jg7979

Don't mind people who say that you are taking the easy way out. Going under anesthesia and all the test and planning is not the easy way out. I am going to strut into work with no high blood pressure, no prediabetic like I was on the runway at a NYC fashion show.

If you have access to Aetna's website, you can access the list of providers.
aetna-ioq-bariatric-guide.pdf

Here is my list of charges that are pretty much in order leading up to surgery:
Surgeon Consult (Specialist Copay) Nutrition Consult (Cash Payment) Initial Blood/Labs –26 labs + urine (Provider billed $682) Cardiology Consult w/ EKG (Specialist Copay) Abdominal Ultrasound (Coinsurance) Upper GI X-Ray w/ Barium Swallow (Coinsurance) Chest X-rays 2 views (Coinsurance) Upper GI Endoscopy plus facility, anesthesia, and pathology (Coinsurance) Providers Billed $2100. Surgeon Visit for monitoring (Specialist Copay) Nutrition Class (Cash Payment) sleep Specialist (Specialist Copay) CPAP/Apnea Overnight Study (Billed as specialist copay) + Interpretation (Coinsurance) Psychological Consult/Evaluation (Specialist Copay) Nutrition Class (Cash Payment) Minor Bloodwork for Pre Anesthesia Testing (Billed $6) Pre Anesthesia Testing (Specialist Copay or PCP Visit) Nutrition Consult (Cash Payment) Surgeon Office Visit (specialist copay) The actual surgery is not included. This is just to meets Aetna's requirements and get approved for surgery.
I also did not have to see a pulmonologist, nor did I have to get a cardiac stress test (had one a few years ago).

I told them--there were questions when I suddenly started drinking Protein Shakes and stopped eating ice cream after lunch. Also, I used FMLA for all of the appointments, etc. and applied for short term disability for surgery.
I could have just as easily taken my PTO and not said a word.
A lot of it depends on what your job offers you to cover time off, but it is one of those things you have to do what is comfortable for you. You are doing it for you, so don't let the negative voices weigh you down...

I go back to work in the morning after three weeks off, and I am surprisingly excited. At work there will still be a focus on getting enough fluids and remembering to eat a meal.
The post surg problems/concerns I have now are related to low calorie/low blood sugar moments, so I don't think sitting at home is going to help me learn how to adapt, but I had a very smooth recovery from what I have read.
The best advice I have is never trust a fart if you are away from home...

I go back to work in the morning after three weeks off, and I am surprisingly excited. At work there will still be a focus on getting enough fluids and remembering to eat a meal.
The post surg problems/concerns I have now are related to low calorie/low blood sugar moments, so I don't think sitting at home is going to help me learn how to adapt, but I had a very smooth recovery from what I have read.
The best advice I have is never trust a fart if you are away from home...

I ended up needing zofran as well. The peppermint tea is the only thing that kept me from not being dehydrated. The sight or smell of anything made me gag!

You don't have to justify your medical choices to anyone. Don't deny yourself access to a tool that can improve your quality of life because of somebody's opinion.

Most, if not all, of the negative reactions I experienced were from normal BMI/thin people.
People who don't struggle with weight need to check their privilege and be more supportive.

Family members can be toxic, you don't have to justify yourself or your actions to her.

Ask her what kind of moron would want to do everything the hardest possible way. Does she push her car to work everyday? Use the cat's tail to apply eye shadow?

Just tell her to butt out. It's your weight, your life , your journey.
It's not the easy way out but even if it was why should that matter.

Or also called, "maddeningly strong willed" or "frustratingly stubborn"

I figured it would be nice to have a section where we could just confess to some of the potentially dumb things we've done, pre or post op. Just so others can see we are all human. I want this to be kept as civil as possible, where people can own up to things without anyone else chiming in with anything negative, we all know what we did wasn't "right" but I'm sure we ALL have done something we shouldn't have.

I'll start.

I cheated on my pre-op diet a few times. I also like to find loop holes and exploit the crap out of them. I drank beer for a week+ on my pre-op, because it didn't say I couldn't. I only stopped after I was forced to, because my wife asked my surgeon and of course they said "no"... boo. I also ate a whole slice of French meat Pie at my Dad's 60th birthday luncheon.

I cheated on my post-op diet/puree stage a bit too. I ate rice cakes and Protein chips or other veggie chips. Not a lot, but it happened. I "pureed" a steak and cheese sandwich once. I ate a few fried ravioli on my puree stage as well.

This past weekend, I had a beer. My wife and I took my parents out to dinner at a local casino, it's Restaurant week, so we found a good looking location and went out to eat, part of the deal was that you got a draft beer with your meal. So, I had a shipyard summer ale with my grilled chicken parm sandwich (only ended up eating 3 bites of the chicken and none of the bread).

I did all that thus far and nothing bad happened.
I understand the changes are to ensure we stick to our diets, but understanding that we are all human and WILL either slip up or just stray from our diets on purpose like I did. It's good to see that, it's possible to still live and be able to enjoy a few things we "shouldn't" without any negatives happening.

So, what's your WLS confession?

No need to feel guilty. You don't owe an explanation or apology to anyone.

It's funny when people ask about your diet or what you're doing to lose weight. They glaze over because it's actual work.

Sent from my SM-G920T using BariatricPal mobile app

My drug of choice was food. I don't drink, smoke, gamble take drugs so I derived so much pleasure from food. Once I had my WLS I no longer derived pleasure from food. In fact, I started to despise it. It was there to only give me nutrition, nothing else.
It didn't end there, my compulsion to over eat started to overcome me and my good sense. I started eating pastries again because I not only succumbed to my compulsion but I wanted something to make feel good. it was only when I found out that I was a compulsive overeater (through therapy) that I understood the problem. Today, I get my pleasures from my family, friends and my volunteer work. Food is something that fuels my body nothing more nothing less. I don't want to get pleasure from food. If I do,my compulsion to over eat will lead me to fail at my WLS. I've been down that road too many times and failed each and every time. I needed to retrain my mind to accept food for what it was intended to be, a source of nutrition. I corrupted that by making it a source of pleasure and by doing so I lead myself down the road to morbid obesity and poor health.
I'm forever grateful for the WLS and for being able to see me for what I truly am, a compulsive;sive overeater who continues to struggle each day. I wish you luck in your journey and I hope you find the things that work for you.

I am 10 days post op and I have had ZERO issues. Even in the hospital things moved along smoothly. Maybe it’s my own head just expecting it but I feel like this should be more complicated. Anyone else just have a fantastic experience?
The worst pain I’ve had is from the blood thinner injections. Swelling and bruising that just won’t quit. Even nausea, I’m expecting that to kick in any moment. I know so many people struggle and I guess I have psyched myself out. Anyone else have smooth transitions?

I have a legitimate question, please? Speaking as a therapist and a RNY vet.

What is it about taking away the supervised program that is attractive to those of you that are seeking surgery? Is it that it takes away one of the multiple hoops we already have to jump through or is it that it shortens the length of time before scheduling surgery?

The biggest reason I ask is because it seems kind of scary for me because so many folks I work with (and folks here, too) are already saying that they felt so unprepared for life after surgery, I'm afraid that shortening the timeframes even more will make it even worse. So much of the medically supervised time should be for the "pre-work."

I just really worry that this is a secret way for insurance to come back later and say "see, this bariatric surgery thing isn't working. All these people are gaining their weight back. We should stop covering it."

I know, I know - it sounds like a conspiracy theory, but I deal with insurance companies not wanting to pay for services so often (3 sessions after a suicide attempt? Sure, that'll be plenty! [emoji849]), it just wouldn't surprise me. 🤷‍♀️

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

The best estimate is your out-of-pocket maximum. Between the scopes, scans, and pokes to get cleared for surgery and the actual surgical costs, you are going to reach the max. My advice is to start the process soon to keep all of the costs in the same year, or wait until next year and max out your HSA/FSA contributions to pay for it.
Before I signed up, I did not realize all of the pretesting that was needed--ultrasounds, x-rays, lab tests, ekg/cardiac, stress test, endoscopy, sleep study, psych clearance, nutrition classes. There were several thousand dollars in bills before I was ever approved for surgery. I have Aetna PPO and they require you to use a facility they designate as a center for excellence, so the requirements may be higher than the non-insurance/cash programs.
I have been billed about $20k for the actual surgery (hospital, surgeon, anesthesia), but insurance has reduced contracted rates. I will likely receive a couple more bills, but my out of pocket for surgery is about $2500 because I already spent $2000 on the other expenses (not including nutrition classes).
The hidden costs: All of these appointments and tests require substantial time away from work. Lean Protein and fresh vegetables cost more. Protein Shakes, protein powders, supplements, etc. add up quickly (and you will want variety). I will save on prescription costs though since I will not need several medications anymore.

My nutritionist said just be sensible - ur can eat 600-800 calories a day and try to get at least 60g Protein - I am 5 days post op and eating about 550 a day with 70g-80 g protein . I’m also pushing the walking though ...

I'll put it down as normal for now then. I just don't want the anal leakage continue too long. Been alright since it must have been the small yogart didn't like my belly. Had a good sleep after though nurse rang and said it could be too much sugar in the yogart
Might not help they told me take lactuloose too

My body can’t take another pudding, purée, fake Protein Premier shake, popsicles, Jello anymore man. Starting tomorrow I’m starting my soft foods 2 days early. Crap is not even healthy and I feel like I’m just welting away. I need eggs, fish, cheese, fruit, veggies with some type of substance. I feel so weak and I just threw up for the first time since surgery on mar 27th. I will let me doctor know but I have to move on to something different tomorrow.