Bootscraper

Mine was an hour long interview basically - but I let him lead the conversation not offering information that he didn't ask for. He asked about my weight history, why I want surgery, if I have a support system. Finally he asked if I thought I was an anxious/stress eater. I said that I am and now I have to do counseling for that prior to surgery - no big deal really since Im sure I need the counseling. I think that my experience is the exception compared to most of you here!

Like others have said, you have to do the appointments before they submit for approval. I have a 12 month waiting period where I have a monthly call in appointment with a nurse from my "active health" department at my insurance, psych eval (which the surgeon said to do at least six months in to my year wait), nutritionist at least once and one support group meeting. It is a lot of steps but if you ask the surgery group they are usually happy to explain requirements specific to your insurance since they know it better. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Premier protein, Atkins shakes and Protein2o (Amazon) I love, but they get expensive fassst. I usually order Natural Factors and Syntrax powders from Vitacost. Syntrax has tons of nontraditional flavors (lemonade, peach, mint etc) Powders do have a different taste and textures than the pre made shakes. I prefer pre-made texture because it is already smooth, with powders I don't like the foamy thing that happens when I shake the mixture. I mix it up by using both. The brands I named above have usually less than 3g of carbs per serving, depending on how low carb you need to be. Also unflavored powders of those same brands can be added to foods/soups/broth to get more protein. Avoid buying powders from untrusted sources on Amazon, it is amazing but there are fakes of protein powder. I got one, and the labeling was almost perfect except the ingredients list. Buy from a known retailer. I've never seen pre-made drinks have this problem. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I never got a clear answer from my doctor... I am on the pill and have been for a looong time. I don't want to get pregnant but my gyn will not do a permanent procedure. I have read that the pill can become less effective as the estrogen releases in to your blood during weight loss, but my Dr said it should not really be a problem. (like what does "shouldnt be a problem" mean?) I don't want any accidental babies!

I sought out the surgery locally before discussing it with my primary. I went to appointments and support meetings for two months before talking to my Dr. One of my insurance requirements is a letter of support from my primary doctor, which is not as much of a hassle as a referral. I went in to my primary, explained what I was doing and they reviewed my medical and weight history and signed off on the letter (it was a one page form from the surgery team). You may not need to go out of country, you may just need to start looking at surgery groups locally and your insurance coverage to see what is needed. You can do Mexico if it fits your needs, but if a closer option is available if you just ask, that might be the way to go Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

thecbdistillery.com has been where I got a topical for pain as well as a sublingual for anxiety. The topical has an earthy maybe pine sol smell to it. My bf has severe joint pain issues in his knees and arm and it works pretty well. I don't use the sublingual too often because it smells and tastes more like what you would expect from a hemp derived plant (FYI if you use it at work!!). I have heard that the concentrations can build in your system over time and cause a positive urinalysis for thc if this is a concern for you. But it does help in the short term to get me back to normal when I am stressing like crazy.

I had a similar question last week after taking my partner to a support group meeting. He seemed to be less "supportive" when he really got information on how my changes will affect him. . I don't know if this is helpful, but any major lifestyle change that you truly want to be successful usually has to rely on your own perseverance and conscientious daily decisions. I have thought to just turn off the "negative response" attitude that I have when my partner behaves in a way that does not support my necessary lifestyle changes. I have not had surgery yet, any any time my partner says "do you want...." something that is not on my plan.. I just say NO. I don't need to get in an argument of why he isn't being supportive with food or why he doesn't go to the gym with me. All I can do is lead by example and hope that he decides to take the ride with me. Another mention is that when you are changing your food choices, it can be seen as (even unconsciously so) as a change in your romantic relationship. People bond over food, date night, vegging out in front of tv with chips. It can be hard for the non surgery partner to feel like you are changing the parameters of your relationship by changing your relationship to food. He could possibly benefit from attending an appointment with your nutritionist to talk about how your changes can improve his lifestyle also.

I asked my partner to attend a bariatric support group with me last night. I have been going since the beginning of the year (I have 4 months left before my insurance will review me for approval). The topic of last night's meeting was specifically support networks. He did not say or ask anything during the group but there was a heavy focus on the changes that will effect that the support person, especially spouses and people in the same household as the patient. He and I have been on a low carb diet for three months and I have lost about 12lbs through diet and exercise - I am very comfortable with this eating style. Mind you, I am still 100lbs overweight. At dinner, he asked why I could not just continue the diet and exercise regiment instead of getting surgery (DUH I HAVEN'T TRIED THAT IN THE LAST 20+ YEARS!) I was upset because the last nine months he has never once aired any concern about surgery until going to this group and hearing how this will affect him and now thinks that I may become "miserable" to deal with if I regret my choice to have surgery. Does anyone have experience with overcoming the anxieties of the people you rely on the most? He does not have the ability to attend appointments that I have during the daytime hours like with the nutritionist or surgeon and I don't believe that he would take the time read articles that I might find to show that the long term ineffectiveness of weight loss without surgery for the morbidly obese.

He was my rock when my mother passed away, three months in to our relationship. He has had struggles that I have supported him through, not as extreme as that but I agree that it could help to relate that support.

It sounds like you've had a lot of trauma. I've felt some trauma similar with an abusive partner. Although you're on your own now, it is easy to slip into self medication even without wls. This is more than just one culprit although like most have said, unfortunately your situation isn't terribly uncommon. You can get in to support groups, and even if it's not something like AA, there are sober social groups. I know in my area Meetup.com has a couple. Filing your time and mind with sober alternatives will make you feel so much better (maybe not at first), and you may even lose weight. Good luck! Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am 34 and hope to get the sleeve before my 35th birthday. I had been borderline high BP for a long time (lifelong obesity since childhood). My weight went up since 2012 by about 70lbs. I was previously on a clinical trial for an appetite suppressant. I returned to my pre-clinical trial weight after coming off the meds in 2012 and was devastated and ashamed. In September 2017 I had what I now recognize was a panic attack, went to the ER and my blood pressure was sky high. I was put on blood pressure medicine and I was so sad for my future. I was looking at my insurance handbook for updates in coverage for the upcoming year and saw that bariatric surgery was covered! I have been working since December 2017 to get approved. I have a 1 year waiting period and requirements to meet before I can be approved but the time is FLYING!

Something similar happened to me when I was at a new Dr's office. This was a couple of years ago and I was being seen for weight loss medication management (I was being put on a appetite suppressant). I was in the patient room waiting for the doctor to come in and I could hear the nurses in the main area (open work station, all patient room doors faced the nurse station). I could hear them talking about me and laughing about what I was coming in for and saying that I was about the same size as someone else they must have all mutually known. I was mortified that they were discussing why I was in the office and my body with each other and within earshot of other patients that were in their own rooms. I did not say anything, I wish I would have, just to hopefully prevent other patients from feeling as awful as I did in that moment. They are not ignorant of their behavior, they are apathetic of how it affects other people and should be called out on it.

I have about 4 months left before I am eligible for surgery (12-month insurance requirement, ugh!) and I have been reading about rewards for meeting certain weight loss milestones. Right now I have an idea of rewards I want for specific markers below. I gave myself a couple of options for each depending on money/availability at the time. For those who have visualized their goals this way, what are your rewards? -15: Buy Fresh Flowers or a new perfume -25: New Gym outfit or buy a premium app on my phone -35: Massage, New hairstyle or buy a piece of artwork -50: Hockey Game, Glass Blowing or Pottery class -60: New Purse, flotation therapy or a new pair of nice headphones -75: Burn my fat clothes and host a dinner -85: Weekend out of town trip or Run a 10k -104 (total goal): Get my 1st tattoo or a spin bike and getting a new license photo

So If you have a love for weights, I suggest Stronglifts 5x5 app. It focuses on the compound exercises that engage your entire body and starts at as much of a beginner level as you want. It progressively adds weight as you go, and will deload weight if you fail to complete your sets on three different days. I knock out the sets plus 4-5 accessories (muscle specific machines like abductor, pec fly, delts) in about an hour, 3x a week. The basic version is free and worth a look.

I have a scale that does measure body fat % - Im around 52% (pre surgery). I have heard that scales are not a reliable means of calculating body fat and the only true way is to have it done with calipers.

Cova Care Virginia here!! I started my 12 month process back on 1/4/2018. I am working with St. Mary's surgery team in Richmond VA. So far all of the requirements have been a BREEZE. Considering that some other people's requirements have so many more tests involved I am super excited to be on the back half of approval. I just did my psych eval last week and got a glowing letter of reccommendation.

There are videos online of proper form, but you should still get help from a live person with this - they can work with you on balance and alignment so you can work on your own eventually. Even if you are squatting or deadlifting just the bar (40lbs on its own usually). The quickest way back to the couch is by way of an injury!

I am 7 months in to my 1 year waiting period where I had to get all of my stuff straight. Patience now, payoff later. Just get with the mindset that delayed gratification is still gratification - stressing over making sure everything happens on your timeline doesn't accomplish anything.

I would call around to local counselors to explain what you need and see if they think they can handle doing the evaluation and report. Another route would be to see if the psychologists/counselors on the surgery team's list can do the interview by phone due to your distance. I went to a counselor that was suggested on my list and it was all of a 30 minute interview. I have a feeling that because he knew the routine, my appointment was a lot shorter than it could have been.

I am just in the approval phase too. I already had my gallbladder out so I know that excuse is out - except I did have to have bile duct surgery the year after gallbladder removal because the duct had scarred over and was not draining properly. I am considering saying that, or that I have unmanageable stomach acid issues that were solved by removing part of my stomach. You literally don't HAVE to explain yourself, you could just say "I am having surgery, it is a sensitive topic and I would rather not discuss it". That way people will think it is something worse than a voluntary surgery and maybe not dig too much, and just gossip among themselves because they will anyways.

I'm With Bcbs EPO also. I have some of the same stuff. -1 year of monthly call in appointments with a nurse to discuss nutrition, moderating eating habits. -psych assessment. I just did mine yesterday and it was a breeze, but maybe I just lucked out with my evaluator. -letter from my primary care Dr. (my Dr was OK with it as long as I said I knew the risks) -recommended support group classes for pre/post op patients at the hospital. -blood work, no other tests though. -one on one with nutrition at least once. I have six months left, then the surgery group will submit for approval *fingers crossed * I'll be eligible by February 2019. You'll do fine, just write it down, keep track of appointments and do as much add you can to show that you're committed to going through with the surgery. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm near the low end of the Bmi requirement, right now I'm at 41. The minimum Bmi for my insurance is 40 worth no other health problems or 35 with co-morbidities like high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes etc. So I could lose like 30lbs and still qualify because I have high BP. I specifically asked my surgery team about losing weight before being approved. They told me that they go based on my weight at my initial assessment, not my weight when they submit it to insurance for approval. This was a positive thing for me to hear because I've lost 7lbs just by not eating carbs in the past 5 weeks. I'm sure we have different insurance, I'm in Bcbs in Virginia, but hopefully this helps. Maybe ask your surgery team about this. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am pre-surgery, I have five months left until my insurance will approve or deny me for surgery. I am doing keto to maintain/not gain weight before the insurance review. I love meat, cheese, eggs and non starchy veggies - so Keto is easy for me. I don't miss sugar too much, but Atkins makes low carb sweet treats to satisfy that craving. The best part of keto for me is that looking at the nutrition label and identifying if I can eat a certain product is so easy. Total carbs - Fiber - sugar alcohols = net carbs. I track my carbs and calories in Myfitness pal, by editing my macros columns so I can focus on the items I need to pay attention to. I have also found a recipe with cheese, egg and seasonings to make "flatbread". It is deliciously cheesy and I turned that same recipe in to lasagna "noodles" and found a low carb pasta sauce to make a lasagna tonight!