pookybear

So are any protein shakes ok? I have a container of the Body Fortress protein powder. Or are certain ones better?

I guess I'm going to have to try it. I'm nervous that I'll constantly be hungry and that I'll end up not being able to finish it. But I guess it's worth a shot!

My surgeon says you can have coffee after 3 months, and as long as you can tolerate it it's fine. I wouldn't drink a ton of it, but a cup a day I'm sure is fine. I know someone who started back on coffee just 6 weeks after surgery.

Tried it. Tastes nothing like pumpkin pie. Blech.

When I had my Nurse Education class, she actually advised its a good idea to NOT tell them it's for RNY. Since its technically an elective surgery they might try to tell you when you can take the time off for it. If you just tell them it's surgery, it's probably better. My boss knows, but that's it. I really don't care if anyone else knows, and I know once I go back to work after surgery some people will ask me what happened. And I'll tell them. But I'm not just going to go up to people and tell them for no reason either. If you ask, I'll tell.

Welcome! You don't have to get into any specifics about your surgery, all you need to tell them is that you're having a medical procedure and need the time off for recovery. If there are any issues, go to your HR person. I too have been through the process only go find that I wasn't approved. Totally understand how you feel there!

Thanks! That sounds hard, but definitely doable. And same to you

My surgeon doesn't include this in their program, but I do need to lose 20 pounds before surgery and am having trouble with it. Even taking phentermine I'm having trouble. How do these diets usually go? I was thinking of trying one to help me with losing. Is it straight liquids, full liquids, protein shakes,.....?

I have an appointment this coming Thursday for my annual, I'll ask then.

I don't know....I've heard so many stories of people that have had issues with them slipping out of place, etc.

What has everyone tried? What seems to work best/worst? I was on the pill and have already stopped it as I'm getting close to approval time. I know I can't go back on the pill. I definitely don't want an IUD, I don't like the idea of something permanently planted inside me. Not sure I'm comfortable with Implanon either. I'm thinking Depo shots, but I still need to talk wit my doctor about it. I can't wait to get back on something. My boyfriend and I both hate condoms. Also, how long do you have to wait to have sex post op?

I didn't get approved the first time because I didn't have a full insurance policy. I had a supplement plan. They wouldn't pre-approve me, they wanted me to have the surgery first and then they'd decide how much of it they'd cover. Couldn't take that chance that they might stick me with most, or all of, the bill.

You have to make sure you meet all your insurance companies requirements. Research their policies and coverage and find out everything that pertains to bypass surgery. Don't just trust the word of a representative over the phone, get it all in writing.

Thanks! I cat find anything out until Wednesday, but at least I have a little hope

So since I've joined this group, I've heard of others who have my insurance being required to have a 6 month doctor supervised diet. Pain in the tush and a huge delay if I'm told this, but not impossible. I've also heard they've been required to pay their part of the costs upfront. Now I'm really scared. If this is the case and the doctors office isn't willing to let me pay after in monthly installments, then there is pretty much no chance of surgery for me. And of course I can't call them and even find out until Wednesday :-(

Thanks. Not the answer I was hoping for, now I need to call my surgeons office this week and if they confirm that I'll need to tell them not to bother even submitting me for approval.

They did tell me I needed a 5 year weight history, which was an issue but should now be solved.

I have UHC and from what I've read of other people's posts on here I'm starting to get a little nervous. No one has mentioned anything to me about a required 6month dr monitored diet, no ones told me anything about possibly having to pay my portion of the costs upfront. Do you really have to pay upfront before surgery? I've never had any kind of surgery or procedure before, so I never even thought of this as a possibility. If that's the case, I may not be having surgery after all.

What kind of liquid diet? Maybe I can try if, I have to lose 20 pounds and I'm having trouble with it.

The program I'm in doesn't have you do a pre-op liquid diet

pumpkin Pie Smoothie! 1/2 banana 1/3 cup pumpkin purée 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt 3/4 cup vanilla almond milk (I'd use regular milk and add a scoop of vanilla Protein powder instead) Few shakes of pumpkin pie spice Ice Omg sounds so yummy. And a GOOD way to not feel like I'm missing out on pumpkin pie around the holidays.

They might, depending on how long the gap is. I waited two years to restart and had to do everything again.

I have Dr. Thomas Streeter at Wareham Surgical Associates in Wareham, MA. The team and the program are great! My surgery will be at Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

I'll be taking about a week and a half

Yeah, they're no help here. The program I'm in is great, but they tell me to see the nutritionist. And I can't because my insurance doesn't cover the nutritionist. Grr.