Butterfly66

It's the insurance company (Altius Federal) driving the requirement for 6 month doctor visits to discuss nutrition, diet and exercise.

Sounds delicious. Where do you find powdered peanut butter?

How soon after surgery can a person fly? I am having surgery the second week in November (approximately) and have a flight scheduled for the 28th.

Is yogurt okay post surgery? I have been mixing yogurt and protein powder, water and ice during my 2-week liquid diet and it's yummy! Low Fat Raspberry yogurt and chocolate protein powder is delicious!

What is PB2?

Damn is right! 100 pounds down in 4 months!!! Amazing.

I have been mixing protein powder with low fat yogurt, a cup of water and ice. Just make sure the protein powder/drink you get meets the protein and carb requirements.

You should have guidelines from the surgeon, right? Suggested protein drinks, amount of carbs and protein. Sugar free Popsicles, sugar free jello. ,

The more I read, the more I experience personally, the more I am certain that obesity is a disease much like diabetes, heart disease or cancer. If society and insurance companies viewed obesity as a disease, the approval process would be easier and the emphasis on prevention would be greater!

Out of curiosity, I would like to know what kind of requirements you had to meet to get insurance approval. Six months of visits with doctor? 15 pound weight loss? Has anyone been approved without those things or with fewer visits? Weight loss history longer than 6 months prior to surgery, etc. Thanks. I am submitting my paperwork tomorrow and am anxious about approval.

Great! I just mixed a "Tillamook Raspberry Light Yogurt" with vanilla protein powder called "Elite Gourmet" and a cup of water. It was smooth and very tasty. Not chalky like some of the pre-mixed shakes.

Would it be okay to mix light yogurt with protein powder during the 2 week pre-op diet?

Yes! We need pictures!

My daughter is getting ready to have revision surgery from band to bypass and you have given her inspiration! The only thing she is afraid of is seeing a totally different person in the mirror.

Hi Morgan! First, you are beautiful and you have a beautiful family. Congratulations on making the decision to change your life. I recently made the decision myself! After being overweight my entire life and having the disease of obesity run in the women of my family (yes, I believe obesity is a disease!) and seeing my mom STILL struggle and she is 20 years older than me, I made the decision to transform my life. My daughter is going to be 21 this year and she is going to have revision surgery from band to bypass and could not be more ready. She also suffers from PCOS and is so ready for those symptoms to diminish! She is 5'6" and weights 275. I am 5'2" and currently weigh 240 although I worked really hard and lost 100 pounds on my own over the last two years then when I hit a plateau at 200 pounds, and approached the weight loss center to see if I could get approved, I found out my BMI wasn't high enough! That was a year ago. I have since gained 40 pounds and now my BMI is high enough for approval so I am 3/4 of the way through the process to get approved and hopefully my daughter will be approved and have surgeyr sometime next month. Again, congratulations to you and your mom and Aunt. Some people believe surgery is taking the "easy way out". Nothing could be further from the truth! Surgery is just a springboard to a healthier life! Congratulations again. Christi

Hi NancyW! We all have a story to share. It's through those stories that we gain hope, encouragement and motivation to keep fighting! In my 46 years, I have come to realize that obesity is a disease. We need to help educate the rest of society! Welcome and I am just beginning my journey to tranform myself after a lifetime of struggle and to help my 21 year old daughter have revision surgery from band to RNY. One day at a time! Talk to you soon. Christi

Thank you so much!

Hello Everyone! First, let me say I LOVE this site. Love all the support and encouragement from everyone. My daughter is getting ready to have revision surgery from band to RNY. Can anyone tell me what insurance approval was like for revision? Is a letter from the Dr. enough to justify approval? I have Altius Federal. Thanks! Christi

Best of luck! Keep up posted on your awesome transformation!

Thank you everyone for your input. I am so thrilled for my daughter to not have to struggle so much with her PCOS symptoms. Have a great day everyone.

My daughter had the band and it has not proven successful. Even though the RNY is more invasive, it also provides the most successful results. She is now in the process of getting approved for a revision. Good luck to you.

Jenn, I work on an Air Force Base. When I first started going to the gym, I was 250 pounds at 5'2". One day I was at the gym and there were all these cute, young Airmen using the free weights and as I sat down on the ab machine, the seat broke! After trying to fix it for a few minutes, I reported it and left. It was hard to go back, but I did. No one said a word! You can do it. Most people are just concerned with their own progress that they don't care what anyone else is wearing or doing. Everyone has to start somewhere! Go for it! You will be glad you did. Christi

Hi. I have read several different opinions regarding changes to metabolism post surgery. I am interested in hearing personal accounts on how your metabolism has increased or decreased post surgery vs. just calorie reduction without surgery. Thanks. Christi

Thank you so much for the expertise. I hope my insurance covers as well! I am very excited to start the process and have the surgery be over so the rest of my life can begin! Thanks again. Christi

Congratulations! Good luck.