So i have recently been thinking about getting the gastric sleeve. My therapist is actually the one that recommended it to me.

Just a little background, I am 5'4" currently 278 lbs ( i have recently gained a lot of weight after a breakup) I have hypothyroidism, and depression... currently on meds for both. I have an appt with the surgeon on Dec 19th, and there is a seminar on 12/9 that the receptionist said i should attend.

I have Cigna insurance, i called and they do cover the surgery. I have been on and off WW for 4 years, in 2010 i lost 40lbs i cancelled for about a year, and then rejoined in August, but haven't been consistent with going to meetings or weighing in. I also did Medi Weight-Loss this year i signed up for 3 months, and went regularly for 2. I have all of the paperwork... and all of my bank statements. I have a question about the insurance would that be enough to show that i have tried? I have also done the skinny rules (bob harper's book) atkins, south beach, starvation, and every other diet known to man. My will power is great... but i can't seem to get below 215lbs.

I am an emotional eater, i have been working on this for a long time... there is a lot of fear with giving up food, and there is a lot of guilt and shame around it.

Anyway, i was wondering what you all did for your insurance requirements and how you deal with the emotional eating, before and after surgery? Thank you!

I am one month out, i had my surgery on December 10, God i have been through so much. In the hospital for a week and i still can't eat. Everything hurts my tummy. I have lost 30 lbs but it was not the easy way. I am still throwing up and still in agony. I just want to feel better, i have been sick for a month and I am a tough girl but this thing is zapping me good. I am one in a million though. It is still a great way to get the weight off and i don't want to discourage anyone. I think my age and health was not well at the time. I will fight this off though and i will win this battle of the bulge no matter how sick i get.

Good luck to all of you and thanks for posting.

I have just started my pre op diet. I get sleeved 24/12/15. I have been writing about it on my new blog sleeve2splendiferous.blogspot.com/

Check it out

@@sleeve2splendiferous, Your having the sleeve next December and you've already started your pre-op diet? Also, not sure I'd have the sleeve done on December 24, that seems like a tough time to have it done, but good luck!

Your surgeon's office can help guide you through the insurance piece. Just keep asking for help with it. If you have a high enough BMI, and/or co-morbidities, you're very likely to get approved. And you can certainly document the effort you have put into weight loss in the past.

As for the decision, we were all nervous and apprehensive. It's totally normal. For the six months prior to my surgery I was totally addicted to Buffalo Wild Wings. I'd go to 2 or 3 different BWW restaurants a week, so they wouldn't know how much of it I was eating. Since the surgery..... Haven't gone and haven't missed them. When I reach goal, I'm thinking of buying a bottle of my favorite BWW sauce to use with chicken breasts. Here's the thing... With the sleeve, you really don't miss the foods you think you love. (Used to love bread -- now don't care about it.) Once you detox from them, it's just like booze or cigarettes, the remaining addiction is in your head. "Head hunger" we call it. But with one big difference -- your tool (the sleeve) helps you make better decisions. It isn't a cure for emotional eating, but it helps you control your urges. My biggest tip is to stay full of fluids. Since I started drinking 100+ ounces of Fluid per day, my occasional hunger pangs have disappeared. I can honestly say that in the 6 months since my surgery, I have learned to "eat to live". It was a major A-ha moment that came to me about a week ago. So go for it! You've tried everything else, this is what you need to beat this thing forever!

Edited January 8, 201511 yr by Rogofulm

Thanks everyone! I am defintely trying to deal with my "head hunger" now, because i know that, single handedly that will be the hardest part for me, personally.

Edavidson - I am sorry to hear you are having so much trouble! I am sure that it is all up from here. You made the right choice for you and it will pay off!

@@sleeve2splendiferous, Your having the sleeve next December and you've already started your pre-op diet? Also, not sure I'd have the sleeve done on December 24, that seems like a tough time to have it done, but good luck!

Opps!! Typo! 24/1/15!! So about 2 1/2 weeks!

Tomorrow will be five weeks since my surgery, i have lost 35 lbs. I was wondering if anyone out there had a hard time reintroducing solid food. I stay so nauseated and it hurts to swallow . Is this normal? I stay so hungry but can't eat.

I'm thinking she meant 2/12/15! I hope so, anyway!

I'm on CIGNA insurance and am getting the sleeve. I've been to two out of four monthly visits required. I'm going through True Results in Dallas. So far, so good. Best wishes to you.

Melissa

Edavidson - Im having the same problem. I don't think I'm getting enough nutrition. I rely on shakes/smoothies, but I'm hungry soon after and I can't really eat anything. I'm scared of the discomfort that comes with eating so I just don't eat. Not good, I know. But what can we do? What can we eat? I'm out of ideas...

Sleeve101 - I don't know what to do. We can't live on smoothies and Protein shakes. Mashed potatoes are not good for you and we need nourishment. I am only five weeks out so maybe i am not giving myself enough time. I just wish i could get rid of this constant hunger. If not for the Protein Shakes i would starve to death. Keep me posted if you find something that works for you and maybe it will work for me as well.

Hi..... I love this supprt group... Whatever I read is knowledge, experiences that people share is learning for me.... Every post is like a blast of information and I have learnt so much from every member here....

Wonderful idea of sharing stories about who we are....my nick is (cloud nine be mine) I'm 29 year old single, when ppl ask me how did you get fat or when.... I can't say anything, as much as I remember I have always been on the heavier side.... Obese or overweight is where I have mostly fluctuated, I'm 240 pounds once around 2 years back I started with a low carb diet which I did it for a year and lost 44 pounds.... I got busy with college and submissions, very conveniently the weight came back on. I don't remember a day In my life where I never thought of my weight, the calories in a meal and how I should be working out instead of sitting. The yo-yo have all been done and fallen of the wagon.... I made a silent promise to myself I wanna be in shape when I turn 30, I wanna be at my lowest weight I have even been and wear the most flattering jeans and go sit in a bar and be hit on ☺️

I have never had a guy approach me or asked for a dance, I want all the to change.... 29 years of my life have gone by feeling sad and inferior about myself.... It's gotta change.... This really seems like THE TIME

I can't say I have done my thorough study like many of you have....I m a doctor and all of what I know seems fine.... I want to take the "leap of faith"

You guys think I should?

My next post will be when me and my doctor decides the day to turn me all new ????

Xoxo

Will do @@Edavidson ! BTW - I'm so glad you posted this...I thought I was the only one struggling for nourishment!

I tried a thin slice of mont/jack cheese (abt an ounce) and a few saltines last night....OMG...it was like a dream! I didn't feel any pain at all and I felt satisfied. But now what? Can't live on cheese n crackers either!

You know, I feel so guilty eating what I can tolerate to survive instead of Protein protein protein. Do you ever feel that way?

@@Sleeve101, you can also try a slice of cheese wrapped in a slice of cold cut meat, cook a little hamburger or turkey burger add a little gravy. I can't do Protein shakes, so I went straight to solid foods shortly after surgery, just chewed things really well, took small bites ate small amounts. I loved clam chowder and broccoli/cheddar Soup, so I ate that a week after surgery with no problem, any Soups really I had no problem with, just chew anything in them really well.