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I have been sleeved for 5 years. When I made my decision I heard all that crap too. As a matter of fact my boss at the time was scheduled to have hers done before me. So she felt slighted that I to was having it she was a great deal heavier. However I ha been having issues with my health for over 6 years prior and I had a hubby and 2 children to think about. She and another lady that had a band always made comments and talked about me. My closest friend there was a RnY bypass with 3 years out. She told me. Look their gonna talk. You will drop more weight fast because you have less to loose and she won't like it. But it's your life. I had surgery and it happens just like she said. By the time I was back 3 weeks later I was down 42 lbs. she was sleeved 1 month prior and has lost 40 but you couldn't tell much. I was told I cheated, was lazy because I did not attend her support group or Zumba classes. I did my own at another location. All my family supported me in person and on the phone and still do. My husband is my biggest fan. He tells me no matter what I look like he loves me. So if anyone asks I tell them yeah I had it done. Had to to fix problems with my health. If they give me any BS I ask them if they could come visit me for a month and we will live on liquid Protein together and work and all the other stuff we have to do and. See who is stronger. I don't bull s it it. I'll tell them plain out it is my body and I choose what I do. If you son like it or the way I live to bad. God choose me to do a specific purpose in life and if gastric sleeve is part of that who am I to argue. I also ask them how much they spend each month on medications, ciggaretts and side pop. Along with all the other crap they eat. That usually ends their rants.

Deck the Halls will boughs of Holly... goes the song, not BS. So post the truth and if they are not ready for it, they will not ask again. Love you CG and Mad.

I think the issue of being in starvation mode (what your nurse referred to really) is because with your band and the stomach being smaller, it makes you feel full faster and with less food so it sends a signal to your brain saying you are full and fully fed. I'm assuming its just tricking your body in a way?

I have been turned down from Blue Cross of CA. Surgeon had sent first request. I have sent an appeal letter, my Family Physican sending an appeal request and yesterday contacted Inamed for information to be sent to BC of Ca. Any Blue Crosser's of CA appealing? It's BC Life & Health Insurance-Los Angeles Lynn Y Yeagerlms@sbcglobal.net

Hi everyone.....I am writing this entry with tears in my eyes because after almost 7 months of doing EVERYTHING I was told to do, I found out today that I was denied for surgery due to an exclusion my employer has on my policy regarding weight loss surgery! Now, I am a little confused because I have never received anything from my employer with a list of excluded services. I wonder what else is hidden that they are not telling me about? When I first started this journey, I called BC/BS of NJ and asked not one, but three representatives if bariatric surgery would be a covered item under my plan and ALL 3 of this num-nuts told me "Yes, as long as it can be deemed medically necessary and that you are morbidly obese"! Well, got those both covered so imagine my surprise after I spent almost $1000 on all the doctors necessary at $30 a pop since that is my co-pay! I really don't know where to go now. I did contact my HR director at work so that she could provide me with an up to date insurance booklet. The last one I requested in 2007 and I got a 2005 copy! If anyone has any helpful information, please let me know because if I keep going the way I am going, I will be huge and will most likely not need LB anymore, I'll be looking at a GB! THanks so much

Hi I do not have surgery scheduled at this point, but am contemplating a self pay lap band surgery. My BMI is approximately 38, I have sleep apnea, joint problems, and a horrible family history of cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart attack. I applied for RNY surgery in July and was denied. The surgeon appealed, and it was denied again. I about gave up. Then I got diagnosed with female problems and had to have a hysterectomy. I know in my heart this is partially from being overweight. I had a very large fibroid tumor, which is fed by estrogen. I also had stage IV endometriosis, which is fed by estrogen. Estrogen is made in abundance when you are overweight. I digress......my area just began doing the lap band surgery in September. I want to try my insurance again. If not, I am thinking somehow someway, I will find the money to self-pay. Thanks for listening.

Feeling really down. So I was sleeved may31,2012 my highest weight was 283 I'm now 238 bc I've gained 8 pounds within the last two weeks. I'm an emotional eater I'm unemployed. Six months I watched my grandmother suffer until her death. Got a job offer at the Hampton inn making 7.25 doing the laundry, yuck two weeks into that my dream job came or so I thought. Working at an insurance company where I would have to force the manager to speak. She was no help when I had questions regarding certain things. I almost lost my face being under so much stress. Saturday before last I was diagnosed with bell palsy . I've been eating an eating an to top it off my mom talked really bad about my pea coat today saying it was to small an that you could see all my fat rolls. That I need to check the mirror before I come home. I honestly don't wanna look in a mirror. I'm feeling sad an the food I'm eating make me feel like I need to throw it up. Oh can't forget the fact that I don't have a job right now.

I can relate because I feel the same way about people posting the same things over and over and over again however- there is not 1 plan for people to stick with post op- every surgeon has a different plan and some of us are even not on any "plan"... I think you have to take what you read here with a grain of salt and realize there is 1 inevery crowd (however here there is a zillion) who will always have something to say- positive or negative- and learn to weed through the BS and stick with what you read that pertains to you and your surgeons plan.... I have been on here for a almost 2 years now and it hasnt changed....same shiz different day

Hi all! Im from Victoria BC and will be getting sleeved by Dr. Malik here at the Royal Jubilee. How did everyone's sleeve experience go?

There may be different 'flavors' of Fed BCBS, with some PPOs providing preauthorization. We have been told by our Fed BCBS representative that they do not provide pre-authorizations or pre-determinations. They say if you meet criteria they will pay for it so they are asking us to take it on faith. We are waiting to get reimbursed on our first Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield patient done in 2007. If we see there are no problems with reimbursement than we will do them more frequently. I read here on this board of another patient with Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield who paid the surgeon and hospital and then filed on the insurance to get the reimbursement.

I have PCOS and used to cycle maybe 2 or 3 times a year unless on bc. Then in 2012 it stopped for two years almost to the day. In 2014 I started working out with a trainer and my periods came back almost exactly 28 days apart for the first time in my life! I got my period days after surgery, right on schedule and they have been within a day or two since. I'm only 2 months post-op, but I am on my third period and they seem to be staying on track. I was a little worried about them going haywire again, but so far so good. pam

Thank you everybody! @@Elode I tried the abdominal binder when I got home but I think it was too small. Still had to hold my belly up as I walked and it was hurting my incisions so I took it off. but it was a great idea! Anybody else have to hold up your belly to avoid that painful stretching feeling? I got home yesterday. Pain is mostly controled with loratb. Of course having trouble getting enough fluids. I think it maY have to do with my hiatal hernia repair bc it hurts somewhere between my breasts when I swallow. I'm walking often. No nausea. I knew I would be in a lot of pain. I knew I would have trouble with fluids. I knew it would suck a lot. But knowing it will happen and experiencing it are two different things lol each day does seem better than the last though.

I agree the 6 month diet thing went soo fast and was a great timefor me to learn all I could about eating and nutrition. I also read and read this site and soak in all I can, so I know what to expect. Like I said before the BC/BS il website is very useful. I would not expect as difficult as they are to get approved there would be any exceptions to the 6 month diet. Good luck. It does go by fast. I am on my 6th month on Wed!!! Tamara

You have a tough regime. Most of us have 2 weeks of each phase. The liquid phase is the hardest because we naturally want to chew. You are also getting over really tough surgery. Its a hard learning curve and you will be so sore. Your hormones are doing summersaults just now. Its a full on smack in the face. You have to white knuckle the liquid part that your team has set for you. You need to let your stomach heel. It will all pass very quickly. We all got passed it and we got fed up too. I couldn't do puree but I could do strained soups. Just do your best. It would not do any harm to contact your team and ask if you can have a little leeway with your diet. Try hot cold and frozen clear liquids just for a little variation

Thanks, Flowergurl. Approval number - yes Fed BCBS did give them an approval code. I have Non-federal BC Healthmate secondary coverage, and they stated to my surgeons office that they would pick up any copays and uncovered items without an authorization, not required for secondary. Good Luck and Don't give up!!!! remember what dotofoz said.

Aww I'm sorry it got cancelled. Hopefully you can reschedule for sooner rather than later. Mine went great I stayed 3 nights in the hospital bc I wasn't able to drink enough and had bad nausea. But I'm home now and things are getting much better

Also, check out this thread. It's Colorado, but it might be a ray of hope? You could site BC/BS Colorado in your appeal? Here's the thread... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=75508#post75508 Good luck!!

Mandy, I was recently approved by EmpireBlue PPO [a BC/BS of TX company]. When I was was waiting for approvals I noticed that people on other support Yahoo groups that I joined indicated that Inamed has also been helpful in rectifying the 'experimental' classification. I'll see if I can find the Inamed person's name that can get you information to overrule the experimental excuse. Good Luck and do not give up!

7 months ago today was my surgery day. I can not believe, nor would I believed had you told me then, what a different life I have now. On the morning of surgery I weighted in at 456lbs. Today as I type this I weight 280lbs. I have lost 176lbs post op. From my initial consultation to my surgery I had lost 36lbs for a total now of 212lbs lost. It is so much more than just the decreased numbers on the scale that have changed my life. Obviously it all goes back to the diminished mass I now carry but every aspect of my personal life is better. I'm happier, more optimistic, more outgoing and confident. I have returned to college, completed two courses over the spring and summer, both A's thank you very much, and will be going full time this fall and winter. I never would have put myself in the position to have to squeeze into desks or lecture chairs at nearly 500 lbs. Additionally this WL journey has helped me to focus on what I want to do "When I grow up". I'll be completing my BS in Health Sciences at the end of April 2012. From there I'm investigating options, I would love to be involved with a bariatric surgery center to help patients on their journey. My health, the real reason for doing this, is dramatically improved. I no longer take blood pressure medication or cholesterol medications, my blood sugars are well down in the normal range instead of high-normal and with a final test next week to confirm, I'll likely be officially off from my cpap (haven't used it for a month and feel great). I am more active, willing to try new things and excited about physical challenges. My golf game is much improved. I've, in the past 3 weeks, canoed and kayaked for the first time in my life. My wife and I have bought bicycles and we've went on rides of 12 and 14 miles thus far. We're finding a whole new relationship doing things other than setting on the couch. I've found what a great help it is to be involved in a strong, reliable support network. I have made some great new friends and learned the value of listening to those who have went before me and the satisfaction of helping those coming behind me. I would have never considered myself a support group type of guy, but I view it as one of the most important pieces which will lead to the successful completion of this journey. As great as this 7 months has been it is not without some surprises and challenges. My hair is starting to thin a bit. I have developed gall stones which will be taken care of with my gall bladder being removed on August 17th. I have loose skin in places I never would have imagined. Perhaps the strangest bi product and the one my wife takes the most joy in pointing out, my ears now seem bigger. I have been very fortunate and really have no issues for which to complain. I would do this again in a minute. Thanks for reading and taking the time to let me share my journey with you. Take care.

I was banded Nov.20th and same thing happened to me when I started eating mushies. Dont feel bad....it just takes time. My Dr. told me that first we will lose lbs. then inches, etc... those 4 lbs you gained will be off in about a wk. The more your swelling goes down the more you will be able to eat. I got my first fill and it's hard bc I have to be the one to tell myself to stop! Good luck on your journey, I know you will be fine. Right now we are in the learning process of learning to live with our band. :thumbup: Happy Holidays!

BTW.... I take offence to... //You can get it for $16K in Canada even in BC with better aftercare than what they are offering// I would be hard pressed to find anyone in Canada that will offer better aftercare than NWWLS....they may offer *equal* care, but not better. Patricia

I am pre-op and so far I paid $300 for Doctor consult, $355 for 2 nutrition classes, $288 for Pych Evaluation,(Ins paid $60) and waiting on Ins to pay the $900 Extensive Blood workup..I was surprised, b/c INS said it will pay for weightloss surgery,,and Nut, and Pych was a hoop I am having to jump through demanded by BC Insurance of Al..(teachers),,I havent paid the Pych b/c I will have to get a loan when this is all over..I also had to do a 6 month Dr Monitored weight loss Program (or weight watchers)before I have surgery..I amwaiting on a surgery date now.. I will do what I have to do..but Im having this surgery,,,jump in..do it..!! talk to ins company yourself...good luck!!!

I had surgery 2 months ago and although I saw my portion size go down I was really frustrated to see that I wasn't losing the weight. A week ago I had my 3rd fill and omg... I can bearly get food down. Not sure if the dr wanted to stop my complaining or really help me, the thing is that after two bites I literally have to push it out bc if I try to keep it in it really hurts. Could this be a sign that I need to unfill a bit or should I give it time to get used to it? If I stick to soups and puddings its not bad but I dint want to eat soup for the rest if my life....

I have my gallbladder out and since then alot of foods upset my stomach if I eat them I have to RUN to the bathroom. I am 10 days post op and while I have not been eating the foods that normally upset me. I am eating alot of protein and all mushy. I have been having this problem the last 2 days with needing to run to the bathroom. Is this normal? Could it be bc of my gallbladder and not the band or maybe a combo of both?

Doing well. Still only eating meats bc I don't have much room for much else, but I feel like each day I'm taking in a little more. That's good bc it means the swelling is going down . Down 28 lbs at 6 weeks post op. I'm tired of the shakes, but I make sure to have at least one per day to hit my Protein targets. How are you & the other MD folks doing?