Butterfly66

I have my initial consultation on Wednesday. I will meet with the surgeon and staff to start the process toward surgery. Wish me luck and that insurance will approve the first time! Anyway have advise regarding psych eval? Does it really cost $200+ out of pocket? Thanks. Christi

Sherbet might be better if you are sensitive to dairy.

Thanks so much! I am encouraging my daughter to create a profile and jump in this support group. It's been wonderful. Appreciate the information! Christi

My daughter has PCOS. I can sympathize from the caregiver standpoint. She had the band a year ago and had we known, we would have chosen better. She is going to have a revision to the bypass and I am hoping, as you are, that it helps! My daughter can't take it much more either!

Does anyone out there have PCOS? My 20 year old daughter does. She is going to have revision surgery from band to bypass. We didn't know that the band isn't very effective for women with PCOS. How do you handle mood swings, and sleep problems? Does PCOS go away post surgery? Thanks! Christi

Since I have not had surgery yet, I don't know if anyone can have carbonated drinks, but Arrowhead puts out a fantastic flavored sparkling water. Zero everything. I really like the strawberry lime. My son likes the lemon.

My daughter really likes the fruit punch flavor. The off name brands are not as good as the "Mio" brand. My advice would be to try a few drops first, as it is very sweet, but good! Have not tried the tea flavor yet.

Leslie, your current weight of 227 is 3 months post op?

I have only told my immediate family. I want to get it done very privately.

Please let me know if that works for you. My daughter has Tricare and is going to have her band revised to a bypass. She has menu plans from the last 6 months and show that we have tracked her nutrition. I would hate for her to have to wait the 6 months!

Hello All, How much have you lost one month post surgery?

It is mind boggling to me to see the number of people who share the same struggles and stories. Love sharing with you all! You are each amazing people!!

Hill Air Force Base, Utah Surgery will be performed at the Bariatric Medicine Institute, Salt Lake City or at Pacific Bariatric in San Diego.

Hi Kelly!!!! I'm starting my journey too! I just met with my primary care doctor last month to document my current weight and track my food intake. I have a consultation with my surgeon on 25 July. Can't wait to get this weight off! I've battled with weight my whole life. My heaviest was 300 pounds and at 5'2", I was as wide as I am tall! I lost 100 pounds on my own and then got stuck at 200 pounds! I went to my weight loss center and found out that my BMI was too low!!! That was a year ago. Now at 45 almost 46, my hormones are all out of whack and I have gained 40 back which puts my BMI at just above what it needs to be for surgery. Now, for the first time in my life I step on the scale and hope I DON'T lose any weight!!! It's quite liberating to not be so focused on diet and exercise right now! Looking forward to talking more soon! Christi

Thanks. I will check with my surgeons office and my primary care physician.

Melsauve, what insurance do you have?

Thank you so much. I am hopeful that after my 3 months being followed by a Dr. for nutrition guidance that I will be able to be approved!

Thank you so much DLCoggin. I have decided on the bypass. Now to get insurance approval!

My BMI is 42 so I meet the requirements established by my insurance (Altius Federal), but wondered if anyone had been approved solely on meeting the BMI requirements without any comorbidity issues. Thanks for sharing. Christi

Just starting my journey and wondering how many of you got approved for surgery just based solely on BMI without any other comorbidity issues? Thanks!

Hi. Today I begin my journey to the new me! After struggling with weight my whole life, I have finally decided to take control. I lost 100 pounds on my own with diet and exercise. Starting at 300 pounds and 5 ft 2 in tall, I was as wide as I am tall! I got down to 190 back in October of 2011. Now I am back up to 230 and I see my mom still struggling with weight loss and she is 20 years older than me! Seeing that made me realize that I need to do something permanent so I don't struggle 20 years from now! My daughter will be having the same surgery so she doesn't have to struggle either. Yeah!!! New us, new life! Can't wait!!! Looking forward to posting after pictures.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. After reading more, I have decided that the bypass is the best option. Looking to have surgery in August. Thanks again! Christi

I had originally opted for the sleeve procedure, but my insurance may not cover. Can you give me your experiences with the bypass? Successes and complications so I can make a good decision? Thanks. Christi

Thank you!

Nancy, I am just beginning my journey toward surgery so I will be in the same place you are in having to lose weight to meet insurance requirements. I can say from personal experience that exercise definitely makes me feel better and curbs my appetite. You don't necessarily have to go to the gym for hours, but some form of physical activity for 30 minutes a day will definitely help with your depression and your appetite. For the times you don't feel like going, try to visualize how you will look and feel once you reach your goal. No decision comes without hard work and dedication. There is no quick fix. Good luck to you! Christi