Search the Community

It's a new chapter in my life as I pack up all the things my Ex gave me over the years, I put it in a box and put it away. I woke up not sad for the first time I woke up rejuvenated! That I will find somebody who will want the same desires as me. For now I start the most important task: Taking care of myself! Seeing the Bariatric Surgeon is the first step this coming Wednesday. Then taking the rest from there. I need to rebuild myself inner to outer. This is my Time to Shine. Lisa

Does anyone have the feeling once in awhile you have been punched in the stomach and feel cramping. It's very discomforting and I'm post op week 5 bariatric bypass Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey all, I was just wondering if there was anyone here who has dealt with Aetna and been approved on an appeal? I just found out this week that Aetna denied my surgery because the plan my company has doesn’t cover bariatric surgery. I am appealing but was wondering if anyone has ever had success with an appeal through Aetna?

My office recently submitted my paperwork to CIGNA for approval. I received a decision within a day but the claim was denied due to where I’d be having the surgery. Cigna stated the location where they wanted to perform the surgery as outpatient is not on the 2019 Bariatric Center of Excellence list. I checked and the surgery center is in fact on the list. I actually had my EGD performed there and they paid that claim. I called CIGNA and the rep stated that the ruling they gave is not accurate and outdated. The rep also stated that the case manager is reaching out to my office to rectify the issue. I am frustrated but trying to remain hopeful. Has anybody ever been initially denied by CIGNA and then approved?

Every insurance company has a different policy. Call and inquire what your insurance company's requirements are for bariatric WL surgery.

Even though your insurance may not require a referral, I would recommend discuss this with your PCP and getting their recommendation, mostly because I assume that your PCP is in your insurance network, and therefore they would be able to direct you to a bariatric specialist who is also in-network. Your other questions are really jumping the gun; don't worry about the details until you have a surgeon and have done an orientation, spoken with the surgeon directly, seen their nutritionist, etc., etc., etc. "When all is said and done, usually more has been said than done. "

I am not an expert. I haven't had surgery yet, but I've been pursing and researching WLS since last November. I've been seeing the surgeon since January for my insurance required 6 month diet. My surgery is next week. I know it is hard searching through the topics trying to find answers to your specific questions and it feels like a big step to make a post, so I'll try to answer what I can. In my area (Upstate NY) I actually hear WLS advertised on the radio. A few different hospitals advertise their weight loss options and they have a free seminar you can go to. I ended up doing my seminar online. So you might want to contact your area hospital and ask if they have or know of any free seminars in the area on WLS options. Or if they can refer you to a bariatric surgeon. Many general surgeons can do the surgery, however I think it's nice to go to a practice where that is their specialty. The doctor I chose has a big practice catering just to that. It is listed in their hospital's online directory under "weight loss." I would make my first step be finding one of these centers or surgeons who specialize in WLS and then making the initial consult. They discuss SO much in that appointment and can answer so many questions. Having worked much for surgeons in the past, I don't think you'll get many options in picking the time of day of your surgery. You can request a morning surgery, but that usually doesn't mean you're guaranteed that. I think in an ideal world, being the second surgery of the day would be perfect though. They are warmed up and awake, but not exhausted. I can't speak from experience about the loose skin. I do know genetics and age have a lot to do with it. I've lost a lot of weight on diets in the past and my skin caught up each time. It was slower weight loss, so the skin shrunk along with me. I know that with WLS, it's the rapid weight loss that makes the skin appear extra saggy at times. Then it will shrink some more with time. Will it shrink totally back to tight skin? Everyone is different. If you're young, with good genetics and hydrate well, maybe it will. I think it's likely you'll have some areas you don't like though. With my weight loss in the past, my stomach always kept it's saggy pouch, even though it did get smaller and wasn't noticeable under clothes. As for diet, my surgeon is requiring a 2 week pre-op liquid "stage 2" diet and then I will do this same diet for two weeks post op. I'm on day 7 of it right now. You focus on high protein liquid. I'm supposed to be trying to get at least 80 grams of protein per day. I am not supposed to be having any sugars either. I can have skim or whole milk, black tea or coffee (but need to switch to decaf a couple days before surgery too), sugar free puddings, sugar free jellos, Protein Shakes, high protein/low fat/no or low sugar yogurts, protein soups/broths (without chunks). It kind of sucks. I am doing mainly yogurt and protein shakes through the day. 2 weeks after surgery, I'll be evaluated and switched to pureed foods. You still aim for the protein, but can eat pureed things in the mix. And then I believe it is 1 month post op, I switch to soft foods. This is a pretty typical WLS diet around surgery time, but surgeons are varying it now. Some don't require the 2 weeks pre-op. They say they do those 2 weeks to shrink the liver so that the surgeon has better access to the stomach, which makes sense. Some keep you on clear liquids for a few days after surgery. It can vary a bit, but this is my protocol. I'm not sure there is a best season. I want to be free of this weight NOW. So, NOW is the best season for me. LOL. Good luck on your journey. I think once you can get in for a consult or go to one of the free seminars that a lot of places offer, you'll get a lot of questions answered.

In southern California, the clinical trials for the Obtech Band were conducted at Scripps (La Jolla, I think). I'd start there, in the bariatric surgery department. Try (858) 554-5522, Dr. Brunson. My guess is that other than those doctors who were in the clincal trials, US doctors will have almost no experience in this department.

I think you should go for it. This is a great thing that you can give to others to assist in their weight loss. I'm going to do some Life Coaching and bariatrics soon.

I'm not a guy but I am in Kansas City so I will answer about doctors. The KC Bariatric team has been wonderful through my process. I will be having my VSG in November with Dr. Aragon and would highly recommend his office. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi! I have a consultation in 2 weeks with a bariatric sugeron . Im curious about insurance approvals. Does anyone out there have federal BCBS? What are the requirements? What was the approval process? Im at a BMI of 35.6 and have no comorbities. There is no way I could pay cash for this surgery, so Im just wondering if there is anyone else out there who doubted that insurance would approve the surgery? I just really don't want to get my hopes up. Thanks for any input!

I am curious how did your surgeon know your band slipped if you did not have any symptoms? Did you have a fill under fluoroscopy? If a surgeon sees that your band has slipped the first thing they usually do is totally unfill the band -- to remove pressure off the pouch, not leave all the saline in. If your band has slipped, it's only time before it may have to come out/fixed or rebanded if possible, everyone is not a candidate for rebanding depending on how much damage is done and scar tissue. It also depends on the severity of the slip, some slips can't be fixed without surgical intervention, but if it is pouch dilation, sometimes removing all the saline and let things rest for about 6-8 weeks, and the surgeon needs to perform a Upper Gi to check the pouch size, and often times you can get refilled - slowly and carefully. In the meantime, it may be a good idea to search for a new job that will cover bariatric surgery. Also you may want to check with an attorney, although your insurance may not cover bariatric insurance, if you have a life threatening complication, it may be covered under medically necessary. Good luck

I'm 3 months post op. I hit a plateau although I've changed nothing I feel thinner but I'm losing less than a pound every 1-2 weeks I feel hungry pretty often and it feels as if I'm able to eat more than the past month or so I don't often feel like a Bariatric patient and more like a person who just eats a little less I'm not sure how I should feel how about you 3 monthers? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi everyone! I am new here was told by a friend of mine to stop in. I recently found out I'm preggers and looking for forums/threads for pregnancy post op bariatric surgery. A little about me I'm from Fort Worth, TX and had Open RNY on 10/01/2003 by Dr Hugh Babineau in Tyler TX almost 11 years ago. My starting weight was 276 and I have lost and maintained a 136 lb weight loss. I had all my reconstructive plastic surgery March 2005 with Dr. John LoMonaco in Houston TX which was a full body lift (tummy tuck with muscle repair, butt lift, outer thigh lift, contour liposuction) and a BL/BA. Hi y'all I'm 37 with no kids (first pregnancy I miscarried) so needless to say I'm excited and scared all at the same time. I've been very career minded and am starting my family a little later an most. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and reading all about everyone's journeys. I love to hear and support someone starting out or are as far out as me! [ATTACH]46220[/ATTACH]

I’m thankful that my body is teaching me to pause, listen, learn and renew. Thankful for this website and the lovely souls gathered to empower and encourage one another. Thankful for my sweet, gentle, strong, self confident, funny, tender, courageous, wise, spiritual and handsome hubby. Thirty years together and still crazy for each other.💖

Doubt you can hide very much from a Good Bariatric Surgeon, by now they HAVE HEARD it all!

Hi Marlena- I'm not a medical expert on the sleeve or the band, but I'm a former bandster who is also investigating the sleeve. To help with my research, I subscribe to the medical journal, Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. As it's a medical journal, the articles are intended for doctors, therefore the language is sometimes hard for me to understand due to all the medical terms. However, it has been very helpful to be able to read about all the studies that are happening regarding WLS. In this month's issue, there is an article about bariatric surgery reducing the cancer risk in morbidly obese patients. I mention it in case you feel guided to buy the article or get an annual subscription. I paid around $148 U.S. for my subscription and it's been worth every penny. It's allowed me to gain a better understanding of the developments in bariatric surgery. I figure if I'm going to have pieces of my anatomy removed, I want to learn all I can about the process. Their web site is www.soard.org Wishing you well on your journey! Laurel

Thanks for the response. I've pretty much determined that RNY is off the table. I'm currently at a toss up between traditional DS and Sadi....each one has it's own pros and cons that push me to the other, so I'm really not sure which one I will choose in the end. I plan on talking with the surgeon as best as I can during my consultation and try to get a better sense of what would be the best option for me. I'm currently a sucker for chocolate; and I love carbs like rice (sushi / japanese cuisine is my favorite)....So, looking at this fact is pushing me more towards the traditional DS. I'm a bit nervous of the malnutrition potential; but I'm also more nervous that I won't lose as much with the SADI as I may lose with traditional DS. I am lucky enough to not have any major co-morbidities....so I'm hoping my BMI alone will be enough to allow for the conversion surgery. My mom had Gastric Bypass herself, and has pretty much also regained her weight; I can see her point, but I'm wanting a more drastic reduction, so I am really leaning on the DS surgery and the more youtube videos I watch, the more I'm learning and looking to start the journey again. I have already begun working towards making changes to prepare. I'm working on drinking more water and limiting or eliminating other drinks. I'm also working on changing eating habits, and foods. I'm referring to this as going back to Bariatric 101....and working to re-learn the rules of the tool, etc and implementing those changes. So far, I'm really not seeing much difference in weight. I'm with you on wanting to be able to be active and live a more active lifestyle. I have no energy most days, even though I want to exercise, etc I'm constantly just tired. At this point, if weight is what kills me, I'd rather die too skinny rather than be killed because I'm fat. My lowest weight was somewhere between 185 - 188 lbs at 5'3.....There are things that I noticed at that weight that I miss. The energy to go being one. You mention Bone Broth.....I absolutely love Dr. Kelly Ann's Bone Broth! As for protein drinks / shakes....Premier Protein is pretty much my go to. I've tried others in the past.....and they either have a bad after taste, or they just straight up taste like you're drinking chalk (I'm looking at you, Isopure!). As for vitamins.....I have never been consistent with taking vitamins; but, if it means I can drop 80-90% of my excess weight, I will put in the effort to take them.

I am not in Utah, but thought you might like to have an idea of what costs are. I had my surgery at a hospital in Tulsa, OK. What I liked about the way I did my surgery was I did not go through a "bariatric clinic". I knew the surgeon I wanted to use so I went past all the other stuff and went straight to my choice (from what I understand, in the clinic setting you don't get to choose your surgeon). I still had to do all the pre-op appointments but I decided where I wanted to have the surgery. I chose a hospital where my surgeons office is right next door. The hospital has a "global" charge that includes hospital charges, surgeon and anesthesia for the cost of $17,750. I had to pay when I went in for my pre-op admissions. The normal costs of the surgery would be $27,000.

Hi everyone. My name is Margaret. I am a mother, wife, friend, employee advocate, and a lover of dogs. I live with my husband and Chug (Chihuahua/pug) in Colorado. I just had my revision surgery on June 30th from lap band to sleeve. I am at Bariatric Stage IV - eating pureed foods and drinking Protein drinks. I am limited to five foods: egg whites, plain yogurt, refried Beans, cottage cheese and pudding. I am also taking liquid Vitamins and getting B-12 monthly injections. My daily goals are to continue to drink 64 oz of Fluid each day; eat/drink 65 grams of protein, walk 30 minutes (if not more), and continue to protect my surgery incisions and stomach by not lifting, pulling, pushing anything over 15 lbs.I am glad that the doctor limits his patients to five foods because I think it's really easy at this point to overdue it on other soft foods that may not be so healthy for you. The weight is coming off slowly which I think is good. I feel pretty good except last night, I had a side ache next to the incision where my port use to be. Other than that, I feel really good. I think this surgery was much easier than the lap band. I still get hungry and the food that my husband is eating looks tempting. However, I try to remind myself that this is just head hunger. I don't think I am really hungry. I am no longer a coffee drinker since we were told to stop drinking it. I was totally addicted to coffee mostly because of the liquid creamers. I feel so much better and I no longer have to have coffee first thing in the morning I am just beginning this journey and I am still learning to listen to my body. I am not in a support group at this time but I would love to connect with others who are on a similar journey.

Not That Bad a post, you're speaking from the 💘And no one should fault you for that! I am on the other side of the coin in one respect, Doctor just recently asked me Are You sure You Haven't had a Hysterectomy? like I haven't paid my dues. I'm pretty sure I would know and nobody ever told me it was a prerequisite to Bariatric Surgery any way. Makes me feel like a slacker, after all! Told my inquisit or You WAnt it, you can have IT, at 73 no great loss anyway! And then at least One Of Us will be Happy, Doctor Dear!

I got th Unury samples , and the Bariatric Advantage samples as well as some nectar samples. Then I also found that the site Vitalady dot com will send you a sample of all these different kinds for a nominal amount (fibro brain tonight so I am not sure how much.) So I now have about 12 kinds to sample! I actually posted in the nutrition section wish I could find some people around my area to get together with to do a taste test. Wouldn't that be fun? I will probably start my You Tube series with the taste tests instead, though of course everyone likes different things so my experience might not be yours. I expect the most pertinent issue will be how s trongly the Protein taste comes through.

I'm brand new to this website. I am 36 and have been on a diet since I was 10, you name it, I tried it. I just made my 40< BMI (Yay chubby me) last week, Dr approved me, and now am just waiting for the bariatric surgery place to call me. What can I expect now? I am in California with Blue Shield Access + ***. I know there are nutritionalist sessions (How many?) And a period of supervised diet (How long?)

When my husband and I moved here, we didn’t have jobs so I applied for Medicaid for us while we were looking. And we got approved. I found out a couple of months later that Staywell/WellCare might possibly cover bariatric surgery so I gave it a chance. In 4 months I was completely approved and operated on yesterday. Woohoo! Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll try to help as much as I can!

Welcome to our bariatric community. Take a tour around the forums and you'll find many helpful threads and answers to a lot of the questions you might have. We share our experiences here and learn a lot from one another. Wow, you two did it together, huh? That's pretty neat.