JT2002TJ

I honestly do not think the OP was meaning to be insulting, and I can see how it can be taken so. The OP was getting backed into a corner by some pre-judging members here. Rather than being supportive and having a discussion it turned into holier-than-thou bashing. I know you were trying to be helpful (and I'm NOT including you in that group that was attacking the OP).
To others in this thread, the way medical marijuana laws are changing throughout the country are a sign of the medical benefits, with minimal to no side effects. I am not one who uses it, but working in the medical industry I can see where it is FAR better of a solution than many other prescribed medications with side effects which harm organs, and are physically addictive.
This forum is about sharing of information, helping others through their journey and being a wealth of knowledge. If we turn people away, it is more than just mean, it may contribute to the issues that got us all here in the first place. Do you want to be responsible for someone quitting? How do we all feel about people judging us about our weight? Those of you being insulting, have done the same thing to the OP except used weed in place of food...
OP - you have gotten some good advice here, be honest with your surgeon. I hope you do not have an issue.

How far away are you from being vested?
I personally am not a fan of removing money out of a retirement fund. I'm ok with taking a loan against it (I did that when I bought my first home), but you want to do everything you can to leave the money there. It is one of the few avenues where you will average 8% or more interest.
For me, I know if I removed the money, I wouldn't replace it on top of continuing to add money. This can set you back years.

Why did your insurance say they aren't paying? It seems from this forum that there are a percentage of people who are denied and still get insurance to pay via the appeals process.
I'm assuming that it isn't an exclusion, and you were denied after they sent the paperwork.

It is up to the surgeon. The reason behind the pre-op liquid/low calorie diet is to shrink the liver, and minimize the solids in your bowels during the surgery (and immediate days after). A liquid/low calorie diet allows the liver to do less "work", which actually shrinks it. The longer on this diet, the more it will shrink.
If you look at an anatomy diagram of the digestive system, you will see that the liver is the large organ that covers the stomach (above and around). During the surgery the surgeon has to move the liver out of the way to work on the stomach (staple and cut for sleeve, cut and seal for bypass). Surgeons are paid (progress in their careers) based off of several factors, a big part is their complication rate. So, to minimize complications surgeons, what the liver as small as possible. Some surgeons are more or less worried about the size of the liver, this is why there is a variation between pre-op diet.

It is up to the surgeon. The reason behind the pre-op liquid/low calorie diet is to shrink the liver, and minimize the solids in your bowels during the surgery (and immediate days after). A liquid/low calorie diet allows the liver to do less "work", which actually shrinks it. The longer on this diet, the more it will shrink.
If you look at an anatomy diagram of the digestive system, you will see that the liver is the large organ that covers the stomach (above and around). During the surgery the surgeon has to move the liver out of the way to work on the stomach (staple and cut for sleeve, cut and seal for bypass). Surgeons are paid (progress in their careers) based off of several factors, a big part is their complication rate. So, to minimize complications surgeons, what the liver as small as possible. Some surgeons are more or less worried about the size of the liver, this is why there is a variation between pre-op diet.

I hope your insurance will cover as much as mine, if not at least some to help you with the costs. I learned about it in this forum, so I owe it to everyone else here to yell it from all the rooftops...

Did you see if your insurance will cover the cost? If you haven't already try out www.insurenutrition.com. I get 4 chocolate Premier Protein boxes (18 shakes in each box) per month at $0 to me through my insurance. I also get Vitamins and other things my dr prescribed.
Insureneutrition sends a list of stuff, your doctor will write prescriptions for whatever they feel you should get.
EDIT: I am in my second month Pre-Op getting deliveries, so my insurance covers it even before surgery.

Oh, for example, I was able to hear about www.insurenutrition.com here. They were able to arrange mail delivery of monthly Vitamins and 4 boxes (18 shakes per box) of Premier Protein shakes. My insurance covers this at no cost, so every month I get 5 boxes in the mail, and I never have to pay for my shakes.
I'm not sure I would have heard about this at the group meeting (or if I did, it was information overload, and I missed it).

Yeah, I keep reading about issues with Constipation, so any way to minimize the volume seems like a good idea to me. I just would make sure you are getting the 80 g of Protein (or whatever number you were told by your group) on this liquid diet. Better yet, I would discuss with them your plan to do liquid diet because of the potential constipation issues and ask them for a plan.

If you are asking me. I have my 6th (out of 6) structured diet weigh in Aug 25th. I have been doing this with my surgeon group (not my dietitian/nutritionist). They will submit my packet to my insurance and expect < 2 weeks for the pre-approval. They usually schedule the surgery within a month of approval.
So the short answer is, I do not have an exact date yet, but I expect it to be the ending of September - middle of October.

It is up to the surgeon. The reason behind the pre-op liquid/low calorie diet is to shrink the liver, and minimize the solids in your bowels during the surgery (and immediate days after). A liquid/low calorie diet allows the liver to do less "work", which actually shrinks it. The longer on this diet, the more it will shrink.
If you look at an anatomy diagram of the digestive system, you will see that the liver is the large organ that covers the stomach (above and around). During the surgery the surgeon has to move the liver out of the way to work on the stomach (staple and cut for sleeve, cut and seal for bypass). Surgeons are paid (progress in their careers) based off of several factors, a big part is their complication rate. So, to minimize complications surgeons, what the liver as small as possible. Some surgeons are more or less worried about the size of the liver, this is why there is a variation between pre-op diet.

Awesome!
The only thing I can suggest to others is from what I have seen on the web (no personal experience), but the discussion of illicit drug use (or even medicinal marijuana) may set up a red flag that may interfere with one's ability to get the psych clearance.
Not suggesting one should try to beat the system. Just, pointing out what I have read. A word of warning, it seems that in pre-admission testing, the hospital may test for nicotine\drug usage.

Well, you came to the right place. This forum is a wealth of knowledge. You are further along than me (I have completed all pre-op consults, but have my last of 6 weigh ins in 16 days). I will probably be freaking out as I get to your point.
Basically, all I can say is, this surgery has minimal adverse outcomes, it is very routine. You have been through the surgery of a lapband, so you know what you are in for, and the fact that you will recover over time, and be able to live a health lifestyle.

I would seriously listen to your surgeon and consider switching to the bypass. Your surgeon sees tons of patients that he/she operates on, and continues to see these same patients for a lifetime (10+ years). So they have seen it all before, if they say you are likely to have issues from their experience, it is wise to listen to them.

One day I was people watching and came to the realization that (from my anecdotal evidence), that there isn't really a high percentage of older people who are morbidly obese. I personally believe the reason you rarely see this, is they die earlier. So, I believe the better question is, would you rather be thin and wrinkled, or obese and dead...
Sorry, don't mean to be so dramatic. This is what I believe, and why I am well on my way to doing the sleeve.

I would seriously listen to your surgeon and consider switching to the bypass. Your surgeon sees tons of patients that he/she operates on, and continues to see these same patients for a lifetime (10+ years). So they have seen it all before, if they say you are likely to have issues from their experience, it is wise to listen to them.

I would seriously listen to your surgeon and consider switching to the bypass. Your surgeon sees tons of patients that he/she operates on, and continues to see these same patients for a lifetime (10+ years). So they have seen it all before, if they say you are likely to have issues from their experience, it is wise to listen to them.

I can not respond as an experienced person. Only from what I have learned from friends and other forum members. A few things:
1) Say goodbye to beer (carbonation)
2) You can drink after you heal, but expect to sip spirits watered down (non carbonated drinks, water/crystal light).
3) You should sip on this one drink as you will not be able to drink like you used to. You will get drunk MUCH quicker than before.

Do you have a prescription for it? If so, I'm not sure it will matter as it is medically necessary. If you do not, and your (not sure where you are) state/province allows for medical usage, I would suggest doing so, as epilepsy usually qualifies.
If not an option in your area, I would assume they all test, then be surprised if they didn't. The reason I say this is, if you stop, and they don't test you will not lose your surgery date, but if they do test and you do not stop you will.
If you risk seizures without it, I would try your best to get an exemption, to minimize this risk.

One day I was people watching and came to the realization that (from my anecdotal evidence), that there isn't really a high percentage of older people who are morbidly obese. I personally believe the reason you rarely see this, is they die earlier. So, I believe the better question is, would you rather be thin and wrinkled, or obese and dead...
Sorry, don't mean to be so dramatic. This is what I believe, and why I am well on my way to doing the sleeve.

If your sleep study was an overnight at facility, 40-50 AHI score usually results in the testing staff stopping the study, and putting you on the machine. Happened to a few of my friends as the staff doesn't want you to die at their facility. That's a pretty high score...
I use the machine (and LOVE IT) and my AHI score was 5.9 during my take home sleep study (may be less accurate than at an overnight facility). My last 2 utilization scores have been 100% (on average 4+ hours of use nightly) and over the full 3 years of use it is 96%. Have I said I love my machine? I sleep through the night, never wake up tired, and never fall asleep watching TV.

If your sleep study was an overnight at facility, 40-50 AHI score usually results in the testing staff stopping the study, and putting you on the machine. Happened to a few of my friends as the staff doesn't want you to die at their facility. That's a pretty high score...
I use the machine (and LOVE IT) and my AHI score was 5.9 during my take home sleep study (may be less accurate than at an overnight facility). My last 2 utilization scores have been 100% (on average 4+ hours of use nightly) and over the full 3 years of use it is 96%. Have I said I love my machine? I sleep through the night, never wake up tired, and never fall asleep watching TV.

Maybe they will let you wear the retainer if it has a large enough pad on to outside (big circle) with nothing to retain it in place on the inside of your nose.
You might be better not asking, and putting it in for a few hours each day (just make sure it can't push through (large pad). But if it can easily push into your nose, I wouldn't, it could become dangerous.
I haven't had the surgery yet, but I'm guessing you will be too preoccupied to worry about your nose piercing after the surgery.

I doubt they will let you put it back in, or even let you wear a retainer while you are an inpatient. It could be dangerous if they need immediate access to your airway.

One day I was people watching and came to the realization that (from my anecdotal evidence), that there isn't really a high percentage of older people who are morbidly obese. I personally believe the reason you rarely see this, is they die earlier. So, I believe the better question is, would you rather be thin and wrinkled, or obese and dead...
Sorry, don't mean to be so dramatic. This is what I believe, and why I am well on my way to doing the sleeve.