An overnight sleep study could be one of the pre-op tests your doctor orders for you. They want to see if you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. They perform this test for a variety of reasons, but they want to be able to treat you if you have a dangerous sleep disorder. You won't need to bring much, just a few essentials. They'll hook you up to a few electrodes and have you relax. The room inspires relaxation, as they want you to be as comfortable as possible. I had an overnight sleep study as part of my pre-op testing, and it was an interesting experience. The overnight sleep study is a necessary diagnostic test to determine if you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. ... read more
What to Expect at Your Overnight Sleep Study
How to Know if Weight Loss Surgery is Covered by Insurance
Obesity is super expensive. According to a 2016 article on Insure.com, obesity costs the United States $117 billion a year on medical expenses and lost productivity. Thankfully, bariatric surgery can be a solution to reduce these expenses. However, some insurance companies aren't covering weight loss surgery. To find out if yours will cover surgery, it's up to you to contact your insurance company. Many times when it is covered, you have to meet certain requirements to get approved. Approval time can vary, but you can call at the beginning of your journey to see what your coverage is. Each insurance plan is different, so you'll need to contact your insurance company to find out if weight ... read more
How to Pay for the Weight Loss Surgery Cost
How many of us have ever gotten excited about a new project, only to be halted by the money it takes to start it? Maybe your solution is to whip out that shiny piece of plastic called a credit card and deal with the aftermath later. The weight loss surgery cost can be no different, with pre-op testing, consults and various appointments. Let's not mention the gas involved in driving to these appointments and time missed from work. You can help yourself by checking with insurance to see what portion of the surgery they'll cover and if they have any incentives for losing weight. Getting your own financial house in order can really help in several ways too. You can also try to earn extra cash ... read more
The Forbidden Foods You Need to Avoid After Bariatric Surgery
If you are really quiet, you might be able to hear the sound of a post-bariatric surgery patient getting sick because they ate something they shouldn't have eaten. I've seen it happen so frequently among the bariatric community, and I have also succumbed to the lure of forbidden foods after my surgery. Yes, there are foods you need to avoid after bariatric surgery. While the foods vary greatly from person to person, generally, you'll want to avoid foods that will make you sick, contribute to weight gain or jeopardize your physical safety. The risks of eating one of these types of food include things like dumping syndrome, blockages, vomiting or diarrhea. However, don't dwell on the things ... read more
15 Super Simple Life Changes to Lose Weight for Good
Most women give up on a diet after only five weeks, according to a 2013 article on The Daily Mail. I used to be one of those women. However, when I realized that the only way to change my life was to change myself, I committed to losing the weight for good. In November 2017, I started the process to get bariatric surgery. My doctor told me I had to lose 50 pounds before surgery, so I set myself on a mission to eat healthier and exercise more. I made a few simple changes to lose weight, like tracking my food, eliminating soda and finding healthy alternatives to the foods I loved. Through these simple life changes to lose weight, I lost 46 pounds in my first 14 weeks. If your doctor recommends ... read more
Day of Gastric Sleeve Surgery: The Day that Will Absolutely Change Your Life
Anxious. Scared. Excited. Ready. These feelings are just some of the ones I felt the day of my gastric sleeve surgery. It's completely normal to have mixed feelings the days leading up to and the day of surgery. While everyone has a different experience, generally you'll follow a similar day: registration at the hospital, prep for surgery, the actual surgery and recovery. However, one thing that is the same for everyone is that your life will never be the same. You're making a positive change and taking control of your life. Embrace it. The day of your gastric sleeve surgery is different for everyone, but it will change your life forever. Note: The day of your gastric sleeve surgery ... read more
How to Get Back on Track with Weight Loss When You Fail Yourself
I failed myself. It kind of crept up on me sometime after the hustle and bustle of Christmas and the New Year. I started letting old habits creep back. I felt horrible like I failed myself and all those who supported me. But, I realized my mind and body are a work in progress. Getting back on track with weight loss meant going back to my bariatric basics and reaching out for help. I reconnected with my weight loss goals and why I wanted to lose weight in the first place. Our old habits will never fully go away, but working each day on new habits will bring us closer to our goal. I Failed Myself You know how it is after Christmas and New Year's. You're winding down from a busy ... read more
This is What Happens at the Pre-Op Consult for Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery wasn't real until I had my pre-op consult for bariatric surgery. I mean, I knew I was working towards surgery, but until this appointment, it didn't feel real. I was nearing the peak of my journey but still had a few things to do. At this visit, you'll review your medical and surgical history with your surgeon. He or she will order final pre-op testing. They will give you instructions for the pre-op and post-op diets, as well as sign consent forms for surgery. It's a really exciting and nerve-wracking appointment, but it's also one of the final opportunities you have to ask questions before surgery. Come prepared with your last-minute questions. Everything becomes real at ... read more
5 of the Most Popular Weight Loss Surgery Options
Weight loss surgery seems to be gaining popularity around the world. As obesity rates continue to skyrocket, more people are looking for ways to shed the pounds for good. Thankfully, weight loss surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity. There are five popular types of weight loss surgery options, which either work by restricting food intake, absorbing fewer calories or both. Choosing the best option for you requires a discussion with your doctor and some research into each procedure. There are five popular weight loss surgery options, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Restrictive vs. Malabsorptive Before we get into the five popular weight loss surgery ... read more
9 Helpful Tips for When You Start the Liver Shrinking Diet
One of the hardest parts of bariatric surgery is the liver shrinking diet. Followed for one to three weeks before bariatric surgery, the liver shrinking or reducing diet shrinks the liver, so the surgeon can operate properly. You shouldn't follow this diet at any other time or if you're not having bariatric surgery. This diet was my least favorite part about surgery, as the detox from sugars and carbs made me super cranky and tired. No worries though - each day gets a little easier! The liver shrinking diet before bariatric surgery reduces the size of your liver to make surgery easier. Each Liver Shrinking Diet Is Different One of the things that amaze me most about bariatric ... read more
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