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you are completely right. I did have one slip up with the hubby after I was cleared for activity if you get my drift where we didnt use any protection. We never did anyway as I was trying to conceive anyway. We were told to wait atleast 14 months to start again,and have been planning on waiting.we just slipped that one time and didnt use any type of BC. It would blow my entire mind if I was, as we have tried for 4 years to conceive and since I have pcos have not been able to. Would be incredibly crazy! I really hope im not. Im going to test tomorrow going to try soft foods for a few days to see if that helps. Thanks so much! Im also calling the doctor in the a.m

It depends on what the insurance requires and or what the surgeon requires call or go online to find out what the insurance guidelines are and call the Drs office see if they have a plan they follow across the board and find out what that entails my surgeons office would give no info until u filled out an application were accepted to the program and went to a seminar then it was several weeks before I got my first clinic visit I was told I had to lose 5% before I could even meet the surgeon I started in June 2014 and had surgery feb 24 this year it was a long process it took weeks to get each medical test scheduled and then chasing all the medical records down I've seen ppl say if they pay cash it goes faster I don't have that kinda cash or I'd have gladly paid to just get it done without all the BS but I have insurance so I had to go along with it

I called BCBS Fed yesterday b/c my lapband has slipped and is causing severe issues. I was told since it is a "complication" that the surgeon says must be rectified, then they will pay for it but they still need to do precertification. I don't have to go through the whole testing/dieting/psychoanalysis stuff again since it's a complication and needs immediate attention.

I want a plum so bad!!! I'm a little intimidated by the sugar though considering I dumped from a smoothie 2 weeks ago. It could've been bc it was so early though. Going to the dr on Monday. I'm going to ask them then.

I am three month's out bs haven't even discussed a goal weight. What was the context? Did he say that he considered the surgery successful if you reached that goal? I can't imagine that he would be I any way discouraging you from setting a different goal. Maybe it is just a place to start? Did you ask him? Rather than quietly fuming I would have talked to him and asked questions. It's not an adversarial relationship, it should be a partnership.

I am "lucky" I suppose bc I can tolerate anything. I have restriction but it's not too severe. The downside is that I am losing slower than my roommate (same surgery date)...she eats next to nothing, water makes her sick and she lives off of pedialyte. I am happy with my slow loss (although maybe jealous of her appearance). I was a revision so I am probably destined to lose slower and from what I have read, may not lose as much.

Hello All! I signed up for the mandatory, yet free class through Southern Surgical in Greenville, NC to go through the process to get the VSG. What I am wondering is if anyone has been in my situation BMI and insurance wise, and if you can tell me what to expect of this process? I have a few comorbidities, but it wasn't enough to be prescribed medication for it (minus BC for severely missing periods). I have PCOS, pre-diabetic with an A1C of 5.7 in January. There is a family history on my mother's side of strokes and heart failure. Thank you for your time!

Hi to all! I am on my preop diet day 2. I did not take my Metformin yesterday at all my bedtime BS was 125. This morning also 125. Please tell about your experience with diabetes meds while on the preop diet.

I was never nauseated at all pre op or post op. I don't know what liquid shakes you are taking but all liquid shakes and all Vitamin supplemets are NOT created equal. Sample other shakes and see if they make you feel better. I drink Premier Protein shakes and take Bariatric fusion Vitamins. Could you be allergic to your vitamin supplement? Read the label of your shakes and your vitamin supplements as to what kind of protein and vitamin sources they use. If it is a mlik or whey derivative and you are allergic to milk products, I could see why you might feel nauseated. I am not allergic to milk products. There are shakes that have an egg white base, but I have not tried those. Vitamins - especially Vitamin Bs sometimes come from a yeast source - Brewer's Yeast. If you are allergic to yeast, and your vitamin source uses a Brewer's Yeast base, you may not be able to tolorate them. This is only my experience; your case might be different. Ask your doctor and nutritionist. They can give you the best advice for your particular needs.

SleevenChicka - You wrote: This is from the brochure: Benefits for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity, performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis, are subject to the pre-surgical requirements listed below. The member must meet all requirements. − Diagnosis of morbid obesity (as defined on page 62) for a period of 2 years prior to surgery − Participation in a medically supervised weight loss program, including nutritional counseling, for at least 3 months prior to the date of surgery. (Note: Benefits are not available for commercial weight loss programs; see page 40 for our coverage of nutritional counseling services.) − Pre-operative nutritional assessment and nutritional counseling about pre- and post-operative nutrition, eating, and exercise − Evidence that attempts at weight loss in the 1 year period prior to surgery have been ineffective − Psychological clearance of the member’s ability to understand and adhere to the pre- and post-operative program, based on a psychological assessment performed by a licensed professional mental health practitioner (see page 97 for our payment levels for mental health services) − Member has not smoked in the 6 months prior to surgery − Member has not been treated for substance abuse for 1 year prior to surgery and there is no evidence of substance abuse during the 1-year period prior to surgery Where did you read this? I am on the fepblue.org website now and see absolutely no information at all about bariatric weight loss surgery. My info is getting submitted this week - now I am getting worried. Also - for those of you who have BC/BS Federal, do you have basic or standard option?

Tips for Improving Your Body Image: Accept your genetic body type: Remember that your weight, height, and bone structure are strongly determined by your genes.. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Stop comparing yourself to others. How others look has nothing to do with you. Be media conscious. We are bombarded with media messages telling us our bodies are not perfect… Most fashion and women’s magazines focus on an ideal of beauty that is just not something that anyone in real life can be. Remind yourself that the body images you see are manufactured by make up artists, hair dressers, airbrushing specialists, fashion designers, lighting specialists, and cosmetic surgeons. Also know that many fashion models have eating disorders and are not able to maintain their low body weight in a healthy manner. Create a Why I Like Myself List. Think about all the things about you that you like… are you Funny? Creative? Honest? Intelligent? Think of all the reasons you deserve to love yourself and write them down. Remind yourself of all the things you are besides a body. Read this list daily and add to it every time you think of something else you like about you. Create a Body Appreciation List. Think about how your body has continued to show up for you no matter how much you fed or starved it, exercised it or not. Write these things down. Remember that your heart has continued to beat, your lungs continue to breathe, and your liver continues to detoxify your body. As well, maybe your body has learned a new skill, gotten stronger, taken you to the top of a hill, rejuvenated during sleep, or allowed you to comfort a child, share love with a spouse, or go shopping with friends!. Celebrate your body and the marvelous things it can do. If you’ve had Weight Loss Surgery note all the things that your body can do now that it could not do before. How has your life changed because of the changes your body has gone through? Read this list daily and add to it every time you are grateful for something your body has done. Stop thinking that thinner thighs are the answer to all of life’s problems. When you find yourself hyper focused on your body stop for a moment and ask yourself what you would be doing, thinking, or feeling if you were not obsessing about your body. What is this preoccupation stopping you from being present to in your life? Are you in anyway benefiting from focusing on what you believe to be your physical flaws? Commit to feeling the feelings that arise as you ask yourself those questions and really listen to the answers you hear/feel. “Act as if you” were comfortable in your body even If you are not quite “feeling it” yet. How would you walk, what would you wear, how would you speak to people, what kind of self talk would you be speaking, what kind of eye contact would you make with others? Use these questions as a guide for “acting as if”. Notice how it feels to carry your body with an air of love and respect. Speak (and think) only kind and loving words and thoughts to and about your body!! If you find yourself being critical of your body, stop and acknowledge that this will not support you feeling good about yourself. Then, respond to yourself as you would to a best friend. For every negative thing you catch yourself saying about your body, apologize to your body and say 2 loving/ appreciative things about your body. Make a decision to truly “nourish” yourself. Read a good book, take a bubble bath, schedule a massage, get a haircut, dance to your favorite song, make plans with a friend, take a nap, ask for a hug, give yourself permission to say “no”, meditate, pray. Make it your intention to move and enjoy your body: go walking, swimming, biking, dancing, do yoga, tai chi, etc… not because you have to but because it makes you feel so good. Your body deserves to be treated well. Surround yourself with people who celebrate and appreciate you. Say “thank you” to compliments without discounting them. Know that you can control your experience of your life by the thoughts you choose to think. How you experience your life is a direct consequence of your predominant thoughts and feelings. By making a decision about the thoughts you choose to think (which are the precursors to your feelings) you take responsibility for creating your reality. So if you decide to think about what is not good about your body you will attract to you experiences of your body not being good enough, and more than likely will live in a state of “waiting till things get better (i.e. my thighs get thinner)” before you can really be happy. If you choose to think about what is good about you, what you like and appreciate about you, you will feel gratitude and be more likely experience your life as abundant and joy-filled! The next time you find yourself being critical of a particular body part, sit down and write a letter to that body part telling it exactly what you don’t like about it and how it makes you feel. Then have that body part write back to you telling you how it felt to read that letter. Then write back to that body part…….. and just notice what happens………. If you have any thoughts or comments about this blog I would love to hear from you. You can respond below to this blog or email me at louisa@louisalatela.com.

Whatever you are looking for you will see… AND... When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change! Tips for Improving Your Body Image: Accept your genetic body type: Remember that your weight, height, and bone structure are strongly determined by your genes.. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Stop comparing yourself to others. How others look has nothing to do with you. Be media conscious. We are bombarded with media messages telling us our bodies are not perfect… Most fashion and women’s magazines focus on an ideal of beauty that is just not something that anyone in real life can be. Remind yourself that the body images you see are manufactured by make up artists, hair dressers, airbrushing specialists, fashion designers, lighting specialists, and cosmetic surgeons. Also know that many fashion models have eating disorders and are not able to maintain their low body weight in a healthy manner. Create a Why I Like Myself List. Think about all the things about you that you like… are you Funny? Creative? Honest? Intelligent? Think of all the reasons you deserve to love yourself and write them down. Remind yourself of all the things you are besides a body. Read this list daily and add to it every time you think of something else you like about you. Create a Body Appreciation List. Think about how your body has continued to show up for you no matter how much you fed or starved it, exercised it or not. Write these things down. Remember that your heart has continued to beat, your lungs continue to breathe, and your liver continues to detoxify your body. As well, maybe your body has learned a new skill, gotten stronger, taken you to the top of a hill, rejuvenated during sleep, or allowed you to comfort a child, share love with a spouse, or go shopping with friends!. Celebrate your body and the marvelous things it can do. If you’ve had Weight Loss Surgery note all the things that your body can do now that it could not do before. How has your life changed because of the changes your body has gone through? Read this list daily and add to it every time you are grateful for something your body has done. Stop thinking that thinner thighs are the answer to all of life’s problems. When you find yourself hyper focused on your body stop for a moment and ask yourself what you would be doing, thinking, or feeling if you were not obsessing about your body. What is this preoccupation stopping you from being present to in your life? Are you in anyway benefiting from focusing on what you believe to be your physical flaws? Commit to feeling the feelings that arise as you ask yourself those questions and really listen to the answers you hear/feel. “Act as if you” were comfortable in your body even If you are not quite “feeling it” yet. How would you walk, what would you wear, how would you speak to people, what kind of self talk would you be speaking, what kind of eye contact would you make with others? Use these questions as a guide for “acting as if”. Notice how it feels to carry your body with an air of love and respect. Speak (and think) only kind and loving words and thoughts to and about your body!! If you find yourself being critical of your body, stop and acknowledge that this will not support you feeling good about yourself. Then, respond to yourself as you would to a best friend. For every negative thing you catch yourself saying about your body, apologize to your body and say 2 loving/ appreciative things about your body. Make a decision to truly “nourish” yourself. Read a good book, take a bubble bath, schedule a massage, get a haircut, dance to your favorite song, make plans with a friend, take a nap, ask for a hug, give yourself permission to say “no”, meditate, pray. Make it your intention to move and enjoy your body: go walking, swimming, biking, dancing, do yoga, tai chi, etc… not because you have to but because it makes you feel so good. Your body deserves to be treated well. Surround yourself with people who celebrate and appreciate you. Say “thank you” to compliments without discounting them. Know that you can control your experience of your life by the thoughts you choose to think. How you experience your life is a direct consequence of your predominant thoughts and feelings. By making a decision about the thoughts you choose to think (which are the precursors to your feelings) you take responsibility for creating your reality. So if you decide to think about what is not good about your body you will attract to you experiences of your body not being good enough, and more than likely will live in a state of “waiting till things get better (i.e. my thighs get thinner)” before you can really be happy. If you choose to think about what is good about you, what you like and appreciate about you, you will feel gratitude and be more likely experience your life as abundant and joy-filled! The next time you find yourself being critical of a particular body part, sit down and write a letter to that body part telling it exactly what you don’t like about it and how it makes you feel. Then have that body part write back to you telling you how it felt to read that letter. Then write back to that body part…….. and just notice what happens………. If you have any thoughts or comments about this blog I would love to hear from you. You can respond below to this blog or email me at louisa@louisalatela.com.

Not to mention pot is just awesome anyway. Makes TV so much more interesting. Been killin' it with Breaking Bad on Netflix. I'm re watching. I go back to work tomorrow. I do a lot of walking with my job so I'm wondering how I'll do next week. I'm honestly kinda surprised with how well I'm feeling and well I've done through all of this (so far). My uncle said, "It's like you flew down there and took and nap and came back." I thought I would be a lot sicker/ tired all the time. I don't feel that way at all. I'm just hungry sometimes and I have had pizza on my mind since last Sunday. The girl who convinced me to do this surgery tells me, if your hungry that means you need more Water. There's no way you're hungry bc your stomach is tiny. Are you guys taking time off work? How long?

Day 5 of the liquid diet for me and its tough. I slipped a little bit yesterday bc I didn't bring my Protein shake with me when I was running around all day. Im determined to get back on track though! 6 lbs down as of this morning! Hows the liquid diets going for everyone else?

Kelly, I didn't know you're from the Chicago area! I love Chicago. If it weren't for the really miserable winters, I would have stayed here. I love Lake Michigan. My entire life would have been completely different if I hadn't left when I was 20 years old to go to live somewhere that never sees snow. I do love Oregon but I wish when we moved all those years ago, we had moved to Portland. I am really stuck on the coast bc of my daughter's divorce. She can't live more than 50 miles away unless she wants to give up custody of my grandson. Now she has my adorable one year old granddaughter. I hear ya with men and sex. It really sucks when they still want to do it and can't. Bill has tried cialis viagria, etc. ( He would kill me if he knew I told you guys this stuff) and they don't work for him. That doesn't mean he doesn't want to try constantly. I am assured by Alex that nobody but us can read in here.

I have BCBS Fed employees and had no issues.

I am five days post op and I am having a lot of gas pains. My in sis ions are doing good don't hurt. But the bowel movements are bad. My suggestion if it's bowel movements get laxitive. My surgeons nurse told me to get it bc they wanted all the gas to get out of my body. Hopefully I feel better tommorow. No more laying around gotta get things done

Thank You so much for replying, I like that you call it Frankensleeve bc that's about what it feels like. I have noticed that Mashed sweet potatoes, and mashed potatoes and stuff likethat totally are fine with my stomach right now. My friend made me a carrot Soup and I add pureed sweet potatoes and butternut squash too it, but it gets boring after a while and my family does not fix me anything seperate when they fix everyone else dinner, so I have to either eat a little of what they cooked and then get sick or just drink a Protein shake. I need to go to the grocery store and buy some more black bean burgers they are soo good.

I also have BC/BS and a BMI of 38. My Dr. is submitting my paperwork sometime next week. I've had a history of having a BMI over 35 for about 6 years now. And I have moderate sleep apnea. I can't imagine that you will not be approved. I think I am much more borderline than you. Wishing you good thoughts and hope we both get approved!

As of Today it has been 3 months since my surgery and according to the guideline that my doctor gave me I should be on solid foods. I can eat solids but only certain things. I cannot seem to be able to eat rice, noodles, eggs, bread, or any type of meat, if I attempt to I throw up (I throw up alot). Does anyone know if that is normal?? I am thinking of becoming a vegetarian, bc it seems like I can eat black bean burgers, but not regular hamburgers. When I go to chipotle I get black Beans, veggies, and guacomole and I am ok. Dr said I could be lactose intolerant for 3 to 6 months, I cannot seem to tolerate, eggs, milk, butter, cream. his really sucks, Luckily I found a Protein shake that is lactose and sugar free made by Lean Body (on the Go) and it has 25gms of protein.

Have u gotten a response yet from bcbs fed. I also am in the wait game.??

Hi wanted to ask if any of yall? Whats the time frame of getting approved w bcbs fed? Im going in for a potenial end of July but i havent gotten the green light from ins. If not then it gets pushed more into aug. and family has already made plans for the stay and to Take over my lil ones.?? Sum people say one day and they got approved but staff is sayin up to 3 weeks they have seen for approval. :/ just worried. All paperwork req was submitted and been in the wait game. :/

I guess it depends on your personality and temperament. I love the pressure and relish it. Bring on the negative comments and calling me fat, or whatever. I use that to fuel me on days where I want to stop or be lazy. Use it to prove the doubters and the uneducated ones that their negativity and BS won't stop me.

How many calories are you eating? I'm just curious bc I'm 6 days out and protein shakes are high in calories so I'm around 500 that just seems like so much.

You won't get true dumping syndrome with the sleeve. But if you changed your supplements or shakes recently, check the nutritional info labels, bc they may have some hidden sugar or something else. It also could be trying to eat too much volume at once.