Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
Hello all,
I am at the very beginning of my journey with WLS. I have been overweight since childhood and at 29, have been struggling to lose weight for 20 years and have only managed to get bigger and bigger. I haven't been under 200 pounds since I was 14, under 300 pounds since I was 20 (with a couple of brief visits down into the 280s in 2007 and 2010). I've tried many plans/programs, with Weight Watchers being the most successful for me but I always manage to lose 30 and gain back 40. I am hoping to continue with WW in the future as it is a program I am familiar and comfortable with, but know I need a bigger tool to help me with this journey, which is where gastric bypass comes in.
I've seriously considered WLS two times before now. Once at 19, and once about a year ago. Both times, plans fell through when the financing did. Now, however, I have a new insurance plan that covers the operation. I just confirmed that it's covered on Friday and had a long (basically all weekend) conversation about it with my husband. He is on board and very supportive, but scared (and I get that. I am scared too). Although I am the one actually getting it done, WE are doing this together and I can't think of anyone better to have by my side as I pursue this.
So, speaking of pursuing this. I'm not really sure where to start. I've done a lot of reading and came across this board which has been helpful. I've read that insurance will probably make me jump through hoops for approval, so I don't know if I should start by contacting them, or contacting the surgeons office to get the ball rolling. I don't currently have a primary care doctor since I just moved to a new state 2 months ago and haven't had a reason to find one yet.
Any thoughts and opinions on where to get started are greatly appreciated. I look forward to getting to know all of you.
I am at the very beginning of my journey with WLS. I have been overweight since childhood and at 29, have been struggling to lose weight for 20 years and have only managed to get bigger and bigger. I haven't been under 200 pounds since I was 14, under 300 pounds since I was 20 (with a couple of brief visits down into the 280s in 2007 and 2010). I've tried many plans/programs, with Weight Watchers being the most successful for me but I always manage to lose 30 and gain back 40. I am hoping to continue with WW in the future as it is a program I am familiar and comfortable with, but know I need a bigger tool to help me with this journey, which is where gastric bypass comes in.
I've seriously considered WLS two times before now. Once at 19, and once about a year ago. Both times, plans fell through when the financing did. Now, however, I have a new insurance plan that covers the operation. I just confirmed that it's covered on Friday and had a long (basically all weekend) conversation about it with my husband. He is on board and very supportive, but scared (and I get that. I am scared too). Although I am the one actually getting it done, WE are doing this together and I can't think of anyone better to have by my side as I pursue this.
So, speaking of pursuing this. I'm not really sure where to start. I've done a lot of reading and came across this board which has been helpful. I've read that insurance will probably make me jump through hoops for approval, so I don't know if I should start by contacting them, or contacting the surgeons office to get the ball rolling. I don't currently have a primary care doctor since I just moved to a new state 2 months ago and haven't had a reason to find one yet.
Any thoughts and opinions on where to get started are greatly appreciated. I look forward to getting to know all of you.
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Gastric_Bypass_Surgery/forum/13157871-newbies-need-know
You asked for thoughts/opinions on where to get started and I would highly recommend searching and researching for local Bariatric Centers of Excellence. Finding the right doctor and program is essential to success, support, and health. Many of these have free seminars and/or consultations. If you go for a consultation though, be prepared for them to want you to get started. Once you find the right place, it will be a whirlwind of appointments. It would also be good to find a primary doctor as well. Do you have to go through a primary doctor for a referral for a bariatric doctor? If so, I would still search and research for the bariatric doctor. The more prepared you are the better it will go with both primary and bariatric doctors. In my case, I get to pick my doctors directly and found my bariatric center. I did not have to go through a primary doctor. The center communicated with my insurance company which easily approved RNY because I met all the requirements. You may also start looking for a good counselor because working on our head issues is crucial for success. At this point, the more prepared you are the better. Education and preparedness can give you a peace of mind that will help you to stay positive throughout this part of your life's journey.
It is wonderful that you have a supportive husband. Mine went with me to all my pre op appointments and asked questions the whole way. I kept him in the loop on all I was learning here along the way regarding the process and expectations. He knew how our meals would have to change. I basically told him that I would cook what I could eat and that if he wanted junk food he could get it himself. It worked perfectly and he ended up shedding weight along with me. He has never complained the we have healthy food on our table.
Feel free to ask lots of questions. I do not know what I would have done without this forum. I am grateful to have found this wonderful community who has supported me these last five years. WLS provides us with a powerful tool for success, but we still have to choose every day to use it. Congrats on making choices to make some more changes!
I would suggest that you begin with your surgeon's office. The staff there will be very familiar with the insurance requirements and will guide you through the process. I, too, had a six month approval period, and I actually found it to be very helpful. During the prep time, I gradually purged my pantry of the bad stuff, weaned myself off of sugar and other white foods, and decaffeinated myself. It was really helpful doing that ahead of time. I think it would have been very, very difficult to do it all at once after having the surgery.
In my process, I had a two week liquid diet prior to the operation, and I found that to be the most difficult part of it all. There was a steep learning curve after surgery, as I had to learn to know my body signals and what foods worked for me and which didn't. It was very helpful to have this board here. Honestly, I think I logged on here a couple of times a day to read discussion threads and ask questions. It has been very helpful to me in my journey.
Most bariatric centers have people who are experts at dealing with the insurance company.
When I got my RNY, I contacted the nearest Center of Excellence bariatric surgery center. My insurance company required a Center of Excellence. I had called and talked to the insurance company first.
The Bariatric Center told me the first step was to attend a seminar on a weekend afternoon. The gave a lot of information at the seminar and you were given a folder to take home. I told them at the seminar I was ready t go with them.
The first step was to get written confirmation that I had insurance coverage. As soon as that was submitted, the bariatric center took over dealing with the insurance company.
The insurance company required me to do 6 months of a weight loss attempt even though I had been on various crazy diets all my life!
We did the documented weight loss attempt through my family doctor. I lost little to nothing but that's ok. It only proved I needed the surgery.
Then the center had me to see their psychologist, nutritionist. And so on. Lastly I went and had labs and a test of my stomach done. When that was completed surgery was scheduled.
It started in February and I got my surgery Dec 7, 2012.
It is so worth the effort!
I lost 130 pounds. I WAS a type 2 diabetic. I went from 5 to 7 shots of insulin plus 4 metformin per day to nothing! The diabetes is GONE!
I could sell the RNY door to door! It was a life saver for me!
As for the surgery itself, it wasn't as bad as I expected. I had little to no pain. I didn't take any pain medication after I left the hospital a couple of days after surgery. I was off work a month. The doctor said I could return to work in 2 weeks but we decided a month due to my profession.
The weight loss was really rapid for the first year or so. Now it's leveled out. There are a few things that I avoid because they make me sick. Like sugar and grease. Didn't need them anyway!
I heard all the horror stories that someone who knew someone heard at the beauty shop. I heard all the possible complications. There may be a few who have complications but I think they are a small minority. I had none.
This is a great group of folks. We are an online family. I learned a lot from them post comments and questions often. Someone will reply.
Best of luck on your journey!
They will also help you wade through the pre surgery authorizations and preparation mazes. They do this everyday and will have it streamlined for you.
When the worries around the risks get the better of you and your husband, consider the risks and life shortening capacities of being obese and the co-morbidities that accompany that.
I know I'm healthier and have the chance to live a lot longer now.
Best of luck, take care, and keep in touch.
JJ