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GoneRogue, there are posts out on the forum regarding people who have had to have a second sleeve surgery. Make sure you use the search feature and have the selection to forums and search for resleeve or a similar term. There are also several posts by individuals that state they have the ability to take in "what they believe to be a large amount of liquids", but once they move to more solid foods they feel much fuller and it takes a smaller amount to reach that feeling. There is a lot of information on the site in various places so I am very confident you will find most, if not all, of the information you are seeking. I am in the pre-surgery stage, new to the sleeve but not new to weight loss since I currently have a lap band. Good luck.

It is up to your insurance company how they determine the first visit. My insurance counts the first visit with the surgeon since we discuss weight, diets, and exercise. The only way to know for sure is to check with your insurance company. Sometimes also the insurance coordinator at your doctor's office is familiar enough with your policy coverage to provide an answer. The form my insurance company sent me for completion only has six areas on it to be completed. The visits per my insurance coverage have to be in six separate months but not at 30 day intervals. My first visit was 7/31, and my next appointment is on the week of 8/19. I checked with my insurance company and was told me that this was spread out enough to qualify for two visits. I plan to have my last visit in early December so I can possibly have the surgery before the end of the year. I have a prolapsed lap band and am undergoing some tests right now. Once they are complete I will meet with my doctor to discuss the results. Then it will be decided if my claim will be submitted for a waiver of the 6 month requirement. I am scheduling my visits in case the request is denied. Good luck in your journey.

I work in Project Management. This is the first time that I have been the main stakeholder and deliverable of a project. There are five phases in a typical waterfall project. Visioning Design Construction Implementation Production Support I have done visioning (getting information on the types of surgery) and also Design (Deciding on surgery type, and finding out insurance criteria. I am currently in the Construction phase and doing what needs to be done for the surgery to occur. I am getting preop tests performed, psych evaluation, and working on 6 month medically supervised diet. Implementation will be the actual surgery, and prod support is the first part of weight loss after surgery. Since a true project is temporary, this project will be closed. I will then start on a permanent maintenance phase. This break down helps me to see where I am in the process and what still needs to be completed to have a successful completion of the project.

Make sure you listen to what your doctor says and how you feel. If you are driving against medical advice and are in an accident, your auto insurance does not have to cover you. At least that is the law in Missouri.

I am a BMI of 35 at my first visit with my surgeon. I have comorbidities. I was told by the nurse at Optima who handles bariatrics for UHC that they go with the initial weight and BMI and if it drops below, not to worry.

It is not allowed by my doctor (lap band) and won't be after I have revision surgery. I had to quit drinking soda for other medical reasons, and then had one after a year or so of not drinking any, and it tasted awful.

I get to have an endoscopy done next Monday, August 5, where they will insert a bravo chip. I will have a journal and a transmitter which will measure the amount of acid in my esophagus for a day or two. The same day I get a fluoroscopy to check my pouch and remove the Fluid from my lap band. The following Monday, August 12, I will have the esophageal motility test to check for dysphagia. This one does not sound like any fun, since you are awake. I can only imagine a ng, tube, with my horrible gag reflex and a lapband in place. I have had my band in for 6 years with heart burn for 3+ even with prescription meds for heartburn. They are doing these tests to see if I am a candidate for the sleeve and damage from the band and scar tissue. The results from these tests may also be enough for my ins. co. to move up my surgery date and bypass the 6 month medically supervised diet. My biggest fear, and I told my surgeon this, is there will be too much damage from the band and I won't be able to have the revision surgery to a sleeve. I

I saw my surgeon today for my first visit to get revision surgery to the sleeve. I am starting with a BMI of 35.2 and comorbidities. I also had my psych evaluation today. I have an endoscopy next week and a fluoroscopy to check my lapband for prolapse and remove the Fluid. The following week will be an esophagus motility study. After my doctor does these tests, he will be better able to tell me if I am a candidate for the sleeve. My ins. co. currently requires a 6 month medically supervised diet, but if there is a failure of the device, the claim can be sent in early for a review. My biggest fear is that the band has caused too much damage and he won't be able to perform the surgery. I would like to lose about 70 pounds.

Yes, I was. It seems so long ago but I was thin until I got pregnant with my first child at age 29. I am 5'5". I went on my first diet when I weighed 141 pounds and got down to 128. I would kiss the ground now if I weighed 141 pounds. I have lost weight off and on but never managed to keep it off for more than about two years. My children have never seen me thin except in pictures. I hope for that to change this year or next. Depends on surgery date after tests are done.

There is not enough room on this forum for me to list them all. You name it and I have probably tried it.

What the insurance company accepts is up to the coverage and criteria that was established by the employer and the insurance company. My company requires a six month medically supervised diet and a BMI of 40 or greater with no comorbidities, or a BMI of 35 to 39.9 with at least one comorbidity. There are many comorbities, but these are some of the more common ones; hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. My insurance company will accept Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, but you have to have proof of weekly attendance like the stamps in the book when you go in person to WW meeting. The six month diet also has to be the same program for the entire period. So if you do Weight Watchers, it is for the entire six months. They do no allow you to mix and match diets. My ins. coverage will allow you to submit proof of this as far back as 2 years ago. In addition you have to have a monthly meeting with the doctor, nutritionist where weight is the topic discussed. The only way you will know for sure is to look at your coverage and benefits or call your insurance company to get the specifics. I am covered by UHC and when I log into the web site, there is a .pdf file that has my company's coverage listed. After I spoke to Optima which is the third-party who covers special services for UHC, they sent me the criteria they needed so I had it in writing. Hope this helps and you find out soon what is required. Good luck.

I don't know if you have the personality type of "all or nothing" but sometimes I know I have fallen into that mode. However, walking is definitely better than doing nothing. I know most trainers and gyms tell you to vary your exercise routine so your body does not get used to the same activity. Often times a change will give you a boost in energy and calorie expenditure. Also with walking, try a different route if you walk outside, add ankle weights, arm weights, or if on a treadmill, vary the programs you use with speed, incline. Just make sure you don't overdo it and hurt yourself.

Good luck to both of you with your surgery. I would think it to be abnormal if you weren't a little scared. You both know there will be many changes coming into your life; and even with knowledge, it is still an unknown since you have not yet had your surgery.

Another place you can get plastic surgery done at a reduced rate is through teaching university hospitals. The work is performed by a resident but under the guidance of a board certified physician. Washington University has such a program. A few years back I checked on a tummy tuck post band surgery and the cost was under $4,000 for the whole procedure including hospital, anesthesia etc. I am not sure if my insurance will cover this procedure.

I just think age 14 is too young for this type of surgery. It is permanent and cannot be reversed. One of the reasons you indicate for her to have the surgery is so she won't be made fun of in school. If the surgery is planned on August 10th, the school year start cannot be too far out from that date. She will be starting a new school, heavy since she won't have lost all the weight prior to starting school. She will be very early in the post op stage. She will most likely have to take her own meals to school to get what she needs, Have you gone to a weigh loss seminar near you and asked one of the doctors there what their thoughts were on performing wls on adolescents? Even if you don't have ins. coverage for the procedure, the seminars are free and you can get information. Your daughter is still growing and in puberty. Most insurance companies in the U.S. have a restriction of age 18 to have the surgery. She will need to be mentally prepared and stick to this way of life permanently to have the best results. I myself look to when I was 14 and do not feel I would have been emotionally mature enough to handle the surgery and post-surgery. I would look into counseling for her and have you had medical tests performed to see if it is related to her thyroid and maybe medicine can help with that? My opinion is that you wait for her and check into some other things before she has the surgery. In the meantime, as others suggest you can have the surgery and she can see from your experiences if she still wants this. It will also make you more aware on what she will need to be successful when and if she has the surgery.

Nice smile you have done work. You have done everything that you were supposed to do post surgery for the 1st week and that is great. Keep up the good work. MrsRRn. I have a bike which I bought a few years back after not riding for 40 years. After riding I switched to a road bike and then made the switch to clipless pedals, which requires an acclimation period. I hope you find it enjoyable. I am not sure where you live, but check for trails near you. It is safer when you are just learning to ride to use trails instead of public streets. I always wear a helmet also.

What happens if you drink too soon after a meal with the sleeve? I currently have a lap band in, and have taken a sip too soon after eating which resulted in vomiting. Just wondering if this happens with the sleeve.

When I had my band put in this was a requirement for UHC. My PCP had records from me showing my weight at least one time during the past 5 calendar years. I was never at a BMI of 40 and sometimes under BMI of 35, but it showed a history of obesity during this period.

My doctor will be taking out the fluid months before surgery. I have had chronic heartburn for three plus years and need the esophagus to heal prior to revision surgery.

I just spoke to Optum today. The requirements are related to UHC and your employer's insurance contract criteria. I called 3 weeks ago, and was told it could take up to three weeks before I received a call back. *Additional items may be identified by your BRS Case Manager, based on your situation. The medical centers and programs within Bariatric Resource Services are independent contractors who render care and Morbid Obesity Surgery Requirements*: AGE You must be between the ages of 18-65 years BMI Your body mass index (BMI) must be at least 35-39.9 with at least one obesity-related medical condition (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea) or over 40. You can calculate your BMI at: http://www.myoptumhe.../BMI Calculator NETWORK You must use a Bariatric Resource Service (BRS) Center of Excellence. If one is greater than 50 miles from your home, you may use an in-network provider. DIET You are required to complete a 6 month physician supervised diet, prior to surgery. This means that you have worked with a provider (any licensed physician, nutritionist or Registered Dietician) and had a minimum of one visit per month for 6 months. During each visit, the provider must document your current weight, what diet regimen you are following and what type and amount of exercise you are performing. Diet must have been completed within the last two years. If you went to Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, please provide a copy of all the stamps for 6 months AND at least two physician office visit notes showing appointment date, your weight and that you were participating in Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. Please use the form that has been provided to you to record these visits. PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION You must complete a psychological evaluation within 12 months of your surgery date. Contact United Behavioral Health at the number located on the back of your member ID card. PROCEDURES ALLOWED Roux-en-Y, Lap band, Duodenal Switch and Gastric Sleeve are all covered procedures under your plan. SECOND PROCEDURE This benefit is limited to one procedure per lifetime while covered under the plan, unless there are complications relating to the initial surgery. A clinical review will be necessary. I am submitting for revision from band to sleeve and was told that the doctor could submit early if complications were found from the band. She told me that if they submit the review board has 15 days to respond and it normally does not take that long. I believe that after everything is sent in for a normal review, they have 30 days to respond, but most everyone I know has received a reply in 15 days or less.. The Optum rep told me she would follow up with me in two months but normally, she follows up at 4 months to check in and remind you of the rest of tests needed by your insurance company. The Optum rep also told me that they go by the BMI first submitted. So if you are submitted with a BMI of 35 and one approved omorbitdity and lose weight, you will still be approved. Hope this helps.

I have a question. I have read various posts that food you used to like presurgery, you do not after surgery. Has anyone found a food that they did not care for prior to surgery, but now like? Thank you.

I think that having my band too tight is going to result in me having to have it removed. I am 6 years and have been on prescription heartburn medications for 3 years with no relief. Last year my esophagus was dialated and they removed some fluid. It went back down. I go see a new doctor on 7/31 and I know he will do some diagnostic tests.

Did you have your band out and the sleeve done in the same surgery? I am 6 years today with the band, but have been having problems with it. I have been on prescription meds for heartburn for 3 plus years and it is not getting any better. Last year had to have Fluid taken out due to esophogeal dialation. I have an appointment to see a different doctor to see what is going on. I am worried about internal damage and scar tissue from the band.

Yep, that is me in IT. I am now working for a great company I have been there for almost a year and a half.

I am checking in. I haven't posted in a very long time. I am now a grandmother, Janet you're right, it is awesome. I am also back in school at the graduate level. I am working on my MBA with an emphasis in Project Management. I'm glad our thread is still going strong. I am still trying to get the last weight off. I hope that when I am on a one class schedule in May I can get back to serious exercise through August. I will try to log in periodically as my schedule permits