Maybe thats what your dr requires?? Or possibly your insurance? All areas are different... I read another post that people had to sign up for classes before surgery to help them handle emotions, how to eat right post sugery etc. Personally I only had 1 psych eval (which I thought was a huge joke!) and one nutrition consulation. I will say I wish I got to see the nutritionist again pre-surgery... I had my visit back in September and now that I am approved and the date is comming up I have more questions Id like to ask!

Another good place to check for discounts is with your insurance... with my BCBS I get a discount thru some online place on vitamins/protein powders etc. I checked out Costcos near me and they have Viactive for $11.29 for 120ct. I had to use them when I had ankle surgery and they are TASTY! You want to keep eating them they are so good

Not sure if it would be ok... but they do have those flavored tuna fish packets.. lemon pepper and sun dried tomato are two ive seen.

BCBS in my area requires a BMI of 40 or higher for 4 years to qualify... if you have under 40 you need co-morbities. If I remember correctly they do not cover the lapband but your particluar policy could... you will have to call and find out. I know here in NC BCBS is "revamping" their requirements for WLS... not sure about where you are. Chances... cant say, just comes down to who is making the decision. I have BCBSPPO and had to go all the way to the external appeal to be approved (check with your plan and see what the appeals process is). I only met 3 of the 4 years for the BMI and have "minor" co-morbidities. I had taken diet pills and lost 100lbs which dropped me below the requirement for 2 years. I have been overweight since I was in middle school so I used that information as well to prove a looooooooong history of obesity. Just get as much information together as possible. I sent in all my medical records from any Drs and hospitals I have been to over the past 5 years.. pcp, obgyn, vascular surgeon, ER visits... EVERYTHING. My surgeon wrote a letter, I wrote a letter and my pcp also wrote a letter. I included some family medical history as well.

Some Drs are not trained to do lapro. surgery. Could be an issue with insurance companies in that area not paying for lapro. As far as I know, most surgerys are done larpo unless the patient is over a certain weight. In those cases the laproscope isnt long enough to get where it needs to go and they have to do the surgery open. Id talk to your surgeon and see why he does it that way. Im sure he could explain much better

Its always hard at first. Just keep focused on how great you will be in a month or two months... or an event down the road. The first few days, week or two weeks after any major life change is hard. Maybe talk to your mom about how you are feeling and see if she can limit what she has in the house or at least not eat it in front of you. I dont know your family, so I dont know how they will react.... if they are defensive its more than likely jealousy that you have begun the first step to completely changing your life!!! Just have to approach it the right way and Id think they would understand. As for the head trip over food... my friend had the surgery 4 years ago... afterwords she said she felt her best friend had died because she could no longer eat like she wanted. She and her boyfriend had a huge fight... usually shed "medicate" herself by eating a x-large pizza and a pint of ice cream. Food is an addicition and a habit. Maybe head over to some support groups so you can talk about it with people who have the same issue... or find a counselor to speak with. Just have to find some other things to focus on (like shopping! woo hoo). Find somebody to be a "phone buddy" that you can call when you are having a rough time. Support is the best tool! Hope this helps

Walmart sells it. Walgreens. Its in the skin care section.

A) now is as good a time as any... anything could happen at any time so you have to live for the moment! You said "I know for a fact that their insurance does not cover anything to do with obesity or weight loss." If you have complications from the surgery, that would more than likely be covered. I cant imagine them excluding treatment for you, but Id call and ask more probing questions. Since you are in school do your parents claim you as a dependant and can you get on their insurance? B) I personally know a few people who had this surgery 20+ years ago and they dont regret a thing. I think its a personal experience. I know people *****gret and people who dont. The people *****gret are the ones who were not prepared for what they needed to do postsurgery. This definately isnt an "easy fix". It does take a lot of work and you have to completely change your life! C) Im *way* concerned about my hair. When I spoke to my dietician she said as long as I take my vitamins and get the required daily protein there shouldnt be a big issue with the hair. The issues with the hair cause from not getting enough vitamins/protein/nutrition. If you keep up with everything as you are suppose to you shouldnt see a huge change. D) Everybody is different. I can look at my own body and know after I lose weight Im going to need some help with the "chicken wings" (area under your arms) and more than likely will have loose skin on my stomach and want a breast lift. None of this would be required, but it would be what I would want to do to get rid of the rest of the "fat girl." Working out before and after surgery will help. I also just starting using skin firming lotions (im sure they are a scam ha ha!). The way I look at it, any little bit can help! Being young is definately a plus. When I spoke to the surgeon he said exercising is the best...build up muscle and help tighten and tone the skin! As for the insurance... its extremely difficult to get them to pay for any type of plastic surgery. If after the surgery you have excess hanging skin that is causing medical issues (rashes and such) they may have coverage for that. My friend, who is 5'8", weighed 360 at the time of her surgery 4 years ago and is down to about 140lbs (she wont tell me of course!). She lost well over 200lbs.. her arms are still big (not saggy) but they were HUGE at that weight (she carried her weight in arms/legs). Her stomach looks like sombodies who had a baby... just kinda wrinkly and stuff. I have another friend (5'4" 200lbs at time of surgery) whose only skin issue was her breasts post surgery (she had HUGE boobs).. everything else was great. Hope this helps!