NWgirl

Awesome!!

NSV = non-scale victory

I did not require 6 month supervised diet, so from start to banding was two months. It would have been sooner because I received approval approx 1 month after starting but my surgeon was booked solid til march. congratulations on the start of your journey!

I also went to a new pc Dr when I started the process. I am 23 and had been bouncing around a particular clinic prior, whose Dr.'s didn't seem to interested in my weight issues when I'd come to appointments before. my new Dr wanted to run extensive labs prior to signing off on the procedure, just to make sure there wasn't anything actually hurting my weight loss chances. He also ordered a sleep study. Under his care, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, low vit D, and low iron. He is very supportive and I will continue to see him. I didn't need a letter from the new primary care, and am not sure if it was a requirement for surgery. I had contacted my pediatric Dr who I saw from birth to 20, and he wrote a wonderful letter for me and also included my growth chart. This is the letter that was in my file.

I would also like to know this

Sounds like your wife isn't very supportive. This isn't something that will change, so you need to learn to manage with things as they are. Maybe one cupboard totally dedicated to junk so that you never have to open it. Otherwise, I don't know what to advise. If she's not on board, it makes it a lot harder, but not impossible.

how much extra is the insurance?

welcome! The things to keep in mind when comparing the two are they are very different. Gastric is a one stop shop- surgery ans you're done. It has more complication risks due to the rerouting of the internals. You can also stretch the pouch after the year or two honeymoon period when the stomach relaxes. This cannot be fixed. the lapband is a quick procedure that is usually done on an outpatient basis barring complications. It is slower weight loss to start and does require pretty constant aftercare. After approx 3 years, lapband and gastric are comparable in weight loss. It does not require any removal or rerouting of organs. consider your options and look into both surgeries pros and cons. Good luck!

I have Anthem BCBS and the process went pretty quickly for me. I was scheduled for orientation on Jan 17 where they bring all of the weight loss surgery patients in together and talk about the surgery types, benefits, etc etc etc. At the orientation, we also took a 370 question Psych test that was reviewed by the psychologist prior to meeting. I was required to fax my insurance ID card in prior to attending the orientation so they could verify I was actually eligible for WLS. I was also mailed a large packet to have filled out and ready to submit on orientation day. After orientation, I was scheduled to come in over a period of two or three days to meet with the nutritionist, psychologist, nurse practitioner, and physical therapist. Some practices actually schedule patients to try and get all appointments required done in one or two days, since there are so many people to get clearance from. I also was required to get a sleep study done (surgeon requirement, not insurance). After completing all other steps, I met with the surgeon prior to approval submission. I was not required to do any supervised diet through insurance. I was submitted for pre-certification in early February and received approval in approx. two weeks. My surgeon only does banding on a certain day of the week and was booked through March for band dates. They worked with my time off schedule and I was able to go in as the first patient on a day when she usually does other types of WLS.

Yes, it has a protein powder smell and taste. If you've ever tried unflavored protein powder, it's about the same thing. I am just really sensitive to tastes/smells in my food, so it was a real turn off for me. Others love it though

You will be fine ladies! I took the month prior to surgery as an extra amount of time to lose as much weight as possible, because after banding some people have a hard time until they've got a few fills. As for the surgery itself, it is an absolute breeze. I was at the hospital by 5:30am, in surgery at 7:30am, and on my way home at 11:30am. I felt really good afterwards, and did have the pain/soreness in the abdomen, but don't worry about this because it's not too bad at all- I took my pain meds for 3 days before I felt I didn't need them. I really recommend buying a travel pillow or a mini pillowpet to hold against your tummy the first week or so when standing/sitting/laying down. It was a lifesaver. I am now 8 days out of surgery and feel almost back to normal. I have a little gas pain in my shoulder and soreness in my abdominal muscles, but am able to do everything I had before.

Hi there! I recently had surgery, but wanted to chime in here and give you some support. Although exercise immensely helps you on your journey, diet is the biggest factor. There are other people here who have not exercised but have lost a good amount of weight. They stick to a specific calories and eat good quality foods. They follow the rules- protein first, small bites, portioned foods. They usually do not eat anything considered a "slider"- chips, cookies, ice cream, calorie drinks, etc. From what I've read, most people can eat a very, very large amount of these slider foods. Not only are they terrible for you, but they are heavy caloric items. I guess the first thing to really analyze is what you eat on a day to day basis. I would keep a completely honest food journal for a week and then really look at the things you are putting in your body. On another note, you cannot rely on the band to stop you from eating something. The band should help you feel fuller longer, but you have to eat the right foods (no sliders, protein first!) or else they just slide through the band. I would personally recommend that you get a complete unfill and start again like it was day one. This includes getting back to the week of liquid diet and progressing from there. If your surgeon has been a good Dr, then there is no reason to see someone else. I would consider a dietician to help guide you for now. They will be able to give you a tentative menu idea and help you out. Remember, the only person who will make you lose weight is you.

I have heard some praise them and say they loved the taste, but I personally did not like them. I received a sample from my dietician and am glad I had the chance to taste and smell prior to purchase.

I guess the shoulder pain is the last to go! Today is the first day my shoulder isn't screaming at me, so that's a plus. Other than the shoulder pain, my abdominal muscles are sore and my incisions are feeling itchy, which I've heard is a good sign that they're healing. I have been able to sleep on my side and back without pain.

I was given a protein level of 75g. The calculation to figure out the amount of protein you need is body weight x 0.3.

Your port area would not be affected by the food you eats- it is on the outside abdominal muscle. Maybe you doing some more exercise for that particular area or your clothing is rubbing against it?

I work in an active restaurant and went back to work for a full day last Friday after being banded on the 20th. Granted, I scheduled extra people so if I was lagging behind it would not affect the restaurant. I found that my shoulder pain was terrible that day, but nothing else was too bad. I had Monday off and only worked a partial day today due to a conference I went to for work (which is why I arranged to be banded on the 20th so I could squeeze every possible free day). Honestly, I am almost 100% back, other than my lifting restriction. My abdominal muscles did feel sore today and yesterday, but no more port pains and no shoulder pain today. I was at a work conference all day yesterday sitting in a chair, so I think this is why my tummy is sore. I know my incisions were irritated yesterday after having clothing pushing on them all day.

I tried the blueberry flavor, and have to say it did not do it for me. They are not bad, but not my idea of a treat.

some people can see theirs, esp when they get to normal weight- you could elect to have the port repositioned if this is the case. They do make low profile ports as well.

for the month before surgery, I lost a little over 20 pounds. 2 weeks were spent eating low cal/low fat, and the last two were pseudo liquid (two protein shakes, 2 yogurts, and 1 protein bar per day). for some, loss on the pre-op is hard, but they lose a lot on the post-op liquid. For others, loss on the pre-op is fast, but they lose slower on post-op. I have only lost about 7lb since surgery on 3/20.

this is the actual surgery. I suggest you research the surgery (watch a video on YouTube) and the fills too. Find pictures, stories, and info. This will not make you lose weight, it is not a quick fix. You will need to eat right and exercise. what is your current routine? How many calories do you eat a day? What exercise do you do, and how often? what other weight loss methods have you tried? Do you know how to eat healthily? Have you been to a nutritionist? Why do you think youve been unsuccessful? I'm not trying to be mean, as I would advocate for anyone to get this if it was right for them. I just hope you understand that this is no guarantee, that it will not make your choices for you. It isn't a get thin quick tool.

I am only 7 days post op, and have been fine. I am supposed to be on liquid/pureed foods, but am out of town at a work event with catered food, so I have had to make due with what is served. I have been eating soft foods and have noticed a definite fullness after only a small amount. I don't know of this is residual swelling, but it's nice to know I only have to eat a small, small amount to be satisfied.

I had internal stitches, glued on the outside, then covered with that medical tape that comes off after about 10 days.

everyday, no shame here.

anthem bcbs approved me in two weeks. I think they have a max of 30 days to approve or deny.