Ginger Snaps

Here's my experience (I'm Anthem BC/BS)... when you fill out the form online, they send a request to your doctor to have them write a script for the shakes. Once they have that script, they submit it to insurance to see if it will cover the costs. In my case, they sent the request to the doctor for a script and he stuck it in my file. At my next appointment he asked me what it was for. I hadn't told him I was doing it because I didn't know the process. By then, I was post-op and found some drinks I liked but was on regular food, so I didn't really care to try to get them anymore. I'd suggest talking to your doctor and letting them know what you're doing, so they won't be surprised when they get the request. And then maybe contact the Insure people to ask them if the doctor sent the script. That way you won't just be sitting around waiting to see if it's approved and you'll know where the holdup is.

I've only had two since surgery -- the second one was horrible -- so much bleeding at first and then it seemed to last forever. I'm guessing it's just what you thought -- the hormones stored in fat knocking things out of whack. But it wasn't anything I felt I needed to go to the doctor for. At my age (48) and not planning any more babies, I wish he could have just taken all that out while he was in there doing surgery. I am SO over having periods! lol

I didn't have problems once I found

What's weird about this though is that it just started a couple of days ago. I've eaten chicken, fish, beef (had a beautiful filet mignon steak that was incredible) and other things with no problem. Now it just seems everything makes me feel icky. It's a beautiful summer -- not too hot -- so I don't think it's from heat or anything. And I can't think of anything I'm doing different, so I'm baffled. I've eaten peanut butter with no problem but I had my first dumping experience after eating some peanut butter this morning. And dumping is NOT fun... I know that now.

I don't usually come to the band forums but I clicked the link on the right to see what the topic was about. I'm saying that because I don't want to come across as trolling for an argument. At least two of the things the poster said are true -- of bypass, sleeve and band, the band has the lowest expected weight loss and therefore, is considered the least effective. And, many doctors are not doing the band any more because of the complications and the lower effectiveness (the doctors at my hospital which is a center of excellence don't). Even on the Realize Band website, the stats show a bander loses about 41% of excess weight loss where bypass and sleeve patients are over 60%. I haven't heard anything about Congress investigating the band's safety. Having said all of that (which are facts, not my opinion) I don't think what the poster did was right or appropriate. If someone's trying to make a decision of which surgery to have, it's appropriate to quote facts or give your personal opinion if asked. But in a support group setting for patients who are post op, telling them they made the wrong choice isn't supportive and not helpful. I think you did the right thing contacting the admin and in the support you gave Daniel. You're the kind of person I would want to have in a support group meeting no matter what tool you have.

One way I've been able to have some cute clothes is through Gwynnie Bee. You pay a monthly fee to have a certain number of outfits out at a time -- I pay $80 or so a month and get 3 outfits out at a time. They ship me outfits I've picked and put in my "online closet" and they ship me 3 from my closet (you don't choose which 3 but they are all from outfits I've chosen). I can keep the 3 or ship any of all of them back (postage paid). As soon as they receive and outfit back, they put another one back in the mail to me. It's a fun way to try on some clothes you might not ever wear and every time I go down a size, I just empty my closet and put smaller sized clothes in there. I've gotten several really cute dresses and I get tons of compliments on them when I wear them. http://goo.gl/hvmlhe Ginger

I was in 2 nights which is what my surgeon told me. My insurance only approved one night originally but he got it extended.

I'm 7 weeks out and haven't had any food problems at all (except for two little episodes with dry chicken popping right back up). But, for the past 3-4 days, I just haven't wanted to eat anything because nothing sits right. Everything I eat just kind of feels 'heavy' or 'yuck' in my stomach. I haven't been sick but it's like the stage just before that. Anybody else have this suddenly pop up after no problems? I'm not getting enough Protein because I just don't feel like eating. I'll call my surgeon if it keeps up but I'd like to know if other people have had something like this. Ginger

WOW! What an incredible change -- in more ways than just the weight! Sounds like you're learning to value yourself. It's a good thing!

You have had quite the experience! I was readmitted 2 days after I got out for what they called pneumonia but when I followed up with the pulmonologist he said it was more a pocket of Fluid under my left lung. I had a pretty bad hernia that was repaired during surgery, too, so like you, it may have been because of that. That's completely weird about being inpatient/outpatient. If you were staying in the hospital, eating their food, sleeping in their beds and seeing doctors and having tests there, what's the difference? I would hope this is something you can appeal through your insurance and the hospital. Completely crazy! I saw a doctor in an ER once... the hospital was in network but the doctor didn't accept any insurance and wanted full payment. I contacted my insurance and they told me that in network hospitals can't do that (contract with a doctor who doesn't accept insurance) and they contacted the hospital and got it all cleared up for me. Be sure to appeal and argue because you shouldn't have to pay on a technicality. And glad to hear you're doing better. It will get better and easier with time.

I found when I started back exercising I really needed to up the calories and add in a few carbs (fruits, veggies). I was only taking in about 300-400 calories a day (3-4 weeks out) and it just wanted enough to give me the energy I needed for exercising, so any exercise felt bad. Once I upped the calories some, exercising is much easier. Of course, you're still not very far out so you might try a combo of increasing your calories some and lightening up on exercise a little. My surgeon told me to do what I felt like doing -- sounds like you're doing a little more than your body likes.

@Lthomas I just started the Zombies, Run 5K last week and it's a lot of fun and completely doable. I'm about 7 weeks out from surgery now and I'm amazed at the amount of energy I have. Great job on running -- now did you think you'd ever be a runner? lol

@Ash51 Sounds like you have some wonderful motivation to lose -- not only can you enjoy your kids more, you'll be a good role model for them of taking charge of your health. And, like the poster above, I've felt SO MUCH MORE ENERGY since surgery -- I feel great and I'm constantly looking for things to do to improve my activity. You're gonna be THAT dad running around with your kids, playing soccer or basketball or running on the beach with them. It's perfectly normal to be nervous about being able to maintain the lifestyle changes but it's so much easier when your body cooperates with your intentions because you have the tools now to do what you need to do. It's completely different than what you've tried in the past. I have control over my food now and not the other way around. You can do this! And, best wishes!

My psych also specializes in children and adolescents but I've been with him over 8 years now and I wouldn't want to change. At this point we're just in medication management. He asks me how I'm feeling and about my family situation (he also saw my ex-husband while we were married and he talks with me about my 20 yo son's drug and alcohol abuse). He accepts my insurance so that's not a factor for me. I only see him every 3 months to make sure the meds are still working. It's "medication maintenance". Maybe you could ask your doctor if he could write you 90 day scripts and just see you every three months. That will help with the costs and from what I hear from friends who see psychs for med maintenance it's normal practice. It's what my insurance will cover as well. Let him know it's what you'd like and see how he responds. Then you can make a decision to stay there or move on. Good luck!

Woot woot! Congrats on the hard work paying off!

This is something you'll have to get used to after surgery, too -- communicating how you feel. My kids (15,20) are always apologizing for eating in front of me when I can only have a little. We went to the Melting Pot (a fondue place) that's my son's traditional birthday place where they bring out tons and tons of food in a 4 course meal and as soon as I turned down the appetizers, he said "Oh, I'm sorry -- I feel selfish because this wasn't a good choice for you..." I keep telling them I don't feel bad watching them enjoy food because I really enjoyed my filet mignon (sp?) and it doesn't bother me at all that I can't eat all they can. I think you should approach your coworker and just tell her "I really am happy you were approved. I feel a little jealous that I wasn't but I'm working on that. I'd really love to share your experiences and know what's going on with you. I don't feel at all uncomfortable around you and I don't want you to feel that way around me." You don't have to mention the other coworker, you can just say it's obvious she's pulling back and you think that she might be feeling awkward around you. You've said it might be a difficult conversation but isn't it easier than doing this dance around the topic and pretending nothing's going on? Use this as practice for how you will respond when people say things about surgery or how you're losing too much weight, etc. If you really want to be friends with this person and share in experiences, it's worth the uncomfortable feelings to talk to her. Ginger

One more thing I forgot to mention in my novel... You should also look at maximum excess weight loss and the long-term success rate -- not just how fast you lose. This is a marathon and not a sprint!

Unfortunately, no one can make the decision for you unless there is a real medical issue pushing the decision one way or the other. My friend could only choose sleeve because she has irritable bowel syndrome and needs to be able to be scoped. I had bad reflux and chose bypass because it has a better success rate for reducing GERD symptoms (no meds -- not even a TUMS since surgery). Go to some good websites like WebMD and the Mayo Clinic site and read up on the different surgeries. This link has a good, factual discussion of the differences in surgeries: http://www.obesityhelp.com/content/wlsurgery.html There's also a good tool on the Realize Band website (gives you factual statistics -- not slanted towards the band which I wouldn't have considered for lots of reasons): https://www.realize.com/do-i-qualify/potential-results You'll get personal stories here but they are all based on that person's medical history, feelings about the surgery, etc. Both bypass and sleeve alter your body and both require supplements to be sure you're getting the nutrition you need. Learn all you can and work with your doctor to decide what will give you the best chance of wild success! Best wishes!

Wow!!! Congrats on all the hard work paying off! Being 7 weeks out, it's really an inspiration for me to stay focused and work hard. Woot!

I hired a personal trainer and did 8 weeks before surgery and I'm starting back up with her tomorrow. I started back working out with weights 2 weeks ago but she's been on vacation. I think it's a fantastic investment in your health. She's taught me a huge variety of exercises that I wouldn't have known before and I've lifted on my own before. She always shows me new routines mostly with free weights or some machines. She is very gentle and watches my face and form to know if something is too hard for me and modifies it or replaces it with something more in line with my fitness level. It's been a wonderful experience and I'm so excited to see her tomorrow to get started up again. She's gonna be blown away by my weight loss too since she hasn't seen me post surgery.

I love to ride and have ridden even though I wasn't the weight I wanted to be. I have a hybrid bike for bike paths and light off-road riding. I was thinking about buying a lighter weight bike -- mine is 26 pounds -- because it is a little heavy on the road. Well, now that I'm down about 33 pounds, it's amazing how much lighter my bike is! I agree -- riding bikes is just downright fun if done the right way -- with people you like to be with, in beautiful places and at a pace where you can throw your legs out and say "Weeee......" sometimes.

Just keep looking at the flat belly and avoid 3 way mirrors!

I only had to do Clear Liquids the day before surgery. (sorry...) My doctor said he doesn't require a pre-op diet for people with lower BMI because he prefers the patients come in as strong as possible and the liquid diet makes you weaker. He does require it for higher BMI to help shrink the liver. I'm sure there are a hundred doctors and they have 200 opinions among them. Stay strong!

Woot Woot! Nice job!

I ate turkey chili with no beans, FF refried beans with a little cheese or salsa mixed in, chicken salad with FF mayo, tuna salad... Lots of variety there.