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I live in Fort Lauderdale Florida and Im having a huge problem getting a letter of medical necessity writtem correctly from my Primary care Doctor. I really dont understand him because he was the one that referred me to a Bariatric Doctor for wls. I've done everything that is required of me to get the sleeve. I'm in need of a pcp in Fort Lauderdale or near that accepts Humana so that I can get a letter of medical necessity so that I can have my procedure done.

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Not sure what you are looking for in terms of advice exactly. Post my sleeve, I pretty much didn’t eat and stuck with a the liquid diet followed by soft food for 3 months to help me detox my body and start a new relationship with food. For me that was the secret to the success of my surgery I feel. It’s been 5 years and whenever I stray I remember how I and my body felt after those 3 months and that always seems helps me go back on track. Took me 4 years to let go of the weight and 1 year to stabilIze and just had my plastics done recently. I would say please don’t jump into plastics, not only because it’s expensive but also because it’s way more painful than any bariatric surgery and the recovery process is seriously tough. Hope this helps

I have UHC also. Here is my story so far... I called and got the requirements for the surgery.. have to be over 18 BMI of 40 or more (or 35 with 2 co morbids) use a doc that is in the Bariatric Center of Excellence So i did all of these and found a wonderful doc. Had my appt 2-8, they sent in my paperwork 2-11 and I got a call from UHC on 2-13. I was thinking WOW this is too good to be true. Well it was... the doc i wanted to use was in the plan but his facility was not. Said the only hostpital i could use in Louisiana was Ocshners in New Orleans. That's 6 hours from me!!! They didn't tell me that when i called them TWICE to get the requirements. The funny/odd thing is the doc that I want to use has done MANY people from the place where i work with the same insurance and never had a problem. So the girl that does the insurance wanted the lady's name i talked to at UHC. So she calls her and she wouldn't HEAR of looking into another hopspital. She said I HAVE to use such and such... so she told her to drop my case. She resubmitted it using the hostpital they always use(because i did want to use the oupatient one) and now i'm still waiting. That was on 2-14. I want to call but don't want to pressure them again!!! lol Good luck to all of you all that had no problems!!! Take care!

I need to find a Doctor in the Houston/Sugar Land area who does fills with fluoroscope. My insurance doesn't pay for bariatric and I had my lapband put in back in 2007. Help!!

I have UHC choice plus. Yes there was 6 month diet program but NO additional 6 month wait after that. Sounds like the person you are speaking to doesn't know what they're talking about. Have you called the bariatric resource center for UHC? They would have the best answer.

NewHope Bariatrics has opened up a brand new surgical center in LA. NewHope Bariatrics develops and operates Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Short-stay Surgical Hospitals that serve the needs of the morbidly obese. Dr Davtyan is a prominent and respected bariatric surgeon. He specializes in Lap-Band surgery and has the Lap-Band himself. I have heard only wonderful things about Dr. Davtyan. 1-877-639-4673 is the number for more information.

I use Dr Christopher Ibikunle. Great staff and they have been very accommodating with my phone calls and making appointments when needed. Offices in Loganville and Monroe off of 78. Georgia Surgicare-Bariatrics. Sanji the NP is great as well.

@@OKCPirate I never said I was looking for a MAN or WOMAN, you know what they say about assuming.... Also, I don't need your advice about where to find dates, being single for so long, I know what avenues to work. I never said anything about what I am looking for because, I do not know, all I am looking for now, is exactly what I posted so, please, don't be so "cavalier" with giving out advice when people have not asked for not. @@OutsideMatchInside You do know Tinder is notoriously known for just hookups, right...? Also, same thing I told OKCPirate, I didn't ask for advice ------------ Comments like the ones I'm receiving always remind me why I never participate in Bariatric forums/communities. People think they're being supportive by telling you what THEY think is best for YOU, most of the time when that is not even nearly close what you've asked for. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Look at he band/sleeve revision threads--that should help you decide which surgery. Northern Mexico is a dangerous place to go right now. Get in and get out as fast as you can. Ask your bariatric program about costs/hotel. People who have gone to Mexico will probably give you more details. Wish I could help more.

Going to the seminar on Saturday to get a feel for Dr. Oldham. I have heard some pretty good things about the Bluegrass Group in Etown, I just hope it holds true. I am looking to ask quite a few questions, but looking for more ideas on what to ask and what to look for... ?!?? My questions so far: - how many sleeves have you done? - what is your complication rate? leak rate? - do you use stitches over the staple line? - will you be providing my post op care as well? Anything else? Thanks!

Whilst sitting in the "green room" waiting to be called on set (actually, the name was quite apt as we were sat in a stuffy snooker room in the back of an old gentleman's club...baize green everywhere!) I had another moment of diving into people's psyche concerning us fatties (for those of a sensitive nature, scrub that and read "bariatrically challenged" or "those of a less than slender approach"). The moment that sparked my grey cells was when, as usual, I preempted the jokes and jibes that could be thrown at me - by putting myself down. I seem to recall it was some throw-away comment about squeezing in to a too-tight top which made me feel like a homosexual piglet in a boob-tube. As I uttered the defensive barrier, a very lovely lady leaned over to me (amongst the other actors laughing) and said "you shouldn't put yourself down like that...you're not fat." For a moment, I listened to her words and for an even briefer moment in time, I actually believed her. I like to consider myself an intelligent man and, being one hundred and fifteen pounds over my ideal weight, I have used many mathematical formulae and a sprinkle of the laws of physics to deduce that I am indeed fat. In fact, my calculation led me to the category of "morbidly obese". As much as I hate that label, that is what I am. And I look it. So what made that woman, who I must sat was a little chunky herself, advise me that I was not fat? Was she mad? Did she stem from a foreign country and was actually trying to say "you are not fit"? Was she being sarcastic and making fun of me? I believe she, like countless other of my friends and family over the years, was just being kind. She saw a stigma in the reference if fat, just like most people across the world do. She, unlike some of the less than sensitive people I have met in my life, handled this with an assumed kindness. A certain flattery that was meant to pat me on the back and say "there, there, you'll be OK". I would be an awfully cynical human being if I said that I didn't appreciate that kind of response. After all, it is well intentioned and far preferable to the kinds of insults one normally receives from the less civilized and less educated people in the world. Also, she was obviously under the impression that my put down servered no other purpose other than self-abuse. But, us overweight people know that it is far better to beat the others to the punchline than to have to sit through the humiliation when others cast their fatty remarks. But, forgetting that aspect, does it really help the situation when someone pats you on the backk and says "never mind, your not fat"? Having grown up fat, been educated fat and gone through my adult life fat, I have heard many, many people accuse me of not being "fat" or "too fat" before. People who are close to me. People who care for me. And people who are just embarrassed about the word or concept of "fat". But, I have now come to the conclusion that they have been part of my problem. Had everyone I had come in contact with over the years behaved like the Neanderthal beings that have caused me pain, embarrassment and tears over the past thirty six years, I believe I may have started to do something about it sooner. Had they publicly humiliated me, called me names and lessened by character because if my weight, I may well be slim, athletic and proud of myself. I may well be one of them. With every denial of my weight issues, came a psychological acceptance. They cared for my feelings, and in doings so aided my fast ride to diabetes, circulation problems, countless other health issues and even early death. They were indeed killing with kindness. Now I have decided to undergo the (not so controversial of late) Lap Band procedure, I write this with a certain historical perspective in my mind. From here on in, I am going to be slimmer. I am going to be more athletic. I am going to be more proud of myself. I am going to be more like them. But, I am doing it under my own volition. I have chosen my time. Had the world been a darker place where, the people who care for me had been more cruel (my closest friends, my family, the people embarrassed of the "F" word), then I would feel unsettled. I would not be the person I am today. I would be miserable and entirely alone. Kindness and understanding is an essential part if ensuring our loved ones mature and develop on the outside as well as the inside. I am grateful for all the blatant lies of me not being fat through my life, as I understand that they were, in the main, meant with care and love. However, I am also strangely grateful to the bastards (and I cannot stress that word enough - but more of that in a later blog) that littered my life and helped point out the fact that, even without mathematical formulae, I was obviously fat. Originally posted at: Lap Band Blog

Hi I had the full gastric bypass 8 years ago . I lost 255lbs . Anyways, I had one child pre op who is now 14. And 14 years later I am now pregnant again . I still can't eat large meals . And after pasta my sugar reads 5.8 for pre diabetes . Even when I was 450lbs I never had any medical issues whatsoever . So it's a bit nerve wrecking for me. I'm also afraid of the glucose test, I heard it could kill bariatric patients . Anyone else have anything similar ?

I get getting ready to order some samples from My Bariatric Kitchen. I have a nectar sampler in my cart and a Pantry Selections hot chocolate sampler. 1. Any additional items I should try? 2. Suggestions for other sites to get samples? Thanks

Thank you all for your support. After thinking about it for a while I remembered why I didn't want the bypass. For me it just didn't seem right, I just never felt comfortable with the idea of bypass. I called my doctor and the bariatric nurse a bunch of times today, did my pre admit and now I've been approved for surgery. I guess my insurance works fast lol. I will be having the sleeve this monday July 28th! I feel nervous yet excited.

You are absolutely right. Shiran Vandaele, M.D, Bariatric Surgeon, Brussels, Belgium

Actually, anyone that is obese and needs surgery to lose weight has an eating disorder. If we weren't addicted to food, and could make healthy food choices and eat appropriate portions we wouldn't have gotten fat in the first place. You need to seriously ask yourself why you do the things you do that led to your obesity. Do you eat when you're bored? Stressed? Depressed? Happy? Do you crave sugar? Can't stop at just one small plateful? Drink too much? All these things will still be there after surgery. They may go into "remission" while you are honeymooning, but they will reappear after awhile if you haven't addressed them and replaced them with new behaviors and coping mechanisms. If you haven't already, read this...... http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/357439-bariatric-surgery-only-makes-your-stomach-smaller-otherwise-youre-exactly-the-same/

If you ask most bariatric surgery patients what they regret most about their surgery, it's that they didn't get it done sooner. The difference between dieting and WLS is HUGE. It is still hard and you still need to make good choices, and there are ways to sabotage yourself, but I can tell you that I'd never felt this good on a regular diet/exercise regime. When I restricted calories in the past, my body fought back hard. Hunger was unbearable. If you compare hunger to noise, pre-surgery hunger was a deafening roar. Now it's just a little whimper. The signal's there but it's not making me pounce face-first into a platter of food. You will feel different, and it will feel fabulous (once you're past recovery and liquid diets!) Hang in there, folks

Really wanting to be supportive and certainly wish that you could get everything covered. The world I'm living in is one where we have BCBS but my employer specifically excludes anything to do with bariatric surgery, medical treatment or anything whatsoever. So I have made the commitment to self-pay. Unfortunately, everything in life is not fair and we will not always get what we deserve. But I do believe that we can grow and expand what we are truly grateful for in order to attract more of that into our lives. I would say be grateful that you are getting the panni and tummy tuck (most plans just cover the panni without the abdominoplasty). And then look into care credit or some other financing to finance what you need to. Encourage your kids to get part-time summer jobs, and apply for their own student loans if need be. Explain to them that you have earned this and that it is something you need to do to take care of yourself. I am facing similar choices such as I was planning to use the money as a down payment toward my first house. I also have an older car that I would like to upgrade. But life is about choices, and I may have to defer buying a home for another year or two and I may have to just make this car last forever, or at least recognize that there will be one less car over the course of my life. Especially deferring the purchase of my first home is a major life decision, but in the end I think it is worth it to invest in myself and my health.

Hello everyone my name is Ellie and I am about to get a sleeve on September 29! This was all very sudden and unexpected unlike some folks who have researched this for many years and gone through a long qualifying process, I have stumbled onto this procedure through a very roundabout way and in a matter of weeks I was approved. I am 37 years old and I weigh 270lbs at 5.8", I am hypothyroidic, I have sleep apnea and I'm prediabetic at this time. A Little history: In 2007 I weighed 273 pounds! I had mild sleep apnea but aside from that I was relatively healthy. I had the Lap band procedure done mostly because I did not like the way I looked. But the band yielded very little results, despite 13 fills and unfills to adjust, I never achieved an ideal restriction and was always hungry the weight that I did lose was because I was starving and working out and then I plateaued at about 245 pounds. Then I got pregnant in 2009 I decided to take all liquid out of the band (complete unfill) so that I could eat tons of vegetables and fruits. Funnily enough during the pregnancy and the one that followed I actually lost weight!? I guess something to do with the baby and the restriction I felt because the baby was pushing against the the band. At birth I was 214lbs. But as soon as my children came out in 2010 and 2013, even as I breast-fed, I was completely ravenous and the pounds returned at an alarming rate. So I have found myself right back to where I started at 270 pounds. Only this time mother nature has not been so kind... I am prediabetic and my sleep apnea has returned with a vengeance! On a day to day bases I ache and hurt like an old rickety roller coaster! I feel like I am walking through Jell-O all the time everything has just slowed down. Even so, being busy with a three-year-old and a five-year-old and being a full-time working mom I put myself in last place and have not focused much on trying to lose the weight. It's basically been, whatever I need to do to make it to the next day! I have ignored the aching that my body feels on a day-to-day basis and how hard it has become living and getting around at this weight. I have ignored the emotional and social impact of my weight, or maybe ignored is not the best word, more like drowned out with more food. And I experience some of what most mothers will relate to, I don't want to be in pictures with my children because I feel like I ruin the pictures with my presence. But even all this did not bring me to a decision to refill my lapband or do anything about it until a few weeks ago... In unrelated events I twisted funnily and managed to cause harm to my port. I was in severe pain like having stitches after running but the pain never went away. So due to that event, I finally went back to see my bariatric surgeon and upon further examination I was told that my port had ripped out of my muscles and was now flipped. Great! It was then that my surgeon told me that my options were to repair the port and try the band again or do something different. He recommended I try the sleeve because if I was initially unsuccessful with the band chances of me being successful the second time around were slim to none. I had heard about the sleeve before but never really in-depth. I also have gallstones and have had two attacks which I feel is not enough to warrant surgery but my surgeons seem to think differently. They say the gallbladder wall has thickened and that it is a matter of if and not when I will need to have it removed I hate surgery I do terrible with general anesthesia it takes me hours and hours of tortured nauseated foggy horrible sickness and pain to come out of it. And there is nothing I want more than to avoid having to go through another surgery. However My surgeon sent me to other surgeon who specializes in lap band revision who said he could perform all three surgeries at one time!! He would take out the Lapband remove my gallbladder and perform the gastric sleeve. And we are close to maxing out our yearly insurance maximum out of pocket, so if approved these procedures will be completely at no cost to me!! If I have to go under the knife anyways, I reason, I might as well get as much stuff done at one time, so that I don't have to go under the knife several times. I have not had too much time to do research on the sleeve or get emotionally prepared for the journey ahead but I have spent the past few weeks ferociously researching and ferociously reading up on it and doing a lot of soul-searching realizing that given my Freewill to eat, I am killing myself by being morbidly obese. My doctor submitted the proposal for surgeries to my insurance and I prepared for a long wait. However a week later I found myself getting approved by my insurance and my doctors office saying September 29 is available so start your diet now!! WOA????? No time for food funerals, no time for that last binge, no time to take a cruise which I love to do because of all the deliciousness, and no time to deliberate too long. I do have an option of doing it at the next available date in November but that would be very close to holidays and who knows what other circumstances could arise to prevent me from having the surgery at that time. It seems like all the factors have aligned together perfectly... my job is willing to let me go for that period of time the surgery will cost me nothing I can do three in one surgeries and I can have it relatively soon so that I don't have an agonizing time to wait and stress about it. It's like it's now or never. Most reviews I've read have people saying they wish they had done it sooner. I have already started my pre-op diet which means I would've only been on it for 10 days versus 12 like most people. And unlike most people rather than being on full liquids I have been placed on a South Beach supercharged phase 1 diet that includes lean meats, low-fat dairy and vegetables. I am finally wrapping my brain around what is about to take place mentally emotionally and physically. I have stocked up on many things and thanks to all you wonderful sharing caring people that have taken time to share your journey I have had a chance to very quickly catch up on all the information that I will need to be successful. But I'm so scared and so nervous not even about the liquid diet following surgery , (although, my coworker who got the sleeve weeks ago says that she is hungry all the time), or anything like that but of the surgery itself of being under Anastasia, of the pain I will feel when I wake up, and I wonder if I will miss the stomach that God gave me with which I was born...I'm sure all these things have crossed your mind too. And because my Lapband failed I fear that if this procedure does not work for me and I shall be that one anomaly for whom this did not work, there is not much else to be done. And since this is so life altering and Permanent, I don't know where to go from there if it does not work out for me. I know...I know...not thoughts I should be thinking .., but I'm being candid and sharing from the deepest parts of my heart the secret fears that I have, I would never admit to anyone. Any words of encouragement advice, solidarity, anything will be so very much appreciated at this time! Like many of you my weight loss journey is a very personal and private one and I don't have much support from the few friends with whom I have shared this information. I am sorry this has been long, but the welcome letter encouraged that we share details about our experience and I hope that Sharing this much will give you a more in-depth insight into my personal journey struggles and fears. Sending you blessings and green lights, Ellie

My goal was to lose weight to be healthy....then have a baby. My weight was not the overriding reason we could not get pregnant. I was always told getting pregnant would be a challenge for me for other health issues and because my husband is a diabetic. I have not been to my regular OB yet because I am still under my RE's care. We did IVF and I will be released from them at 8 weeks. This is my RE's concern and I still have to contact my regular Endo and bariatric doctor. Just was hoping to get an idea of a time frame first.

Of course her opinion is bothering you....she's your friend! Avoiding her is OK, but if truly value her friendship, at some point you may want to ask her how she feels and if there's something you can do (besides sabotaging your own weight loss) to help her and to renew the friendship.

I eat a lot of the same stuff I used to...I cook for my family and skip the high carb side whether it be potato, rice or Pasta. So I have pork, chicken, fish, sometimes beef, whatever vegetable I'm serving and sometimes salad. If spaghetti is the main course I will usually have something different, maybe leftovers from another meal. I think there are some recipe websites for bariatric cooking but you have to be careful not to get food that's too mushy. Good luck! Oh, and by the way, my nutritionist actually said to me once that the people who seem to have the most success are the ones with routines both in activity AND food (ie they eat a lot of the same stuff most of the time). Just an fyi.

Hello, SunnyRachel! I just posted before regarding chewing. It's so important, I see. I'm really trying! As far as the breads go... I decided to give them up now, the conventional loaf breads anyway. I've been doing wraps. I would like to give that up eventually as well and just roll my sandwiches in lettuce leaves. My downfall is RICE. I'm Asian and grew up on it. I can eat it with ANY meal, any time of the day or night. It was a staple in our house rather than a side dish. I've almost given up the white rice :cursing:. I'll still have it every once in a while. I eat brown rice and though it just okay, it really doesn't replace the white stuff. I really appreciate your honesty. I want to know the plain truth about everything! It looks as if you are doing well. Not one of my friends know what I'm doing. As a matter of fact, the only one I'm talking to about this is a coworker whom I've only known for about 6 months. She has weight issues as well. She is not overweight by any means, but she can have the potential. She works out constantly and always watches what she eats. Her hubby went thru gastric bypass surgery 2 years ago so she is able to give me a fresh point of view... being the spouse of someone who has had bariatric surgery. She's been a wonderful supporter and I vent to her when I am stressing. I will be sure to look for you now when I need to discuss or vent! Good luck to you as well and keep up the great work!

Many many years ago (feels like another lifetime) I was a runner. I loved it and it always made me upset with myself that I have become so fat and out of shape. Every attempt I have made to lose the weight and get back on track have failed (obviously why I am here). Now I am nearly 10 days post op and feel optimistic and a renewed sense of self confidence that I felt I had lost. Reading about the program on here was a wonderful surprise and I am totally excited for when I will be able to start this. Never heard of it before. I am wondering for you all that have done this program how soon you were able to start after being banded? I just got myself a gym membership and can hardly wait.