MetroDetroitChic

So let me ask you' date=' how long did it take your Iron levels to rise so you can have surgery?[/quote']

I won't have the levels checked til right before surgery. (Feb). So I don't have any way of knowing for sure. I do know that my doc told me the best chance of getting my Iron levels up are to take it without any Calcium. (She said another patient of hers had issues when taking it with her reg Multivitamin due to calcium...even though there wasn't that much Calcium in the multi Vitamin.

Oj with Iron is a good combination . The orange juice helps with better absorption

I also am quite Iron deficient. Everyone is different, but OJ definitely wouldn't work for me. 1) Iron supplements can lead to acid reflux. Iron + OJ would likely make me feel awful. 2) OJ occasionally has Calcium in it.

You absolutely cannot take iron with any Calcium. Not even your multivitamin. Calcium bonds to the iron, making absorption impossible. (It's fundamental chemistry.)

What works for me? A piece of turkey before bed with an iron pill and a Vitamin C.

Iron supplements are finicky for sure.... Good luck!

I have seen a couple of folks cite asthma as a co-morbidity for lower BMIs when applying to insurance. I have asthma that is pretty bad. (I usually wind up in ER at least twice a year.)

Now I am REALLY doubting that lung function and weight loss are in any way related, however seeing folks list their asthma as a co-morbidity gives me a teensy amount of hope.

..So here is my question: Has anyone seen their lung function vastly improve? (To the point they don't need a nebulizer or rescue inhaler anymore?)

Thanks so much for your help!!

I felt it was for the best. Granted' date=' my insurance required I see the dietician once a month for the 6 months. In all honestly, this HELPED! I had 6 months to prepare for my new life. She gave me a goal each month to help me get used to the new way of eating. First month was to cut out sodas, OH GOD!! In all honestly, I don't think I would've been as successful had I not been required to wait the 6 months.

or have you already done everything else required by the clinic for the surgery?[/quote']

I couldn't agree with you more. I am happy to have this waiting period to get acclimated to the new lifestyle. My husband and I are doing it slow. We are making one rule a week: "chew your food 20 times and slow down while eating", "take your lunch to work everyday", "no more carbonation (read: no coke, no beer - both of which I love...ugh), one of us had to quit smoking one week...

Some of the "rules" have been big, and some have been small. But I cannot imagine trying to tackle and break such (very engrained) habits in a few weeks. I would have felt overwhelmed.

My insurance was different' date=' I had to stay at a BMI of 40 and could not drop below it or they would deny it. I was exactly 40.4 my first weigh in. So I had to go 6 months without losing more than 3 pounds and not gaining either, it was nerve wracking. But I did it and was sleeved 8/5. My surgeons office was very knowledgeable about what my ins would approve. I also called my ins and recieved a packet regarding bariactric surgery and requirements but it never stated about dropping below 40 and no comorbs[/quote']

I was told two things by my Bariatric team: "insurance coordinator" person advised me not to drop below 40BMI. my doc said the first weight was all that mattered and that insurance companies like you to demonstrate that you are going to stick by this new healthier lifestyle, and she added "so lose all the weight you want".

Very confusing. But common sense tells me I will listen to the doc, try to lose weight and become more healthy... This is what this is all about now anyway.

I just will be soooo mad if by losing lots of weight I wind up denied for the surgery.

Starting off with a BMI of 41ish. Working with PCP and NUT and I am really liking the new lifestyle and feel great....And am losing weight. At the end of the six month mandatory wait, I will surely have a BMI less than 40.

I know I have the ability to lose weight (have lost 50+ lbs twice in my life, regaining both times). So I would like the sleeve as a tool to keep the weight off. (Husband and I are both doing it).

Anyone have a similar experience (BMI under 40 with no co-morbidities) at the time of application and still get approved?

Thank you!

It matters less about which insurance you have, and more about who its through and the details of the policy. Employers purchase policies that govern what is covered and to what extent. The best way to get accurate answers is to call the number on your card and get specific information about YOUR policy. Good luck!

...you are absolutely right. I compared plans with others during a VSG learning seminar and other BCBS MI folks had different bariatric policies all together.

I will add one more thing however: get your policy in writing. I called my insurance three different times and got three different verbal answers. Not joking. It wasn't until I had the piece of paper in my hands that I truly felt like I understood and was prepared.

My thing is just mainly just skipping out on life....

Friends: "Wanna go to Miami?" A: No (swimsuit).

"Wanna to go Cedar Point?" A: No. (Seats).

"Wanna go on a hike?" A: No. I can't keep up. You will think I am having a heart attack.

"Wanna be on our softball team?" A: No. I jiggle when I run. It's emabarrasing.

"(At a charity event) What size t-shirt should I order you?" A: None. The biggest you have -2x- won't fit.

"Wanna go white Water rafting/canoeing?" A: No. I might sink the vessel.

... I think the final straw was when I went to Korea and China. Those countries are built for little people. The train seats were SO painful. My husband and I are not little. When in rural China, we had people stopping and asking us to take our pictures because they had never seen people so big. On the great wall, I go so winded, folks had to stop and wait for me. Frustrating.

Seriously stoked about LIVING life. No more reasons why I can't do anything. (Both my husband and I are doing this together -- a month or so apart) We will have the tools to lose this weight once and for all. We can start a family. We can teach our children about health and nutrition. ...And we are even toying with the idea of doing a sprint triathalon one day - because we CAN.

GAME ON!!!