BABEwiththePOWER

Just googled the "no XL anti-depressants with VSG" and found this info on Obesityhelp.com. Makes sense that the effectiveness is less when a portion of the intestine are bypassed with Rouen-Y and DS, but it doesn't seem to include the sleeve, because we still have our entire intestine intact. Reduced Medication Effectiveness The shorter intestinal length after gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgery can make extended-release drug preparations less effective. Some extended-release drugs include antidepressants (Wellbutrin XL), anxiolytics and sleep medications (Xanax XR), and anti-hypertensives (Toprol XL, Verapamil XL). Because these formulations are intended to be absorbed over 2-12 hours, the pills may pass through the gastrointestinal tract before absorption is complete.

Hmmm. I've cleared my meds with the Doc, and the NUT, so that's weird... I am coming up on my 3 month check-up, so I'll be sure to bring it all up with my Doc. Maybe I need a new Rx... although, the original Rx was not prescribed by a psych, it was my OB who started me on it during my last pregnancy, and I thought it best to stay on it through surgery, since I knew there would be serious emotional aftermath. I probably need to see a real psych (not just my therapist, not an MD) for an Rx evaluation... maybe my surgeon can give me a reco. Any more info on the "no XL antidepressants" from your doc?

Thanks for the great advice! I'll definitely be aware of the carbs and where they come from, and I'll work out a plan to have scheduled "me" time daily. My husband is amazing, he's super supportive, he's just also super busy with work, and his schedule isn't always consistent. But, if I can get my a#@ up early, maybe I can start doing yoga or the gym in the beginning of the day. I know I just need to shut up and do it. And I know I'll feel better when I do. I'm sure the endorphins will also help counteract the hormone issue

Exercise is DEFINITELY an issue. Between both my kids naps and class schedules, shuttling around, and having to be home at certain times, going to the gym during the day is super hard. Plus, walking outside with them in the double stroller is even worse when the temp is above 95 every day. The only time I can go is at night, but that's when I want to crash. It's a vicious cycle. And I'm making excuses. I have to find a way, because when I DO go, I feel amazing. As for carb consumption, I'm only getting some carbs from fruit. I don't eat much in the way of bread or starches, as it's too filling. But, I'll keep an eye on that, if it's an energy-suck.

Seriously. Life is so good right now. Family is happy and healthy, husband and my relationship is great, friendships are good... I'm down almost 50 lbs in just under 3 months. So why can't I shake the blues? I'm predisposed to depression/anxiety, and I'm on Wellbutrin XL for that. But, even still, I can't shake the blahs. A few weeks ago, I was bursting with energy and happy happy happy. I even had a great increase in libido But now, it's like the opposite is true. I'm fighting the low-energy blahs with everything I've got. The two kids under 4 keep me really busy, but I'm still having a hard time. Is this just the hormones everyone was talking about? I know hormones are crazy strong, but I need some way to get through this slump. I want to be happy that the clothes are getting bigger and the number on the scale is getting smaller... but I can't seem to get there. Any ideas? Thanks

Has anyone heard any new info on this? I've been on a few insurance websites researching, and can't find anything written in black and white about it...I guess the next step is to call someone directly. I'm just surprised no on this forum has tried to get life insurance post-op?

Thanks everyone for your support and perspective. I know I need to stay positive and focus on the good...I think I just suffer from the "nothing's ever good enough" syndrome I am working on that, and on being grateful for my new found life. I think another part of it may be that I still feel the need to justify my decision to have VSG to my friends and family...and for some reason, I feel like that comes from the number on the scale. It's especially hard when my mom, who's very overweight, asks me whenever she sees me how much I've lost- like it's some proof one way or the other to whether I should have had the surgery. As I write this, I realize that I need to give myself a break. I did this for me, not my mom, not my husband, not my friends...so I should remember that. Thanks for letting me vent...again

Thanks for the encouragement VJslim- it's nice to know I'm not the only one with slow "scale loss" but steady inch loss. I know I'll get to goal someday, but I also still feel like this will be another failed diet attempt... And keeping the faith is hard when you don't have numbers to show you you're on the right track...maybe I'm just being sensitive and pms-ing

I know we're not supposed to compare our weightloss to one another's, but I can't help but feel like a 35lb loss since my surgery on April 19th, isn't really stellar. I had hoped, based on what I'd seen others go through, to be down by about 50 by now. I know I'm losing inches, but silly me, I forgot to measure myself on the day of surgery... but I was a 20/22 the day of surgery, and I just bought a 14 dress on Friday that fits great. That's a big deal, I know, but for some reason, I can't Celebrate without that reaffirmation from the scale. I did hit a 3 week stall around week 4, and then it picked up again, slowly, but at least started losing again. I need to get to the gym more, but with 2 kiddos under 4 at home, it doesn't come too easily. I can probably also do better with the calorie counting. The last week or two I stopped tracking my calories, but I also really don't eat much. I make sure to take all my Vitamins, get my Water and Protein in, but after that, I just take a couple bites at each meal. Maybe I should start tracking again, but I read a post a while back that has really stuck in my brain - it talked about how the poster lost weight with VSG, but slowly- because they ate whatever they wanted, just less of it. This was to avoid the "diet mentality" and the aftermath of what happens when the dieting/deprivation phase ends. I really think all of my past failures with diets were for that reason exactly. I would be all crazy for a week or two, then quit because it was too drastic, and not just a simple lifestyle choice. I know we should take advantage of the first six months post op because we have the opportunity to lose the most weight then, and I don't want to fail, but I'm at a loss for how to feel right now. Sorry, long post, just needed to vent I guess.

It's my understanding that a complete and thorough medical history is taken before a life insurance policy is granted. They not only do a current physical and bloodwork up, but review all your past history. One would think that having the sleeve to reduce weight and risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc would be a good thing, but I don't know... I hope there's someone on this forum that can shed some light.

Before having the sleeve, I never even tried to get a life insurance policy on myself, because I knew that it would either be denied, or be too expensive at my previous weight. Luckily for me, my husband is the breadwinner, and he is covered. But, now that my health is on its way to being "average/normal," I'm thinking of looking into getting covered. My dad is a financial planner, and handles all our money. He arranged our policy for my husband, and when discussing this with him, he raised the question... "Can you get life insurance after being sleeved?" That thought had never occurred to me. I assume that, since you're healthier, etc, that you'd (I'd) be fine. But I'm curious if anyone else has had any experience with this? Has anyone opened a policy "post-sleeve?" Thanks for the info

I know how you feel. I just sent an email to my doc because the depression is kicking in from not losing more than a pound in 8 days. I'll be six weeks out on Thursday, and I've lost under 25lbs post-op. I thought by now I'd be at least 40lbs down. I'm sticking to 600 cals/day and get all my protein/water/etc. I'm pretty exhausted lately, and being a stay at home mom of 2 kids under 4 isn't helping =) I read another post that B-12 helps the exhaustion, but I'm not sure what to do about this stall. I stalled for a week at week 3 as well. I know it's not an overnight solution, but I'm getting pretty discouraged

I'm on day 19 post-op, and I've been steadily losing about a pound a day. But recently, when I went to input my weight on my weight tracker online, I realized I'm only down 16lbs post-op. I have only lost 1lb in the last few days. I'm on mushy foods, and I'm trying to get out and walk everyday. I'm not back in the gym yet, because I want to wait a bit longer to really let myself heal before I go too crazy with workouts. I'm getting in all my Protein and cals. I have my first check-in appt with my surgeon on Thursday, and I really wanted to be down at least 20lbs by day 21. Am I crazy? Am I doing something wrong, or is this the infamous 3rd week stall??? HELP!

Thanks everyone for your insight... I know this is a very common topic, I myself have even posted on it before =) UPDATE: I spoke with my Dr, and he said I could try sips with meals. He said it may give me heartburn if anything, but probably wouldn't make me throw up. Yesterday, I tried a few small sips while eating egg salad and again while eating cottage cheese. No heartburn, no nausea! Wahoo!

so is it just because you'll feel fuller faster? I don't see that as a problem I guess... I was just worried it would cause vomiting...

Ok, I'm a few days into week 3 post-op. So far, I'm doing great. No nausea, great energy, eating "mushies" just fine. But I'm DYING to take a sip of Water or SOMETHING while I'm eating! ESPECIALLY since it takes so long to eat so little! I was eating egg salad earlier and dying to have a sip of water. But I know I can't eat and drink right now... I'm sure this topic has been discussed a lot, but does it ever change??? Will I ever be normal again, and be able to eat and drink at the same time???? This really is the hardest obstacle thus far, for which I am very grateful, but I'd still love to know there's an end in sight

I fulfilled all of the requirements for Cigna, but they still gave me the runaround. They "claimed" they never got the required information my dr's office sent them, even though they did. Rather than looking at the SECOND fax my dr's office sent over, clearly outlining the info they said they didn't receive, they elevated it to IRO (Independent Review Organization). That basically means that some other random group of people get to make the final decision based solely on the info that Cigna gives them. Luckily for me, they decided in my favor. The hard part was waiting. The IRO doesn't have a deadline, so it could take weeks/months. I heard my decision 5 days before surgery. Whew! My dr's office even said that they think Cigna was being totally shady. Oh well. Don't want to bite the hand that fed me (so to speak) Good luck!

It still feels like a dream. There are moments where I can't believe I did this, and then I see my incisions, and go "oh yeah." I've lost about 7lbs since the surgery date, and even though that's great, I somehow am telling myself it's not enough. Like I needed to be 20lbs down by now! Crazy, huh? The good news is, I was finally approved by Cigna...which took going all the way through to an independent review board decision...but it was approved, so that was a load off. The hospital stay was great, and my surgeon, Dr. Gregg Jossart, was nothing but perfection. I've had no nausea, hunger, etc. He repaired a hiatal hernia that I didn't know I had, and that has been the most painful part of the recovery. I get those sharp shoulder and chest pains from that. My incisions are fine, my largest one is probably the most sensitive, but overall, they're ok. It's so weird, I'm not hungry, but man do I salivate when I see good food! Like I miss the taste, texture, etc of it. It's hard right now, because I'm almost half way through the 14 day liquid-only phase. I'm totally bored with my options. I swear I feel like I could totally eat a bowl of chicken noodle Soup (without straining it), but I know I can't. I've been drinking the Premiere shakes from costco, which are GREAT btw, and having Mio in my Water, and doing broth here and there. Occasionally, I add-in some SF popcicles or Jello, but I am dying for more variety. I know time will pass, and I'll be able to eat mushy, then normal food again, but it feels like it's just creeping by, second by second. Anyway, just wanted to share where I was at. If anyone has any "liquid" ideas that are yummy, please share! Thanks for listening

Thanks for your well wishes everyone! And Kiwi - keep your head up, and keep on top of your insurance. Don't let them screw around and waste your precious time - call them daily and keep a log of your conversations. It really is about the "squeaky wheel." good luck!

I posted another thread on this a while back when I was awaiting the decision from Cigna on my first appeal... well, that appeal was denied...on the basis of me "not providing documentation of a physician supervised 6-month weight loss program." Funny thing about that is, I DID! My doctor's office even kept records of what they sent, and it was part of the packet. In fact, I waited to resubmit my appeal until my 6-month program was completed and documented. After going round and round in circles with literally dozens of Cigna people, my doctor's office got a fax number of someone in appeals who was willing to look at just the "missing information." So, they faxed it over, and were told it would be another 2 weeks before we would hear if they accepted the documentation...Well, when I called to check in on it, they said it was pending, and to call back the next week. I did. That's when things got crazy. They told me it wasn't pending at all, and in fact, it had already been elevated a level, and they were waiting on ME to sign an IRO form (Independent Review Org), so they could release my records to the external reviewers. Seriously. Just because they SAID they didn't receive the info the first time, and they apparently couldn't just look at the information when sent to them AGAIN... holy crap. Anyway, I finally got in touch with the woman who sent me the IRO forms, (to the wrong address, no less), and I immediately emailed the signed docs back to her. She said this was the final final final verdict, and whatever the IRO decided, was what Cigna would have to uphold. Oh yeah, and it could take weeks before I heard back. Luckily, I had this woman's personal Cigna email, so I was able to "check in" with her every few days. I had just basically given up on all of it, even though I rescheduled my surgery for 4/19, for other reasons, I didn't think Cigna would pan out in time, or even at all. On Monday, I emailed the woman there, and didn't hear back. Well, Tuesday morning, at 4:35am, she emailed me and said I was approved. Seriously. APPROVED. I couldn't believe it. But man, am I glad I jumped through all the hoops. I really think they expect you to give up, after they deny you for whatever arbitrary reason, even a reason that was completely false, like mine. I took this thing all the way. Even though it was a pain in the butt, in the end, it worked out. And, I saved myself $17K. whew. Long winded story, but really, take it as an inspirational one. Cigna has the worst reputation when it comes to VSG approval, but just don't let them off the hook. Take it all the way. Make them do their job. Make them pay! Good luck to all the others out there going through insurance approval hell. I hope for a good outcome for everyone.

I am using the same surgeon. He submitted my WW info with the rest of the documentation the first time around about 3 months into our 6 month journey. I was seeing him monthly anyway as a precaution. He had a peer-to-peer review with the medical reviewer at Cigna, and was told I would need the 6 month check-in to be approved. I called Cigna myself today to see if I could get a status update on the review, and they said it was pending dr review on the Cigna side. The lady I spoke with was very nice and optimistic, saying they do their best to get these turned around asap for people. She didn't speak to a 45 business day timeline or anything like that, so we'll see... staying hopeful

Argh. I have been so pleased with Cigna up to this point, I really hope there's some hope for me...sounds like that's not the norm though Has ANYONE had luck with Cigna appeals???

Thanks for your honesty teambrown... I do hope it goes better for me, since we're doing exactly what the medical reviewer told my surgeon I needed... but who knows! I am prepared to self-pay, but obviously, I'd rather have insurance pay the 15K if at all possible. I don't think I'll let a denial stop me, or make me wait. I need to do this NOW. thanks again, and I'll keep you updated =)