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I sometimes wonder if insurance companies deny the first attempt on purpose, hoping that people won't resubmit or appeal the decision. I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties. I'm with Dr. Strickland at the same obesity center, but I'm self-pay so no help on that front, I'm afraid.

I'm out of pocket and I paid $220.00 and it was an hour session. She went over my weight history in some detail, made sure I wasn't anorexic (lol) or had unreal expectations of the surgery, and then we spent the rest of the session talking about what type of support and habits to put in place now so that I can be successful after I have the surgery. I enjoyed the session and got a lot out of it, to be honest.

Do you have Planet Fitness near you? It's just $10/month for their lowest plan. No contracts. And they're pretty accepting of all fitness shapes and sizes.

You don't even have to brew it. Fill a pitcher with cold water, add a family-size decaf green tea bag ( or three or four regular bags) and stick it in the fridge overnight. In the morning remove the tea bags and you're ready to go.

I'm pre-op, but I think my Vitamin regimen will pretty much be close to the same when I'm post op. I cannot swallow a pill, so I'm a professional when it comes to chewables. I take - - Centrum chewable as my main multivitamin. - Os-Cal Chewable Calcium plus Vitamin D ('lemon chiffon' flavor) - probably the least-chalky calcium I've found that is not a chew. 2 a day. - Vitamin B Complex - sublingual - Nature's Bounty brand - Glucosamine chondroitin Chews - Spring Valley Brand. Two daily. (I take this for arthritis, most people won't need it. I plan to do a liquid after surgery for just a bit)

In a cruel twist of fate, my brother has always had issues keeping weight on, so I've seen all his tricks. Some suggestions: Add fat to your diet. Butter on veggies, cook in healthy olive oil, cheese in your morning eggs, etc. It doesn't take up much more volume in your tummy, but will add calories. Drink some calories. Again, not suggested for most banders, but every day my brother drinks milk, juices, and even has an occasional milkshake. Again, all in an effort to get in calories. He also does soda, but we can't do that, I don't think, with the sleeve. Add Protein powder to everything. He scoops it in oatmeal or yogurt in the morning, generally, but it can be hidden in a lot of places. There are protein powders that are specifically for people that are trying to put on weight. HIgh quality Snacks - He eats a lot of nuts or nutbutters on apples, etc. and cheese sticks for snacks. I'm not sure if you can fit those in, but it might be easier to eat more often. Passing out after eating is odd, though. Low blood sugar would mean passing out, but after eating, your sugar should be higher. I'd have that checked.

TNP??

If you can get it for the same price, and your doctor has a good reputation for the surgery, I don't see the issue in staying there if that's what you decide. This struck me as odd, though: I don't really agree with that. My surgeon has said point-blank several times that until they get inside the abdominal cavity, they will not know what they are dealing with as far as the band and scar tissue goes. I asked because I asked if they were going to do any pre-op band testing or anything. He said several times that even if they do tests and everything looks great, until they have an eye on the stomach, they're not going to know what they're dealing with. That's why my surgeon won't guarantee a revision will happen in one procedure. He'll take out the band and then evaluate whether there is too much scar tissue to do the sleeve.

I'm happy to hear you're safely out of surgery. Sorry you are experiencing pain and fever. You are still in the hospital, I trust? I hope they get your pain and fever under control so you can get a little sleep tonight. Ask for different meds if this isn't doing it for you.

I think you really should. That's what support groups are for. You'll get a lot more out of the support group if you're honest about where you are.

Ew, there's something you don't want to look up on Google Images. I'm assuming it's the acid in the soda that helps with this, not the bubbles? I'd be concerned about drinking carbonated beverages, but I guess flat soda is an option.

I sincerely doubt this, since there is minimal "malnutrition" problems with the sleeve. My guess is he treats RNY patients who do have malabsorption issues years out. The fact that he seems unable to differentiate the two is concerning. Well, it's up to you. You certainly can take his advice and try alternative methods of losing weight. Or, if you're set on WLS it looks like you'll need a new PCP.

I'm in the same position as you. My surgeon will open me up to remove the band, and if there is too much scar tissue he will sew me up and wait to do the sleeve three months later. If everything looks good, he will sleeve me in the same procedure. I'm self-pay so I am hoping that he can do the two in one procedure (I will have to pay nearly double to have it in two procedures), but what's most important is that I have a good result without complications. Complications will not be covered by my insurance. So, I'm happy that my surgeon will do what is best and safest for me.

I think the issue is that our sleeves hold such a limited amount of food that most doctors feel it is imperative that we get in Protein first, then vegetables, then fruit...then if any room is left, carbs. It's all about high-quality nutrition. I personally plan on following a low-carb diet when I'm done, but I'm sure I'll have days when I have treats or eat whatever I want.

Well, you've lost 92 pounds, so that's nothing to sneeze at! Have you considered getting some therapy/assistance with your food issues? If you feel you're eating when you're stressed or similar times, now is probably the perfect time to get some new tools to help you deal with the stress in a better way.

Best of luck to you.

How great that you and your mom are getting sleeved together. You will have a buddy that knows exactly what you are going through.

Woot! Woot! I just finished my psych eval, and I know she said I was fine and she would fax it over to the doctor's today. I think I'll get a call to come in and pay this week (I'm self-pay) and then I should get a surgery date and schedule the rest of my pre op stuff.

Oooh, baby food prunes is a great idea.

IMHO, you can't legislate decency. In other words, even if obesity is a "protected class", that's not going to keep people with crappy manners from laughing at your friend when he collapsed a chair, or similar things like that. I personally think obesity kinda/sorta falls under the disability protections in the U.S. if the obesity is enough to cause physical problems. I'm pretty sure that's done on a case-by-case basis. I don't want someone looking at me, though, checking my BMI and then saying I am suddenly "disabled" or in need of special protection. More than thirty percent of Americans are obese. It would be a bit ridiculous to put that many people in a protected class. Again, JMO, and others I'm sure may have very different views.

My insurance doesn't cover it, but as for the 10% thing, most policies have what is called an "out of pocket maximum", which means once you've paid such-and-such dollars out of your pocket for the year, they will cover 100%. You might check your policy to see what your max is so you can relax a wee bit.

Best of luck to you!

They're delicious. They taste so much better than the shakes to me. Of course, you only get like 10-15 grams protein instead of 25+, but they are a nice change. I used to have them for Breakfast all the time when I got my lap band.