If YOU knew then...

[Melodica 64]

What would I change? I would take the money I spent on it, get a personal trainer, a shrink and a good nutritionist and not get surgery.

One of the biggest regrets of my life. It might be great for some people, but it has NOT been for me.

[greensleeve 457]

Sorry to hear it Melodica.

I wish I hadn't been so nervous pre op, but I don't think there's a way to change that. It helped me lose more weight too.

food funerals and getting the last bits of unhealthy things does nothing. My tastes have changed so much I don't crave anything or miss anything.

[Leena 108]

I would have built up my Protein stores more, as in increased the grams of it I was getting in pre-op. I would have also had a plan incase of complications. Because I ended up with complications, longer hospital stay and now a home health nurse. I have 3 kids so it makes it easier and more challenging at the same time.

[Baconville 578]

I am thrilled with my choices leading up to surgery and the experience that I have had. I lost 40 pounds pre surgery, began a worked out routine, began tracking on MFP, and made as many changes as I could before surgery. It made all the difference after. My only regret is that I did a very poor job of taking photos of myself on this journey. I always avoided cameras because I hated seeing how large I was. Now I wish I had a few. I think it would help remind me why I never want to go back to living in the prison that body was.

Good luck!

Carol

[DevilBlueDress 189]

More pre-op photos! I was always the photographer, so not many photos of me. Sometimes, I need to look at those photos to see the changes. Even at 95+ lbs lost, I sometimes see the pre- op me in the mirror.

[terry1118 1,274]

I would not change a thing other than as others have said, having the surgery 20 years earlier.

Ditto. RNY is the best thing I have ever done for myself. For the first time ever, I look forward to each day fearlessly, without worry for my health, how much pain I'll feel, what I can or can't do, or being embarrassed about how I look. This is the first summer I've truly enjoyed since 1985. :-)

[revision in TX 38]

Thanks, rhfactor272 for the support!!

The thing that bothers me MOST about my situation is that is appears it is the "norm" rather than the exception.

People who's insuance doesn't cover bariatric sign the "contract" with their surgeon, but the insurance company knows nothing about that (personal) arrangement, so when the surgeon bills them, making it "appear" to be medical, the insurance pays under your regular (medical) plan provisions. Guess what???!!! Your doctor is actually getting paid twice for the same procedure...they just use loopholes to get away with it. Your insurance thinks the claims are medical; they don't know you have a separate contract for a "self-pay" price and, because patients aren't sent a bill afterwards, most people don't notice and/or don't care that the surgeon got money from both places.

Be aware....they will probably do a "liver biopsy" as a routine part of the procedure, but it will COST you as if it was a "medical complication/discovery" during your surgery! Same with adhesions/scar tissue, etc....that they KNOW you'll have if you've already had a Lap-Band!!! It's really quite unethical that they do that; unfortunately, not illegal or (direct) fraud; however, it IS a breach of contract (if you signed one with them).

Sorry to get on my "soapbox", but I am sick and tired of insurance and physicians getting rich off us "little people" (ha.ha, which we ARE now that we've had surgery!!!)

[brannstuff 9]

My surgery is one month away...if YOU knew then, what you know now...what would you do differently?

I would make sure all my post op going home questions were answered. I felt like they packed me up and sent me home and I was really scared. I gained 20 lbs of Fluid while in hospital. They sent home nausea medication and never told me about it. I didn't know what to expect or know why they thought I was well enough to go home.

[Cupcake 801]

Nothing I am loving my results and the 9 months prepping for surgery allowed me time to deal with my emotional eating, making better eating choices and exercising . This is a wonderful tool and I am loving the new me and can't wait to see where I will be by Xmas, I'm currently saving money to go on a shopping spree for my hard-work .

[enjoyinglife 313]

Nothing. I couldn't be more happy with where I am at.