Do you happen to have any record of previous weight loss attempts that went on for 6 months or more? Like Weigh****chers or Slim 4 Life or anything like that?

I did have such records and submitted them to my insurance, and they removed the 6-month road block... ahem...cough cough.. "requirement."

Best of luck to you. Fight all you can!

Wow, Gail, surprise indeed.  That's really something.  Are heart issues in your family history?  

Best of luck to you on Wednesday... sending healing thoughts and positive vibes your way.

Great to hear... congratulations!

Here are the search results for "cheesecake" on the DS Forum:

cheesecake site:www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/

Looks like there's several ways to get your cheesecake on DS style... :o)

Dear me... that looks like a tool for serious blockages.  I have never had to use anything like that.  But I have tried my share of plungers and finally found the perfect one...

Neiko Heavy-Duty All-Angle Super-Power Plunger

It's the #1 best seller in its category.  It's easy to use, and doesn't require a lot of arm strength.

Here is an interesting article from Dr. K's site:

http://www.dssurgery.com/newsletters/psychiatric-medications -and-weight-gain.php

Ten years -- wow!  Isn't the DS such a gift?  So glad you posted.

I am two years out.  I eat mindfully of the DS with a focus on protein and fat.  I do not have a lot of digestive issues with carbs, but I do take two different types of probiotics each day with the Vitalady-recommended vitamin list.  I purposely try to limit pasta, rice, sugar and flour, and I don't drink calories except for protein shakes and the half and half I put in my coffee.

With all that said, if there is something I want I will eat it.  Last night I had 1/2 a brisket sandwich that included a bun and onion ring.  At a family reunion there was a vegetable dish that had pasta swirls in it.  I also had some cake and tasted other desserts too.  Potatoes have been fine for me.  I eat chips, salsa, and guacamole probably once a week.  There are a few candies that have produced lots of intestinal rumbling and gas, but nothing has caused diarrhea.  

But -- praise the DS -- since my intestinal configuration has changed, my body's reaction to food is different.  I no longer CRAVE cake or desserts.  I no longer NEED the big bowl of ice cream.  I am no longer DRIVEN to eat.   I feel so grateful that the DS has allowed me to eat mindfully and have almost anything in a reasonable quantity.

Wishing you the best in your journey...

Adding fat helps a lot.

I add about 1/2 cup of half and half to my protein shake or protein coffee every morning.  When I don't do it, I don't go.

Others have used coconut oil or even butter to make "bulletproof coffee."  (See http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/bulletproof-coffee)

But I could not tolerate coffee for the first 6 months, so adding it to protein shakes was the way to go at first.

Best wishes to you!

(Irene Cara singing...)  What a feeling! 

Congratulations to you and those coming up.   You're on your way now!

So glad to hear from you at 10 years out!  What a great post.  Thank you.

That puts your BMI at 37.6 according to this BMI calculator:  https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/BMI/bmicalc.htm

Most insurance companies follow the ASBMS guidelines as to what situations qualify... According to #2, you qualify.  http://asmbs.org/obesity-and-surgery-learning-center/who-is- a-candidate/

• "Qualifications for bariatric surgery in most areas include:

  1. BMI ≥ 40, or more than 100 pounds overweight.
  2. BMI ≥35 and at least two obesity-related co-morbidities such as type II diabetes (T2DM), hypertension, sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, lipid abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders, or heart disease.
  3. Inability to achieve a healthy weight loss sustained for a period of time with prior weight loss efforts."

Next you need to know if your insurance covers bariatric surgery and if so, what does your policy stipulate?  Some policies have a requirement of a BMI of 50 or greater for the duodenal switch for example.  You can probably find your policy online and read the exact language.  If you want to know right away, you can also call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask.  You can also ask for a link to your actual policy that you can look up yourself.  I highly recommend that.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.