A Few Questions For The Fellas
Hi Everybody, I have been a member of OH for awhile now, but this is my first post. I have gone to a few other websites and forums but there is usually not a place for men to get a male perspective on WLS and the subsequent trials and tribulations thereof. I have been contemplating getting WLS; decided on the DS procedure recently, for a few years but I have finally made a firm choice to go forward if I can. I have struggled with my weight since about the age of 10 and this, coupled with other physical problems throughout my young life, made growing up a challenge on a good day and a complete nightmare; as I’m sure others can relate, on other days. Now; at 27 and a good 125-200 lbs from a healthy weight, I feel a new start is needed, and know for certain one is wanted. However, before I begin I had a few specific things I wanted to address with the fellas (and ladies who wish to chime in) who have “been there done that" so to speak:
1. I am currently uninsured, but within the next few weeks plan on
obtaining a major carrier. My question is which of the major carriers both requires the least amount of prerequisites (I wanna get thing rolling asap, no long waiting period, filled with unnecessary steps meant to discourage surgery IMHO) and which of these covers DS surgery specifically. I currently live in the state of Delaware so anyone who has dealt with DE insurance advice would be greatly appreciated.
2. Guys, you know that aside from the health standpoint which is most important, the vanity associated with weight loss or being “skinny" is attaining the previously elusive almost unicorn-nian mythic…six pack abs, so I have to ask is this something that is obtainable after DS/WLS surgery? After initial healing, is an intensive abdominal workout permitted or prohibitive?
3. As far as loose skin, would wearing a compression body suit; immediately after the initial healing, and decreasing the size of the garments as my BMI decreases help to prevent this. I assume keeping everything close to the body as the weight comes off would facilitate a much more compact and ideally shaped result. Also, have any of you guys used EMS (Elector Muscle Stimulation, for those who don’t know) to increase muscle tone and definition after you’ve come down a bit. I have mild CP (Cerebral Palsy, again, for those who don’t know) and a child (birth-age 8ish) I was very boney so I feel like my frame would be well suited with a low (5%) body fat and maybe being a little underweight (not malnourished mind you, just under) was when my flexibility was best so once there toning up would me only issue.
4. Last, with regards to hydration and food, as I understand it drinking while eating is not good, correct? Because you feel full before you actually are, thus cannot fit the much needed protein. My question is for someone who say has a kidney problem (I do not) or like me is constantly hydrating how difficult is it to maintain good hydration and proper nourishment? I have a lot of other questions but will stop here as this is getting long then anticipated but I thank everybody for reading and any advice, encouragement, or experience you have to offer; particular to question one, is greatly appreciate.
Have A Good Day,
Justin
1. I am currently uninsured, but within the next few weeks plan on
obtaining a major carrier. My question is which of the major carriers both requires the least amount of prerequisites (I wanna get thing rolling asap, no long waiting period, filled with unnecessary steps meant to discourage surgery IMHO) and which of these covers DS surgery specifically. I currently live in the state of Delaware so anyone who has dealt with DE insurance advice would be greatly appreciated.
2. Guys, you know that aside from the health standpoint which is most important, the vanity associated with weight loss or being “skinny" is attaining the previously elusive almost unicorn-nian mythic…six pack abs, so I have to ask is this something that is obtainable after DS/WLS surgery? After initial healing, is an intensive abdominal workout permitted or prohibitive?
3. As far as loose skin, would wearing a compression body suit; immediately after the initial healing, and decreasing the size of the garments as my BMI decreases help to prevent this. I assume keeping everything close to the body as the weight comes off would facilitate a much more compact and ideally shaped result. Also, have any of you guys used EMS (Elector Muscle Stimulation, for those who don’t know) to increase muscle tone and definition after you’ve come down a bit. I have mild CP (Cerebral Palsy, again, for those who don’t know) and a child (birth-age 8ish) I was very boney so I feel like my frame would be well suited with a low (5%) body fat and maybe being a little underweight (not malnourished mind you, just under) was when my flexibility was best so once there toning up would me only issue.
4. Last, with regards to hydration and food, as I understand it drinking while eating is not good, correct? Because you feel full before you actually are, thus cannot fit the much needed protein. My question is for someone who say has a kidney problem (I do not) or like me is constantly hydrating how difficult is it to maintain good hydration and proper nourishment? I have a lot of other questions but will stop here as this is getting long then anticipated but I thank everybody for reading and any advice, encouragement, or experience you have to offer; particular to question one, is greatly appreciate.
Have A Good Day,
Justin
We are all here to help everyone on their WLS path, and someone can usually answer any question you may have from their WLS experience.
As an insurance agent for the last 25 years I think your biggest problem is going to be the insurance issue. You can't just decide to go out and buy health insurance and expect the company to pay for an elective surgery, heck if you are 150#'s over weight and have CP you may not be able to get an individual health insurance policy at all.
Employer group plans legally have to take you, but your post makes it sound like you are planning on purchasing individual health policy just so you can have WLS. It doesn't work that way.
Have you been to a doctor or a seminar from a hospital that specializes in WLS? That is your second step after the insurance. Most of your questions will be answered there. It is a long hard road just to get the ok for surgery, once you actually get that far the rest goes by like a flash.
As an insurance agent for the last 25 years I think your biggest problem is going to be the insurance issue. You can't just decide to go out and buy health insurance and expect the company to pay for an elective surgery, heck if you are 150#'s over weight and have CP you may not be able to get an individual health insurance policy at all.
Employer group plans legally have to take you, but your post makes it sound like you are planning on purchasing individual health policy just so you can have WLS. It doesn't work that way.
Have you been to a doctor or a seminar from a hospital that specializes in WLS? That is your second step after the insurance. Most of your questions will be answered there. It is a long hard road just to get the ok for surgery, once you actually get that far the rest goes by like a flash.
Robert
Robert,
Thanks for the reply, I have not been to a doctor or a seminar as of yet, though I do plan to seek both in the near future. I am planning on seeking a private individual ins. (Cigna, United, ect.) I was previously insured with Cinergy, but after 2-3 30$ premium increases in less than a 6 month period and the fact thats its NOT actually an insurer (as you may know) but rather a diner's club or shopper's dicount club for healthcare, purchasing the products wholesale and pasing the "savings" on to you the consumer...major bs is what it was. I am currently self employeed, but I would not be purchasing the insurance purely for WLS purposes, just know from reading post that some insurers are processes in terms of getting approve and what have you are simple and less involved than others. Since WLS is something I am considering and I have a choice of insurers unlike most who obtain through work then I might as well get one that will that is most favorable to my needs. I have also tried to find information on the typical cost for a rider for for WLS to, no avail. When I spoke to the agent with Aetna he told me that because of the healthcare billed just recently passed that the "pre existing condition" denials ceased immediately and I will be approved.
OK, Let's take this is order. First, welcome to OH.
#1. Don't be in such a rush to "get in" and "get out" This is a life long process. I have BCBS of NJ. I had to take the 6 months supervised diet. I was really bummed at first. But like everyone up here said, I'll fly by. And it did. I'm just waiting on approval now. And it really gives you a chance to get ur head on straight and tweak ur diet. if ur just expecting the surgery to do the work, u WILL fail !!! Everyone will tell u up here it's a change in behaviors.
#2. I am a one of those healthy fat people you hear about. I have been hitting the weights for 30 years, biking for 12 and Spinning for 2. Plus walking. My BP is is 114/62, Cholesterol is 151 and sugar and everything is great. My cardiologist said I have zero signs of heart disease and my pulomonologist said lungs are clear. Except for sleep apnea, I am fine, health wise.
The only reason I can come up with for having this surgery is VANITY. And I'm OK with that. So what, I'd like to look better. I have been fat since I was in the 8th grade. I haven't been getting the results that I wanted doing all the above. And I think sooner or later weight related issues will catch up with me.
#3 I don't know about the compression suit. I read up here where it helps with the pain right after surgery because it keeps your muscles "compressed". And IMHO, all that other stuff is crap! Get to the gym, hit the weights, build muscle which is an active tissue and it will help jack ur metabolism.
#4 They say 64 oz. of water a day is key to keeping hydrated. Right now, pre surgery I drink a gallon a day. I know I won't bet able to do that after, at least for some time. But some say u shouldn't drink 30 - 60 minutes before or after a meal because it washed the food right outta ur stomach.
Good luck
#1. Don't be in such a rush to "get in" and "get out" This is a life long process. I have BCBS of NJ. I had to take the 6 months supervised diet. I was really bummed at first. But like everyone up here said, I'll fly by. And it did. I'm just waiting on approval now. And it really gives you a chance to get ur head on straight and tweak ur diet. if ur just expecting the surgery to do the work, u WILL fail !!! Everyone will tell u up here it's a change in behaviors.
#2. I am a one of those healthy fat people you hear about. I have been hitting the weights for 30 years, biking for 12 and Spinning for 2. Plus walking. My BP is is 114/62, Cholesterol is 151 and sugar and everything is great. My cardiologist said I have zero signs of heart disease and my pulomonologist said lungs are clear. Except for sleep apnea, I am fine, health wise.
The only reason I can come up with for having this surgery is VANITY. And I'm OK with that. So what, I'd like to look better. I have been fat since I was in the 8th grade. I haven't been getting the results that I wanted doing all the above. And I think sooner or later weight related issues will catch up with me.
#3 I don't know about the compression suit. I read up here where it helps with the pain right after surgery because it keeps your muscles "compressed". And IMHO, all that other stuff is crap! Get to the gym, hit the weights, build muscle which is an active tissue and it will help jack ur metabolism.
#4 They say 64 oz. of water a day is key to keeping hydrated. Right now, pre surgery I drink a gallon a day. I know I won't bet able to do that after, at least for some time. But some say u shouldn't drink 30 - 60 minutes before or after a meal because it washed the food right outta ur stomach.
Good luck
Thanks for the welcome and let me take a second to give a shout out to the great garden state. Spent my first 25 years in central Jersey.
I guess you just get in the mind set of enough is enough and I truly can say I do not want to spend 1 second longer than I have to fat, but beyond that its definately not a decision I am taking lightly. I certainly intend to match the surgery in effort and hard work I unstand its not a mircale cure and it requires a lifestyle change in order to be successful. I like you (aside from muscle weakness in my legs) consider myself to be in good health. I have sleep aptnea, but try to get in 5 miles/5,000 steps each day. I do however have a family history riddled with the darker side of being over weight diabetes, heart disease, ect. as well as an odd tendency to be well one moment and extremely sick the next. I am young enough I think to prevent them, but biology works against us all the longer you wait the harder it is to do anything about it. I am lucky enough to have a decent home gym, so i'll definitely be hitting it hard, and I drink at least two gallons myself.
I guess you just get in the mind set of enough is enough and I truly can say I do not want to spend 1 second longer than I have to fat, but beyond that its definately not a decision I am taking lightly. I certainly intend to match the surgery in effort and hard work I unstand its not a mircale cure and it requires a lifestyle change in order to be successful. I like you (aside from muscle weakness in my legs) consider myself to be in good health. I have sleep aptnea, but try to get in 5 miles/5,000 steps each day. I do however have a family history riddled with the darker side of being over weight diabetes, heart disease, ect. as well as an odd tendency to be well one moment and extremely sick the next. I am young enough I think to prevent them, but biology works against us all the longer you wait the harder it is to do anything about it. I am lucky enough to have a decent home gym, so i'll definitely be hitting it hard, and I drink at least two gallons myself.
I dont have the answers to your first few questions. Every insurance carrier is different, and even if they are the same carrier sometimes the policy dictates the hoops you have to jump through. You might want to post that question on the DS forum.
As far as the last few questions, the first 3 months will be work. You have to work on getting in water and protein, it takes almost all day to get enough in, but after that it's pretty easy. You just have to make sure in the beginning you pace yourself, because you won't be able to get in enough protein or water at the end of the day, your stomach just won't be able to hold it.
As far as skin and looks etc. Honestly, you can probably forget about a 6 pack. The muscles under your skin are stretched out from being SMO for a long period of time, it is unlikely even with lots of exercise that you will get a 6 pack, but with plastic surgery you can have a nice flat stomach.
Scott
As far as the last few questions, the first 3 months will be work. You have to work on getting in water and protein, it takes almost all day to get enough in, but after that it's pretty easy. You just have to make sure in the beginning you pace yourself, because you won't be able to get in enough protein or water at the end of the day, your stomach just won't be able to hold it.
As far as skin and looks etc. Honestly, you can probably forget about a 6 pack. The muscles under your skin are stretched out from being SMO for a long period of time, it is unlikely even with lots of exercise that you will get a 6 pack, but with plastic surgery you can have a nice flat stomach.
Scott
I may be the dummy here, but I can't tell if you are just going to go out and purchase private health insurance which would proably have a prohibitive cost considering your prior conditions. However, if you are going to get group health insurance from an employer, that may not be a factor. I was a Federal Employee and by contract health insurers in the Fed program cannot deny coverage based on a prior condition. That does not mean that they all cover every medical problem. You would have to check with the available insurance carriers to see if they do cover WLS ( and DSin particular) I have no idea what the rules would be for someone working for the State of DE nor for private insurers in that state. Many insurers disallow WLS to bring down the premiums for all of the other employees.
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