happy1957

Good luck Donnie... I hope all goes well and we can keep in touch with our progresses. So many Dec sleevers. The best of luck and a speedy recovery.

Good morning December Sleevers... I am so excited to be going into surgery in 2 days. I am so looking forward to losing weight, being able to get around easier, to feel better, to jump higher, to react quicker , to just live life with more passion. I can honestly say I have no reservations YET! Is that odd that I have no fear? I don't feel nervous, afraid or am I even questioning my decision. I am so ready. This is right for me, for this time in my life and for my future. I hope I feel this same way right up until they put me to sleep. I hope you all can find the same peace.

Glad to know all was better than it could have been. You did the right thing. Expect the worst and pray for the best. Speedy recovery and take care..

Wow.......... I want some of your Dr's pre-op requests. :-( I had no time for any "Food Funerals" or even getting in anything special. My Dr requires a 5% weight loss, which I had done before approval and then a 2 week liquid diet. Fortunately I only had 11 days from approval to surgery. I so wanted a "last supper", but couldn't decide which one, so skipped it. Just three more days!! Soup for Christmas dinner is boring. but it will be all worth it.

Go to the ER or call the ambulance..that is not NORMAL!

Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas. Just three more days and several of us will be joining the ranks of the sleeved Dec. sleevers. :-) The liquid diet is getting easier every day. I have stayed away from things i love and kept busy in the house "cleaning" and doing projects. I plan to make hubby a Prime Rib for Christmas dinner and since I HATE beef, it will be easy to eat my soup. :-) I think I may splurge today and use chicken broth as a base for my tomato soup. :-) Liquid diets sure do have a way of making you feel thinner. Although the scale doesn't show any significant weight loss in a week 3-4 lbs (slow loser), I feel like I lost 20 lbs. Hope you all have a fabulous day with friends and family..

Congratulations.... you look fabulous..... our BMI is about the same, although I am a bit older and a bit shorter. :-) I am to be sleeved on the 28th. I hope one year from now I can post the same success photos. I unfortunately don't have the excuse of bearing 11 children. OMG, you're a saint. That is a big family, I'm proud of you that you are finally taking care of yourself. I hope 2012 is as wonderful as 2011 has been for you.. Keep up the great work.

What a wonderful and insightful story. I too am so excited for my 28th surgery and hope to be a trooper just like you. It sounds like you did very well. Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone, I am new to the December sleevers. :-) It took me 11 months to get approved, using my last and final appeal. I was approved as of the 16th and my fabulous Dr,Fariba Dayhim has graciously given me a quick date because of my insurance circumstances. I am scheduled for December 28th. It was exciting to be approved, yet somewhat overwhelming to prepare in such a short period of time and during the holidays. I have been around "Christmas Goodies" for the last 5 days of my liquid diet and I still have to get through Christmas day. I had been doing Atkiins shakes for lunch and breakfast most of the time and it never bothered me, but there is something different about it when you haven't had a hearty dinner. I am determined enough to know that I am making the right decision for me and suffering through the next five days will change my life for the better and forever. I see many of you are already sleeved, but are there suggestions to getting me through Christmas day and maybe making my meal a little more exciting? I am already sick of creamed soups. In fact they are great for cooking, but not as a meal. Any suggestion would be helpful. Merry Christmas everyone..

I am sincerely sorry that you have experienced a complication, on a positive note, it may be a higher beings way of pointing out "early" of a bigger impending issue in your breast. My sister had the VSG and found out she has a rare form of stomach cancer called GIST. This is on the outside of your GI tract and not usually found at such an early stage. Her surgery saved her life in two ways. I hope you continued health and that the breast issue is watched closely and amounts to NOTHING. I do have a question for all. My sister did NOT have a drain at all. Why is that? She had the tiniest little holes that are almost non existent now. Her surgery was Aug 30th. Mine is scheduled for Dec 28th and I'm very excited.

That is a low blood pressure and constitutes a change in meds, if not stopping them, at least lowering them. Call your Dr., you may also be low on your vitamin B12 , let them figure it out. You're not feeling right, that's not normal, and they went to school. I hope you feel better soon. This surgery was to make you feel great and lead a healthier life. Lots of adjustments to be made along the way.

Wow!!!! Unbelievable, what a dramatic change. Keep up the good work.

Congratulations, I will be right behind you next week .. Merry Christmas to us.. :-) Wishing you a speedy recovery and a healthy new life!

Perfecto!!!! Hardwired diet... I love that phrase... I was just approved on Friday and am scheduled for Dec 28th. I am so looking forward to changing my life and being healthier. I have dieted the last 41 years and obviously failed ever time. A "hard wired" diet is a perfect analogy. :-)

I am not a sleever yet, but assume soup can go a long way?

Thank you......... your words of kindness have made tears of joy roll down my face. It has been such a long process and I have to be honest, there were times I was ready to give up, but, I need to be on the losers bench and be healthier. Thank you so much!

I am writing today with such joy for the season and hope for my future. My journey began in February of this year. It has been an up hill climb and emotional roller coaster since day one. The first snafu was my primary care office who had not followed through and forwarded my records to the bariactric center as I had requested. After three requests that was resolved in March, as most of you have experienced I had all the hurdles of the insurance company and bariactric center requirements to meet, dietician visits, nutritionist visits, egd, physical therapy and psychiatric evaluation along with some weight loss and exercise requirements. Many trips to the bariactric site which were 120 miles round trip. Finally all requirements were sent in and my paperwork was sent in for approval. Unlike many people here my answer did not come back in a couple days, it was nearly three weeks, and WHAM!!! Insurance denial for a low BMI in 2009 due to a period of diet and weight loss. This was yet another failed attempt to do this on my own. I was devastated, as my sister and I had started this together and she was approved and forged ahead. I was never upset with her journey and success, but disappointed in my inability to continue. My Dr immediately appealed and we waited the 30 days in hopes the insurance company would overturn their decision and 37 days later we received yet another painful answer, unfortunately they stuck to their decision. I was depressed, discouraged and actually just wanted to throw in the towel, but since I am doing this to better my health, to rid myself of prescription drugs and hopefully have a healthier future without the high cost of medical expenses when I retire one day, I decided to use my last appeal available and wrote a letter on my behalf and asked the Dr to write another. We resubmitted it and on Tuesday the 13th I had a level II appeal scheduled at 4:00. Unfortunately my Dr was in surgery and I was left alone to join in on this via telephone conference all by my lil ole self. I was scared and somewhat intimidated and the only information I had to offer about that low BMI was the truth. I have never kept records for past diets because I've never thought I had to prove to anyone. This one time I had documented my weight and eating habits on an on line site and was able to print out the weight chart, although the food listing had disappeared. I'm proud I even remembered my password, my memory isn't what it used to be. :-) I had also submitted that with my letter. When going into the phone conference, I felt like I was on trial, but it was not meant to be that way. Everyone was introduced , there was a Dr, two nurses and narrator and myself. They just asked why I thought I should have them change their minds. I began my story, told the truth as that was all I had to offer. The Dr asked a few questions, then the asked if I had any and I was told that they would continue their discussion after I hung up and a decision would be made by majority vote that day. I would hear in a few days. I called them yesterday, was on hold forever, the lady finally came back on the phone and in a sober tone told me that "we have decided to overturn the original decision and you are approved as of Dec 14th." I think she was trying to sort of surprise me. APPROVED???????????????????????? I can not tell you the feeling. I immediately sobbed. It is the best Christmas present ever. I immediately called the Bariactric center who said if I got approved this year, would squeeze me in this year and my surgery is scheduled for the 28th of Dec. So, NEVER, EVER give up... your life is worth saving.. Merry Christmas everyone and the best of luck to those of you that are waiting patiently.

Date set Dec 28th at 7:00 am.... Happy, Happy, Happy!!! labs done last night, liquid diet starts tomorrow. This is a whirlwind of good things to come. :-) Merry Christmas everyone!

I am writing today with such joy for the season and hope for my future. My journey began in February of this year. It has been an up hill climb and emotional roller coaster since day one. The first snafu was my primary care office who had not followed through and forwarded my records to the bariactric center as I had requested. After three requests that was resolved in March, as most of you have experienced I had all the hurdles of the insurance company and bariactric center requirements to meet, dietician visits, nutritionist visits, egd, physical therapy and psychiatric evaluation along with some weight loss and exercise requirements. Many trips to the bariactric site which were 120 miles round trip. Finally all requirements were sent in and my paperwork was sent in for approval. Unlike many people here my answer did not come back in a couple days, it was nearly three weeks, and WHAM!!! Insurance denial for a low BMI in 2009 due to a period of diet and weight loss. This was yet another failed attempt to do this on my own. I was devastated, as my sister and I had started this together and she was approved and forged ahead. I was never upset with her journey and success, but disappointed in my inability to continue. My Dr immediately appealed and we waited the 30 days in hopes the insurance company would overturn their decision and 37 days later we received yet another painful answer, unfortunately they stuck to their decision. I was depressed, discouraged and actually just wanted to throw in the towel, but since I am doing this to better my health, to rid myself of prescription drugs and hopefully have a healthier future without the high cost of medical expenses when I retire one day, I decided to use my last appeal available and wrote a letter on my behalf and asked the Dr to write another. We resubmitted it and on Tuesday the 13th I had a level II appeal scheduled at 4:00. Unfortunately my Dr was in surgery and I was left alone to join in on this via telephone conference all by my lil ole self. I was scared and somewhat intimidated and the only information I had to offer about that low BMI was the truth. I have never kept records for past diets because I've never thought I had to prove to anyone. This one time I had documented my weight and eating habits on an on line site and was able to print out the weight chart, although the food listing had disappeared. I'm proud I even remembered my password, my memory isn't what it used to be. :-) I had also submitted that with my letter. When going into the phone conference, I felt like I was on trial, but it was not meant to be that way. Everyone was introduced , there was a Dr, two nurses and narrator and myself. They just asked why I thought I should have them change their minds. I began my story, told the truth as that was all I had to offer. The Dr asked a few questions, then the asked if I had any and I was told that they would continue their discussion after I hung up and a decision would be made by majority vote that day. I would hear in a few days. I called them yesterday, was on hold forever, the lady finally came back on the phone and in a sober tone told me that "we have decided to overturn the original decision and you are approved as of Dec 14th." I think she was trying to sort of surprise me. APPROVED???????????????????????? I can not tell you the feeling. I immediately sobbed. It is the best Christmas present ever. I immediately called the Bariactric center who said if I got approved this year, would squeeze me in this year and my surgery is scheduled for the 28th of Dec. So, NEVER, EVER give up... your life is worth saving.. Merry Christmas everyone and the best of luck to those of you that are waiting patiently.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you everyone for your prayers.... I was officially approved today! I am so overwhelmed and shocked to tell you the truth. This was my final appeal. To all of those of you that have been denied. Please don't give up!!!! The surgeons office is making arrangements as I write this to set a date for this year!!!! This is the best Christmas present ever. Thank you for listening!!! Thank you God for helping me save my life!!

Allow a couple hairs to get long enough to pluck. If you pluck them and the root is black or very dark, then the laser will be able to find them easily, if not, it's just hit or miss as the laser pulsates over them. I personally am very fair, my body hair is very blonde with the exception of an occasional thick hair I like to call the family "goat" hair. We all have them, you know the ones, the fine wire that decides to pop out of your chin when you least expect it. Although it looks dark to me, once plucked, the root is still blonde, making it very difficult for the laser to zoom in on. The laser operator can go over the area repeatedly in hopes of catching the hair root and for me who has had access to repeated treatments, finally has had that one or two stubborn ones removed, it wasn't easy. I'm just saying, a dark haired person is so much more successful and the cost is usually cheaper because the laser can find those roots easier. In any case, cheaper Dr's are not better, they are usually the ones in the "learning" phase, spend your money on the newest technology and the most experienced people. It all works eventually. I have seen some true miracles. I would wait until weight loss goals are met and hormones are balanced before spending money. Make it part of your make over plan. You deserve it. The length of treatment depends on how much area is being done. It can be quite painful and maybe sideburns or marionette first. Worry about one area at a time. I know that dark side burn hair on woman, seems to disappear very quickly and makes the client very happy. Depends on what bothers you the most. Each session is 15 minutes or so, but of course there is 30-45 minutes of prep time with local anesthesia creams for numbing. At least in our office, some Dr's don's use that at all. :-( Then for something really special, try putting hair back where you may have lost some, I am true advocate for the product that gives you back youthful eyelashes. You know the one, it starts with the letter L and sounds like ateash . Well, I think it makes people look younger, nothing like a longer set of eye lashes, people tend to put on mascara, make themselves more presentable and sincerely others look at them differently and overall they do look younger. I think it's the least expensive thing you can do to change how you look. I have seen some drastic changes. It is an up keep product, but I see the results and honestly, it's better than botox in my book. Eyelashes and freckles and youthful!!!

Hi everyone, I actually work for a Dr who does the laser hair removal. It works fabulously, provided you are dark and the hairs you are plucking out have dark bulbous roots. The laser will target those black roots and kill them, but those of us who are truly blonde or have turned white, the laser will get them hit or miss. It will take more treatments and doesn't do as good as a job. I love the post from the Greek lady and assume you're dark? Typically a semi full bearded person of dark decent are the most successful clients we have. If you are fair and have light hair, don't waste your money. If someone tells you that they can cure you 100% in 2-3 treatments, they are lying to you and themselves. :-(

Just a update.... I had the phone conference. It was really quite easy. There were 5 people present, one Dr. 2 nurses, the narrator and myself. They just asked why I thought they should overturn their decision and and I started with that I understood their ONLY reason for my denial was the low BMI in 2009 which was caused by but another attempt at diet and exercise, although I had started 2009 with the correct BMI. Then I just opened up like faucet. I had no problem telling my story which was easy because it was the truth. I will admit, I did get emotional at one time because it's difficult pouring your heart and soul out to strangers when you can't even pour it out to the people you love without feeling condemned in some way. It was a humbling experience. I know these people have a job to do and if things don't work out, it's not one individuals fault. It's a majority vote and I suspect God's will. It was my second level and last appeal. I meet all the requirements, have all the records around that date. They had very few questions, thanked me for representing myself, said I did a great job and that after hanging up they would continue the decision making process and let me know in a few days. My letter said they had to let me know within 5 days. I'll keep you informed. Thanks for listening,.

Thanks for your response and suggestions. I think a anti anxiety medication may be warranted. I have no idea what their expectations are of me. I am in need of this for health reasons. I am slowly slipping into the obesity multi health issues world. It needs to stop before I am totally handicapped by my weight.

Thank you for your response.. I will check this out. A low BMI in 2009 is the issue. Aetna requires a consistent 24 month BMI. I fell below their required 40 BMI in 2009 while working with a trainer. :-( yet have been heavy my entire life with a roller coaster of weight loss and regain plus.