lkcraig316

Hope everything went well for both of you. Let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it. You two both have a very bright new you just waiting to shine through!

I confided in my boss and she was SO supportive. She thought it was a very smart thing for me to be doing. It helps that one of her husbands' coworkers had some kind of bariatric surgery and was very successful. I work for an orthopaedic surgeon practice and my cubicle is next to three nurse practitioners, so it would be very hard to keep any kind of "big change" quiet. I have confided with a few people at work, and all were very supportive. I suppose afterward I will be open with everyone who asks. And I will just have to be firm with any negativity and say, "My surgeon, PCP, cardiologist, and family all agreed that it was the best thing for my health" and let it go at that. Good luck!

I need to get a bathroom scale for this adventure! I looked at Target.com and saw that there were LCD scales, old-fashioned scales with the needle, scales that measure hydration, body fat, etc. Does anybody have any recommendations for scales that have been accurate and useful? Lisa

Congratulations on your awesome success! What a wonderful idea! I have that list in my head, but you have inspired me to write it down and put it away. It will be much easier to see how far I've come in writing than to try to remember all those little things that are so frustrating and painful now. I hope you continue to post on the boards. We can all use your wisdom from a year out. Lisa

When I went for my first nutritionist visit the two week pre-op diet was in my packet. My surgeon requires the following Week One: Two Protein shakes + 1 300 calorie meal Week Two: Four Protein Shakes a day, NO meal You can add sf Jello, sf popsicles, and broth I guess every surgeon is different.

Maybe I didn't call it the right thing. This is a diet for the three-month process that Aetna requires. I don't start the liquids + one meal a day until two weeks before surgery (which will be in April or May). I'm just supposed to be losing some weight and getting in the habit of eating high protein/low carb foods. Mariah, your list was very helpful. I think I was under the impression I was supposed to get ZERO carbs for the next three months. I guess that would be almost impossible to do and get a good variety of food. Tonight we went out to eat and I had a hamburger (no bun) with lettuce, dill pickles and cheese, a side of broccoli cheese casserole and ice Water. I did eat half a roll. So I think my only carbs were the half roll and whatever was in the broccoli. I still think I will lose weight before surgery just by cutting out sugary drinks and limiting carbs. Then when I go on the two week pre-op diet, I'll have to really buckle down! Thanks for your replies.

I just started my 3-month pre-op diet yesterday. The nutritionist said the goal was to get 60-80 grams of protein daily. I'm getting close, but not quite there yet. I have cut my carbs drastically but she didn't give me any idea on how many grams of carbs were OK. Am I supposed to go without ANY? Because when I look at labels it's amazing how many things have carbs that you would not think of. What did all of you do?

I met my surgeon today and I LOVE him! He is Dr. Al Spaw in Nashville and I highly recommend him to anybody in the Nashville area. My husband and one of my daughters went with me and they were both put at ease about the procedure. I think they realized listening to me talk to the surgeon that I have done my research and I know what I'm doing. Dr. Spaw was very positive about the sleeve and said he thought I was making the right choice for me. The exercise physiologist was so laid back. He basically said he wasn't going to lay out a plan for me because it's not going to work if it's not something I enjoy. I did find out that I will be able to use the physical therapy machines at the ortho office where I work. Since I'm having a lot of knee pain right now, I will begin with the bike and the elliptical. My plan for right now is 30 minutes 3 times a week. The nutritionist was VERY helpful. I left feeling like the three month weight loss for Aetna is something I can really do. Then came the 45 minute psych questionnaire. Ack. So what is this statement supposed to be measuring??? "I often get ads in the mail that I don't want." I said VERY TRUE because who doesn't? I'm not quite sure what they are looking for there. Anyway, the psychologist office will call to schedule my appointment after they analyze my results. Hmm. Hope I pass. Oh, I also wanted to say that Dr. Spaw was EXTREMELY impressed by all the research I have done and questions I asked him. I would like to thank all of you sleevers for the great information you have given me, both good and bad. You guys are all GREAT! Lisa

Awesome story! Can't wait to see how you progress over the next year. I'm hoping to be sleeved sometime this summer.

AWESOME!

Good luck! Keep us updated.

I have been on the boards for a little while, posting a little and reading a LOT! I am a 47-year-old mother of two in Tennessee. I am 5'4" and weigh 248. Only on this board would I admit that! I suffer from high blood pressure, borderline Type 2 diabetes, mild OA in my knees, and I apparently snore like a chainsaw. My BMI is 41.8, I think. Today my surgeon's insurance coordinator called and said their review of benefits was complete and my insurance should cover the majority of the charges, minus my co-pay and deductible. My first appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Spaw, is next Wednesday!! I will also meet with the nutritionist, exercise physiologist and take my psych test (?), which will then be faxed to a psych who will call me to set up an appointment. My Aetna policy requires a 3 month prep program, so my final appointment with Dr. Spaw will be April 6. Then everything will be submitted. I don't know what his wait time is from insurance approval to a surgery date, but that's OK. He is supposed to be an awesome person and surgeon, so I will wait for him. I cannot believe that there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. I'm determined to work this and make it successful. I have had abdominal surgery before, so I know what to expect as far as gas and pain. I had cysts removed off both ovaries in 1985 and I was slit from one side to the other and was in the hospital 5 days. I don't know of ANY surgery any more that keeps you for 5 days! I had horrendous gas pains up into my right shoulder on the 4th day post-op. Then I walked bent over for about a week after I got home because my belly muscles were SO SORE! Do you think this will be more or less painful than that? Once I go to my first surgeon's appointment, I will make a ticker. Whoo, this is so exciting! Lisa

I have absolutely no help for you whatsoever, but I did want to chime in and say, "Good for you!" I am a HUGE fan of the Nashville Rollergirls and I think it is awesome what those ladies can do. One of my goals once I get sleeved and have lost enough weight to get my balance back on track is to get back out on the rink. I am certainly not derby-worthy, but I used to love to skate when I was a teen. Watching the derby for the past couple of years has made me long to get back on the skates--and not those yukky roller blades. REAL four wheel roller skates. What team do you skate with? Lisa

You look FABULOUS! Congratulations!

I know EXACTLY what you mean! I have only done my consultation and seminar. I haven't even been able to schedule my first appt with the surgeon, nut, and exercise person until Monday because my insurance goes into effect tomorrow! My whole family was off this week and I have made it a week of celebrating my favorite things: Olive Garden, Mexican food, a double scoop cone at Baskin Robbins, krinkle fries at White Castle, chips and chili con queso and a big slice of chocolate cake and ice cream at Buffalo Wild Wings. Tomorrow my 5' 10", 126 pound daughter is going grocery shopping with me and we are going to load up the cart with nutritious foods. My husband has already started to eat more healthy so there won't be a fight about that. Paige, my daughter, has already sworn to force me to get out and move a little each day. Hopefully this will all get me primed and ready when the time does come. Oh, but I have forgotten to eat one last thing--a big Breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I may have to do that before I go back to work on Monday.

Another thing that goes along with the Pepsi addiction is that sweet, sweet burn as it goes down. I know that will be a feeling I DO NOT want to have post-surgery. But I do wonder how much I will miss swigging down a huge amount of Pepsi, tea, ice water, etc. When I'm really really thirsty, I just turn whatever I have up and drink it right down. Does anybody miss that? Do you ever get used to the sippage?

Great idea! I had bought some Truvia a while back and it is in my cabinet untouched. I wasn't sure how to make a gallon of tea with it. Or should I just make a glass at a time? I have to admit, I was putting almost a full cup of sugar in a gallon of tea. Does the Truvia/Stevia work equally or do I need to adjust the amounts?

Thanks for your responses! I got an Olive Garden gift card in my stocking from hubby and we went for lunch today. I savored every last bite! I know I will do a few splurges before I actually get set up for surgery. I have to have one last big Mexican meal and a double scoop Baskin Robbins cone. I'm not a big Soup person, but I have been looking at Soups at the grocery and on menus and I think I will start trying different ones. My husband loves soup, so he can give me some suggestions. Advice on Protein shakes/drinks to try? I'm not a big fake-fruit-flavored drink person. I think I will probably start with chocolate flavored ones. Thanks! I am SO GLAD I found this site. Just as a lurker I have learned so much. I feel like I will be going into this process with my eyes wide open. Lisa

I will begin my journey on Saturday, January 1. New year, new me, right? I have been to a consultation to see if my insurance would cover the procedure and last night watched my surgeon's online seminar with my family. I have three months of hoops to jump through to get an approval. I want to begin eating healthy and get moving NOW, so that the habits are there before the surgery. One problem . . . I am a Pepsi Fiend! I'm talking full sugar, full caffeine, the works. I did go off sodas completely at the beginning of 2010, and after an agonizing week of pain and lethargy, I was OK. Unfortunately, old habits die hard and I am now back almost as bad as I was to begin with. Does anyone know a good way to wean off the sodas. I drink about 2-3 Pepsi canned drinks a day, but it's the morning one that is crucial. Has anyone tried mixing Diet and non-diet? Caffeinated and caffeine-free and slowly going off that way? Or is it better just to prepare myself for a week of misery and just do it cold turkey? If I didn't have to work, it would be a no-brainer, but I have to be able to function and not commit murder when someone annoys me. PS I DO NOT drink coffee. I do love me some homemade sweet tea because I'm a Southern girl! Lisa

Thanks, Cheryl! I do have a surgeon picked out and have gone to an assessment at the clinic. Since my insurance is not effective until 1/1, they are going to call me back the first week of January to set up appointments, etc. I will have a better idea then. I just don't want to leave out ANY of the steps and be delayed because of that!

Congratulations! I have an aquamarine ring (my birthstone) and I will be thrilled when I'm able to get it on a finger other than my pinkie. I think the biggest day for me will be the day I am able to walk into the regular ladies department and buy something that fits. I'm beginning the process January 1 and hoping to be approved for surgery by April or May. You guys continue to give me encouragement that I am making the right decision. Lisa

I'm glad you posted. I also have Aetna and knew I had to go through 3 months of meetings/appointments, etc., but I did not know about the documentation for the diet and exercise. I am beginning the 3 months on January 1 (my Aetna goes into effect then) so I will start immediately with the documentation. Keep me updated! Lisa

Hi, Mona! I'm new on here also. I just started the process with an assessment at the surgeon's office. I will begin my 3 month prep on January 1. Am hoping to be able to have surgery in May or June. I'm hypoglycemic too. It runs in my family. I was kind of wondering if I would have any problems with that afterward, being restricted from carbs and eating so much Protein. I have tried low-carb diets in the past and have been very discouraged because my body couldn't handle it. Please keep us updated on the process after surgery. I am at 243 pounds and am looking to lose down to between 130 and 140. Just getting below 200 would be a cause for celebration! Good luck on the 16th! I will be thinking about you. Oops! I didn't realize this was the GLBT board. Hope you don't mind that I crashed it.

Oopsseedaisy, I had the same issue. I was on my employer's plan but it doesn't cover any kind of WLS. So effective I will be on my hubby's and his does cover the four WLS types. Let's hope we both have smooth sailing. Mary, good luck with your approval. When I think about how long it may take, I just keep reminding myself how long it took me to get into this condition and it doesn't seem too bad.

Hi Keshia and Mary from AZ. I have also just started my journey. I had an assessment done on Monday, and their insurance specialist said I qualified and should be approved with no problem. I started out very very positively Sleeve, but in reading the packet I got at the doctor's office I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing. Here's what I'm thinking: Gastric Bypass--The weight would drop rapidly, but I really am scared of the dumping syndrome and I know I could stretch the stomach back out again Lapband--I don't like the fact that there would be a foreign object in me at all times and a port for adjustments. Sleeve--I like that it has fewer complications post-op, but I'm worried about feeling nauseous all the time After January 1, when they reassess my insurance, I will go to see the surgeon, have my meeting with the nutritionist and exercise physiologist and my psych eval. I also have to get a clearance from my cardiologist (I have a congenital bicuspid aortic valve) and a letter from my PCP validating my weight and co-morbidities. Another two months of meetings, support groups, appointments, and I should be ready to have my stuff submitted to the insurance company by April 1. Then I guess the waiting game starts. I'm both excited and terrified! But I am so sick of being this size and being limited by it. Good luck to both of you! Let's keep in touch as the process continues.