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Considering getting a gastric sleeve
Zoomzoom replied to Dest's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
My insurance here in CA only covered half after the deductible. With all of the hoops and costs, I figured out that it would cost me more out of pocket than if I did self pay. So I went with a self pay option at Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app -
Surgery possibly cancelled
HotButterFly replied to rdbest86's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Maimonides Hospital AND The Brooklyn Hospital BOTH have a bariatric program. They are both near Methodist. My cousin just had her VSG at Methodist.... What's the name of your surgeon?? -
So far I have had my labs done and have attended the Welcome Group for Bariatric people who are going through the same thing. I have met with the PT and the NP both went very well. The NP prescribed me all my Vitamins I will need, she also said I would need to see their endocrinologist as some of my labs were abnormal. So that appointment will be made on Monday. On Tuesday I will be seeing the Nut and Psych. I also have to have a sleep study done, that will be done next week as well. Then I finally will get to meet with the surgeon, so I am looking at possibly a March sleever. Does everyone have to have an endoscopy done? Thanks
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Greetings from snowy Ohio. I feel you're making a good step for your future health, if she couldn't support in this she wasn't the right person to share a future with. I know my late husband would have been the same way, sad isn't it? I'm going thru RnY in a few months and I'm probably old enough to be your grandmother. Shoot there are days I think I could be Methuselah s granny dragging this fat body around but I'm gonna have a good tool to,help me continue on living. Let us all know how your surgery goes you've got a worldwide Bariatric family here and we groove on success. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app
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SMOKING , BEFORE & AFTER SURGERY (CIGARETTE SMOKER TOPIC)
BrighterSide replied to MISS.ANDREA's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I smoked 20-30 per day from age 17. Quit for pregnancy, quit for 48 hours once later. Quit in forever attempt for 2 years after doing the Alan Carr course before my Mum got pancreatic cancer and life personally and professionally exploded. Then finally quit cold turkey in Jan last year. Built up to it for 6 months after first bariatric consultation. Slipped once after. Got drunk with a good friend and had two ciggies. I liked smoking, but at this stage, having gone the whole 12+ month cycle of ‘first withouts’ (birthday, holiday, Christmas, pub, meal, flaming row, house move) I can look back and see how my brain chemistry controlled me and the habits I formed. Huge force of will for the time it takes for initially chemical detox, then repeated small efforts of resistance while your head tries to tell you you are hungry for nicotine. Patch/pill/other help probably makes sense. I deserve no creds for cold turkey, it was probably irresponsible. However you manage to catch your wave I wish you huge luck. Xx Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk- 1 reply
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Too "small" for surgery?
Sydney Susan replied to bettyboo's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My BMI was just under 35 on day or surgery; over 36 when I first saw the bariatric surgeon. I have v significant, multiple comorbidities. I don't know how old you are and I'm always a bit wary of younger people taking out bits of their body that they may find they need later on -especially if there are no health issues right now. But your family history is significant and it's not great that you can only walk a couple of blocks. IMO this surgery - any abdominal surgery - does pose significant risks and shouldn't be entered into lightly. I had a good run with surgery and recovery but I still didn't think it was a walk in the park. Now that I'm sleeved I also realise it is still very possible to not lose or to lose and then regain the weight... this is no magic bullet and you need to work at it long term, have no illusions about that. But having said all that, I am glad I did it and now have real hope for a healthy future and a longer life, after years of feeling completely opposite to that. I'm still adjusting but I don't feel I've 'lost' anything or am deprived. food tastes just the same and I enjoy as much as ever, just in v small quantities. So read up, decide if this is right for you, and if it is embrace it. I'd suggest you read the "complications" and "regrets" posts (along with the good news stories) to get a balanced view. Good luck with it all. -
Unsatisfied with food!
Chele H replied to onthefencejenny's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I woukd consider it a blessing and use it to your advantage as long as it lasts. I am year out and I find myself wanting to eat because something tastes good. That is what led me to bariatric surgery. I would love to have the days back when I only ate to sustain my body and eating for pleasure was not an issue. That being said.....can you give us a sample menu? Maybe we can help you tweak it. Are you drinking any Protein drinks to supplement your intake? I still start my day with a premier Protein Drink...gives me 11 ounces towards my liquid intake amd 30 grams of protein towards my protein intake. -
Pre-Op Diet Weight Loss Liquid Diet & second guessing
MariaC6 posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
So I’m scheduled to have my VSG on 8/27. Because I have a fatty liver, I started my pre-op liquid diet on 8/10. For the most part I have followed the diet pretty strict (mine is the true liquid diet) except I substitute an Oikos triple zero for a shake but am still getting 80 grams of protein and staying between 60-85 grams of protein a day and 650-800 calories. When I first looked into bariatric surgery back in January of 2020, my weight was 252 and I’m 5’ 8 1/2. Prior to the diet my weight was 236 (my insurance requires 6 months of nutritional visits and I did lose some weight). Now I’ve dieted off an on for over 15 years and can usually lose 20-30 lbs but it has never stayed off and I revert back to the 250 range which puts me at a BMI above 37. I have fatty liver & sleep apnea and when I made the decision to pursue bariatric surgery it was for my health. Here is my conundrum, in 11 days I have lost 10 pounds which to me is amazing so I’m now at 226lbs and a BMI around 34. Why am I now second guessing having surgery??? I know deep down the reason why I’m doing so well and sticking to the diet is because I’m terrified of having a fatty liver during surgery because of the complications (soft livers tear easily). Have any of you experienced this? -
Hi, I’m Milissa, my friends call me Mil
mil_unloaded posted a topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Hi there! I’m 38 years old in Central California. Married to my absolute best friend with the most awesome little dudes (ages 4 and 2). I’ve battled with my weight my entire life. No joke, my mom put me on my first diet in the 3rd grade, which likely set off the years of self hatred and body shaming. About 6 years ago I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia (via endoscopy), and as of late it’s really gotten significantly worse. I just had another endoscopy on Tuesday and I am awaiting results. Anyhow, since my gastroenterologist suggested I might consider bariatric surgery, as that’s the only way they will repair the hiatal hernia at my current weight (304.6)...it’s all I can think about and am doing as much research as I can. I also signed up for an online seminar at the bariatric office at my local hospital. They do three surgeries at the hospital, lap band, sleeve, and gastric bypass. I’m leaning toward the sleeve, but honestly I just don’t know which is the best option (I don’t want to do lap band, just because I’ve read that it’s not as effective at losing weight). Anyhow, can you tell me a little about your experiences with sleeve or bypass. I only know two people that have had bariatric surgery, and they both have glowing reviews... But I know it’s not all sunshine and lollipops for everyone. Thanks in advance! -
I am not pregnant or planning to be pregnant -- but I can tell you what the bariatric nurse told us at surgery boot camp. She said they strongly advise against getting pregnant until you are one year out, but after that they think it is okay. You would need to work closely with your OBGYN and your surgeon's office about nutrition. She also disclosed (and I don't want to appear like I am endorsing anything here, I AM NOT) that each year they have at least a couple of pre-one year pregnancies among their patients, because a lot of women just get more fertile after surgery and also aren't as careful as they need to be with birth control. She said that with all of those patients, they had to work really hard with their OBGYN, the dieticians on staff, etc. to get the proper nutrition and vitamins but they all ended up with healthy moms and healthy babies. I wouldn't advise anyone to disregard their own doctor's advice, this is just what the nurse told me and my fellow pre-op patients.
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United Healthcare - Just Beginning
chach123 replied to amy.taylor8414's topic in Insurance & Financing
Each UHC plan is different. I have them and my requirements were 1 psych eval, an EGD, and 1 meeting with a nutritionist. My dr required a letter from my PCP. I had no supervised diet plan or anything. I didnt even have to do a preop diet! The only thing is that with UHC, I had to use the "Bariatric Resource Center", so I was given a list of about 7 doctors that I could use for the procedure. If I used anyone else, it wouldn't have been covered. They also provided me with a nurse that could answer any questions I had. She has called already 3 times to check on me. They were really wonderful. I was approved within 3 days of the paperwork being submitted. Hope you have luck with them!!! -
1&2: My pain was horrible but I also had a hernia repair. I made sure to ask for meds when my pain level was at like a 2 or 3 because let's be real it takes nurses awhile to get the meds then for the meds to kick in. I also found that ice packs were a god sent after surgery to help with pain control. Definitely get up and walk around to help with the gas 3: keep drinking!! My doctor had a regiment set 4oz an hour...make sure you take slow sips, to this day I still get some pain if I take to big of a sip and I'm pain free (1wk post op) 4: As far as the dogs I have 2 dogs that like to lay on me as well and to be honest you won't want them on your stomach (atleast I didn't the thought made me cringe) so I kept a pillow there for "protection" just in case. 5: my post op appointment was yesterday and doc said when you are back to yourself and def not on the pain meds..makes sense since he sent me home with liquid narcotics 6: 1 week post op and I've lost 17lbs so I guess it depends on the person but from my 6 years of research and various contacts it's supposedly going to come off quickly. Yay!! 7: my recovery hasn't been too bad so far but don't over exert yourself for sure...make sure you still get plenty of rest 8: I have no problem sleeping on my stomach now but for the first few days I slept semi reclined like in a recliner...helped with the gas pain too!! 9: post op diet...I'm shocked they didn't tell you this as well...in the hospital I was only allowed Water and ice until I had my contrast test then "bariatric clear liquids" so broth sugar free Jello etc. I continuously was letting ice melt in my mouth because it didn't hurt to swallow the miniscule amount. Hospital jello was crap but when I got home for the last week I lived on Protein shakes, v8+h20, h2o, tomato Soup, jello (box has less after taste) and my doctor allowed me to have 4oz activia yogurt only the vanilla 10: my hair hasn't fallen out Sent from my XT1585 using the BariatricPal App
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I just realized I've only been taking half the amount of calcium they want me to take! I ordered some of the bariatric advantage calcium chews and they just arrived. I opened them up and figured I'd give them a try (my insurance nurse thought the chews would be preferable to gummies) and realized I'd have to take SIX to get all the calcium! That means it's a 10 day supply! I paid $38 and change after shipping for three bags. That's more than a dollar a day for calcium alone! I guess I've got to make up for all the food I'm not buying! After discovering that I needed six, I looked at the bottle of the gummies I'd been taking and they were 500 units per serving but a serving is two, not one! OOPS!! I've only been taking three a day. Now I need to look at the B12...
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Starting Up! Help With All Areas Of Lapband Surgery
Jean McMillan replied to tjeep34's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Researching, identifying, and selecting an insurance carrier that covers WLS, will accept you as a subscriber at a premium you can afford to pay, and will eventually approve you for surgery sounds to me like an enormous task for an individual patient to undertake. Doing all that could add years to your journey. I suggest that instead, you research bariatric surgery clinics in your area, attend an educational seminar, and hook up with a clinic's insurance coordinator to get suggestions for how to deal with the insurance issue. If you eventually decide to self-pay as 2muchfun suggested, I wouldn't recommend the band. Don't get me wrong, I love my band, but the band requires a LOT more aftercare than the other procedures because it usually doesn't work without fills, and those fills (and unfills) can get to be expensive both in terms of cash and in terms of your time and energy. You'd also need to consider the possible expense of revisional or corrective surgery if something went wrong. For example, my port flipped over so I needed surgery to reposition it. My insurance company was billed a total of $34,628.70 for the repair surgery, and paid the providers a total of $4850.11. I don't know about you, but I don't usually have an extra $5000 stuffed under my mattress! Jean -
Hi everyone, Does anyone know of a chart that tells us how much protein, kcals, fats, carbs, fibre and salt we should eat as post-bariatric patients? Since I’m writing everything down, I feel like I should at least check that I’m not going over the top on salt, for example. I also suffer from constipation and I would like to try and manipulate my food to help - so it’s good to have base lines! The recommended daily allowance that we get on food labels in the U.K. is for standard diets of 2000kcals per day. Maybe I should just quarter that but I wonder if there’s a calculator out there that takes different sizes of people into consideration? Hope this isn’t a silly question. My brain is still very fogged up! 🌸
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I went a little bit crazy with the planning pre-surgery only to find that after surgery, what I thought I would want and what I could handle were two different things. Unflavored Protein powder is a must, but I found that everything else I planned for (soups, broth, shakes, etc.) went right out the window. I'm two weeks out and am one of the unlucky ones who can't tolerate much of anything. I get most of my protein through unflavored powder mixed with hot chocolate and not much else. I'm using the Bariatric Advantage Vitamins, but I find them a little chalky =\ The black cherry B12 is great though and the lemon calcium chews are really good.
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Thought of a great way to get my veggies and breakfast out of the way: * 1 cup Low Sodium V8 * 1 pkt Veggie Powder * 2 scoops of Vitamin World Non-Soy Veggie Protein Powder * Horseradish/Worchestershire Sauce to taste Ta Da! "Veggie Mary"! Great idea until I added the Vitamin World product...turned gritty with an awful flavor. I've tried this stuff in various hot and cold applications - supposed to be flavorless - WRONG - it is awful regardless. I'm going to try this again tomorrow using Bariatric Eating's "Pure" and see if it's any better.
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The invention that could end obesity?
JamieLogical replied to blashlee's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I don't see how this is different from the balloons and other techniques that already exist to give people a sensation of "fullness". For years they have been using temporary non-surgical methods to help bariatric patients get down to a weight where it is safe for them to have surgery, but always with the goal that they WILL have surgery at some point. A temporary device like this might help for rapid weight loss, but it does nothing for weight maintenance, since it must be removed after 6 months, just like the balloons. I think it's safe to say that MANY of us are perfectly capable of losing considerable weight "on our own" (medical conditions notwithstanding), but the real trick is maintenance. I know they call it Weight Loss Surgery, but, for me I have always thought of it as Weight Maintenance Surgery. -
Moist cooking methods work best for soft foods and although chicken thighs are easier for a lot of people, still many experience issues with chicken. So think instapot and crockpot cooking and things made in a dutch oven like potroasts, slow cooked ground meat chilis, stewed chicken, smothered chicken (made bariatric style). I did a ton of foil and parchment fish (white fish and salmon and also shrimp, and crab can also work), soft scrambled eggs, soft boiled eggs, soft meats with "meat lube" = premade low cal, low sugar, low carb gravies to put over them. One of my favorites was doing Thanksgiving green bean casserole made bariatric style with canned chicken in it. So good. Also made a lot of tuna salad with hb mashed egg and low fat cottage cheese to replace the mayo. I'd add some dijon mustard and pickle juice or dill relish. This recipe works great for salmon and chicken salad versions too. I just kept it very simple, and ate the same things daily/repetitively so that I could just focus on keeping cals low and protein to meet my macro goal. And time passed quickly. Canned green beans, frozen broccoli, frozen cauliflower were my friends in the veg department. Also no sugar added Granny Smith applesauce.
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You can pay a lot for bariatric vitamins for either procedure...or you can be cheap like me, buy store brands (buy one get one free) and your nutritionist will still clear them for use:) I don't get fancy chewable calcium. I get the rock hard june bug sized Calcium citrate monsters....and just hold them in my mouth with a swig of hot coffee until they start to errode. Then, I just munch them up into paste and swallow them. The taste isn't that bad, and the cost is exponentially less. I used to put them through a pill crusher and eat the dust with sugar free Cool Whip. My multi vitamins are Store Brand (equivilant to Flinstone's Complete) kid's chewable vitamins in animal shapes...lol. I take two a day. I don't mind them. I also take extra B Complex, B12 and D (because I'm deficient living in the north). I buy whatever's cheapest or pick up a sale on Amazon. B12 and D...you can chew, they're bland and not offensive. But B Complex? Yikes...you don't ever want to chew that. Bleh!
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Denied For Gastric Sleeve Surgery.... Anyone Had This Happen?
koriswlj posted a topic in Insurance & Financing
I was denied today because Cigna decided to tell my Bariatric center at the last minute that I had to have my surgery done at a hospital that was a "Center of Excellence". So they gave me the doctor and hospital I have to use. My bariatric office was so mad because they never once caught that when they reviewed my benefits at Cigna. They told me that I am pre-approved through Cigna. So I am hoping that when I get an appointment with this doctor.. The office said they will fax everything over. I did everything I needed to so I hope it gets approved quick. If anyone has been through something similar I would love some feedback. -
Denied For Gastric Sleeve Surgery.... Anyone Had This Happen?
indi1 replied to koriswlj's topic in Insurance & Financing
I actually had something like this happen a couple weeks ago, but reversed somewhat. I was trying to set something up with a surgeon who was in the BCBS ppo "network". The surgeons office told me they couldn't do the surgery because they were not a "blue distinction" center. I called the insurance company and they told me that it was absolutely not true. Any surgeon could do it as long as they were in the "network". Right now, I am just trying to get the approval but I have pasted below what my insurance company states about it on their website. So, I know this doesn't help much but thought I would share. " BCBSIL member participation is voluntary. Members whose benefit plan includes coverage for bariatric surgery will be advised of the Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery; however, depending upon the member's benefit design, the member may be able to choose other contracted facilities without penalty. The member must complete a medical weight management program and satisfy all other criteria in the medical policy regarding Surgery for Morbid Obesity before bariatric surgery can be considered. When using a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery, members should confirm that the surgeon is part of the contracting network by calling Customer Service. Members will not receive in-network benefits for the services of surgeons or other providers who are not in the contracted provider network of the member's health plan." -
Eating Schedule help!
tzbandtobypass replied to bellasmom's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Vitamins I am currently taking: 1 chewable Bariatric multi-vitamin. I only need one per day and I take it in the morning. 2 1000IU Vitamin D. I try to take these in the morning, but lately they have been feeling a little stuck so I might switch to doing these in the middle of the day. sublingual B12. I take one per day and I take it in the morning. At week 6, I will be starting a liquid fish oil supplement and Calcium. My doctor requires that his patients supplement the food with Protein shakes, until we are able to get 65 grams of protein per day from food. He said that can take several months to get away from them completely. I consume anywhere from 400 to 700 calories per day. This happens to be the "normal" range my nutritionist suggested, but also reiterated that we shouldn't be tracking calories. My doc only cares about Fluid ounces and protein right now. To me, if I don't have the calorie count, I just don't feel "right" about it. I am eating a lot of different things in this stage, but this is my current list of soft foods I have on hand at my house. refried Beans (not as much as the last stage of the diet) low fat cottage cheese (not as much as the last stage of the diet) 0% Greek yogurt (not as much as the last stage of the diet) sugar free pudding (not as much as the last stage of the diet) imitation crab meat Johnsonville deli bites Spicy black bean burgers (the spice isn't actually spicy at all - the nut suggested this flavor) avocado and guacamole (I use this as a little topping to the black bean burger) IKEA Swedish meatballs ground seasoned tofu-like stuff (I got this at WalMart in the produce section. It's weird, but it is high in protein and tastes okay when you mix a little shredded cheese) shredded cheese (not very much though) fresh mozzarella pearlines (tiny, tiny little balls of fresh mozz) homemade chili with beans and ground beef very thinly sliced chicken breast deli meat (I've tried a couple different flavors and the key is having the deli person cut it as thin as possible) I also add Protein powder, Just Great Stuff powdered Peanut Butter (like PB2), and Just Great Stuff powdered chocolate peanut butter to things like yogurt and pudding. -
I called a few doctors looking for a fill doc before I found the one I use. One doc told me a thousand plus to get accepted then $500.00 I hung up so fast LMAO.This is what I did I went to Realize website did a search for certified docs in my area and started calling.I found a great doc that way. HERE IS A FEW Eric S. Bour MD, FACS UMG Bariatric and Minimal Access Surgery 2104 Woodruff Road Greenville, SC 29607 Phone: 864-676-1072 Fax: 864-676-0729 Marc C. Antonetti MD The South Carolina Obesity Surgery Center 146 North Hospital Drive Suite 430 West Columbia, SC 29169 Phone: 803-791-2828 Fax: 803-791-2824 James D. Givens MD The South Carolina Obesity Surgery Center 146 North Hospital Drive Suite 430 West Columbia, SC 29169 Phone: 803-791-2828 Fax: 803-791-2824 Edward J. Rapp II M.D. Premier Surgical Services PA 105 Vine Crest Court Suite 500 Greenwood, SC 29646 Phone: 864-227-8932 Fax: 864-227-8973
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I wouldnt get another fill. Ive been there. I thought the tighter I was the more weight I would lose and that just wasnt the case. I had to end up getting an un-fill. I found I wasnt able to get enough calories in to substain my workouts let alone lose fat. Its been 10 months for me and I just hit 45 lbs lost. For many of us it is a VERY slow process. If you are one of those people you must just learn to accept that. The band does about 15% of the work. 70% is your diet and te other 15% is your exercise. 5 bariatric surgeons told me this in a seminar I went to before surgery. I didnt believe them. I really thought I could work out hard and lose weight quicker. NOT true. I lose maybe half of a pound a week and I do all the right things.
