Down South Aussie

Thanks James for the honesty, So often we are afraid to admit that urges may return but it is nice to know it was manageable. No GERD here that is one reason this is such a hard decision. im 300lbs right now but im hoping to get down to 185lbs when it is all said and done so i can get more active again, back into rugby and competitive shooting.

One thing i was just told is that losing weight is important prior to surgery but surgeons are now of the understanding that people are doing this surgery because they struggle with maintaining a lower weight. You will probably get the talk about habits and how habits formed now will go on past your surgery into your new life, which is going to be important to understand, but i wouldn't stress yourself about it as that can be just as bad.

With My program i am required to do a full month prep leading up to surgery, high protein low calorie diet. The only good thing is we can use a few protein bars during that month, but we have to buy it all through the surgery center.

Reading through some of these it really is interesting. I was pretty set on the sleeve but then i was being told that bypass is better for diabetes so i started shifting to the bypass but i am scared stupid at the idea of having a 30 - 50 cc pouch to start off with. Now reading the article that took 3 different studies and combined the results and discussed the weight loss vs comorbidites resolution vs surgical revision and it is interesting that the deciding factor is actually more along the lines of those who have had GERD more than those who have diabetes. Interestingly enough the 5 year mark show only a very little favor toward bypass in weight loss and even then by a margin that is statistically too small to say there is a statistical difference (absolute difference of 7.2%). Much more to think about now. I'm just starting this journey so we will shall yet see which route it takes me.

The reality is that we as humans want to try and drag everyone onto our level, it is the tall poppy syndrome, if you rise up for any reason people will try to cut you down. We do it to sports heroes, we do it to celebrities we do it to our friends who work for or are presented with promotions, even if it is only in jest (every joke has a seed of truth to it). I would just continue to rise above her attitude towards you, use it as another form of fuel for this journey, show her that you can and you will better yourself. When it boils down to it im sure it comes down to she is insecure and needs to project that towards someone else, unfortunately that person right now is you. Along this journey you will find haters and they may come from the most unexpected places but just rise above, be better than they are and show the world what you can truly be.

Nice, i have a step counter on my watch and i have noticed i can put in a few miles when i am at my son's rugby practice a couple times a week, so that helps too i guess. Im also going to start getting in some more walking each day just for the sake of walking and getting some extra exercise.

I'm active to some degree right now in that i help out with coaching my sons rugby team and tonight my son and i are beginning a trial Yoga class.

Im looking so forward to being smaller so things like rides and flying will be so much more comfortable.

I just had my consult last friday (1/12/18) and will be having my first class tomorrow. Im required to do 3 months of supervised diet, a Psych visit, a NUT visit and the surgery consult. During the 3 months i have to complete 4 classes a month. Once that is done they will submit for pre-approval and then a 1 month surgery pre-op diet and 2 weeks before surgery i get a scoping procedure done. Im still undecided if i am going for sleeve or bypass yet, i will see as i go through my classes and have my appointments.

So i expect my surgery to be done in May, so given 12 months out i should be seeing some pretty good results (fingers crossed) i am planning on taking my Son to Japan to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in July/Aug of 2019.

Nice Job!, my A1C sky rocketed at my last check up which is one of the reasons im moving forward with WLS.

I had my first meeting today and they had a standard packet that they would give to each patient but with different requirements filled in, the interesting part was they didnt even have a 12 month option for the diet section. I would definitely call the insurance and check into it, it sounds like it was incorrect info or the plan your on may have some very specific guidelines for different things.

So today was my first visit to my Bariatric center. Overall it is a daunting but achievable road ahead. My insurance is requiring 3 months of a diet program with 4 classes a month during that time. A Nutritionist visit, a Psych visit and of course the surgeon visit. One thing that i like is that the center takes the stance that they are not going to pressure you to lose a certain amount during the diet, all of us are there because we have tried to diet and either it didn't work or the weight came back. So while they would like for us to lose weight the main goal is to not be gaining any weight and to put into practice what we learn in the classes, which unto itself should help us lose weight. Once all of that is done then the pre-approval is obtained and we do a one month long pre-surgery low calorie, high protein diet. So all in all it is looking like Mid May for me, unfortunately that is right before my 20th Wedding anniversary, but we will make it work somehow, my wife figures that if i am around for anniversary 25, 30 35, 40, 50, 60 and 75 then having a low toned one for 20 wont be a major issue. So It begins...time to buckle in and get on with the ride!

Nice, i also worry about the whole idea of having to "Pass" tests along the road, or perhaps that should be worried about possibly failing a "test" or requirement along the way.

I wonder how much of these gall bladder problems are a side effect of the WLS or how many of them are pre-existing and even perhaps exacerbated by the WLS.

See it is situations like yours that realistically shines a light that when it all comes down to it insurance companies can bypass any restrictions that they impose on the process. Im in a position where i have several comorbities that i believe need to be factored in, as do many others. For me at one point in my past i had blood sugar levels over 1100 (my Dr didnt know how i was still walking at that point) that was a few years back but following that i asked the first time about WLS and was denied (was 365lbs at the time). So i have to wonder why the insurance companies now dont prioritize some of these applications (not saying i need to jump to the front of the line or anything crazy like that, im doing my due diligence and staying the course) as some people really need the surgery as soon as possible..

This is Interesting, i am with BCBS of CA (Live in SC) and i called BC to ask if first the procedure would be covered and was told it is the same as any other required surgery. I then spoke to the Bariatric center and they pulled up my details and it said i needed 3 months of a diet program, so she told me i would be looking at about 4 months until the surgery. Could it be the specific program you are on? i know BCBS has several different insurance programs so each one may have different requirements, but 12 months does seem kind of extreme.

I think the other thing you need to consider is if one of these complications is possible, what is the rate at which it happens. Most surgeons and practices will tell you their stats, mine has it presented in a video that you need to watch before your first appointment so that you can understand that yes there are possible complications, but they are very very rare.

Im pre op right now, but this is interesting, part of my current problem is i work from home and i dont get up and move enough so knowing this i will definitely have to keep in mind the up and moving aspect of recovery and lifestyle change.

I'm just starting my journey (first appointment next week) but I'm really hoping I don't lose the joy of preparing food. I really enjoy cooking a big spread on the BBQ and smoker and having a bunch of people over and entertaining. I have already started to adapt some of the things I cook so that I have things like smoked salmon and chicken rather than just brisket and bratwurst.

I know what your saying, now that surgery is a real possibility i had to take a real serious look at if this is the right choice, could i try and diet harder or exercise more, what type of financial hardship is this going to put my family under? But then i take a step back and i look at the fact that im floating around 300lbs, i have high blood pressure, i have high cholesterol, i have diabetes, i have back issues and now my liver is beginning to have issues. I have tried and i have lost and then i have gained back. Then comes the whole financial issue but i look at that and the reality is what type of financial situation am i putting my family in if i am not around in a few years. My wife and i Have discussed it and as someone else pointed out it comes down to risk vs benefit and while there can be complications there is also benefits, one of which is a longer life with my family. I often travel in my job so when 9-11 happened and the reality of the fact that that i could have been on those planes hit home for me and my family we had to make the decision of do we do everything we can to avoid risk or do we do everything we can to enjoy every moment we have together. We chose to do everything we can to enjoy every moment we have together. So for me i am moving forward with my plans. I wish you all the best in your efforts and lifestyle change be that from a surgical intervention or from a change in your diet and exercise. Weigh up your options consult the experts and make a decision based on the facts, but whatever you do dont let your fears rule you. Go in the direction you go in because you feel that is the best option and not simply because you are afraid of the other option.

So i have been in here reading many different posts and i have seen some say that the process from referral to approval took a couple months and some saying the process to get to approval took up to a year or more. I have just been given my referral to the Bariatric center but what im curious about is how long does the approval process take especially if you have additional conditions such as fatty liver, Type II Diabetes, high Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, back issues etc. Does the addition of these factors help speed the process up at all?