In 2012 I went to work for a company that did not provide insurance.  I had RNY in 2010, and when I applied for individual coverage I was denied.  The letter I received stated that my denial was due to a pre-existing condition - Bariatric surgery.  This seemed really strange to me, since I am in better health now than I have been for at least 15 - 20 years.  However, with the affordable care act, you can't be denied health insurance for a pre-existing condition.  Life insurance may well be another thing though.  I will have more insight on this subject in a week or so - I just applied for life insurance and had to fill out a medical questionnaire.  As I said, no diabetes, normal blood pressure and cholesterol, more active lifestyle, better eating habits - but still some sort of stigma attached to weight loss by surgery.  I don't get it. 

Before surgery, my life was a series of diet/restriction vs. binging/overeating.  Immediately after surgery, I followed all the rules, lost a ton of weight quickly, and felt absolutely amazing.  I could move freely, my self-confidence had soared, and I was high on life.  I got out of a bad marriage, and felt free and happy.  2 years out from surgery, I developed a transfer addiction to alcohol -- obviously, having lost weight did not help me deal with the underlying issues.  4 years out from surgery I was sober, but looking to food again to fill a void.  I still had a "fat head."  6 years out, lots of recovery work, some counseling, my head finally caught up with my body.  I love the way I look.  I love the way I eat.  I love the way I move.  I love the way I live.  WLS did not fix me.  I use my tool in conjunction with the 12-step program of Overeaters Anonymous, weight loss surgery support groups, and counseling when needed.  Life is an amazing journey, and WLS can be a wonderful part of it, but never think that it is THE answer.

Under the Affordable Care Act, pre-existing conditions do not prevent you from getting insurance coverage.  WLS is not a condition per se, but a procedure, so I don't think you will have problems getting coverage at this point, it will be a matter of what level of coverage you can afford and if you qualify for subsidies.

Hi,

I don't think I have reached a "norm" yet as I am only 1 month out from surgery (sleeve).  I was at 245 and am 5'3', I suffered from high blood pressure, high cholestral, arthritis, sleep apnea, and a feeling of low esteem.  I was severely depressed.  I am now at 220 and still finding my way, with the help of a great surgeon and a extremely helpful staff.  I only know that I absolutely did the right thing, even at my age.  My knees stopped hurting almost immediately, sleep apnea improved, still taking some meds but expect those to go away at my next dr's appt.  My self esteem has returned and I feel that I can accomplish my goals. I am walking and using stationery bicycle, also my house cleaning has been upped, which was sorely needed.  The surgery is not the only answer to weight loss,  you have to be able to follow healthy diets and follow instructions from the surgeon and his staff.  So I hope this helped some, and you are able to make the right decision.  Good Luck. Grannie :)

I have never personally taken any of them myself, but I do know a bit about each of them and personally, I would stay away from them.  None of them have showed much efficacy in clinical trials.  Although they do tend to elicit more weight loss and in a higher number of people than what a placebo did, the average weight loss was not that much higher than a placebo.  Also, none of them have shown that they can actually keep the weight off over time.  They'll help you lose 'a few' pounds in the beginning, but your weight will slowly creep back up again, and if you decide to stop them, your weight will typically rebound and you'll end up back where you started from, or worse, higher.  Plus, they come with their own set of potential adverse effects.  The ones that you've mentioned are all centrally acting drugs, meaning they act on the brain, but their primary indications are not for weight loss, they are for other effects (eg., wellbutrin is an anti-depressant), so sometimes you take them intending one effect but get another entirely different and unwanted effect (like migraines or aggression or whatever).

The final thing i'll say on them is that which drug a person takes may be dependent on why they are gaining weight.  For example, if they have a food addiction problem they are grappling with, then Contrave may be the best, if they have a satiety issue, then Belviq may be the best, if they have a slow metabolism then Qsymia may be better and if they have a binge-eating problem they're trying to deal with, then Vyvanse may be the solution.  But just know that all of these drugs are far from perfect, come with terrible side effects, and for many, just not worth it to go on them (thus their poor performance in the stock markets).

I hope you figure out what is best for you and I wish you the best of luck!