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Well, I don't know if NJ is the same as AZ but BCBS seems to have a LOT of information on their website...to be honest I found the simplest approach was to call the 800 number on teh back of my card...I exhausted myself searching every nook and cranny of the net to find a simple phone call was all I needed to know EXACTLY what was covered under my plan. :rolleyes2: They will also mail you a copy if you request it of the specific requirements. BUT my plan required : BMI of 40 or 35 with co-morbidities diagnosis of morbid obesity for 5 years Clinical documentation of diet attempts to lose weight in the last 2 years including self directed dieting, commercial programs, nutritional counseling or exercise programs Clinical documentation of for an active plan for active participation in pre-operative instruction program and post operative or follow up care plan in cluding preoperative nutritional counseling and must show ther is a plan in place for post-operative nutritional counseling as well pre-operative clinical assessment and documentation must reflect a significant motivation and understanding of the risks associated with intended surgery as well as understanding of the lifelong restricted eating habits that will follow Must be 18 yrs or older Individual has no treatable condition that may be responsible for the morbid obesity like endocrine or metobolic etc Individual has no significant liver, kidney or gastrointestinal disease Individual has no drug or alcohol abuse - must be abstinent for 12 months or more if there is a history of drug or alcohol abuse Individual has been evaluated by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist documenting the absence of psychopathology the may limit the individuals ability to understand the procedure I would expect other states to pretty much be the same but you never know...also they have an access fee of $1000 which is out of pocket on top of your deductible,,,but your mileage may vary and you should call your company to find out...also SOME employers can specifically exclude bariatric surgery from their health plan so you will want to check on that as well. Good luck to you!!!

i am still surprised that people go through all the steps of surgery, are advised what to do for best results, and then do just the opposite..and then tell people i did it and i am fine...well good for you..but telling and advising people the incorrect things (that drs say not to do) is just wrong in my opinion..but hey, whatever works. melan, if you want to know if it is okay to drink alcohol after surgery, 2 weeks out, call and ask your doctor..see what they say.. i love pink also btw...hope you have a great time.

For me, eating is an ADDICTION. Telling you to stop eating after 1/2 cup is like telling an alcoholic to stop after 1 sip. WE have to eat to live, we need food. it's not like just stop going to the liquor store. I got the band because i needed HELP. I agree with you that if you're not feeling restriction, whats the use having the band? I couldn't do it on my own before. I really really need the help. I'm not losing much, but i'm always looking forward to a good fill that will give me restriction and actually make me feel FULL after that /2 cup of food. i beleive it's out there, i just need patience and not lose my mind when i'm having a hard time with no restriction. hang in there with me shurmeka, we're truly in the same boat. we'll get there eventually!

That's something I'm struggling with. I'm 13 years out and was to goal however I'm not longer working and doing stairs at the hospital and still enjoy my vino. Resulting in a 30 pound gain over the last 3 years. I'm stable the past year with no loss. I'm now Journaling and cutting back on alcohol. Doc says it's fine so long as I journal it. Say some prayers please. I need back down. Sent from my SM-T350 using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon said if I want to follow calories that my intake should be around 900 to 1200 calories a day. I average 1000 to 1100. Sometimes I have days when I eat 1600 or more. (Usually due to alcohol intake). I do not eat my exercise points back. I am losing pretty fast. 62 pounds since December. Not everyone wants to lose that fast or be as strict with what they eat. Fast is not necessarily better. With the amount of exercise I'm doing, sometimes I feel I may not be eating enough. Find what works for you.

Well, once again, I am the freak in the crowd. For me, maintenance has been boring and wonderful! I reached goal around this time last year and continued to lose another 10 pounds. I've maintained my lowest weight (with a small bounce range) for almost 10 months. But besides rough counting my Protein and Water amounts in my head each day, I never tracked or measured anything, so the transition between losing and maintaining was no big deal. I'm also one of those "I had surgery so I would never have to diet again" loonies. I am committed 110% to being successful with my VSG, but I'm also not willing to go against what's in my nature to do. I know I would fail (and be unhappy) if I tried. Following a regimented diet plan, using MFP, going to the gym, running 5K's, etc. are just not "me". The main changes I made in conjunction with surgery were to simply make healthy food choices and drink a lot less alcohol. The other difference I've noticed with me compared to a lot of posts I read is that I never made that big of deal about my goal weight. I didn't really perceive of reaching it as an end point. I knew being a WLS patient was a forever thing, not just a losing thing. Maybe that's why I never felt the need to seek a new "goal" to stay motivated. I'm just happy to be the size I am, feel as great as I do, do all the physical activities that I can and simply eat like a "normal" thin person. That's all the motivation I need.....That and an occasional glance at my before pictures. I hope you all find what works for you for long term success. (And that my way continues to work for me)

I’ve noticed a number of posts lately from bandsters who are non compliant due to stressful situations in their lives. I am very sympathetic to anyone dealing with difficult situations but not so sympathetic with those who deal by eating too much, or eating poorly. I can’t help but think it’s just an excuse to self sabotage. If you were an alcoholic, you would avoid drinking during stressful times. Otherwise, you would be back to drinking uncontrollably again. Same for us foodaholics...and yes, I'm a foodaholic. If stress makes you reach for a cookie or a taco, what makes you think you won’t eat a box of Cookies or a ton of tacos? We must must must find better outlets for our stress. It’s bad enough when things are not going well, but to risk your success on top of that to me is just completely destructive. I’m not saying I have the answers, I just think this is a topic worth discussing.

Though my banding wont happen until some time early next year (Jan or Feb) I have decided to use this time before hand as my "rehearsal dinner"- changing my eating habbits, re-evaluating my relationships (healthy and unhealthy ones) with those in my life, realizing that I AM worth a lot more than I've allowed myself to feel and be treated lately.... Last night was a "going away party" for a friend who is moving to Hawaii- because I had to be at work pretty early this morning (630am), I didnt do the whole "partying" thing with them- but I did join them for dinner at Carrabba's (Italian restaurant). I made pretty healthy decisions as far as what to eat-- Blackened Talapia, fresh green beans, and a ceaser salad. Sure, I ate basically everything, but it wasn't a huge bowl of pasta with a cream sauce! I tried to time my meal so that it took the recommended 20 minuts to eat- chewed each bite at least 30 times, etc... It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be lol! And, I don't really think I drank much while eating either- which is really a big deal for me, because I'm usually gulping down something! (Even if it's just water!) This morning for breakfast I had some string cheese and a chocolate-peanut butter protein shake- which is actually delicious! I will have something to eat at 1030ish (4 hours after breakfast)- and continue to try to follow the through with the right decisions and hopefully form that as a new habbit BEFORE I'm banded... Now, the relationship part is a little tougher... my weight isn't 100% to blame on my relationship issues- it's self esteem issues in general, growing up with an alcoholic father, dealing with abandonment issues, parents who always cheated on each other- etc. So, obviously I've made a lot of bad decisions when it comes to who I've dated in the past- 95% of them were cheaters themselves, my ex husband is an alcoholic, etc... Yes, I'm lonely most of the time, yes I enjoy having someone show me affection, yes I probably settle for less than I deserve... Wait, scratch that- there is no "Probably" about it- I DO settle for less than I deserve, or at least-- I DID! I was so desperate for someone's affection that I didn't take the time to be picky about WHO was giving it to me... And sadly, those people are still in my life. Making an apperance when THEY want to- not when I want them to (well, I always want them to, but you know what I mean!) So quick to say yes when they ask if they can come over, so quick to letting them in to hang out and watch a movie- KNOWING what the out come will be later-- so quick to forget the anger I have towards them, the resentment, the pain... all for what? A night of forgetting about my loneliness, only to feel even more lonely when I don't get a phone call the day after, or even the week after? That's ludacris!!!! So as part of the "new me" that I'm working hard to create, even before I get a lap-band, I WILL NOT put up with it anymore... I will not be someone's option when I've made them my priority for so long- they are now just my option- and honestly, they aren't even my best option! I'm going to learn to be conent with what I already have in my life, I'm going to learn how to take care of myself- physically and emotionally- because once I can do that, then there are no excuses for someone else not to take care of me in those same ways!!! No more using me, no more making me question myself when it's been them doing the wrongs, no more thinking "well, I guess this is all that I deserve"-- SCREW THAT! Even being fat I know that I deserve to have someone in my life to look at me and think I'm the most beautiful girl in the world, I deserve someone who is going to be open and HONEST with me, someone who is going to be loyal, and someone who is going to treat me the same way I've been treating others! I took the first step last night- "he" came to dinner last night, and normally he would have come home with me, watched a movie or whatever, and well, I don't have to spell it out... but when he hugged me goodbye, I turned my face so he couldn't kiss me goodbye, got into my car quick enough that he couldnt even have the chance to invite me over or ask if he could come over- and when he sent a text a few minutes later (of course saying BS like "you should have come over for dessert"--- gag me!!!) I sent back- "Sorry- I'm learning to be selfish and putting myself first- satisfying you is not on my to-do list... you can be my FRIEND- and that's exactly how you will be treated" I am finding "myself"- the girl that I've always been, but let others push into the corner... I am going to have moments of weakness, sure- we all do right? But I will have the courage to pick myself up and give it another try every time I fall! :clap:

As a new year starts I am sure we all have a wonderful list of things we think of as "New Years Resolutions"-- or whatever... I decided that I only have one this year- to drink more water every day... This should help with weight loss since it will cut out more sodas/teas and keep me feeling "full"... Obviously losing weight is a goal of mine for the year.... I will be re-evaluating my "to-do" list from the surgeons to get the ball rolling more on the lap-band situation.... I have another Support group to go to (which, If I can be honest.. yes it's nice to get out of the house- and sometimes I have to be "forced" to do so because my depression makes it hard for me to do to so.... but it really is kind of a joke- very few people there are actully post-op, most of them are like me- there as a required pre-op...) but anyways... on my to-do list-- another suport group, the exercise class, and then the $275 program fee and lap-band education class....Oh, and the hardest, quit smoking for good. It is so frustrating to know that really, *I* am what's stopping me- if I could quit smoking, "cold turkey", then I would have months ago... but, I am doing what I can to get the quit smoking goal accomplished... and it shouldn't be too long... Last year-year and a half I probably packed on 30-40 pounds.... WTF?! I cant even begin to express how sickened I am by this... I feel like such a effing loser... I dont even want to discuss how grossed out and disappointed I am- in myself... I know the last few months I really "let myself go"-- mostly because I've been thinking about getting a lap-band-- and to do so I had to actually GAIN like 10 pounds to have the BMI that I needed... but then I kept using "I'm getting a lap band" as my excuse-- saying things like "I have to enjoy this while I can, this time next year I wont be able to eat like this anymore" or "I wont be able to eat _____________ (fill in something I shouldnt have been eating to begin with!) after I get my lapband, so I might as well eat it now!"-- who does that?! I never realized that I had a food "Addiction" until recently-- and that is a sad sad realization to have.... Stress is also at an all-time-high... Decemeber 29th, 2010 my father died in my eyes. NO- he is not LITERALLY dead... but once again, he has shown to be be worthless, judgmental, and a hypocryt. He and his wife bought my daughter (used, but still good!) bunk beds for christmas, well I wasnt able to be home when they came and were going to put them up- so they were at my house when I wasnt there... Apparently my house isn't tiddy enough for them and my "Step mom" decided that I don't live up to her standards and wasn't talking to me... Didnt talk to me, except maybe 10 words all day Wednesday (the 29th, that's when we were doing our "family christmas")... Anyway- long story short, I got into a huge arguement with my sperm donor (aka father) about all of this and I completely blew up at him- seriously? how can you expect me, a single mother, who works 2 jobs, AND goes to college to keep my house up to THEIR standards? Oh, and by the way, my grandma, his mother- fell (3rd time in a month or so) so I've been at her house any time i could to clean her house, put up her decorations, do her nursing stuff (changing her dressings- she busted up her face pretty bad and has stiches), her yardwork, and her christmas shopping... YES- MY HOUSE IS A FREAKING MESS! But that's because HE decided that he wasnt happy here and moved away- leaving ME as the only one her to take care of his mother... He's always been worthless... the first time I brought home an "F" in school was in P.E. in middle school- the first year we had to "dress out" in the locker room- in front of all the girls who already made fun of me for being the fat girl- so no, I never "dressed out", and I failed... when he saw my report card- his response? He screamed at me and constantly told me how I was nothing but a "fat lazy nigger"--- excuse me for even using that "N word"- as I HATE that word and am no way what so ever a racist or anything... and yes, he called me that (and I am white..) He's an alcoholic, and will always put himself before others... when I told him I was hoping to get a lap band, his response? "well, if it will actually work for you, maybe then you'll finally be thin like your sister"--- WHO SAYS THAT?! Well, I'm at work, so I cant give this blog the attention it deserves right now... but anyway... it's a new year, I feel every single pound that i've added the last 18 months or so... and actually- it's a good thing- it's a reminder to me that I need to get off my ass and actually start making the positive changes my life needs- with or without the lapband... it's just a tool-- I'm the one who is going to have to do the work- so I better start dress rehersal now, because there's less room for screw ups when the real deal is here! (when I actually am banded I mean) Hope you all are off to a great year!

i was reading up on alcohol and the lap band or the sleeve. it sounds like it does affect us a lot more.. it moves through the small stomach so much quicker, and so there is more alcohol that moves through the gut. it seems that its not healthy. i like a drink myself... i dont know what to think about it. especially knowing that if we eat while we have a drink then the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach so its impact is lessened somewhat. because we cant drink for half hour beforehand and an hour after eating, food isnt going to help with the impact of the alcohol. im no expert... what do the others here think about it??

Just had my first drink last night since being banded 1/27. I had a couple of glasses of wine during the course of the evening with friends. I did notice it did not seem to take much before I was feeling the effects of the alcohol so that might be something to watch. Also, not sure if this is related to the wine but I could NOT sleep last night at all. Felt tired when I went to bed but then was wide awake! So not like me as usually I hit the bed and am out. Not sure if that is related to having the wine or just a coincidence. Just something to keep in mind

28kg, I drink plenty of coffee, no I dont think it makes you gain weight unless perhaps you have some weird allergy to it. I eat regular food like anormal person. No high Protein regimes here, I eat carbs, bread, Pasta, rice, sometimes I eat takeway, I have the odd alcoholic drink, I eat a bit more if I go out or go away, in fact I lead a totally normal life. There's no real science to it. Eat a bit less, move a bit more and say bye bye to the weight.

I think you'll be alright I did a few shots 11 days after surgery and then a few beers the next night and i didn't have any problems .. Just keep in mind the alcohol might hit you harder/faster now

New sleevers often ask about drinking and the sleeve. Here is why it's a bad idea. Last night went out for a drink with a friend. Ordered a decaf coffee with a shot of Jack Daniels. Was doing OK sipping it. After I was done I asked for a coffee refill. Instead the waitress brought another coffee and JD. I should have sent it back but I didn't. Shortly afterwards an Indian woman from the rez is making rounds in the bar with Indian jewelry for sale. For those of you not in New Mexico, this is fairly common. Anyway, I bought some earrings for $40 that I had no intention or business buying. Ok, they are gorgeous (sterling hoops inlaid with opals) but my shopping self control was shot with the second drink. Don't sleeve and drink! (Unless you can afford it).

I'm trying to loose weight pre operatively I think I am looking at a May Surgery..... Since I've been having such a hard time I have come to realize that I think much like an alcoholic is addicted to alcoholic, we are all addicted to food. I honestly feel like it's very similar. We talk constantly about quitting, but we can't. I feel like I am constantly fighting internally to make myself stop. You should find an over eater anonymous class. People say they are great.

How far post op are you??? I had wine about 2 months post op, the alcohol has not affected me either way. My surgeon said you "could" get durnk easily but for me nothing has changed. Just be careful and I would try alcohol at home first to see how you will react. You don't want to try something new for the first time out of you house. Just remember that alochol has lots of empty calories.

well had my first fill. Nothing to it really. It was in Newport (s.wales), Fred was there, asked how I was. Weighed me lost and kept off 2 stones, whey!! Then I lie down on the table, he prodded and felt my port then he wiped with alcohol swab then injected the saline. 2 secs its was all over and painless. I was made to drink some Water to see if I could keep it down. Ive got the french band so the 1st fill is 4mm max. He said that if you have the Johnson and Johnson, they are 6mm for the 1st fill as these are a larger diameter band, im guessing for bigger people. Next fill is end of July. He also said that 1st fills were pretty much un-noticable so I could eat almost anything, which it aint true coz now I deffo cant do bread, meat or other such foods as it gets stuck and I have to bring it back up, which isnt a good situation to do all the time. I reckon the second fill will be a massive charge. Roll on end of month

Wow I can’t believe yesterday has been one month since I got banded. I am happy to say that I have lost 27 pounds and I feel amazing. I really didn’t have any plans yesterday I just made me some coffee and use Atkins French Vanilla protein shake as creamer and worked out for 15 minutes until I received a phone call from my Bestie Mandy. She stated that she had a surprise for me. Mandy had tickets to the St. Louis Cardinal game! I was a little bit excited until my fears kicked in. So what were my fears? Yesterday I was able it start drinking alcohol but will I be tempted to have a beer or mix drink. What if I get hungry and Busch Stadium didn’t have 5 week post op friendly food. Unfortunately I did not have time to research their menus and I need a better cell phone. My least favorite fear was am I ready to do this? I decided to not shelter myself because I am banded I need to live and learn. Mandy brought her cooler and added 4 bottles of water. At the stadium we found an Asian stir fry place and they had shrimp. I ask the hostess if I can just order a side a shrimp because I am lap band patient but they charge me $10.50 anyway. Mandy didn’t care about the price and paid for it. The cool part about it was they gave me a Large Chinese to go box full of shrimp! We got more than $10.50 worth of shrimp. Mandy stated laughing at me because I got full of 12 pieces of shrimp. She ended up taking the leftover home. It was a great game because the Cardinals won! After the game me and Mandy met up with our friend Jessica. I haven’t seen Jessica since she came over and made me homemade soup for day one of my 2 post op diet. Jessica complimented me on my lap band success and told me that I look amazing. I have to admit I felt pretty good. We went to our first bar and I had a glass of water with lemon. I wanted to have a drink at the second bar we were at. I was thinking shot of grey goose with water and I was going to add a crystal light packet in it or maybe a beer and let it fizz out for a bit before drinking. I had all these scenarios going through my head and I decided to drink at home first to see how it feels before I drink in public. So water was my drink of choice last night and I was okay with that. If felt good going out last night and just having fun. I am so bless to have great friends in my life. Thanks for reading.

I saw a news program that did a brain scan on people and how sugar effected some people and how it showed up in others... There are those of us out there that when we get a dose of sugar it acts like drugs to a heroin addict! People who don't have an addiction can never understand sweetie. Just like you can sympathize with a person who is addicted to alcohol, but you don't know their struggle unless you've been there. You do what is right for YOU!!! I am a firm believer in "Know your limitations!"

Anyone have any ideas

I am right there with you!!! Alcohol and all. My surgery date is the 13th, so I start my pre op diet on Tuesday. I didn't realize it until just the other day, it was 2 or 3 days after I got my surgery date. I am hoping that I am able to get it under control and calm down. Good luck! I can't wait to see u on the losers bench

I'm right there with you....and I told myself I wouldn't do this! I'm not drinking alcohol though... I'm not really a drinker so its not something I will miss. But, I've been eating so much! I cannot wait til surgery!

Well just look at calories and protein. That is what I do. My big issue is alcohol and it helps keep me in check.

I probably waited a couple of months after surgery, but you say you have been cleared. I also have a glass or two, a couple of times a week. I work rotating shiftwork and quite often will have a nice 6am, "bedtime" drink. I never noticed any difference in how alcohol affected me pre or post banding, but as many people say, it does affect them differently. Go slow until you see how it affects you. Its still the same amount of alcohol as it was pre banding. As you can see from below, calories can add up...and no protein in wine, so have some cheese with it. Calories A typical 3.5-oz. glass of Cabernet Sauvignon wine contains a total of 88 calories, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Alcohol makes up 77 calories within the serving and 11 calories come from carbohydrates. No appreciable amounts of proteins or fats are within the wine. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/312718-calories-in-cabernet-sauvignon-wine/#ixzz2Onla0wd9

There is no difference for me pre and post op with the impact of alcohol. I suppose it is different for everyone.