormones (soy products, lot fed beef & chicken, etc.) There may be additives in more processed foods that are fighting your ability to lose weight too.* Again the nutritionalist should be able to advise you. *- Watched a great documentary earlier this year which showed that a high processed food diet actually increases the hunger hormone in your body & decreases the hormone that tells you you’ve had enough. Gracious knows what they do to your other hormones.

Don't give up!! If you really want this, you'll get it! Where there's a will, there's a way! And don't beat yourself up over the weight gain, that's why we're all here- things get us down and we eat. Do you have to lose the weight again to qualify or do you think they won't really need to see you until the Pre-op appointment? If you need to lose the weight, then do what you have to- I know you can! If not the. Don't even worry about the scale. Just start mentally preparing yourself for this huge change by making small changes. Believe me- (mommy can probably attest to this too!) nothing can possibly completely prepare you for the huge change you'll go through. I'm happy for you, getting more time with your kids! It's good you find a silver lining! Keep your chin up, keep going Good luck- keep us in the loop!

I'm embarrassed to admit I gained 25 pounds in the 6 months that elapsed while awaiting surgery. I still had surgery without any resistance from the surgeon or insurance company. So, yes, it's still possible to have surgery after pre-op weight gain depending on your surgeon and insurance company. Some surgeons will promptly cancel for a major weight gain whereas others don't care. Some insurance carriers won't approve payment for surgery with a major weight gain while other companies don't care.