hburns89
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Everything posted by hburns89
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So tomorrow I am 5 weeks post op and I'm in the soft mechanical phase and I don't know but it was weird that today before lunch I felt hunger for the first time since surgery and even after eating I still feel hunger (been going through a stressful time the past couple of days so I don't know if it's the anxiety?) I had my protein shake in the morning and I am supposed to eat every 3-4 hours and I waited 4 hours which about 20 minutes before my 4 hours was up I started to feel the hunger pangs. Is this normal at this early stage? Also I can fit about 2-3 oz or 1/4-1/3 cup of soft foods in my pouch at a time (depending on what it is)....and I'm beginning to feel like that's too much and that's why I'm feeling hunger pangs? Any advice or help would be much appreciated! Thank you
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Pre-op Liquid Diet/High Fasting Glucose
hburns89 posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Good morning! So my surgery date is 3/28/19 and I started my 2 week liquid diet yesterday. I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes last year in June before I started pursuing bariatric surgery and this diagnosis actually pushed me to go through with it so I decided to not go on insulin since this surgery has such a high rate of success in putting diabetes into remission. I'm getting nervous though since my fasting glucose result just came back and it was really high, 170 to be exact, and I'm worried my surgery might be delayed because of this? -
Hello everyone! So I've had my first consultation and made my appointments with the dietician for the next 6 months (I first saw the dietician on June 24th) I decided to give myself 6 days to kind of let things sink in and really reflect on the process that I was about to start. I started the diet yesterday and did fairly well most of the day until the evening hit annnnnnd I ended up reverting back to old ways, I also did not drink as much Water as I was supposed to and did not get my steps in. My question is, how did everyone make it to the end? I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself because my dietrician told me that I had to lose weight otherwise she would write me down as noncompliant with insurance standards. I struggle a lot with evening meals and I tend to graze all night, I have a 8 month old daughter who just started crawling last week and she doesn't go to bed until 8 PM, so it can be difficult to gather the strength to cook dinner, fit in exercise, take care of/spend time with my daughter, straighten up the house and then settle down for a shower and bed, that's why I usually just eat something quick that can be picked up on the way home or take out but since I can't do that anymore I'm finding it difficult to balance (I know it'll get easier as I get into the routine but my previous attempts at taking better care of myself have always ended with failure since it's just easier to go the unhealthy route but I really want to succeed at this and get the help I need not just physically but I want to heal mentally as well and change my mindset when it comes to food. Any tips on making that a smoother transition? Or any quick dinner meal ideas? Any opinions and/or advice are welcome
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So I had my first consultation with my surgeon yesterday and the kind lady that I belive is his assistant gave me a packet of all the things that I need to complete for insurance and pre-op purposes. I skimmed through it because I was meeting with the dietician next. When I returned home after my appointment I noticed something I have to provide which is a Letter of Medical Necessity, which I thought was odd since I spoke with my insurance company on three different occasions and got all of the information that I needed in order to be qualified for surgery. Apparently in the letter my PCP needs to give a nod of approval and also a list of comorbidities.....I have not been diagnosed with any of the comorbidities that are listed in my insurance policy (type II diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, etc). This frustrates me because I have a 6 month diet that needs to be followed for insurance purposes and I don't want to get to the end of this diet plan and my paper work is submitted just for me to be turned down simply because I haven't yet become very ill. My A1C is in the prediabetic range but I was not diagnosed with it, my blood pressure varies from day to day. My BMI is 44.9, so reading my policy I shouldn't need that letter because my BMI is over 40, it's already medically necessary for me to get surgery without a medical illness. I spoke with my insurance company about this and she informed (with an attitude, repeatedly as well) that this is apart of the policy. But it cleary doesn't state that on the paper work that I have printed out which lists a qualification of for surgery. I even told her that the PCP that I see I've only seen twice in three years (that's how long I've been at my job) and if this PCP decides not to write the letter I mean what than? Which I wouldn't be surprised because she is the type of doctor who would have you change your diet as opposed to taking medicine to prevent a disease, which is wonderful and all but I've been fighting this my entire life and it's starting to get really out of control and I feel like I'm being told that I won't be helped until I develop a illness, I'm 25 years old I thought I was doing the right thing by getting help now instead of waiting. I have CareFirst BCBS MD and they will cover pre-op and post-op as well as the surgery 100% but I kind of feel like this was too good to be true since this letter situation has come to light. Anyone else experience the same thing? Am I panicking for no reason? Any advice would be most helpful. I will say that I am going to contact my PCP and see if I can get this letter, hopefully it'll all turn out.
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Update: I contacted my PCP office and explained to the MA my situation and I had asked her if I needed to make an appointment with my doctor or not in order to get this letter written and sent to the surgeons office. She ended up calling me back after talking to the doctor and said yes. Over the next few days she collected information from me regarding my previous weight loss attempts and the doctor wrote the letter, they called me this morning and asked for the surgeons office fax number and it was sent over so yay! Thank you all for your comforting responses, I definitely felt better about my situation after reading them. One step closer!
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It's certainly been awhile but my boss was on vacation last week so I filled in what most of what they do and was too busy to update. Had my first seminar on Wednesday last week with Dr. Lamond and it went wonderfully, my boyfriend (I hate that term since we've been together for eight years and have a child together but we are not married) went with me and he suggested after hearing all of the info that I switch the procedure to a Gastric Sleeve since it appeared "safer", but I am set on the Roux-en-y. I was a bit surprised that I got an appointment with Dr. Kligman so fast considering Dr. Lamond at the seminar said it might be a couple of weeks but mine got set up for exactly a week after the seminar, so this Wednesday. I'll talk with Dr. Kligman and see what he suggests would be in my best interest as far as surgery. Luckily when I called my insurance for the fourth time I found out more information than I did the first couple of times, they will be paying for everything pre and post op so that is a relief, even the psych eval, I did get the name of the person who I spoke with but even if they end up saying they won't cover pre and post op procedures but they will cover the surgery I will still go through with it because this isn't something I want, it
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Good luck! It sounds like you are on the right road for success. Make sure you do your research on both surgeries, there are benefits to both and your health history plays a huge role. For example, if you suffer from heartburn, reflux or Gerd the sleeve can make it worse where as RNY will cure it. There are many other things to think about so make sure you research.
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It's certainly been awhile but my boss was on vacation last week so I filled in what most of what they do and was too busy to update. Had my first seminar on Wednesday last week with Dr. Lamond and it went wonderfully, my boyfriend (I hate that term since we've been together for eight years and have a child together but we are not married) went with me and he suggested after hearing all of the info that I switch the procedure to a Gastric Sleeve since it appeared "safer", but I am set on the Roux-en-y. I was a bit surprised that I got an appointment with Dr. Kligman so fast considering Dr. Lamond at the seminar said it might be a couple of weeks but mine got set up for exactly a week after the seminar, so this Wednesday. I'll talk with Dr. Kligman and see what he suggests would be in my best interest as far as surgery. Luckily when I called my insurance for the fourth time I found out more information than I did the first couple of times, they will be paying for everything pre and post op so that is a relief, even the psych eval, I did get the name of the person who I spoke with but even if they end up saying they won't cover pre and post op procedures but they will cover the surgery I will still go through with it because this isn't something I want, it
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Congrats on your upcoming surgery. The procedure you have is always a collaborative effort between you and your surgeon. You've got this! Any surgery is surgery, know what I mean, so choose based on your current weight and health history along with your goals. You will make the right choice with input from your surgeon.
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My first seminar is tomorrow, and then I'll be able to set up the appointment with the doctor. I'm nervous, and definately scared and it's only the first step. I'm mostly worried that I will not be a candidate for surgery.
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Anyone else have to do the 6 month pre-op diet because of insurance purposes, what did that include and how did you or how are you getting through it?
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I recently gathered the courage to tell my sister (who is a personal trainer) that I am getting surgery. She understood and once I explained the surgery to her she really started to support my decision. So that makes a total of four people that now know. I don't plan on telling anyone else unless I'm asked. I don't need anyone trying to change my mind or tell me I can do it without surgery, because I've tried for over 10 years and it just doesn't work, I've done several diets, diet pills, drinks, everything I can think of. I'm becoming more positive about this and I feel that this is the right decision.
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Thank you both, it really does mean a lot to have a good support system, my sister was the one I was most nervous about telling since she has stated in the past how much she disagrees with WLS. But once I explained it to her she understood completely which was a relief (not that I wouldn't have gotten the surgery if she had disagreed, it just makes things a lot easier with her support). I never could understand why those who do not deal with the same issues others have simply cannot see the benefit. I've exhausted all other possibilities, I did not come to the decision lightly you know? But everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
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My name is Heather and I've recently decided to get the Roux En Y Gastric Bypass surgery. After some careful consideration and thousands of failed diet attempts I know that this is the best option for me, it is the only option that will save my life. I've struggled with weight since I can remember, I've always been bigger and over the past 5 years it's become harder and harder to lose weight and try to keep it off (something I've never been good at). I have a complicated relationship with food and my insurance of course requires that I be on a 6 month diet (Even though I literally just came off of one that I put myself on in January through Weight Watchers after I had my baby in November) it's frustrating because even though I know it's company policy it's like I have to roll my eyes and groan and say, "Another diet?" I'm sure this will be different but it's still dreadful. I attend my first seminar June 17th and I am really looking forward to gathering all of the information I need from Dr. Kligman of University of Maryland. The only thing that has me nervous is the psych eval. mainly because I was on antidepressants and antipsychotics when I was a teenager, I isolated myself during middle school and high school mainly because of my weight and lack of confidence. I eventually was weaned off of my medication when I was 18 and had stopped going to the therapist because I had had enough. I had spent years of being on medication and seeing this doctor and that doctor and nothing helped, nothing improved and the weight kept piling on. I just wanted to be normal, to feel normal and the medication did not do that for me. So I'm a little weary of the whole psych eval thing because of my history. I also cannot tell more than two family members at this time because the rest of my family will not understand my decision. They are very judgemental and will do nothing but give me negative comments and I don't want to hear it anymore, this decision is a positive one and I'm happy with it. I am almost 26 years old and I have a almost 7 month old daughter, I want to be around for her and be able to take her places and do things with her, I don't want weight to control my life anymore.
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Thank you all so much for the advice/support This has been a big decision for me (as it would be for anyone) and I don't hardly have anyone that can relate to how I'm feeling, so finding this website and posting my feelings (something I cannot do, because people either can't or won't understand) has made me more comfortable with my decision.
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Reading forums from pre-op and post-op patients, nervous, excited and a little scared. Only two of my family members know about my decision (my mother and my significant other of eight years Raymond) I can't tell anyone else because they are too judgemental and won't understand. I am nervous about my psych eval. when I was a teenager I was on antipsychotics and antidepressants for a few years mostly because of my weight (I was obese throughout middle and high school), I don't want that to be a reason why I cannot get the help that I need.
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I was worried about my psych eval, too, as I have a history of depression and take medication for it. But really, it's not that they are looking for a reason to turn you down for surgery--it's just that they want to be sure you understand what you're getting into and that you have a support system to be successful after surgery. Be prepared that they may have you start therapy (if you're not already seeing a therapist) before they clear you for surgery. I had to see the bariatric center's psychologist twice, a month apart, and she talked to my therapist before giving the OK. Again, they just want to make sure you are as prepared as possible to get through the emotional rollercoaster of the process.
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I concur totally with @hburns89. Psychologically speaking, WLS could bring to surface some things you might not be expecting. Having had the surgery already I have experienced some food related things that I wasn't expecting to experience. Nothing earthshaking or in need for therapy, but enough to cause me to ponder on them a bit. Just be as prepared as you can be. Also, if you need to talk with someone on a regular basis for a short-time, and you are employed full-time, you may want to check to see if your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program where you can talk with someone for no additional charge. Also, your WLS center should be able to assist with a referral or someone in their own group.
