SleeveandRNYchica

Great info TY!

Did they not do endoscopy or barium swallow first? I find that odd that you would go in for exploratory surgery and come out with a bypass.

So if you were going in for surgery, what kind if surgery did you think you were having?

I am 3 years out. I will be revised Sept/oct

My nut said FEP BLUE usually approved with BMI of 35 and comorbidities.do u have two years of weight history?

I only lost 43lbs a year past sleeve. Got pregnant and gained it back. I have an angulated sleeve and a hiatal hernia. There is a lot to fix

All the BCBS' have different requirement FEP BLUE Federal pays for revision after all requirements are met AND there is proof of compliance with 1st surgery.

FEP BLUE is 3 months of nut visits. Do you have your two year weight records documented? It can be from any of your drs. Also a great letter of necessity will help. Do you have GERD? I didn't have to have proof of WW I just told them what programs I has done. I have FEP BLUE BASIC and was approved for the sleeve quick. Now revising to bypass.

I revising as well do too Gerd and other issues. Please keep me posted on how you are doing. Your sleeve had a lot of scar tissue?

I hope you feel better. I am revising from sleeve to bypass. Would love to hear more about your process.

That is so awesome!

Congratulations!! Wishing you the best recovery.

I ❤️❤️❤️your post. Always compassionate, filled with great juicy recommendations.

The other thing is even post surgery so many people live on 1000cal or less and still drink Protein shakes etc. and find it difficult to maintain or loss. That is frustrating especially when one combines physical activity to include weight training and cardio. Those BMR calculators do no apply to do many of us. If I ate the number of calories recommended of whole, clean foods I would still not lose. I did that preop with my NUT. I would love to know why those that give weight loss a fighting chance presurgery are not effective. I am talking about a combination of diet, exercise and tracking. Then throw in surgery. Michiganchic, I totally agree that seeing weight loss is positive reinforcement. And why some may do better than others. I say get back to basics. If it doesn't seem to work have your sleeved checked!

I agree with Cowgirl. It is amazing to hear what people eat pre and post op. I am not a volume eater. I have always been a snacker. Never a soda drinker, but love beer. We all have our vices and we are here for a reason. I would love to know if they have studied that as far as the effectiveness of surgery based on preop habits. Additionally, how the metabolism plays a part post op.

Wishing You the best! GERD is no fun. I pray that the bypass resolves this for me and you and others with this issue.

I developed Gerd with my sleeve and luckily have not yet damaged my esophagus. I am being revised to the bypass. I hope it is a solution. Have u always had Gerd? Or was it the silent type? Or Barrett's minus the Gerd?

When I was losing, a new pair of gym shoes, or gym clothes. New music for my ipad to work out to.

I honestly believe what happens to some people is that the expectation of losing is higher than the outcome. Especially in the 1st year. I remember being so highly irritated with the fact that people would say oh I lost the first 50-75lbs so easy, now I have to fight for every pound. Some of those same people would be the ones asking can I eat this, can I eat that 5 weeks post op. It seems that some have to fight for every pound in the beginning. That is where the question becomes is the surgery effective for everyone. Obviously, we are all different and I do believe surgery can fail for more than no compliance. Although, for me too lose I have to be very low carb and very low calorie. Pre and post surgery.

Who was your cousins doctor? If you don't mind me asking.[/quote I think it was one of the Drs. he use to partner with the practice split in late 2014. I believe it was Dr Moazzez. She spoke very highly of him.

I was definitely a slower loser. I stalled out at about 9 months post op. At that point I lost 10lbs preop diet and 43lbs post op. I got pregnant 11 months post op. I followed my plan according to my dr and Nut. I logged on MFP and worked out so much I developed plantar fasciitis. I did not drink sodas or through a straw LMAO... (That's a big question around here). To say it was not frustrating would not be true. Some people make it to goal in 9-10 months post op. I was not close. My starting weight was 267lbs. Obviously seeing the numbers go down is a huge incentive and my NUT measured me at every appt. After I had my baby I noticed it was even harder to get the weight off, my appetite increased, and I was having extreme heartburn. I consulted with a new bariatric dr and he sent me for Barium Swallow. It was determined I had large hiatal hernia and confirmed Gerd. I did not have that preop. So then he sent me for EDG. There is was determined my sleeve was twisted (not sure why this wasn't seen on barium test) and that my food is backing up... Anyways the dr feels that the sleeve is not functioning properly, as I was in compliance (as document through my post op nutrition appts) and that I will benefit from a revision. He said he could resleeve me, although it is hard to determine if the gerd is from the hernia or the shape of my sleeve. I am also am a bit gun shy of sleeve at this point because I do not feel like it worked for ME. In my heart even without my pregnancy I do not believe I would have met my goal. I didn't have a honeymoon phase. Of course the 1st month was huge but after that I averaged a pound a week. I felt like OMG I had surgery for that? So I totally get where you are coming from.

Are u FEP BLUE within the federal program? Each state with BCBS has different requirements.

I met with the surgeon first. The bariatric coordinator contacted the insurance company, but I already knew what I needed to do. It is on page 67 or something like that of the handbook. No matter if you have standard or basic requirements are all the same. My drs office will not file with the insurance until I have completed all the requirements. I so far have completed psych eval, got my weight history, and I have my second NUT appt on 7/15 it's an online appt. I need to get my letter of necessity from my PCP. Good luck to u!

I will have my at Sentara Potomac with Dr. Halmi My cousin had hers in Reston and had a great experience

Following... I am in the process for revision with FEP... I do think they require that BMI of 35, but if you have other co morbities, maybe they will consider. I do believe you will pay more out of pocket by not using a center of excellence. I am in month two of 3 month supervised diet....my original surgery was done abroad and paid for by BCBS. I have some medical issues as well. I would just be sure to get your PCP to write a really great letter of necessity and follow the requirements to a T. Everything has to be done again.