laceemouse

Weight loss surgery is exempt from many insurance plans. It depends on your employer, many choose to leave it off.

Many people say they feel hungry for the first few weeks or days after the surgery. You are on a liquid diet for one thing, many people feel MUCH better after they start real food, even soft foods add to the full feeling. Also, sometimes other things like gas and thirst can seem like hunger. You have to figure out what works for you. There is also a thing called "head hunger" where you want to eat because you want to eat. Lots of things to work through, the surgery isn't just a magic cure.

I have heard of people thinning it out, glad it worked for you!

Gallbladder issues/stones are fairly common after weight loss. I can't believe they didn't take your complaints seriously

I have not had my sleeve yet but I had my gallbladder out many years ago. At the time I was doing Weight Watchers and had lost a measly 40 pounds. It was pretty painful, I was happy to have it removed. Gallbladder issues can happen after any weight loss, it isn't just because of the surgery. Some doctors will take the gallbladder out during WLS but most will not, it is not a problem that everyone has so they don't see the need. Many people on here have reported going back and having their gallbladder removed after WLS. A COUPLE of people on here have said their doctors have given them medication to protect their gallbladder after WLS. I have never heard if such a thing before though????

I had my gallbladder out years ago, same type of surgery. They inflate your abdominal cavity with gas so they can see what they are doing in there. The gas really isn't in your stomach. I had terrible gas pain in my right shoulder, but it only lasted a couple of days. The BEST thing I found to get rid of it was walking.

Where in Plano? My surgery will be at Plano Presby (hopefully, waiting for BCBS to approve me, fingers crossed!!)

Best of luck to you! I am in Plano, awaiting insurance approval, very impatiently!

I did see the news story, I was going to look online, find it, and post it. Very interesting.

This is SO true! In high school I weighed in the 140's and thought I was huge. When I got pregnant with my first daughter 26 years ago I weighed 148 at my first OB visit, I thought I was a whale! I wonder now if had someone had told me I was normal weight back then would it have made any difference? I think part of my weight gain can be attributed to the fact that I always thought "oh well, I have never been skinny and never will be, why bother". Sad how messed up our self image is ya know???

For my husband and I right now it's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" by John Mayer. Because everything around us is sh*t (the house, careers, kids, cars, everything) but we still have each other so it can all go! I guess "Livin' On A Prayer" would have the same message?

Excellent! This was our senior class song, I graduated from high school in 1980.

answers (what I really need is a crystal ball)

I understand your concern about being alone after the surgery, I haven't had mine yet so maybe others can answer questions about that better. As far as living alone post WLS I think in some ways it would be easier. I have a husband who does try to eat healthy but has never had a weight problem. Two of our four kids still live with us, they are also thin and want to keep food in the house that I shouldn't be eating. Honestly I think I am going to have to ask them to keep goodies in their rooms so I don't even have to look at that stuff!

Insurance companies are getting hip to this tactic and a lot of them are going out of their way to make sure it doesn't happen, some even view it as fraud. More than a few people have posted about it lately. And people self pay all the time on here. In Mexico and the US. A few of the most vocal long time members that post here were all self pay, I can name 3 off the top of my head that are vets and self paid. There are more long term successful people that self pay than people that had insurance, and that just speaks to motivation. @@hudjess Honestly for what you spend out of pocket on co-pays and co-insurance, you can just self pay in Mexico for about the same amount, and when you add in that you don't have to waste a lot of time, on visits, you really come out ahead. Hmmm, interesting. I know a lot of the surgeons in this area (Dallas) still recommend the hernia option???? Also agree, a LOT of people do self pay, and many of them go to Mexico to do it. I may consider it if I don't get insurance approval (still waiting)

This is my answer!

I'm sorry. I am pre-surgery so not much help probably. Have you tried adding unflavored protein powder to soup or even flavored water like Crystal Light? Are you able to get in enough water??

It also depends on how much you have to lose. Those with less to lose almost always will lose more slowly. I am pre-surgery, I would be thrilled to lose 45 pounds no matter how long it takes.

Hey, good luck with your surgery! Are you nervous? I am awaiting insurance approval. I have been trying to find some in real life post-op people to friend as well. Some of the surgery centers here have support groups but my surgeon really doesn't. There is a support group that meets once a month at the hospital where I plan to have surgery. I went to the last meeting, it was good but only 3 other patients and a nurse were there. I would like to find a bigger group. Sadly, I am not in Alabama, I live north of Dallas. I have a couple of suggestions for you. There is an app called "Baritastic Social". I added it to my phone. They have a Facebook group. I joined it but didn't like it, it is WAY too big. BUT, they also have a section on the app that lists local support groups. I did find one in my area but have not contacted them yet. They meet once a month at a local restaurant. There is another website called "Obesity Help". It has lists of local support groups. I found one just for sleevers in my area. I joined the website and requested to join the local group today. Haven't heard anything back from them but hopefully soon! I also watch a lot of Youtube videos about WLS. I find them fascinating. People will do a weight loss diary of sorts, you can watch their entire journey from per-surgery forward. Most of them will answer questions if you ask under their videos. Some people don't say where they live, and of the ones that do I have only found one in Texas and she doesn't live near me. Most of them talk about each other, many of them have met and made friends in person. It sounds fun! I'm like you, I think it would be great to have a real life mentor/friend for this journey. I am trying to find one, or more. I wish you the best of luck!!

Mine was a very short form to fill out with medical history and a little bit about my weight problem and different ways I have tried to tackle it. Then I talked to the psychologist for probably 30 minutes. They just really want to make sure you understand what the surgery entails and that you have realistic expectations. They also like to know that you have a good support system. It was easy, I actually enjoyed talking to her.

Here in the US every private insurance has their own set of rules, and different surgeons can require different things as well. My surgeon and my insurance seem to require less than what most people have to do, but then again we all have different medical histories.

You are almost there, good luck!!!!

My insurance does not require either of those tests. If you think you have sleep apnea bring it up, if not you will be fine. I am not sure if everyone has the endoscopy. I have read many people comment that their surgeon found things, like a hernia, during surgery and repaired it. IF they had had an endoscopy the hernia would have been found beforehand, I would think, so they must not have had one?? I am not sure what else they are looking for in an endoscopy.

I have heard it is a combination of lots of things, anesthesia doesn't help, a high Protein diet, etc.

I ended up using my weightloss dr, he did it for me this afternoon! Sent from my SM-G920R4 using the BariatricPal App Great news! My surgeon actually rolled his eyes when I told him what my primary care doctor always says about my weight. Personally I think a lot of doctors are behind the times when it comes to obesity treatment.