Recent Posts
When it is my health that is being compromised, I will pay out of pocket and argue with the insurance company later. Most of the time, if your surgeon writes an appeal explaining why the tests are needed, the company will back down and approve.
It is worth looking into another health insurance plan to see what they will cover and decide if switching is right for you.
Real life begins where your comfort zone ends
Hi DS'ers,
I had DS surgery about 1 1/2 years ago now and it's great. I now have Kaiser in SoCal and they are giving me major push back on my labs. Basically they are not wanting to do all labs requested by Dr. Keshishian, and just being hard to work with in general. To be clear, I did not go thru Kaiser for DS surgery and paid out of pocket. But I am wondering if anyone know how hard I should advocate for myself regarding this issue, it really does **** me off, just seems unreasonable. Is it worth it to switch to another insurance provider, or fight harder, or pay out of pocket? Any who has dealt with this issue, please chime on in.
Hi fellow old-timers! I had the Lap Band way back in '05. It literally broke and fell apart inside of me after a few years. I still haven't had it removed or been revised to another surgery for fear of going through everything again. My OG surgeon is still around and covered by my insurance, though, so who knows, maybe I'll be brave enough to finally have this trash band removed and get the VSG. Don't think RnY would be a good choice for me due to my lifelong battle with low iron and vitamin D levels.
I had a DS 2008. I also had same problem. Did a stool sample for fat content which had large amount of fat ( I could have told them that). I have PEI (pancreatic enzyme insufficiency PEI). Started taking enzymes Creon). I wasn't absorbing Ca (osteoporosis) or Iron ( anemia). What a difference my stools have been (formed). I went to a gastroenterologist. Getting iron infusions also. Taking liquid Calcoum. Hopefully I will starting to absorb more calcium as it is also causing secondary hyper parathyroidism. Good luck in your search for a solution
'Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid insideways ... half a bottle of vodka in one hand ... a fat cigar in the other... a body thoroughly used up and totally worn out ... and screaming;'whooooohooooo what a ride'!' HW/251 SW/242 CW/134 GW/140
WOW!! 117# Gone
DiAnna T.,...might want to see what i just posted below...there s a reason ppl do not absorb iron!
Hi aiiyana,
It's been a long time since your post. I'm just checking in to see how your're doing.. I have found after a massive early gastric surgery- i had a long slow drop in HBG &HCT.I am 25 years post op.
.there is an enzyme that is produced n the stomach, it is called the intrinsic factor.People wth type A+, blood frequently lack this enzyme. Intrinsic Factor is absolutely necessary for everyone to absorb iron.There is ONE natural source. it is liver. they do make liver extract capsules ( beef and buffalo) ..and i have been on them for15 years on some level... a couple of double 0 capsules 2 x a day with meals..will give iron and allow absorption. There are other options, which i did for a while i ate 2 oz liver 6 days a week for 6 weeks and it raised my HGB by .6. There are other liver that can be used, and one can make their own. organically raised,...chicken, rabbit or pork also work. meat should be sliced very thin. and sliced in strips... and dehydrated at 135 -140 degrees when so dry t snaps, it can be run thru a spice grinder and powdered and encapsulated..
I NO LONGER tolerate any commercial preps. there is a rx'd one " Foltrin", also in a generic, that has the ingredients and it is a size that is easy to swallow.If you can gt a rx it would be a good one to try. if levels are falling you need to address this NOW since you ar symptomatic.
.. walgreens has a mvi for pregnant women- that has intrinsic factor in it.. it is huge. and i can't consistently swallow it without having sensation that it is hung in my throat.
Good luck and the best wishes for speedy healing and safe recovery! 
Hugs !
I had my DS in 2007. Lost 94% of my goal weight. Gained about 40 pounds and then went back to working out regularly and I'm back down to that 94% point. Foul smelling bathroom and difficulty with vitamin D are my only issues. This process truly changed life for me and my children. Just logged in today after a few years.
The article referenced was highly inaccurate. In a nutshell, the DS is about 13 years old and there are studies that prove comparable weight loss to the Hess DS.
I had the Sadi DS done 7 years ago and lost more than 100% of the excess weight (152lbs). It stays off no matter what I eat, and I have far fewer needs than a Hess DS would require.
It's also not true that an extremely short common channel is better. It substantially increases malnutrition issues and usually doesn't result in more weight loss.
