Taunter

It had to go to external review but I'm now APPROVED for revision from Band to RNY!!!! I can't say enough positive things about Kelley & Walter Lindstrom at Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy. If you find yourself stuck with denials from insurance companies, I highly recommend them!

I couldn't handle the CPAP masks - even the nose one. Having something on my face obstructing my nose made me freak out. Totally claustrophobic. So I went ahead and had a dental appliance made. It's basically two molded pieces of plastic that I wear on my teeth. There's a little wedge on the bottom one and an adjustable "catch" on the upper one. It works by moving my lower jaw out so that my airway is more open. Had to have it made by an oral surgeon. Took a while to work it out with insurance because even though you wear it on your teeth and it's made by a dental professional, it's medical-related.

Those are what I use. They aren't so big that they get stuck. I tried the Centrum chewable vitamins right after my RNY. I just couldn't take the sweetness. YUKKY

Genius. Why didn't I think of that?? This is soooo much better, thank you!

Thanks for the mansplaining here.

I am clear it is well intentioned. Peoples actions are what communicates, not their intentions.

It could just be different for us girls, given our bodies are regulated, legislated and seemingly up for grabs in even casual social interactions.

You know what I might say to these commenters who think they're being nice by being interested but it's getting overwhelming? With a smile on your face and almost a quiet whisper, I'd lean in or step forward a little bit and say, "I'm sure you mean well, but let me ask, would you ask someone with a disease like cancer about their chemo treatments? Would you ask someone who lost a limb how hard it must be?"
One of the stigmas about obesity is that everyone tends to treat others like you were personality flawed before the weight came off, when clearly, you had a health problem (mental, emotional, physical, all of it, hey, I'm right there with you). Simultaneously they are morbidly (no pun intended) curious, but they are also using you as a mirror to their own insecurities. Unless one of these people clearly has a weight problem too, and you feel ready to say, "I'd be happy to give you some referrals if you want to go to an informational meeting but I don't feel like talking about myself anymore", I really don't think you need to tolerate this anymore.
You/we were ignored before the weight came off, we're not there for their entertainment now.
I knew a girl who was well over 400, she lost 250 lbs and then met a guy in my husband's band and they slept together and really fell hard for her. Then one day, months later, when he saw an old picture of her, with all this investment in her emotionally, even then he still dumped her. People are SO LAME when it comes to people and obesity. I am a pretty easy going person in life, but I'd kybosh this s*** at work, pronto. It's not healthy, and you're not that person anymore. You get to turn the page - so can they.
Hugs from a empathetic reader.

Vitamin World has there own brand of caramel and chocolate chews. They are the only ones I can stand and actually they are pretty good

It's the Celebrate ones. I adore the chocolate, but can't wait to try the watermelon chews! https://www.celebratevitamins.com/celebrate-soft-chews.html

I have the caramel soft chews from Celebrate and they aren't chalky. I'm pretty sensitive to the grit. These are smooth.

Even though it's true that 95% can't keep it off... what if you are in the 5%? After all, you haven't taken THIS path before.
I say give this lifestyle change a real chance at avoiding surgery. If it works, that's perfect! If it doesn't, surgery can always be a backup plan.
Surgery should always be a last resort.

Okay, I will definitely have to give these a try!

I like the Celebrate soft chews (Berry) they taste like starbursts. also like the celebrate Protein and Calcium bars

But right after surgery, I lost my ability to swallow large pills and I had to crush them. Taking crushed Citrical tablets in this manner was like eating chalk. The only way I could down these was by mixing them with crystal light and drinking them down. Because they formed a paste at the bottom of the glass. I had to remix these and chug them down several times. Luckily my inability to swallow lasted only a couple months and then I was back to normal.

I do like the chocolate chewy bites. I eat 1 per nite with 4 almonds as my bedtime snack.

One tip is to suck on the tablets instead of chewing them. I tried chewing mine and it was horrible, they grew in my mouth. I now suck on them, and no problem at all.

There is a liquid form of calcium citrate available (Solgar and a couple of other brands that I have seen) that may work for you. My wife used to make it into her smoothies that had a lot of her supplements. Her current thing is to simply dissolve the pills into her smoothie which costs less, but the liquids worked well. There are a few flavors (orange, strawberry, blueberry, IIRC) so they can be mixed into something compatible in flavor.

Have you tried the Citracal Petites? They're smaller pills than the regular Citracal.
I also like the Calcet Lemon Creamy Bites, although these tend to run out quickly and end up on back-order with retailers.
https://www.amazon.com/Calcet-Lemon-Calcium-Citrate-Creamy/dp/B003AL6LWW
https://www.citracal.com/calcium-products/petites.php

It had to go to external review but I'm now APPROVED for revision from Band to RNY!!!! I can't say enough positive things about Kelley & Walter Lindstrom at Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy. If you find yourself stuck with denials from insurance companies, I highly recommend them!

They helped me years ago when I was denied my band. They're great.


Band to SIPS/SA-DI/LOOP DS 8.8.17
HT: 5'6ish HW: 242 SW: 226 CW: 206 GW: Healthy

I've been on the road to revision from Band to RNY since October 2015. It's a loooong story. Here are the best parts:
After finally qualifying with my surgeon for revision surgery in November 2016, I was denied coverage by my insurance carrier (BCBS IL) on 11/30/2016. My surgeon did a peer-to-peer review on 2/1/2017 which was denied as well. Since I only had 180 days from the original denial to file an appeal, I knew I had to do something drastic. In April I hired Kelley & Walter Lindstrom from the LINDSTROM OBESITY ADVOCACY group. They're lawyers who have specialized in WLS appeals.
From April to June we had to go through a 2nd level of appeals which was again denied. At the end of July, my case finally went to an external review board. I received my official approval on September 1st, 2017!!
Throughout this whole process, Kelley has stayed in close contact - keeping me apprised of each step and calming my fears. When I first applied to them she told me they would only accept my case if they thought they could make a difference. Both her and her husband were so helpful and caring. They have a real passion for helping people get the WLS they need.
If you're having issues with your insurance company, please consider them. I think you'll be very happy with the results!
http://wlsappeals.com/
https://www.facebook.com/LindstromObesityAdvocacy/

Hello!
I had lap-band installed in April 2009. Lost about 50 lbs total and have since gained back about 30. So net loss = 20 lbs. That's okay, though, because that weight was the difference between being mobile or not (weight at time of surgery was 382 - I'm now in the 358-363 range). The advice I got after the band was not to eat rice, bread or Pasta for 6 months after surgery and to go in for periodic fills of the band. I had 3 fills before losing my job, my insurance, and eventually my home to foreclosure.
Fast forward to October 2015. I'm diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I immediately look into getting a revision. While I start seeing a nutritionist and taking all the vitamins/supplements and learning to eat Protein first and 3 meals a day, I'm consequently diagnosed with Severe Obstructive sleep Apnea. Approximately 6 months later, I'm diagnosed with GERD. The local surgeon in my small town was requiring that I lose 40+ lbs before he'd qualify me for surgery and was pushing the Sleeve on me (even though I knew By-Pass was the best route).
After struggling to lose (I gained about 9 lbs in the 6 months under that nutritionist), I chose a different surgeon. This one the head of his department and very experienced bypass surgeon. Started seeing a new nutritionist (May 2016) and slowing started losing weight - about 1 pound a month. He only required I lose 15 lbs which was a MUCH more achievable goal in my eyes. I finally qualified in October 2016.
Blue Cross Blue Shield declined my request for coverage on 11/30/2016. My surgeon did a peer-to-peer review on 2/1/2017 and I was declined after that as well. After hearing from someone in a Facebook revision support group, I decided to look into Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy. I spoke with Kelley Brown Lindstrom earlier today and just sent over my records and payment. I'm paying for the expedited service (they get my file together and submit it within 3 days). So far my impression has been very favorable. Kelley has been knowledgeable and supportive and I'm impressed with her breadth of experience with different insurance companies. For the first time in a very long time I'm hopeful that I could have this revision sometime this year!
Anyway, I'll keep people posted as to how it is working with them. Wish me luck!

Hello!
I had lap-band installed in April 2009. Lost about 50 lbs total and have since gained back about 30. So net loss = 20 lbs. That's okay, though, because that weight was the difference between being mobile or not (weight at time of surgery was 382 - I'm now in the 358-363 range). The advice I got after the band was not to eat rice, bread or Pasta for 6 months after surgery and to go in for periodic fills of the band. I had 3 fills before losing my job, my insurance, and eventually my home to foreclosure.
Fast forward to October 2015. I'm diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I immediately look into getting a revision. While I start seeing a nutritionist and taking all the vitamins/supplements and learning to eat Protein first and 3 meals a day, I'm consequently diagnosed with Severe Obstructive sleep Apnea. Approximately 6 months later, I'm diagnosed with GERD. The local surgeon in my small town was requiring that I lose 40+ lbs before he'd qualify me for surgery and was pushing the Sleeve on me (even though I knew By-Pass was the best route).
After struggling to lose (I gained about 9 lbs in the 6 months under that nutritionist), I chose a different surgeon. This one the head of his department and very experienced bypass surgeon. Started seeing a new nutritionist (May 2016) and slowing started losing weight - about 1 pound a month. He only required I lose 15 lbs which was a MUCH more achievable goal in my eyes. I finally qualified in October 2016.
Blue Cross Blue Shield declined my request for coverage on 11/30/2016. My surgeon did a peer-to-peer review on 2/1/2017 and I was declined after that as well. After hearing from someone in a Facebook revision support group, I decided to look into Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy. I spoke with Kelley Brown Lindstrom earlier today and just sent over my records and payment. I'm paying for the expedited service (they get my file together and submit it within 3 days). So far my impression has been very favorable. Kelley has been knowledgeable and supportive and I'm impressed with her breadth of experience with different insurance companies. For the first time in a very long time I'm hopeful that I could have this revision sometime this year!
Anyway, I'll keep people posted as to how it is working with them. Wish me luck!

Latest update...
I've completed my 6 month pre-op with the nutritionist and the psych eval. The only thing holding up the process is me losing weight. I started doing Meal Replacement about a month ago. The first two weeks I lost a total of 4lbs. Then started retaining Water due to TOM (Time of the Month) and gained back 3. That continued into the next week with a further gain of 4lbs and then last week with a loss of 4. So in a month I've netted 1lb lost. I need to lose 40lbs before they'll perform surgery.
My diet the last month has been:
1 Premier Protein shake for Breakfast
1 can of Soup with 20g of powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein powder and 2 cheese sticks for lunch
3-5 ozs of lean Protein with some sort of side for dinner
No Snacks, plenty of Water.< /p>
After seeing many people qualifying for surgery without having to lose a significant amount of weight ahead of time - beyond a period of liquid only right before surgery - I'm having a hard time being patient with this process and this program.
I'm heading south (200 miles) to another clinic in a neighboring state that doesn't require a significant weight loss prior to surgery. I have an appointment with a nutritionist, a PA and a surgeon (all three in a row) on Friday, May 13th. I've forwarded them all of the records from my current program so I'm hoping (fingers crossed) they won't make me go through another 6 months to qualify. Wish me luck!

Thank you for this... We're so conditioned to follow our Doctor's orders no matter what that it felt very uncomfortable to insist on bypass. I'm sticking to my guns. He says he'll do either but I could tell he was pushing for sleeve. Right now they're making me lose 40lbs before they'll even do the surgery. I've completed my 6 month requirement so now it's a waiting game to get the weight off. I tried to go to a different program that wouldn't require the weight loss but because this surgeon is somehow associated with that program too they won't take me as a patient. REALLY irritating. Lesson learned on my part to "shop around" before taking what seems your only/most convenient option.

I was banded in July 2005. I was never successful with the band. I might have lost 20 lbs all together with the band. I did a lot of dieting, just as I had my entire life, but I would only lose while I was eating 500 calories a day and then gain it back. At one point I was even heavier than when I started. I weighed 309 the day of my lap band. Eating bad things was fine, but as soon as I tried to eat lean Protein or vegetables it was uncomfortable going down or would get stuck. I felt like a failure once again. How was it possible to be such a loser that I couldn't even be successful at weight loss even after wl surgery. After 10 years lost with the band I decided to go to Mexico to have a revision to gastric done. The insurance that I have will not cover anything to do with obesity. The great news is after the revision the weight has been coming off steadily. I weighed 288 the day of surgery and at a little over 4 1/2 months I'm down to 227! The gastric has been better than I could have imagined. Anyone who has had the band and not had success please don't waste any more time. I spent 10 years being disgusted with myself because I didn't lose the weight that everyone bragged about, I've since seen that there are many of us who weren't successful. I eat about the same as I did with the band, but now I actually lose weight! Sent from my VS880 using the BariatricPal App