BABEwiththePOWER

So about 2 months into my journey, I submitted all the required paperwork to Cigna. They require a 6 month, monitored weightloss program within the past 5 years. I submitted my weight watchers paperwork from before my first pregnancy about 4 years ago, knowing it was highly unlikely they'd accept it. But, I thought there was no harm in trying, since my dr wrote a great letter about how she's been on this weight loss journey with me for years, and cited several weights, etc. Well, I was denied. My surgeon even had a peer-to-peer review with the insurance person, and couldn't convince him. The insurance guy said we had to have 6 months of dr supervised weight loss counseling, where we weigh-in once a month. So, I've just finished my last month of weigh-ins, and was excited to re-submit a claim. Well, the dr's admin told me it's actually considered an appeal, since we're making the same claim with different info. She also said it could take up to a month! We have a tentative surgery date of April 2nd, and I'm thinking we're cutting it kinda close. But, that's the only time my hubby could take off work to help out, so we're basically forced into that timeframe. My question is, is there anything I can do from my end to help speed up the process? The appeal was submitted 2/15. My surgeon's office is handling it all, but I'm kindof in the dark, and wonder if I should call Cigna myself, or what? Has anyone else been through this? Any ideas? Thanks!

sunnyd- my gut tells me that if it was recommended I stay on them through nursing, I should definitely stay on them through this journey. I'll take anything that helps with the hormone flux aftermath, and if staying on wellbutrin will help, then I will probably leave well enough alone =) thanks for sharing, and I'm glad the meds helped you

wow, I didn't even think about the whole "swallowing the pill" part of the show! luckily, the wellbutrin is super small...so maybe it'll be ok...

So I've been on Wellbutrin XL since the start of my last pregnancy, about 2 years ago. My OB prescribed it because I was having extreme anxiety and stress, and she didn't want it to effect the baby. I started seeing a therapist in addition to that, just to keep my head screwed on straight =) I think, actually I KNOW, that my body has extreme sensitivity to hormone fluctuations. I basically lose it. Anxiety, depression, stress, etc are common for me during hormone changes. I've had similar experiences with birth control pills, and a prior pregnancy. Anyway, my OB recommended I stay on it until I was done nursing--just until I had normal hormone levels in my body again. Well, my son just weaned himself, earlier than I expected, and I'd like to get off the meds. My surgery is tentatively scheduled for April 2nd. I've contacted a few Psychiatrists to give me a consultation regarding meds through this journey, but it's been a real pain trying to get one on the phone for an appt. So, I guess I'm just curious about people who've been on anti-depressants through this journey? The thought occurred to me that I might want to stay on them, due to the surge of hormones released with rapid weightloss, but in a perfect world, I'd like to not be on any meds going into this. Also, my surgeon suggested giving me Phentermine for the last month before surgery, to help with getting a couple pounds off prior to surgery. This would be super helpful now that I'm not nursing anymore, but I'm also worried about drug interactions with the wellbutrin. Has anyone out there dealt with any of this? Thanks in advance =)

christin, thanks for the feedback. I'm sure my dad is in the same boat - just nervous about coming through the procedure ok. I know that when I am healthy, happy, thin, and fit, that will show him it was the best thing for me, and he'll be on board. best of luck on your recovery and the awesome journey ahead =)

Ha! No worries! I'm sure there are great groups up here too, I just haven't joined any yet =) Seriously though, this site is the MOST valuable tool. I feel like people are really honest and open here, so it's been a HUGE help.

Lissa, thanks so much for your candor and insight. I totally hear you about how your health can change overnight...good point. I'm glad your surgery was a success and you're on your way! I know I will have the support of my family, and my friends. And, I know I'm very fortunate for that, as Ive read in here many times that thats not always the case for people going through VSG. It's just a bummer to know that some may still disagree my choice... Oh well. It's not about them, right?!

Lissa, thanks for your advice. I have said all the above to my dad and others, but my problem (or lack of) is that I don't actually have any other issues at the moment other than my weight. Granted, I have sore joints, and depression, but no high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, sleep apnea, etc. I'm just 32, a mother of 2 small kids, and miserable with how I look and feel. I've lost the weight before (when I was single and on diet pills going to the gym 2 hours a day), and I've tried every diet and cuckoo program out there since. I'm 130lbs overweight, so it's definitely an issue though. My mom is overweight, and she's a miserable person. I love her, but she's generally unhappy most of the time, and she attributes that to her weight. I told my dad I'm doing this NOT to become my mom. She has no co-morbidities, but she's depressed, has bad feet/knees, etc. Anyway, he didn't understand why a generally healthy person would do this to themselves...

Just told my dad that I finally have a surgery date - (APRIL 2nd whoo hooo) - and his response was "oh, you're actually going to do it?" wow. He said he didn't agree with what I was doing, but he'd support whatever makes me happy. His whole argument is why permanently change something in your body that's part of a system you use every day? It's not like removing tonsils or a gallbladder that you don't need, but part of a vital organ that you use all the time. I get it. he's concerned. I just don't want to get into a back and forth with him, or any of my family for that matter, but I feel like I could use some helpful soundbites that worked for anyone else as they were telling friends and family they were going through with VSG. Any suggestions? thanks =)

I'm sure this has been asked before, but for some reason I'm having a hard time finding it in the forums... I know for the first bit of time after the surgery, you're not supposed to drink liquid with meals, but, is this a FOREVER issue? Or, can you eventually have a glass of water/wine/etc with a meal? Some things are too dry or too spicy for me, and I totally depend on that sip of liquid to get me through a meal. Is this something I will have to give up forever? Also, is the "not drinking with meals" a medical issue, or is it just so that the liquid doesn't take up space in the sleeve where you want your Protein, etc to go? Thanks for your insight =)

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone! I feel much better about what's on the horizon re: sleeve recovery =)

Hi all, So, I'm trying to prepare myself for the post-op recovery and pain, etc. I just had a c-section in March, and that's pretty major. I know I wasn't knocked out, so I can't compare the general anesthesia issues, but overall, I wonder if the recovery is about the same amount of pain/work? Has anyone on here had both a cesarean and a sleeve? Can you speak to which was better/worse or what the similarities were? I'm just trying to gauge what to expect, and I guess I figure if I made it through the c-section ok, and handled the pain, recovery, incision, etc, that I'll be totally fine and prepared for sleeve recovery... thanks for your insight!

Thanks so much for all your thoughtful responses. I'm just trying to figure out what my "problem" actually is. I don't believe it's volume, i believe it's bad choices and bad timing. Right now, I am lucky if i have anything to eat before 1pm...I know I know, that's insane and really bad for me. Then, when I eat, I'm usually desperate and make bad choices (drive thru, carbs, etc) I usually have a pretty good dinner if I cook, but if I don't have time to cook or we're out all day, etc... then it's takeout. I don't really eat alot, i just sometimes eat poor food choices. I'm not sure if the sleeve will cure that issue. The other issue I have is exercise. I don't do it. The logistics of getting to the gym or going for a walk with 2 kids is just past the point of conceivable for me. It's not really hard, it's just hard enough that I don't do it. How will that change after VSG? Argh. I'm lost.

Hi everyone, I'm still in the process of getting insurance approval, and have appts on the books to consult with 2 different surgeons...so I'm on my way to making this happen. During this process, I've been doing a lot of self-reflection, and therapy, etc. and I'm trying to cover all my bases emotionally. I know that the surgery will lead to weight loss, one way or the other. However, I also know that I will have to follow a strict diet and exercise program post-op to see results. So, the question is, why can't I do that now? Without going through surgery? I've been on dozens of diets and lost hundreds of pounds...and gained back hundreds more. I'm tired of the cycle, and I look at my mom and aunts, and even younger sister, and see all the things I don't want my life to look like. I'm young, I'm only 31, but I have 2 kids now, and I want to be an active, healthy mom for them, and a hot, sexy me for me. I'm so over this whole "fat" thing, and it has never felt like the inner me matches the outer me. Really, I know for sure that at some point on the other end of this (post-op), I will say to myself "what the f@#* did I do?!" and "why couldn't you have done this without cutting yourself open" ... So the question is, did anyone else feel this way? And how did you get past it? I know that even if you could snap your fingers and have a lean, skinny physique, that doesn't fix the mental/emotional piece of how you got there in the first place, and how you couldn't fix it on your own without extreme intervention (surgery). So, once I'm hit with that issue post-op, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. All I can venture to guess is, that from a more confident place (having lost weight and feeling better about my physical self), I'll be in a better position to deal with the emotional stuff that may come up? Believe me, I'm perfectly clear on how I got here, emotionally, physically, genetically, etc. But I struggle with the question of "why can't I fix this myself?" why do I need surgery as my catalyst? Any insights you may have are GREATLY appreciated. Thanks, E

Thanks for the info! I'm on an iPad, so i think I'm on the "mobile" version of the site, and don't have a search box for some reason ill get on my laptop and go through all the archives on the topic. Thanks again!

I'm still in the beginning stages of this journey, but I've met with my surgeon at a round table info meeting, and I've been reading through these forums when i can...and I've decided it's definitely what i want to do. I just have a few specific questions re: food post op- 1. What (if any) alcohol consumption is allowed? Will i ever be able to go wine tasting again? Or have a martini on a night out? 2. Are carbonated bevs allowed? I'm a fan of diet soda, but i coukd live without it if need be...just curious. 3. Are there any other "never again" foods/drinks post op? Thanks for your help

I'm seriously considering the VSG surgery, but my son is only 3 months old, and I plan to nurse at least until 1year. Is this even possible after surgery? With the small caloric intake, how does it work out? I really don't want to put off the surgery if and when I make the decision to do so, but obviously, the health of my son is more important than anything...so if I have to wait, I guess i will... Has anyone else breastfed right after surgery? And while we're on this topic, has anyone gone through pregnancy after surgery? Thanks

I'm considering this surgery after researching all the bariatric surgery options. It seems it has the least amount of side effects, a great initial weight loss, and a decent long term weight loss. It all sounds really great, but I need to hear the "dark side" of it all, before I make the decision. I need to know the worst of the worst before I move forward with this plan. A little about me, I'm 31, 5'10", 280lbs. my BMI is 40. I've just had my second child 4 months ago, and my post-baby weight is the same as my pre-baby weight...which, as it happens, is the weight I've been for the last 6 years. I've always been an athletically built girl...never super skinny...but at my best shape, I was a size 10 and weighed 170. I also didn't have 2 kids, a husband, and a career, so it was a little easier to take care of myself. Weight problems run in the family; my mom and younger sister are both morbidly obese, as are all the women on my mom's side of the family. No one really sticks to a diet or exercise program, they just like to complain and blame their lots in life on their weight. I'd like to break the cycle while I'm still young, and can enjoy an active lifestyle with my family, etc. I feel like the surgery could give me the boost I need to lead a healthy, active, confident lifestyle I so desperately want. BUT, I'm concerned about the post-op world I'll live in. Here are some questions I have: 1. since you can't eat much, is your energy really low? I have to take care of 2 kids, so low energy is not too appealing 2. will you ALWAYS only be able to eat small amounts? Or, will your stomach stretch back to normal size eventually? 3. once you get past the first few weeks of liquid and soft foods, what dietary restrictions are there in your normal, day-to-day life? 4. I've heard you can throw up if you eat too much, what other physical side-effects can I expect post-op? 5. any regrets??? Thanks in advance for all your feedback. Some days I think this is the best idea ever, and other days, I think I'm crazy to consider it... just looking for answers either way at this point.