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Hi =) I actually just went through the same thing.. After talking to my family and initially deciding on the lap band I went to a seminar in Dallas at a well known bariatric doc there. The seminar was so informative and I decided for lots of reasons to do the sleeve instead of the band. I left there so excited and feeling like WOW! Why haven't I done this sooner?!? Anyway, I left there all ready and willing to get the surgery behind me and then they called a week later and said that there was an exclusion on my policy that prevented them paying for the surgery at all. =( Soooo cash pay it is! After the seminar, crazy amounts of sleeve surgery research and soul searching, I knew that nothing could stop me!! The cash pay in the US is $12500 or more and they don't work with you at all.. I couldn't quailify for a unsecured loan for that much and it would take me a year or more to save it so..... Mexico was my next option! I would NEVER have thought I would would EVER go to Mexico for a surgery! Preconceived notions of organ harvesting and infection LOL! But after getting in contact with a company called Belightweight, they financed me even with my imperfections on my credit so I started researching docs... I have chosen Dr Rodriguez in Juarez =) his reviews are amazing, the hospital is StarMedica and I am super stoked! This is not an easy decision and definitely not to be taken lightly but I think that when your body tells you it's time, it is time!! My date is set for June 29 and I honestly could not be happier =)) I am starting to blog my journey today and ran across your post... I am excited to follow your journey!! I think we have similar journeys with this weight loss and hope we can keep in contact!! =) Let's do this!

My office has a psychologist working within the clinic. I would gander many "bariatric clinics" do as well. Something to look into.

I'm on Bariatric Advantage. I get it at my doctor's office. I'd give it a 7 out of 10. Not great, but does not make me gag,

It is definatly a long term comittment to your Dr, Thats why you really need to like them. I was told by my DR that I needed to stay local for at least 2 years, I will have to see him regularly till I hit my sweet spot, then I have to go in once every 3 motnhs till 2 years is up, after that he said once a year. You have to keep in mind there are things that can happen at any time and you need to be able to get to your Dr if you need to. It was tough for me to make that comittment cause I hate the area I live in and can hardly wait to move, He did say that If I moved after my 2 years that there are bariatric Dr's in most of the bigger cities and I may have to drive to get to one but thats ok too, I will worry about that when the time comes.:tt2:

So today, I had to do my labs work which included that nasty 2 hour glucose test. So I was pretty much wiped. I have extremely small veins (I think that is the only part of me that is small). The girl in the lab rocked! Anyways, I also had my EKG at 4 PM. The nurse was awesome and very supportive and talked about how great the doctor I am going to is. So she tells me that Dr. XXXX, is coming in to talk about my EKG. First, let me state he is not a doctor. I think he is like a physician assistant. (My husband was with me) This is our convo: HIM: "So your having surgery? Have you done the psychological evaluation?" ME: "No, the doctor would prefer me to do all the lab and other required testing prior, to ensure I am a good candidate. " HIM: "Well, you know your insurance probably will not pay. The consider it kinda like cosmetic surgery." ME: "I have spoken to BCBS and they do cover Bariatric Surgery." HIM: "Well, there was someone else in the region that has BCBS and they did not pay. You know they have criteria you have to meet. Also, you know there are horrible side effects like dumping sydrome." ME: "The surgery I am considering does not have dumping syndrome and is a relatively new procedure. Yes, I am well aware of BCBS requirments and have done my research." HIM: "There was a lady here that had liposuction and they punctured her lung and she was in the hospital and we could not help her and her insurance is did not cover it. You know we do not endorse the surgery and if you have any reoccurring side effects you will not be covered by our office." ME: MOUTH OPEN HIM: "But if you do decide to do it we want to be there with you to walk you through it." WTF>>>>>>>>>>>>>>, Let me just say this as an American Stationed Abroad, yes, we have different standards, but I didn't need all the negativity and comparsion to COSMETIC SURGERY, again WTF!!! I can understand them CYA'ing and telling me they do not endorse it....I have to be medically cleared to be here and they decide that, so what they yank it?

My surgery date is March 4th and I'm really looking forward to it. And I have become very comfortable with Dr. Michael King, he definitely knows his stuff. Any other persons been to Oxford for bariatric surgery? What was your experience?

If you are that concerned, I would write or document in my fitness pal everything you ate, then call & speak with the bariatric nurse in your practice tomorrow...just for peace of mind.

I am a few days from surgery and have the same worries. I love good food. I have eaten countless meals in exotic places in every corner of the world and hope to do it all again (in small bites). I could be a producer for Anthony Bourdain. If it wasnt' for the sleeve procedure I wouldn't have considered bariatric surgery. My wife had a bypass 10 years ago and I would not have opted for that will all the dumping and such. I am banking on the idea that this surgery will get me to a better place and help me maintain a new balance for the rest of my life. As for my preceding existance....It was a Hell of a ride. Every pound has a story. Time to turn the page. We are going to be OK

I also live in NorCal but I'm not with Kaiser. The psychologist I saw was named Lorraine Hutchinson. She specializes in bariatric surgery patients. You can see her website at http://www.hutchinsoncounseling.com. She did the vast majority of the talking at my appointment. She talked a lot about the types of changes and emotional issues I'd be likely to go through with this surgery and weight loss. She only asked me two questions. She asked what I was most concerned or worried about, and she asked what I was most looking forward to. That was it! Nothing to be nervous about.

At my support groups they have talked about this book: The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life after Bariatric ... of the eating programs for Lap-Band, gastric bypass, and Duodenal Switch k: I was told it is available on amazon, I want to buy it soon!

Someone suggested that I post my list of questions that I brought to my consultation. Some are redundant, sorry about that. I hope this helps and please add your questions too. ABOUT THE DOCTOR: How many gastric banding procedures have you done? Is he a board certified surgeon? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery and recovery and life with band? Is there a difference among the two different adjustable gastric bands? Do you have other Lap-Band® patients that I can talk to? Do you have a video or presentation that I can watch that shows the surgery? Do you specialize in the Lap-Band® or do you perform other procedures as well? Do you perform other gastric band procedures? What is the Realize band, pros/cons of each? What are the short term issues? What are the long term issues? What is the doctor's policy when a complication occurs during a procedure? (ie: does he discuss options with family or immediately convert to bypass or other WLS). What qualifications does this doctor have regarding the specific brand of band that will be used? (Lap-Band System, by Allergan or Realize Band by Ethicon/Johnson&Johnson) ABOUT THE PROCEDURE: Lap Band vs Realize? What is the “scarless surgery?” Do you perform the procedure on an outpatient basis or will it require an overnight stay in the hospital? What kind of anesthesia will I be getting? Will an anesthesiologist be present during the entire procedure Is the surgery being done at a surgery center or at a hospital? How will you protect me from infection/staff infection during the procedure? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery? PREPARING FOR SURGERY: What tests do I have to have prior to surgery? Will I need to have a special diet before surgery? Will you notify my primary care doctor about the procedure? Do you need any of my medical records prior to surgery? AFTER SURGERY CARE AND FOLLOW UP When can I resume taking medications? How soon after surgery do you want to see me for a follow up visit? How do does the doctor determine whether or not my band will need to be adjusted? Is there a direct line in case of Emergencies? When should I have my first adjustment/ fill? What will I need to have prepared when I get home in way of food items? When can I resume exercise? How will I manage my pain after surgery? How will I have to change my eating habits after surgery? How much weight should I expect to lose in the first month? FRIENDS AND FAMILY What help can you give me to help educate my family and friends so that they can also support me? LIFE AFTER BAND: How do adjustments work and how often will I need adjustments during the first year? Ongoing? How often will I have to see the doctor over the next year and at what cost? How is it better than other forms of bariatric surgeries like Gastric c Bypass and Gastric Sleeve? What is the expected weight loss? How much time will be required for losing weight? Is there possibly a better weight surgery for me?

I got approval for surgery but waiting for date, bc vascular and bariatric surgeon have to coordinate. Has anyone gotten this? Was the removal of the filter difficult?

I am in Arizona too. I did research online mainly and decided to go w/Scottsdale Bariatric Center. Dr. Robin Blackstone was my surgeon and she is one of the top bariatric surgeons in the country. SBC is a Center of Excellence and has a great reputation. All of their surgeries are done at the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Hospital (which has a separate bariatric wing) or Piper Outpatient Center which is connected to the Hospital. I have been very happy w/their entire program and everyone I had appointments with there from Dr. Blackstone to the psychologists to the dieticians, to the insurance coordinators. If I had one gripe it is just that they are a very busy practice so many times appointments run late. But, everything else and awesome support groups really make up for it. They have support groups twice a month run by a psychologist. OK, I'm starting to sound like an infomericial. I would just recommend you at least attend their seminar because it is a great education in all of the available weightloss surgeries (they do lapband/realize, RNY, and the sleeve) and what you can expect from each one. Even if you don't decide to go w/them, the seminar is well worth the time. Here is their website: www.scottsdalebariatric.com

The biggest problem I have had when traveling is that I tend to back off on Water consumption so that I don't have to pee as often. This is not good! If you don't stay adequately hydrated your band will feel tighter and tend to cause you some issues with being able to eat. Eating rice is usually not a problem unless you keep your band really tight. If you eat very, very slowly you should be okay. It is my experience that unless you are dealing with personnel in the medical field who are directly involved with a Bariatric Surgeon, or they personally know someboday with a band, they no little to nothing about the lapband. Just my opinion!!!

Hi! I had LapBand sugery in 2010 at the age of 51. I had prior health issues such as SIJ arthritis, & back surgery (2008). Before my LapBand surgery, I took myself off my presciption anti-inflammatory as directed. I lost around 30 lbs. in 4 months while going to the gym & walking on the treadmill at least 4 x per week. When my anti-inflammatory med finally left my system, my knees started KILLING me! I went to a Osteo surgeon who tried shots; found a torn miniscus and worn joints, but who didn't want to do sugery. Well, of course my weight loss journey not only stalled, I gained most of the weight back. I could barely go up & down my stairs at home, it was so bad. I got back on my presciption anti-inflammatory and am doing much better. I contacted my Bariatric surgeon and had a consult wih him yesterday. Heres the deal, I want the LapBand out so I can take stronger meds than acetametaphine for my pain. He and I are now talking LapSleeve. Has anyone else out there gone from a LapBand to a Sleeve? If so, are you happy you did? My doc did a flueroscopy and it looks like I have a hernia ; he said my band looks "flat". I'm praying my insurance will cover this re-do. I was self-pay for the band but no way I can pay for a removal & sleeve. Thanks to anyone who can respond to my question of LapBand to Sleeve.

Lol. Just be sure to pursue using your benefits as much as possible to avoid out-of-pocket fees. The Psych eval is covered. However, sometimes the Psychologists you are referred to by the surgeon are out-of-network and you end up paying out of pocket. I would call member services in order to maximize your benefits as much as possible. I worked in the WC PreAuth dept for six years and reviewed Bariatric surgeries so I'm used to the shuffle.

You have very good reasons for having the surgery & questions & doubts about progressing are common. It’s surgery. It changes your digestive system. There is a period of healing & recovery. To be successful for the long term, you will have to make changes to how, what & why you eat & your relationship with food. The months post surgery give you time to work through all of this & certainly therapy, as @SleeverSk suggested, can be very helpful. The surgery also gives you time to develop better eating habits & routines like being more mindful. Will you forget & take a too big sip or bite or eat too quickly? Yes it will happen but your body soon tells you & you’re usually extra careful after the experience. Often all you’ll experience is just discomfort but occasionally foamies or vomiting. Complications after surgery aren’t common and many are related to pre existing conditions or predispositions. The risks are lower for bariatric surgeries than many other common surgeries. I used to control almost all my reflux with dietary choices before surgery (no spicy, fatty or rich food, little carbonation & reduced caffeine) which is why I had sleeve. I still have reflux but it is different & I need meds every day which I didn’t before. I hate taking tablets & often forget. Multi vitamins always make me nauseous but my bloods are good & I don’t need to take them anymore though some sleevers still do. Just depends on your diet & absorption for us. But it is a necessity after bypass as malabsorption of calories (& therefore nutrients) is how it contributes to your weight loss. Dumping can occur with bypass (about 40% chance I think) but if you discover you have it it is simply a matter of avoiding fats or sugars as they are the usual culprits. Some even find they can eat small amounts as time passes. You can also have it with a sleeve but it is less common (30%??). The average weight loss with sleeve & bypass is about the same 65% +/- of the weight you have to lose to put you in a healthier weight range. Some lose more some lose less. Make a list of your questions to discuss with your surgeon. They’re best placed to answer them in relation to your specific needs, health status/issues & weight loss/gain history. All the best whichever surgery you have.

I bought some random brand whey Protein, but it was in vanilla. I actually like it better than the fruit flavors so far. I prefer chicken broth, but beef broth isn't bad. I had this idea that I was really gonna like vegetable broth (No idea where I got that idea), but I had it and it tasted like boiled mashed stinky carrots. I could barely get it down, and that was pre-surgery when I could stomach almost anything! All the broths I got were the reduced sodium. You could get broth and maybe add some unjury Protein Powder to it to add some protein, I think I'm gonna try that in the next week or so. Some places will have sample packs. I know my bariatric clinic sold nectar brand protein in many flavors in single use packets. I have grabbed a couple flavors and they've been alright so far.

Ok I think he’s part of Chi Franciscan’s internal bariatric program. Again I have nothing but good things to say about everyone I dealt with from testing to surgery to recovery. [emoji4]

From your screen name.. are you still covered under a parents insurance or are you gainfully employeed with your own? Don't be shy when trying to find out info..... if you call your insurance company ask them WHAT EXACTLY do they need for your/your parents company SPD to approve the procedure. Also, start by finding out if you have any bariatric surgeons IN network of your insurance.. go with them first, because if they are a provider for your insurance company they will know better how to deal with them.. but getting info from the HR Benefits person is KEY... get to the bottom of any exclusions FIRST. GOOD LUCK

Ok, so I went to the weight center in the fall of 2011 and went through all the classes, psych eval, nut, weigh ins, etc and paid my surgery track fee....Then found out that my husbands bcbs ppo national account had an exclusion on bariatric care. I even went and was was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, which i am glad i got the CPAP as I am sleeping better and my husband says I am not snooring as much as in the past, plus on this account! So, I wrote a 6 page letter outlining my history....Please don't worry after you read this, but when I was almost 20 I was crossing the strret in college, of course in the middle of the night with all the athletes before spring break trips for sports and I was hit by a 55 mile an hour car crossing the street. I broke my back, pelvic, had Filled up with fluid in my legs and the hip I was hit on, plus fracturing my skull and damaging my neck. No worries, I survived, but was told I would never be able to play sports like I did because of the injuries and were bad, but that didnt stop me. i learned to re-walk and care for myself....then the following season I wanted to just try to play soccer knowing I had ,issed softball all varsity sports, so I didnt want the driver to determine my fate.....Coach and the team were so excited to see me dressed.....I walked out on the field took one pass to me and as I crossed half field to kick it in the goal, which would have been easy for me....i kicked and felt a horrible pain through my body...shruuged it off, asked for another one thinking I could pass and low and behold body told me H..LL NO. I hugged the team and said sorry I just can't do this. The trainer drove me back to the lockers and that was the last time I was ever on the field until I had children...but before children I had surgeries to remove fluid off my hip and legs, but it will always be there. I was healthy at 180 lbs just not as muscular as I was in the past. So having children, wasnt sure that could happen based on the drs reports. So my husband was told this on our first date because I decided I didnt want him to get connected unless he was aware, yes he laughed...i already went through a long relationship and he was different than anyone I had ever been with..he says its because of the accident and I say its because he made me laugh. Ok, got preg for our first, deemed high risk...now the drama, the found a fibroid growing beside our baby...i was watched every week. Anyway was put on bed rest, the day of the c-section was def a comedy show, i had 2 surgeons in case I needed emergency hysteroctomy but when they said our new son was fine, they asked if they could take pictures of the fibroid as it was large, we asked them to remove it, but it was too dangerouse and I could die from blood los, etc so they tucked it back in my uterous and my life has never been the same. I couldnt loose the preg weight due to the pain on my back...so the dr told us if we wanted another child now or never...so they helped us get preg for our second...the fibroid grew, we ended up aving an emergency c-section 7 weeks early and our daughter was 5 lbs, again too dangerous so tucked fibroid back in. Anyways, i finally had enough....went in for an eval for the hysterectomy and after them saying no more and we couldnt get preg again, surprise of our lives we were. Thought we lost the baby cause I was bleeding and they didnt expect the baby to make it. A nurse at my work gave me shots to help me along....needless to say, our third was taken emergency c-section if you couldnt guess but she was over 8 lbs abd healthy...me on the other hand not so much....the re-oppened me that night as I had a major infection. I was then packec at home for months to heal, but we had our last baby...tubes tied as well. Now to heal, 2 yrs ago I had an ablasion to stop the horribly female cycles due to the fibroid, but it didnt help with the size....i am getting to my question, but figured you needed this background....so now its been 10 yrs, our son just turned 10 but had the fibroid for 11yrs, now its pushing on my bladder and I drip all the time, uterous is pushed uo as its inside the wall, constant back pain and it pushes on my pelvic and back.....so, this 6 pg letter was just captured in this paragraph...but it was to my husbands company as we would out there is an exclusion for weight loss. Needless to say, I self paid all the previous apts but stopped going as we wrote the letter to see if they would waive the exclusion...YES after 5 months of follow my husbands HR team overrode the exclusion and worked with BCBC to approve me. Now my letter said verticle sleeve, but they wrote a note that after review they approved the bypass......NOW what...they are working on how to notify the drs and Heres my question.....what are my chances of getting the sleeve? Can i loose over 100 lbs?? Also my uterous is enlarged so i am worried about bypass and only wanted sleeve! I dont know when I will be able to go back to the dr, but now that I have ben waiting and got the news wasnt sure what your thoughts are on getting them to agree to sleeve versus bypass. Thanks for listening! I read all the discussions and guess this is my largest post. Thanks again for your time.

I know your asking about UIC but just a little north at Rush there is a great bariatric program and Dr. Myers has done 500+ sleeves and over 5,000 bands just some info

Dang, I'm glad you mentioned that! I'm in the same situation as you, but have free fills until September. I was going to put off gall bladder surgery indefinitely (until more frequent/severe attacks), but with the fill situation in mind, I'd be better off getting the surgery out of the way so that I can get my re-fills for free! I've only had a few attacks. The first two or three were relatively mild. The last one was 5-6 weeks ago, and was fairly severe. It started after lunch, and lasted until dinner time or so. I was in bad enough pain that I knew that I couldn't drive myself to the hospital, so it was either wait it out or call 911. Fortunately, it passed before that was necessary. An ultrasound the next week showed the stones. I visited my bariatric surgeon a few days later, and he recommended I go ahead and have surgery. He said that something like 80% of the American population has gallstones, but once you become symptomatic, it usually goes downhill, and that eventually surgery is necessary. He added that women are more likely to go ahead and have it taken care of, whereas men usually wait until they have "the big one" that makes them regret delaying surgery! Wheetsin, what are you waiting for, girl?? You seriously need to go on and get that baby taken care of! Don't be such a "guy"! Tami

Dr. Krause was my surgeon, I had a very smooth surgery with no problems post-op. He's a highly skilled surgeon and just the nicest doctor, he always takes time for your questions even when he gets busy. Very polite and professional. The office staff is excellent and friendly. Beaumont Hospital is one of the best hospitals in the nation (and it is a Bariatric Center of Excellence), the staff treated me so nice I felt like a VIP. Beaumont also has a Weight Loss Center with doctors, dietitians and other staff that will help you to succeed - I don't think I would have been this successful without them. They have support groups, cooking classes, a place to exercise, and LOTS more. It's really comprehensive. Top notch surgeon, office staff, hospital, and the best follow up care anywhere - I don't think you can find better. I feel very blessed to have had my surgery here. I'd highly recommend Dr. Krause and Beaumont Hospital to anyone considering weight loss surgery. Check the links in my signature for Beaumont's Weight Loss website. I'd be happy to share my Lap-Band experience if anyone has questions.

Great feedback! Anyone using Celebrate Vitamins? That is what they have at my docs office. And I wish they would all take the word Bariatric off the bottles - for those of us keeping this private!!!!!