New to Group

beckybernardo

Hi I am new to this group but have been on mfp for a while now off and on. I have finally decided to have gastric bypass, but have just started on my 6 months of a doctor supervised weight loss program that I have to do in order for my insurance to cover it.

Yesterday I started on phentermine, boy was that a trip...I was afraid to take my dose today, but after calling the doctor, I took it. Still feeling a little shakey and a mild head ache, but better then yesterday. I have my surgery conferance tomorrow night and my first doctors appointment with the surgeon on Thursday. I just really with this would all go by quicker.

Has anyone had to go on the 6 month diet before? and if so , what happens if you do lose weight? I want to lose as much as possible before, but don't want to get denied for surgery if I do.

Thank you all for all the posts. It really helps me to get information about what everyone is going through. Thanks again and the best of luck to you all.

tessanne10

It doesn't seem like it now, but that six months will go by fast. This is usually done for the insurance companies. They have different hoops as I call them for us to jump through, once you can show them you can follow a program and get all your testing done, then after meeting with your surgeon, the surgeon will put in for the surgery. Keep in mind some companies are different. This is what I had to do for Priority Health Medicare in Michigan.
The time also let's you prep both emotionally and mentally for the upcoming changes to your body.
It's good to have you join the group.

Theresa

risskie

Hi Beckyb and welcome to our every growing group of pre and post surgical RNY and Lap band members. Most of us who have decided or had the RNY, followed a MD supervised weight loss program. Beyond showing the desire to losing weight, it's whether you have the stamina to follow it and a commitment to become a new lifestyle. It takes that much time to prove to both the MD and his Barriatric staff AND yourself that you are up to the task. It isn't easy. The MD's try to weed out the people who show signs of potential relapse. That can endanger yourself and reverse all the work you are/been through in prep and recovery.

That said - I'm not sure I know what 'phentermine' is. My program did not involve drugs. I can't say I've heard of any other person on that drug (??) before surgery. Be sure to share with us what that is and how it helps.

Personally my journey began Aug 15,2011 and I had the surgery Jan 15,2012. My program requirement was 30lbs lost before any surgery. Some people can do that within the time frame, others take longer. Meanwhile, while you are changing your eating habits and losing weight, the program's nutritionist helps you make the right choices and guides your way. Perhaps you will see a psychiatrist and also have to attend certain number of support group sessions(after hours) with others thinking/planning/preparing for either the RNY or lap band surgery.

Barriatric programs want you to lose weight healthfully. No crash or unhealthy diets will be allowed. They will see through it instantly. You will probably have to track your food and show proof of your learning how to eat healthy. They won't deny surgery if you do - if they are a reputable program. Insurances Co., on the other hand, can be cagey. So make sure, that they will pay for the surgery when you are ready and followed program rules.

Hopefully I've answered some questions. Maybe you have others. But realize that this group will have lots of ideas and experiences to share. Good luck as you start your journey. :flowerforyou:

Christine

beckybernardo

Phentermine is the other diet pill that was taken off the market years ago when there was the Phen Phen rage. The one I am taking is the "good" Phen. My doctor also is having me take L-carnitine suppliment with it, which helps to burn fat.

The doctor that I see has a bariatric program that he does, that is why I am going through him for my six month doctor program. He has you work with a nutritionist, a psychologist and himself, so I think it would be a good program to go on. I guess I will find out from my surgeon on Thursday if I need to lose weight before surgery. I never know that they wanted you to do that.

THis group and site has been a lot of help and I get on here everyday to see how everyone is doing and to learn new things.

beckybernardo

Thanks Tessanne. It does seem like so long and I hope it goes so fast. I live in Minnesota and have the Minnesota blue cross blue shield. I am so afraid that once I go through this that they will decline it. I am afraid that if I lose too much weight these 6 months that they will decline it for that reason. So it is very stressful and evey very exciting at the same time

_VoV

I am new to the group, and would like to introduce myself. I had RNYG surgery over 30 years ago (1981 to be precise).

I went from 232 to 140 over the course of the first year. I always fought my surgery, instead of working with it, so I yo-yo-ed repeatedly, first at a smaller range, but finally all the way up to, and beyond my starting weight.

I settled on a mostly sugar-free, grazing eating pattern. Now I am relearning how to use my surgery to my advantage by eating foods like pasta that don't go down as easily.

Susann1963

I was in the same boat. My insurance (United Healthcare in Arizona) said they would cover my surgery if my BMI was over 40. I weighed in for the beginning of the 6 months just barely over that. My doctor stressed that the education and training for the future eating was just as important as the actual weight loss. I did lose a couple of pounds, but they were able to document things each week like exercise, increased water intake, increased protein intake, reduced sweets, elimination of caffeine and soda etc. Apparently the long term success of people that have had the 6 month "prep" is much greater because we have 6 months to really prepare ourselves for the changes. Good luck! Keep us posted! We really all try to support each other here!

TL0105

Hi, my name is Tricia and I had my RNY Bypass procedure on Monday. My insurance company wanted me to go through the 6 months diet/exercise program which I did, utilizing the surgeon's dietician. I know it was a bummer at first, but in the end, it was wonderful. It gave me the chance to see what worked for me and what didn't, and we were then able to tackle those issues head on. I will say, that the only time ever in my life that I was able to lose a considerable amount of weight and keep it off for a considerable amount of time is when I used phentermine. My doctor had explained it as the good part of Fen Phen...the downside, is that you really shouldn't stay on it for more than 4 months at a time, and the results are not sustainable...(hence, my GP would not prescribe even when I begged him to...)

I did not lose a lot of weight during this six month period and I was so happy for those MFP friends that were able to drop lots before their surgery. So many reasons to drop the most you can prior to surgery...reduce the size of your liver, blood pressure gets better, etc...easier recovery time.. Make the best out of your next 6 months..the time will fly by. After my six month period, the only other request I received from the insurance company was a list of all my attempts at dieting/exercise, the programs I had used, the weight lost/gained, etc...literally 24 hours later I had my approval and 13 days later, a surgery date. March 24th is my new birthday...it is the beginning of the rest of my life. I look forward to follow you on your journey...best of luck~!

Susann1963

Congratulations on the surgery! Feel free to add me if you are wanting more contacts!

tessanne10

It's sounds like you have a good doctor who looks at all aspects of the surgery and is making sure you get the proper help emotionally and mentally as well. I'm finding that even after having the surgery there is always something that is changing and I am now trying to gauge my physical activity to what my body is telling me instead of trying to keep up with everyone else.
Learned today that it is normal for me to feel tired out and that I will for the next three months, so now I am concentrating on getting my protein in the right way and doing the little things like the dishes and walking the dog, etc. for right now as a way to get in my exercise. Next is to start building my muscle strength to improve my endurance.

kidskart

Welcome! I am 7 weeks post op from the Vertical Sleeve. Every week I feel better and stronger.

I did 3 months diet with the nutritionist at my doctors office. My understanding is they want to create the healthy livestyle you will need to have in place following the surgery. It gave me the chance to get carbonated drinks out of my diet, begin drinking 8 glasses of water. I did start walking during those three months and that I feel has really made my recovery better.

At the beginning of the 3 months my BMI was 40, by surgery it was like 37. That 3 month period also gave me time to transition bad foods, unhealthy habits out of my life and mentally prepare for life after surgery. You may not be hungry anymore after surgery, but those triggers in your head are there and need to be dealt with. It also gave my family time to adjust to the changes.

Good luck, and feel free to ask anything!

Blessings,
Lisa

beckybernardo

Thank you all again for all the encouraging words. I have started to understand the 6month diet and have started to make some changes. I am really trying to eat slower, that is a huge problem that I have. My doctor also told me to start and chew my food up to applesauce consistancy. Both of those are very challenging for me, but i am working on them. I don't feel very hungry and am having a very hard time getting my calories every day, but I also know that if I eat when I am not hungry, it will lead me to overeating. So I am trying to do my best with that. I also haven't weighed myself since the doctors appointment and am trying not to.

With all the support that I am getting on here, I think that I can do this and succeed at it. You guys are so wonderful and encouraging. Thanks

PeggyWoodson

I am 18 years post op Roux En Y. Sept 1994 was my surgery month. I went from 330 down to 112. Surgeon wanted me to weigh 160. I eventually got back to 160 and maintained that all these years till January 28th of last year. I shattered my wrist. I was put on some medication for the nerve pain involved and it made me eat like I had not even had the surgery. I gained back to 195. 35 lbs. I am down 6 lbs so I still have 30 lbs to go. I love this site and am on here ever day. If you want to friend me I would love to have some fellow GB folks as friends. I think you will love the results of your gastric bypass.

I always said, they fix your stomach not your head. Keep that in mind and keep reminding yourself to follow only your surgeons instructions. He is the only one who will know what is best for you.

I had to eat baby food for six weeks following surgery and then move to soft foods like mashed potatoes before I could eventually move on up to a full diet. You eat often but not much. Be sure and chew well and drink all the time.

TraciLee36

Welcome to the group I had a sleeve done on 12/28/2012 and I am down 42lbs. I was at a plateau for over 4 weeks before the scale moved again. I also did the pre op diet before the surgery and I lost almost 50lbs try and to stay connected on here it does help. Anything that is bothering you let us know we are all here to help. If you want you can also friend me.