AtlantaRed

I haven't been around much lately. Was getting extremely discouraged because my surgery was suppose to be around next week, but the surgeon didn't have any dates available... but he called today and my surgery date is December 4th! I'm excited and terrified at the same time. I've never had any type of surgery before... I'm sure I'll manage though

Lioness813, there is almost never the "right" time to do anything! However getting yourself healthy should always be something that is done as soon as possible. Most of us probably waited far too long already!
I'm sure most of us go through the most random thoughts leading up to this thing!
I'm not afraid but I do have a healthy fear of any procedure as things happen! It took me a long time to find the love of my life and the only thing pinging in the back of my head every now and then is not making it through the surgery and leaving him. However, as the psyc who did my eval pointed out, I don't have health issues that are typical for complications. I believe fully in my surgeon (1 leak 5 years ago and no deaths). So we just talk and plan about how amazing things will be after surgery! He is so wonderful and he has never said ANYTHING about my weight. However, he told me that he was looking forward to us riding horses together in the future and it had crossed his mind (before we even talked about surgery) that he was missing experiencing that with me.
So, not only am I doing this for me but it will impact our lives so positively! I will be able to do so much more living with him. I also care for my mother and that will certainly help me be around for her.
I know these random thoughts will pop in and out and may increase in frequency as we all get closer, but we are all doing this not only for ourselves but also to be healthier for our loved ones! I don't think it is selfish at all!
Happy we have sooo many in this group going through it together! We will have so much to share with each other leading up to and after our surgeries!
I'm so excited for all of us!

To me, the way the OP read was a little advertisement-like? Things like 'I had a drain, but sometimes for longer'?

I'm self pay and also decided to wait until after Thanksgiving as I recover poorly and I cook the dinner, so I at least wanted to be happy about cooking it for everyone!
Come join us in our big December 2013 group! http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/96637-december-2013-sleevers-come-in/

Yay! Congrats on getting your date! I moved you up on the list.
I'm trying to get my date penciled in. I only have one more thing to do and I am self pay. Hope to hear back from the scheduler to see if she is willing to save my date!
Love this big group too!

YAY....another December 11th buddy! I think if I am looking at the list right, at this point, December 11th is the most popular date for surgery! They told me yesterday that I wouldn't know until the 10th what time my surgery will be...they schedule them the day before...I just hope it's early morning...I'm the first one scheduled for that day so far!
Congratulations...isn't it such a relief?

OK it is official...Dec 11th for me..7am ..all day testing on Nov 20th..not looking forward to drinking that barium but at this point, will do whatever is necessary. LOVE our thread, a BIG thank-you to Atlanta Red!

Wow!! 62 people so far! It's amazing to know this number will grow as more people get their dates closer to December! Everyone should have a sleeve buddy for their specific date (hopefully)!

Thanks AtlantaRed! I'm glad such a supportive group exists

I'm getting sleeved in Puerto Vallarta on December 12th. I will be revising from the band to sleeve. CW is 254 lbs and I'm 5'4" and 33 years old. My highest weight pre band (2005) was 293 and I got down to 209 for a split second before my band slipped and was then replaced. My GW is 150-160 lbs. Looking forward to getting to know you all while we anxiously await this new journey

I don't have a firm date yet but should be early December. I started this journey in late February. All my tests are done, 6 months of NUT is done. I have been approved by insurance and will get a firm date next week. I'll be 64 on Halloween so I'm probably the oldest one on this journey.

Hello, I just got approved yesterday. Have not set a date yet. They said Nicole the scheduler would be calling later this week!

New to this site and am so happy to find this refreshing venue for positive discussion . I had initial consult with surgeon last Friday. Upper endoscopy and NUT consult on Thursday. Completed 4 surveys for Psych to day with his appt next Tuesday. Blood work day after tomorrow so I am hopeful all will be submitted to insurance by end of next week. Was told to expect about 2 week wait for approval from Anthem BCBS. I am so hoping for a December date.
I need a hip replacement badly but need to lose some weight before Ortho will perform surgery. Just an added dimension of stress but am enormously happy to have this journey started.
Thanks for all of the encouragement! I am having surgery in Greensboro , NC with Dr Layton

Man to think I had no idea I was that frckn HUGE!! love my sleeve!!

Awesome! Congrats!

Got my official date today DEC 11th

Hello, I just got my date which is 12-10. Very anxious and excited! I'm 21 y/o weighing 225 (dropped 5 since my starting weight in September). I wish you all much luck on your journey!

I have made a December sleevers secret Facebook group. if you want in please add me on facebook and I will add you to the group! kill_hannah_bandanna@yahoo.com the spaces are underscores

Called my insurance today (I've called twice a week since it was submitted on the 15th) to find out if I was APPROVED and I am... Thank Goodness !!

Would anyone be interested in doing a December 2013 FB page? We could make it secret so no one sees it but us. Just thinking out loud....

Just because terms are used interchangeably, doesn't mean they are indeed the same. I think maybe a clarification is an Upper GI "Series" vs Upper GI endoscopy. My doctor said I could have either an EGD OR an Upper GI series, which means there are 2.
One is an xray with barium without being put under and one is a camera down the throat with barium and you are put under.
Some info off the internet searching EGD vs upper GI series

Some alternatives to EGD include:
Physical exam
X-rays
Upper GI series
A CT scan.
[*]
Upper GI Series
An upper GI series involves swallowing barium as x-rays are being taken. Barium, which is a harmless liquid, coats the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine so that their shapes show up on an x-ray. It is sometimes used as the first diagnostic tool for studying the upper digestive tract. It is not as reliable as endoscopy in diagnosing inflammatory lesions such as esophagitis, gastritis, or small ulcers.



<p>

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy;
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach), stomach, and first part of the small intestine. It is done with a small camera (flexible endoscope) that is inserted down the throat.
An upper GI series uses x rays to help diagnose problems of the upper GI tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine.



When the patient needs to undertake an upper GI, he or she is asked to take a fast on the previous day, depending on what the doctor wishes the patient to take or what might be needed for this testing. Normally, the patient must avoid solid food for up to eight hours prior to the appointment and avoid any type of consumable, including Water, three hours prior to the testing.
Process[edit]
This is a non-invasive test, consisting of an X-ray. In the X-ray room, the patient is given two medications to drink that help improve the quality of the resulting X-rays. The patient may also be administered glucagon, a pancreatic hormone that is injected intravenously. The first drink is very carbonated, made from baking-soda crystals which expands the stomach by causing gas to build in the stomach. The second drink is a contrast agent, typically a thick, chalky liquid containing a barium salt. (This test is sometimes called a barium swallow.) The barium outlines the stomach on the X-rays, helping the doctor find tumors or other abnormal areas.
The patient then has X-rays taken.

I'm 5'-3" and I just turned 50. My BMI is around 45. It's time for a change!
I have HBP, sleep apnea, and had a heart attack last year.
I've hidden in family photos for years or done the trick where you kind of bend over a chair a stick your chin out so your face doesn't look so fat and puffy. Anyone else do that?
I've yo-yo'd since my late 20's. Emotionally and physically my weight has taken its toll on my life.
I'm done. I'm praying I can get my surgery at the end of December. We've met all our deductibles and 20% co insurance.
My husband had liver cancer and was blessed with a transplant in June.
Now....after everything....it time to take care of myself for a change. I live in the Dallas area. Have a great surgeon I really trust lined up. Dr. James Davidson.
...just working my way through all the pre-req's -regardless of whether it's 90 days or less. I decided not to get upset about what I could not control. I'm doing everything I can to knock things off the list.
Done:
Started NUT meetings with my surgeons recommended contact.
Did my psych eval and passed
Letter from my PCP
Met with cardiologist and did stress test and passed.
Had Upper GI that my surgeon wanted -barium is nasty stuff.
Having endoscopy and colonoscopy done next Wed. Sounds like fun huh?
Sent out all medical records requests for my surgeon from prior procedures and issues.
To Do: finish my NUT classes and lose 15-20 pounds before surgery. I've lost 4lbs from just walking 2 miles a day.
My insurance coordinator is going to send the package out -just to see what Cigna says. Does not hurt to try.
Other than that -just super excited and motivated about doing something just for me and bettering my health.
I look forward to sharing this journey with all of you.
Best Regards!

Welcome SueRN....I beleive we will ALL feel better once this procedure is finished. All my testing is being done on one day, Upper GI, Ultrasound, EKG, Labs, PT. Waiting on office nurse to call me on time specifics.
Come on December!

I understand. I've always been "healthy" until this year. My knee is screaming and my hips get sore regularly. I guess they've had enough! I hope the initial drop of 20-30 will be enough for them to be happy again and get us moving!