2goldengirl

Well OF COURSE you have to brag! Even at goal, I fear my running days are over (I have lumbar scoliosis). You will totally rock this!

My PCP's understanding of bariatric surgery is that it's a "definitive treatment for obesity". She, my surgeon, and the program therapist all described me as "the ideal candidate". That said, I'm like @VSGAnn2014. Nobody scares me.

Aww, thanks, Babbs! As it happens, all that Fluid vamoosed in a big fat hurry. I have now lost 10 lbs since my surgery date 10 days ago. That's partly because, like most fresh post ops, I can't get in all my Protein and fluids yet. My new sleeve may have had an extra week to heal, but it hasn't had any more experience handling input than a brand-new one. It's a process.

I would suggest getting a referral to a gastroenterologist.

You are NOT being unreasonable - he is. Completely. Go stay with a friend or get yourself a hotel room and see how he deals with visiting family on his own.

Eating will not cause a leak. Didn't your surgeon give you guidelines on advancing your diet? Mine has me on full liquids for the first two weeks, purees the second two weeks, and soft foods after four weeks. The other thing to remember is that what sounds good to your head may not feel good to your new tummy. It's important not to make it work too hard before it's fully healed. At day 12, the most I might think of trying are a spoonful or two of refried Beans with a little cheese. I'd probably thin the beans with a little Water. My RD told me to "treat your new tummy like a baby's. One new food at a time, and only a little at a time".

The sleep study didn't cost me anything, it was completely covered by insurance. I have a 20% copay for DME, so the copay for the machine and supplies ran about $80 for the first three months.

I'm actually inclined to think it's a lack of fat as well as protein. That's just opinion, though - I have nothing to back it up with.

It doesn't work that way. Whether something is approved or not is about what the criteria are, and whether the information submitted shows that the member meets criteria. Period. It has nothing to do with what mood anyone is in or how skinny they are or are not. I'm one of nearly 20 individuals at my company who do this, of all shapes, sizes, moods, what have you. We're professionals. It's our job to advocate for the member, period. If something can't be covered, it's our job to help them to understand why not. This is true whether the issue is bariatric surgery, knee replacement, consultation with a specialist, or a medical equipment item.

It's totally normal, it's called a post-op fluid shift. In a few days, it will shift in the other direction. Promise!

Totally normal. The fluid will shift in a few days, I promise. My feet looked like a pair of puffer fish!

Most people throw a run of PVC's from time to time and never know it. What does your doc say?

What a fantastic achievement! Own it!

Thrwoing confetti over here for ya! Celebrate!

I've got mixed blessings here. I never had a bit of gas pain or bloating. I did, however, get readmitted for five days because my hernia repair got so swollen that I couldn't get anything down. So I'm like a brand new postop now, even though I'm nine days out. I purposely pour myself only an ounce or two at a time, so I have to get up to get more. I'm taking only plain Tylenol (pills, the liquid is way too sweet for me). I even find Protein drinks too sweet, so I'm diluting it with Fairlife milk, which is nearly as high in Protein, and cuts the sweetness. I certainly hope my staple line appreciates that I gave it a week to heal without putting anything in it!

*throws confetti* Yay, you! Celebrate!

I'm nine days out and struggling for every ounce. I was readmitted for five days because there was so much swelling around my hiatal hernia repair that my esophagus swelled shut and I couldn't get anything down. That's very, very unusual. I'm taking in teeny tiny sips. They told me not to worry, just keep working on it.

Ask to speak to the Office Manager. Explain your situation and that you can't get past the Insurance Coordinator. That may help.

I think it's how you order. Whole fish, for example, is a very common menu item in several different styles. Things like garlic prawns would be great. Some of the meat + veggie entrees can be ordered with double the protein portion. Rice & noodles are off the table, obviously. Interesting question!

You have me drooling over the broths - I'm a big broth fan. Before my surgery I made big pots of chicken and beef broths. Now I may have to try some shrimp broth!

A low-grade temp for a day or so is most likely the body's inflammatory response to the trauma of surgery. As for your blood pressure, I had the opposite experience. I've been on two different blood pressure medications for several years. Since my surgery a week ago, I've been checking and it's consistently stayed low enough that I haven't restarted either of those medications yet. Wierd, but I'll take it!

Oh, and asparagus! I LOVE asparagus, and I knew the fibrous nature of it means it's gonna be next spring before I get more. Steamed with a dab (like, 1/2 tsp) butter, a squeeze of lemon, and fresh-ground pepper. Heaven.

The first few days are definitely the hardest. I had a great time treating myself to shrimp for dinner! I sauteed them in a little olive oil & garlic & lemon, one day, I steamed them with Old Bay Seasoning and ate them with a little remoulade another, I made zoodles with zucchini and had those with my sauteed garlic shrimp. It really made me feel like I was having a treat and fell within the carb guidelines I was given.

Actually, any health plan that is NCQA or URAC accredited is required to have any denial or appeal reviewed by a physician or pharmacist (depending on whether the denial is about a pharmacy issue) with an active, unrestricted license to practice in the state where the patient lives. Accreditation standards further require that healthcare decisionmaking be free of any financial incentives to either encourage or discourage care.