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I didn't take that approach bc I was afraid of gaining weight I worked so hard to lose. I did however enjoy a little bit of sourdough bread with my favorite homemade French onion soup.

I am type 2 diabetic. Purpose for surgery is to help control. I've had it for 18 years so any hope that it will completely go away is little. Keeping it controlled is my goal. I was told anesthesiologist will not do surgery unless my bs is 200. I was told not to lose any weight so I was eating whatever. After being told this I'm no sugar no carb. Hoping to get my numbers good for Nov 4 surgery. I'm trying to be so obedient to all the rules and the rules keep changing. I really want to hear from other diabetics and their journey! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

WOW! It looks like BCBS Fed covers all ranges, 3 days to 4 weeks for approval. Well my surgeon's office is "swamped" with insurance authorization requests to send out. My appt was Jan 24 and they havent sent my stuff to BCBS yet so .... I'm waiting for them to catch up. I guess I'll call at the end of next week and hope to know something from BCBS Fed sometime in March or earlier.

LOL, Tibbie! Alien butt probe indeed! Yeah, that stuff is nasty! I worked in a prison while in college and the high carb diet fed to the inmates caused them to have problems. Mag Citrate is what I ordered for them (Pharmacy Tech) and they had to drink it standing in front of me because it came in glass bottles that I had to confiscate. More than one solved their constipation issue after the first sip, or decided they would rather be constipated than drink that crap.

I had boston market meatloaf. I ordered a kids meal, with creamed corn and as I ate I fed my cornbread to the birds. I got my meal, went to the park and my dd and I had lunch and then we played tag, it was the first time I had the energy to run and play with her, she had just tuned 4. ~Mandy

Most meds are safe while nursing, bring it up with your team. They should know your situation beforehand bc they can choose safer medications to give you. This could allow you to not have to dump at all. Example: for nausea zofran is better than phenergan if you are nursing. Definately bring your pump. Hospitals have them, but not outside of OB. They could track one down for you, but if the nurses are busy it could take a long time. Some surgical groups want you to be done nursing b4 surgery bc your body will be in starvation mode. That being said, baby is eating other food too and not relying on you for total nutrition so it might be ok. I totally get baby led weaning, it is what I did. One decided to be done at 15 months, the other at 18 months. I started the surgical process as soon as I was done nursing. Even if they make you wait it shouldn't be too long. Unless you plan on nursing until preschool, but that would be another issue for another forum. Lol 😄

Mari3997, Pre-op diet will definitely help you and helps get "your head" into the right place for your new fabulous healthy life. Support system? I have no one. My husband tried to talk me out of it, NOPE! My body, my life, I make my own decisions...autonomy. Find support groups here, Facebook, IG, etc, research youtube videos on bariatric surgeries. Some FEAR is normal but still wasted energy and can become crippling. Find a way to reduce fear to a reasonable concern. I responded to another post with this...it might help you, I hope so, just do it. Definitely do it! At 71, 100lbs overweight, in pain constantly, both knees destroyed by arthritis, peripheral neuropathy in both feet with hot burning pins and needles when standing and walking, back pain. My journey started in orthopedics with knees, steroid injections, worked well most of the time, but didn't stop the occasional fall [3 to 4 times a year]. I knew sooner or later something would break. I would have had knee replacement sooner except for covid & elective surgeries were cancelled for two years [socialized medicine ***] weight gain, but developed hypertension. Researched weight loss thru ***, and because I had obstructive sleep apnea, I would qualify, and found this bariatric surgery should be first before the knees. I researched, attended classes, youtube videos, surgeons, after care, supplements etc. I wanted the Roux-N-Y but at my age surgeon said no, VSG. The surgeon recommended to me, is EXTREMELY strict and no BS kind of guy, he canceled my first surgery date because he didn't like something I did, so I really buckled down to his protocol. I knew I would have nausea and vomiting from anesthesia so I told EVERYONE, to give me whatever so this didn't happen. Well...it happened, no medication, and postop recovery the uncontrollable violent projectile dry heaves started, nurse good, gave IV Zofran, the IV Reglan and within a few minutes it stopped, but it was bad. I went home the next day. I had all my foods for week two, supplements etc. I am keeping up with supplements and fluids but not hungry. Dr said eat 1/4 cup every 2-3 hours otherwise your body will try to hold on to everything and the metabolism shifts. I'm going to add the vitamin patches from Bariatric Pal to my daily regimen of chews and capsules, [ I am very fatigued] for a while and see how this works. I use Mira Lax/:axa Clear equivalent in my morning water bottle and use a stool softener at night. Find whatever works for you, the stool softeners alone did not work for me. Trying to find my new normal, I knew it would be a process. I have NO regrets, and would tell anyone considering surgery to 'go for it' and FOLLOW directions strictly. Once I pass the phase of full liquids and get into pureed foods it will be another advancement. During surgery found a hiatal hernia and did the repair. Who Knew?! I didn't, glad it's done. My significant weight loss will help me in recovery for total knee replacement. I'm looking forward to repairing the rest of my body in my older age. Best wishes to you. Surgery May 15. 

Hey guys. My kidney function tanked due to a severe infection. I'm afraid my surgery has been postponed to some far off future date. I. Am. So. Disappointed. I need good healing vibes not only for my physical ailments but for my emotional well being as well. I feel worthless. I feel like a burden to my employer. I've had to take off so much work for the prerequisites and now I'm off for who knows how long. My husband is fed up with me. I can tell. I've never heard him sigh so much in the almost 5 hours we were in the ER. He had to take off work too. My mom is possibly facing a cancer diagnosis and wants to postpone her tests and Drs appointments. I keep telling her not to. That I'm being taken care of. Thanks for listening.

Just curious for those of you from Canada and going to Mexico for surgery. Who will do your fills? Just curious as it seems much easier in the US to find a doctor who will do fills. I don't know of any in BC. I have heard really good things about the surgeons in Mexico, so good luck to you and let us know how it goes.

I've never had regular periods. In fact, AF went missing pretty much between 1995 and 2005. (then I had babies and they sorta kinda came back every 5-6 weeks) And I have PCOS. I don't want to get pregnant right now because I'm on this weight loss journey so first I was put on Yaz. But my periods started happening EVERY 3 FREAKING WEEKS! I complained to my doc and he said Yaz shouldn't be perscribed to overweight women bc it doesn't have enough hormones for the weight. So he put me on Microgestin, which is supposed to be stronger. So finally the first month, I got 4 weeks between periods. And now, 2 weeks after my last AF, she's here AGAIN! What gives???? I've had AF FIVE times in 2.5 months! (which happens to coincide with when I started the whole lap band thing...) Someone please tell me you've been through this...

Apparently there was a problem with my liver when they did surgery. It was very fatty still and bled more than it should have. They almost had to give me a blood infusion. So scary, I’m glad I didn’t know that until today. I must not be in too bad of shape though bc they sent me home this evening.

I went last night for my "cosmetic" sleep study. I still can't get over the fact the insurance co may not pay for it because they consider it cosmetic (since it's being ordered pre lap band) Darn BC/BS IL. Anyway, I barely slept. I had about a half hour of REM sleep at the end of the night, the rest of the night I just layed there like a log...an awake log :thumbup: The girl who did it would not tell me what the conclusion was (I fully understand, it's against policy, and she is not a doctor) but, the impression she gave me was that it was OK :sad: I was really hoping it would show I had sleep apnea. Furst and foremost..it would really help my chances of getting the surgery OK'd (they are waiting on my study results, as well as 5 years weight documentation. Secondly...if the study is deemed medically necessary (I have apnea) the insurance co will pay for it too. Otherwise, I am on the hook for it. I hope they call me back for another study if this one was inconclusive in any way (I fell asleep pretty quickly, though the tech had to come in and put 0xygen on me before I went into REM, so perhaps that is enough to show a potential problem?) I guess a girl can hope.

I spoke to bc/bs il and asked them about the sleep study denial. They said it was billed out with a diagnosis of Hyerpsomnia not sleep apnea. I had to call the hospital dr office etc and have them write up a referral just in case, and change the diagnosis. They are also going to send a hard copy of the report just in case. Lets hope all goes well. The ins co told me if the diagnosis was sleep apnea it was covered. I would say mild or severe it should be covered. Good luck

Peanut butter! Yeah, yeah, I know - there's the stuff you grind yourself, there's PB2, there's Peanut Butter flavored Protein - I've tried those and even use them sometimes. But they're just not Jif. That's what my mother fed me, and I will always, always love it!

I heard the same thing from two of my friends (both over weight). One of them said her moms friend had it about a month ago and had to go back in the hospital due to complications (but shes 20 years older than me and smoked for like 30 years). And my coworker says her aunt is a bariatric nurse and told her about all the complications. I just changed the subject bc I don't need to hear that crap 2 weeks pre-op...I'm scared enough. Plus ive done my research. But I'll be interested to hear what they have to say 6 months from now. I won't be surprised if they are asking for my Dr's name and number!

I went through the entire 6 months like this, and only half-assedly did the diet. Once I was approved I got much more serious about it tbh. The person who runs my program deals with BC/BS every day and did not think there was any reason why I wouldn't be approved, and she was right there was no issue/approved first time submitted.

Im at 8 weeks. I chew everything to mush, which isn't hard bc they are all air..

It's been hard to do any outdoor exercise due to heavy snow and weather where we live but since spring is finally coming around every night I've been strapping him in to the back carrier and going to collect sap for our maple syrup and hiking back from the woods w him through the field Bc there is at least 6 inches of tough crust to fight through. I've also pulled back out my elliptical and have been trying to do it in the evenings. I was worried I lost my pouch but I've literally have been eating 3/4 or an egg and maybe a half of a sausage link for Breakfast but am starving by 10. So iv had a shake to hold me over until lunch. I'm happy to know my pouch tolerance is only my fault but now to get over the stupid food addiction again. So I've been starting to keep a good log to keep me accountable

I had rocking bcbs too. I first saw the doc 10/30 and had surgery 12/29! I went with rny bc there are tons of converts from band, you lose faster w gastric, I like the malabsorption part and you have an 80% chance of having dumping syndrome (a good thing in my book to help curve cravings, but I've yet to have an episode- or cravings! Plus there's 50 years of data on the success of rny versus sleeve. Actually those were my options. My doc (a leader and author in the field- Dr. Garth Davis- has a great book. Necessary read for anyone considering) won't even do band any more.

Im a mom so the complications of surgery always scared me. Thats why i opted for the sleeve..bc it has very little complications. I put it off for long enough and came to a realization that i cant loose all this weight on my own. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

OMG for ONCE I am glad to see the reporter not repeating that bs about the band not working as well as RNY. Kudos to Dr. Liu

Hello all! I was banded in 2006. Not even 4 months banded and I got pregnant and then pregnant again lol. I was told I couldnt get pregnant...they were wrong . My kids take up most or all my time. One of my children has special needs and his needs were being met first. Now its my time.. I hated the band since I had it put in . I lost 40lbs kept 20 off. I always had issues with too much fill not enough fill. Some days were so bad I couldnt even drink Water. I was fed up. Recently I had my band unfilled. It was terrible in my opinion. I dont think I researched it enough. I've made the decision to do the sleeve. I've been struggling like most to lose weight on my own. My questions are now what to do? I Still have the band. Do I go back to my original surgeon or can I seek a new one? What do I need to do? Do I have to do that whole process again like lap band? Which I don't mind doing. Will my insurance give me a hard time? I thank you all in advance! T

My ex-husband *demanded* that I be a stay-at-home mom, and did everything he could to make me quit school. "No wife of mine is going to work..." BS. This was after he joined the Cult of Amway. But he was a *very* controlling man, and very abusive. I personally needed to attend college, not only for my personal enrichment, but for my son. Because I was attending a local community college, he was able to attend a really great pre-school. (I'm a firm believer in good daycare for all children.) My DH only wants what is best for me, wants only for me to follow my dreams. Right now I'm not working, and I'm taking a break from school for obvious reasons. I am, however, in negotiations for a job that would be a dream job, degree or no. Oh, and I met my DH at work. We worked very closely for about 18 months before we started dating. He was my boss, but we didn't start dating until we both moved to different projects. Now I'm his boss. (joke) Oh, Leatha, I'm not a very good "helper." I'm way too independent, and I would be *miserable* in that role. Besides, I thought woman was made from Adam's rib to be his equal, to stand at his side, not his feet to be below, not his head to be above. :clap2: I think that now we have the opportunity for everyone to become self-actualized, and not locked into ridged gender roles. But I have an interesting role model, my aunt and uncle. When she went to medical school she had to have letters from our state's US senator, as well as State reps. My father-in-law only had to apply to attend the same medical school. My uncle has been a stay-at-home dad for most of their entire relationship, after he got his two doctorates that is. This relationship was and is perfect for them.

Thanks for you thoughts, but things aren't getting any better. The place where I work says that BCN does cover it and the surgeon's office says it doesn't! Even if they do, my doctor is hesitant to write a refferal because she said that BCN does not cover it.... They also say if I change ins. now they might not accept it anyway because it would be a prexisting condition... I am getting a little fed up with Ins companies! I am about ready to just find a way to finance it myself! Any input would be great! Thanks! Baileym

I just bought my scale yesterday bc of this. Should have returned it!