I went with the VSG due to the doctors advice and with research. I ended up having to have a revision to RNY due to severe GERD.

A December to Remember Giveaway

CONGRATULATIONS, MELODY P. YOU ARE THE WINNER OF DAY 6 DECEMBER TO REMEMBER. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR DETAILS.

For this exciting December To Remember Giveaway, there will be one winner per day. The Giveaway begins on Monday, December 13, 2021, and runs through December 31, 2021. Winners will be selected at random.

This giveaway is open to legal residents of the United States and must be a minimum of 18 years of age to participate. Participants must be registered members of ObesityHelp.

Question: What bariatric surgery procedure did you choose and why did you choose it?

Prize: Bariatric Fusion, LLC Pair of Apple Airpods. Retail Value $129

I think it varies greatly from program to program and people's individual insurance. I had several pre-op visits - some for medical clearance items and some for psychological clearance. I had to meet for an introductory group session, then a 1:1 with the surgeon, meet with the dietician and a physical therapist to talk about exercise. I also had to meet with a psychiatrist to get mental health clearance and "diagnosis" of an eating disorder (this was a weird process since they didn't really know what to diagnosis me with as I wasn't a binge eater).

My BMI was 36.1, so they advised I should not lose weight as the cut off for my insurance was 35 with a comorbidity (I have monogenic diabetes). I started my process in September and had surgery mid-January and I think I gained 6lbs in that time frame, LOL. I was really worried about losing - I was a great loser, I just never kept it off. I had regularly gotten down in the 28-30 BMI range "on my own" (hate that phrase but you know what I mean). I had 9 days pre-op of liquid diet. I was allowed protein shakes, calorie free clear liquids and one 'meal' of greek yogurt or cottage cheese per day. Then one day of only clear liquids before surgery.

Actually ( at least for my insurance) the initial weigh in weight was the only one that counted. Losing too much before surgery was a big concern for most "lightweights" back when we had to prove we could lose weight to get surgery but in most cases it was unfounded.

Honestly it was having lost 140 pounds in order to successfully have to have my kidney removed and then immediately beat kidney cancer thereafter.