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These are all terrific ideas, I should get my notebook our and take note bc this is one of my concerns as well!!

OMG that's great that you are so close to the ones Junior Guru. It will feel so good to step on a scale at a drs office and not have them go up and up with that stupid bar balance thing. I hate that. I never announce oh just start higher bc I'm 288. I stand in silence as they move the bar on the scale. You are doing great! I think 160 will be my goal weight.

that's why I have not tried them yet... I don't want to puke already did over chicken salad on toast bc it got stuck in my esophagus Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm not sure there is one. My doctor allows both immediately following surgery--and he is super strict about things (ie, no yogurt or pudding allowed during full liquid, strict rules about drinking calories, had to strain (not just puree) soups during full liquids--etc). I would always follow what your own surgeon says, but this was my experience. Before surgery, I only drank coffee on weekends bc sometimes it would give me diarrhea (TMI?) but now I am soooo grateful for it bc it helps keep me regular.

I finally have gotten some relief from the reflux today, but for the last 3-4 days I feel like my food takes forever to digest. I go o dink 30-45 min after I eat and end up throwing up bc I'm too full. WTH?? I'm 3.5 weeks out.

Not always possible to give your child a 'better start'? This comment leads me to believe that you feel there is only one way to give a child a happy and healthy home and future. I feel this is a judgment. I dont care if a mother births her children, it does not matter if the child was fed via breast or bottle. I dont care if you use a sling or a stroller or a bassinet. I don't care if you home school or send your kid off to public schools. All I care about is that you feed your child, hug your child, talk to your child, read to your child. I care that you tell them you love them and remind them that they are good people. I care that you raise considerate and emotionally healthy members of society who wont beat their wives or spread diseases or hurt their own kids or someone else's. How you get to that point is of no practical importance to me. It is non of my business the hows and whys people choose to parent and raise their kids as long as they strive to be better parents today than they were yesterday. I dont need to compare myself with other mothers to feel as though the job *I* did was good or good enough.

I have Anthem BC/BS of California. No problems at all. Approved the same day it was submitted. I had done all of my prelimary stuff with Cigna and they required everything. My employee changed insurance on January 1st and my surgery was scheduled for February. They have been great. My surgery cost me less than $500 total.

Lets look at it this way. What used to be hard was having sex with my husband and feeling like a walrus. What used to be hard was sitting in the middle seat of a plane and feeling like a stuffed animal trying not to breathe as to invade the people next to me. What used to be hard was going for my annual ob visit and having the doctor look disgusted by my gluttony. What used to be hard was having my pediatrician fuss hard at me for over feeding my children. What used to be hard was having to buy only clothes that kind of fit as opposed to what I liked to wear. What used to be hard was having men look at me not bc I was pretty but bc they were so unattracted to me. What used to be hard was running into people from high school that knew me at half the weight. What used to be hard is having my kids and husband mimick my snores and sleep noises as my body struggled to get air. What used to be hard was having to wait to wake up in the morning to see how much energy I had that day, so I could see whether I'd have any mental/physical ability to be productive or not. What used to be hard was knowing my life expectancy was short and praying I could live as long as my kids might need me around. And what was hardest, for me, was having no self control to change things to make it better for me and my family. To escape the rut. Flash forward to last night my husband was making love to me while telling me he felt like he had a new girlfriend. Flash forward to every morning as I wake up I feeling my old friends...my solid high school hip bones that were long ago forgotten but now rediscovered. Flash forward to flyng on a plane in July and realizing the airlines had finally made more room in the seats, and my belt now had inches to spare. Flash forward to now I do not allow my sons to overindulge as much on sugar, sodas, flour and we work out as a family at home. Flash forward to a few months after surgery my 3yo became frantic in the darkness of night bc he felt he "lost his family"...he could not find our bed bc he couldn't hear me snoring anymore to direct him where to go. Flash forward to EVERY DAY I now have the energy I need to do what I need to do and my businesses are more successful as a result. Flash forward to realizing I can live plenty of years now bc my health risks are all but gone, and my husband won't have to search for a new wife/mother of our children because Mommy passed away from overeating. This surgery simply, because it is simple if done well, saved my life. I would not change a thing.

Hi everyone! So,I attended my seminar on the 10th. The next morning was my initial consult so I got that taken care of. I have everything taken care of now but my sleep study,psych eval,and nut eval. I know what to expect from pretty much everything but the dietician!!! I am so freaking out bc I don't want to mess anything up! So,my question to you all is:What happened at your Nut Eval??? Like what did they ask and what got you cleared? :bigear: Thanks a bunch! And sorry I haven't posted or replied to any posts in forever. Major appts for me and my kiddos lately. Been super busy but can't wait to surf the forums and see how everyone is doing!!!

When did you have your surgery? You will need to up your calories if you are working out hard. Usually with a trainer you will work out harder than you will on your own. You won't gain weight, you need more calories bc you burn more calories. You can start by adding an extra protein drink.

I doubt that she will be getting a band in Alberta. I would be willing to bet what is happening is that she is getting Gastric Bypass in Alberta or Washington, paid for by the BC government. This is not unheard of, but as far as I know BC does not fund the band, but they do fund bypass. You are correct in that much of the money for health care comes from Ottawa, but really they have no pull in the way that it is spent, as long as it conforms to the Canada Health Act. I highly doubt that she would be getting any surgery paid for by AB if she is from BC. The health care systems in Canada are considered to be provincial. Andrew

Terranne: Hi: Anyone with a weight problem has failed so many times they were in tears and depressed. This is what caused most of us to make the giant step to acqiring a band. I was 303 lbs when I made my decision, I had the band Feb. 01/07 and yesterday I was told the port had flipped and I needed further corrective surgery. The TLBC has a wonderfull followup program and the fills are free as well as they have a nutritionist and support programs. A conference call is now being put in place for out of towners. I am from North Vancouver BC and I did not do a thorough job of researching the issue of fills. The TLBC referred me to a surgeon close to my home. I don't know for sure, but I believe the surgery correcting the port flip is free of charge. I may have to pay for the anetheseologist (sp?). What I am saying, is I would do it again with no second thoughts, but I would be more careful in finding someone close to home so I wouldn't have the huge costs of flying to Toronto. You are in a tough position having to decide whether your family's spendable money goes on you or your husband but did you know that if your family doctor referred you to Alberta, they have a clinic that assesses people for banding. As the medical system is Federal, they take from anywhere. I belong to a support group and one of the ladies in my group is going to Alberta having been referred by her family doctor and the surgery will be paid for by the medical system. there are other requirements that I am not sure about. You may have to wait, but it would be better than doing nothing. Doddie

I’m having so many mixed thoughts swirling around my head. I hesitate to post this today. I am grateful for having gastric bypass to have the tool to combat metabolic disorders and inability to exercise due to disability (post exertional malaise) and I was at the point it was all or nothing. All my fight was getting me nowhere fast. I know I’ve come a long way, I’ve also paid a hefty price physically and am still dealing with many health challenges. But I also know my body could not carry the burden of all that weight. And I will do everything in my power to maintain the weight loss. i reached goal Sometime last month. I overshot it a little. Although based on my height of 5’ I’m within my goal range. I haven’t been actively trying to lose for a few weeks. I raised my calories somewhat but not drastically. I started out at 208lbs with a BMI of 40.6 and today am 102.4 and a BMI of 20. its Funny though, I write my weight on a calendar daily, and write Daily log of my weight, meals, calories and protein to Track and plan what I will eat the best I can based on what’s available in the fridge, freezer, pantry. I haven’t given solid thought to my progress, I’ve just taken it one moment at a time. My weight fluctuates slightly and that’s ok. Other things weigh on my mind though. I hesitate to call it a celebration when even my birthday this month went unmentioned and Covid-19 will be around for the foreseeable future. It’s not impacted my odd daily routines of living with lifelong chronic illness and disability. I’m homebound much of the time as is. It’s risky going to get groceries but a necessity. But It’s had more of an impact on healthcare. i Had an early one year follow up with my surgeon February 11 and discussed continuing severe pain and spasms in left side under ribs along with other symptoms along with my history of ulcers in the remnant stomach and small intestine, they said I needed a double balloon enteroscopy. But I had to see a different doctor for the test. I couldn’t get an appointment until March 12 to see that doctor, I asked if they could schedule the test since it takes a while but no I had to wait to see the doctor first, who of course ordered the test. Which was then scheduled for April 27. And what happened, of course no one called until the last minute and it was then canceled indefinitely. And I’m left in pain, I sent them a message and they tell me I could go to the ER to be evaluated. First of all how is that a good idea? And evaluated for what? That’s why I saw the doctor and he ordered the test (actually both doctors did) I’m at a loss as to what to do and meanwhile I’m just trying to move ahead. i don’t even want to discuss this. I’ve other health issues that I’ve been waiting months to deal with. My doctor gives me attitude. Even things are obviously a problem. I saw my general doctor February after waiting a few weeks. I had sudden severe pain just lightly touching the front of my throat. I had a thyroid ultrasound. I also saw an endocrinologist. I was supposed to go to the hospital for further tests. But this was cancelled indefinitely. I’ve also been having nosebleeds and I don’t know why ... but it’s all been put on hold and none of the doctors care to follow up. I have been making plans about having skin removal surgery. Since it’s the only thing I can manage to do right now. The excess sagging skin is very problematic especially my thighs. A thigh lift, and Having a Belt lipectomy/Butterfly lift to remove excess skin might also help benefit strengthening my core which I can’t do with exercise. I’ve been working on this with Hospital BC that is part of BariatricPal and they are so helpful in the process. I’m trying to think of it as a vacation in Mexico with benefits. I’ll need financing of course. I’m far away from rich. It’s a goal to have a body I haven’t as long as I can remember. I haven’t been this weight as long as I can remember either. I could never reach this goal on my own before even as hard as I tried with strict low carb and calorie counting. I only managed 124lbs and it didn’t stay there long. So taking that last step of getting rid of ugly sagging, rashy problematic skin feels like part of the journey to finish. A crazy thing in times like these. I’ll be pinching pennies as hard as I can. But part of me is determined. And also ... trying to ignore the rest. I had wanted to deal with the other health issues first but looks like that won’t happen so I’m going to try to roll with it and see what happens. maybe it’s dumb for me to write this. I don’t know anymore. I’m exhausted. But I think that I want others to know that if I can do this with my chronic illness and disability And despite how hard it has been for me ... that others can succeed and reach their weight loss goal.

Looked into getting a personal trainer bc im nervous about the extra skin and maybe learn a more structured workout. He said it was 80 per hour and recommends in the beginning meeting at least once a week. Truth is i just cant afford that right now. I still have about 4k to pay for the surgery. Any suggestions? Im pretty concerned about this extra skin but just cant afford an extra 80 a week. :/

I voted for Obama and think hes doing well for what was handed to him and I voted for him because of healthcare, Im just mad we wont get a gov option. So dont hand me the bs about how I just dont like Obama. And I will vote for him in 2012 . Again, I will make a generalization here which I believe to be true. Your one of those "we brought it all on ourselves, Its Israels fault that they get bombed every other day"! Israel contrbutes more to us and the world than all mid-east countries cimbined. These poor middle easterners, who stone women for infidelity, who consider women to be at the bottom of "the Totem Poll". You act like we go around killing at will because we feel like doing so! If you lived in the 30s-40s Im sure you would have been upset with our actions toward Hitler. We where attacked on our own soil, wake up! Your going in circles. Your opinion is fine, its what you believe and I respect that. I just dont understand what your opinion is. You preach about peace then post a Quote like that which contradicts everything youve said. Who was the wise person anyway?

I had surgery with Dr Illan on march 28th of this year. To date I have lost 87lbs and wouldn't change a thing! My experience was amazing and I want to go back this summer to visit! Omar is by far the greatest person/friend to have thru this! (He is your patient coordinator) he actually had the surgery by Dr Illan in April so he can be a big help bc he's experienced it all himself. Feel free to email me any time you have questions or concerns I would love to help you! I promise you can't go wrong with Dr Illan and Omar! Good luck!!

Hi Butterfly512- I am also in a similar situation. I also have BC/BS MI, They did enforce the 6 mo of doctors visits before I was approved. I also have several weight-related health issues, but they wouldn't waive that requirement. I had my pre-op appt. on 4/7, with a scheduled surgery date of 4/13, but they delayed it, and requested a stress test before I could proceed. So now I am waiting again! Yes it is very frustrating, but my point is, it will happen when the time is perfect. (at least that's what I keep telling myself) Where are you having your surgery? I am going to the Barix Clinic, in Ypsilanti. Best of luck to you!

I have blue cross blue shield of michigan thru my husband's employer, my bmi is 35 with some other health issues, and I am told by the bariatric surgeons office that it's the best insurance to have, she said we can "work around" the 6 month diet requirement before surgery and told me to write on paper documenting all the diets I have tried over the years, maybe that will suffice for the 6 month requirement? Does bcbsmi still even require that? Plain & simple..I am anxious, not just to get the wls but being in limbo and waiting just makes me deal with the stress of my weight problem, bad eating habits & failing diets even longer..and actually my stupid mentality about it causes me to just want to wait until my preop diet and surgery to start the process of trying to lose weight, therefore I eat like a dummy in the meantime, feel like crap and the vicious cycle goes on for now. Idk if anyone can relate? From what I can gather, it might be around 1 month before I can get my procedure done..not bad of course ..I just hope nothing holds it up or goes wrong, my primary dr is already giving me the impression that he'll take his sweet time getting the letter of medical necessity letter (whatever it's called) & cardiac clearance together for me :-/ Between wanting this chapter and change for the better to happen sooner than later in my life..and the fact that I am in my mom's wedding in june, summer activities are coming ..etc. I want to recover and get my new journey and goal started without interfering with it all. I was very pregnant during last summer lol..I want to enjoy this one with the family! So..I need advice on the insurance, time frame to get surgery, and any of the other stuff I rambled on about lol Thanks :-)

I have bc/bs federal. My paperwork was submitted as outpatient. When I found out about this, I called the dr's office and was told bc/bs will not approve sleeve surgery for inpatient???? The dr's office told me they submit the request as outpatient and then after the surgery is done, they request approval for two nights stay. I was told it will be just fine, don't worry. That just didn't sound right so I called bc/bs and was told they approve the procedure based on what the dr says is medically necessary. If the approval is stated as outpatient, you are responsible for 15%. If the dr requests two nights for observation after the surgery, you are still responsible for 15% of the entire cost. So, if the surgery costs $50,000, I would owe $7,500 instead of just $250! Has anyone ever had this problem with the dr's office saying this is an outpatient only surgery for bc/bs and that is how they must submit the request? Does anyone know if it takes more paperwork to submit the request as inpatient? I am now really concerned that since the dr's office submitted the request as outpatient and it was approved, bc/bs will deny the inpatient request, if the dr's office resubmits. I sent an email to the director of the bariatric center and am waiting for a reply.

Thanks all my husband is worried I'm dropping too fast. But I'm following everything to a T. Bc I want this tool to work appropriately!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Send someone to the pharmacy and see if u can buy a sitz bath its a little hat thing u can buy and it squirts warm water to help clean u. Also don't use toilet paper get u the flushable wet wipes and gently clean urself then after every bathroom visit put Vaseline with some butt paste there. That's about all I can offer bc my rush became so raw it hurt. I did what I told u to do tho and it helped a lot. I have to use go the GoLite crap that should be renamed go aLOTly bc of my yearly scopes and that junk makes me raw and then causes horrible hemorrhoids. Best of luck to ya! ((Hugs))

I am going to True Results Houston as well. The Patient Advocate said I was looking at like $3,000 out of pocket based on my ins Fed BCBS.

I second this. I used to buy into the organic, grass fed, all natural, no antibiotic stuff all the time. I came to realize that no matter what you do, you will slip up somewhere. GMOs are in EVERYTHING nowadays. Even organic stuff. So it's best to just eat healthy and not worry about finding the most "pure" ingredients. As far as the OPs original concern, I noticed that too. I can only speak from experience since I'm still on the liquid pre-op diet, that I had to experiment with a ton of different things before I found what worked for me. Currently, I drink Glucerna hunger smart. It keeps me satiated for several hours and sometimes I forget to even eat. Plus, its the most palatable of the protein drinks I've tried so far. It's always a good idea to make stuff from scratch because you know what goes in it and can avoid the extra sugars and fats. But in a pinch, protein drinks and other protein sources are helpful. But I wouldn't rely to heavily on it. Good luck 👍

So my surgeon is leaving the decision to me but on my barium swallow i showed slight GERD not a significant amount but some..... I normally don't suffer from GERD unless i eat fried foods which cant eat those after surgery anyways... well i've been doing research on RNY vs Sleeve and originally I set out to have the sleeve but i see a lot of RNY patients bashing it b/c they say people don't really lose the weight and gain it back... is that just due to people making poor choices on food late or not enough exercise? or should i reconsider? sorry I am super nervous and just rethinking switching but i wonder if i was just hearing biased opinions from RNY patients...I would like to know if Sleeve patients have had just as good luck with weight loss by doing the things they should or would be honest and say they gained bc they made poor choices...(sorry for ranting) some facts that may help any advice: starting weight 255 at 5'7 tall--- 40 bmi I do have under active thyroid problems but that's it

I feel lucky....no scratch that blessed. Not to long ago I felt hopeless and miserable. Here I am today, lost almost 60 pounds. This has changed the ways look at food. I still have lots of mental changes to make and still need to make sure this new found thought process sticks. In the past I have lost weight and I have regained it back with a nice bonus extra weight. What's so different now? The week before surgery when I could only drink Protein shakes had me come to a realization, this is not going to be easy. I already knew it was going to be hard but actually experiencing the hard made me realize what it truly meant. When I came home after surgery my brain wanted food. It wanted to feel good. I even had dreams about food. I cried a lot. I felt like I lost a friend. When I began eating solids is when I realized how much this surgery can really help me with this mental change. I embraced it. Began logging my calories. The scale moving down was exciting! Here I am 3 months later almost 60 pounds lighter...37 pounds away from my goal of 135. Everyday I have been working on my mental stomach. I have been feeding my mental stomach nourishment. A positive mental outlook on life, a eat to live not live to eat kind of attitude. I read health food magazines, I look at pictures of women with toned bodies rather then admiring skinny women. Every day I look in the mirror and admire what I have accomplished so far. If I don't do this I will fail. I will fail at this losing weight again and this surgery will be for nothing. I will regain the weight back. I lost so far. I didn't get fat because I was physically hungry after all. It wasn't true hunger. It was hunger from my mental stomach begging to be fed. Now I feed it something different. Yes I was a food addict and now I am in recovery and I will always run the risk of relapsing. I have to avoid trigger foods, trigger people, and situations. I avoid revolving fun around food. If we go out to eat I make sure they have healthy choices. Yup this will be a life long battle but I believe it can be won! Thanks for listening (or reading) I just wanted share