mountain_lover

Thank you for your compliments. Yes 30+ years is so long and I am looking forward to not being obese for the rest of the days I have left. I am 55 years old and I am sure if I get healthier after this surgery I may live many more years. At the least, I can maybe feel better and enjoy the life that I do have ahead of me. I have good news!! I have been approved by Medicaid here in Ky. to have the sleeve and My surgery date is Dec.2. I will be having surgery done right here in Somerset, Ky. Thank you and I wish you all the best on your surgery in January.

I agree with your husband, that is one on the reasons I decided that I didn't like the band as much as I did in the beginning. Also I found out that I had an autoimmune disorder, so the band is not a good procedure to have. Some doctors will not do surgery at all, so when I found out that I could still have the sleeve I was so happy. I really have learned alot about the sleeve and so many people say good things about the results. I wish you all the best!! I have been approved for the sleeve, and surgery in Dec.2.

Thank You everyone for your thoughts and prayers!!!!! I have some very good news, I have been approved by Medicaid here in Kentucky for the SLEEVE and I have a surgery date, December 2. I will be having my surgery done right here in Somerset. I am so excited, I was in tears today, but it was tears of joy.----- I have had so many setbacks along the way------ I was told in the beginning that Medicaid would approve the band or duodenal, but not the sleeve and Dr. Husted wanted to do the sleeve. I was only for the Band in the beginning. Also I was told that I had Lupus, which later I found out it was not Lupus. I found out I do have an autoimmune disorder called Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder, and I was so afraid that I would not get to have surgery. But then I found out that I could still have surgery, but the Band is not usually done when people have an autoimmune disorder, so I could still have another procedure. Then when I had the testing done, I found out that I tested positive for H-pyloria, and then I had to go on the antibiotic Prev-pak to try to clear up my stomach infection, which I did not know that I had. Thank God that I was trying to have bariatric surgery or I could have ended up having ulcers or cancer as a result of untreated H-pyloria. But this delayed everything for awhile, because I had to be retested to see if the tests came back negative and they took the wrong blood test, so I had to be retested with the right one. It did come back negative, so then I was on my way again. After finally getting all the information turned in, I was told two times that I needed more information. But all things do work for the good, because now after waiting all this time, now the Sleeve is an approved procedure. Now I have so many thing to do to get ready for the big day. I am going to be starting my two week Pre-op diet of Protein milkshakes on November 18. Next Wednesday. Also I have to be weaned off of all my medication, which I take 14 pills each day. I know this will all pass, but right now it seems so overwhelming. I have been going through so many emotions since I found out I am approved. It is so real now, not just a hope. My family is so supportive of me having surgery, but everyone still worries about me having any complications from all the risks of having this type of surgery. But I keep in mind what my daughter told me, If I don't have the surgery, I could possible die from being so overweight ( MORBIDLY OBESE). In July my weight went up to 266 pounds, and anything over 100 pounds over the ideal weight is considered being morbidly obese. Even though some people do not seem to think I am, I know the facts and the scales tell all the truth, also my ongoing health issues let me know that my being overweight is a big problem in my life. My mom passed away June 20 last year, and she had many health problems related to her being obese. I wish she could have had the opportunity to have this surgery. She has also been alot of my inspiration to hang in there and not give up, so that I can possibly live a healthier, happier longer life. I hope to spend many more years with my family and friends, I am just beginning to enjoy life more and more now that I am losing weight and have the possibility of the sleeve being a tool to help me keep the weight off this time for good. Thanks again for being here for me just when I needed you!! I need all the support I can get at this time!!

Hello jsm, I hope all goes well for you. Everyone is so right, please don't stay away. Please let us know how you are doing, no matter what procedure you are going to have. We have got to know you on here and we all care. I am sorry that your Doctor does not see things the same way that you do and I wish your insurance company had different policies. One of these days maybe it will be so different and people won't have to go through what you and others, including myself have gone through trying to get approved for the sleeve. Everyone that gets approved for the duodenal switch, is having the sleeve and more done on top of the sleeve. When they realize that sometimes the more is not necessary and more risky, maybe things will change much quicker for everyone. The people that have very high BMI's and co-morbidities, maybe they do need the sleeve first, then a second surgery when they are healthier to have it after losing some weight: but for the people with lower BMI's and do not have lots of health issues, the sleeve seems to be the answer for them. It just seems so simple, If the sleeve works for so many, why do more than needs to be done? And why put the person at a greater risk of having complications? Also it would be so much less expensive for the sleeve procedure than the other more evasive surgery procedures. I do have some good news to share with you and others. I have now been approved for the sleeve and I have a surgery date Dec.2. When I first started almost a year ago, the sleeve was not approved by Medicaid here in Kentucky. Dr. Husted assured me several months ago that in the near future it would possibly be an approved procedure. Well as you can see, now it is being approved for some. I am glad that I kept hanging in there. It has been a long wait, and I had many setbacks along the way, but I am glad that it did take longer so that now I can have the sleeve instead of the other procedures.

Hello gonnaloseweight, Just remember your name and stay positive. You have came a long way and this is just the beginning. I am sure you will go far, if you just hang in there. I have been going through so much since I first decided to have surgery, but it has all been for the good so far. I just found out that I got approved for the sleeve and now I have a surgery date Dec. 2. If I would have given up because of the things that happened along the way, I would not be where I am today. I know that MY JOURNEY is really just beginning and I know there may be many more hurdles I have to jump over, but I am willing to do the jumping or come on here to get the help and support I need if something does occur along the way. Thank you for being so honest and asking for help. You are helping me and others and you may not even know it. 31 pounds is so amazing. Please post pictures as you continue to lose. I know that you are------->>>>>>gonnaloseweight!!! I am sure some of us have to take small steps and some take giant steps, but they will all get us to the finish line, if we keep on taking the steps, So hang in there, don't give up, Don't Quit!!!

Wow you are doing so good. I am glad that I read this. 25 pounds in 4 weeks is really great. You are on your way and I want to see some of your pictures soon. You are a very beautiful lady and I know that you are only going to be more beautiful. You are really an inspiration. I hope you continue to let us know how you are doing. Every comment helps, if not in the present, it will help in the future. Thank you so much.

I am glad that you posted to let us know how you are doing. It is nice to hear all aspects of post-op experiences. This way we know more what to expect or be more prepared beforehand. I just found out today that I am approved for the sleeve and I now have a surgery date. (Dec.2) I wish you all the best and thank you for giving such detail about your surgery and post-op experience. I will be glad to see some of your photos after you lose some weight. Please have a fast recovery. God bless!!

Your story is very encouraging. Thank you for posting. I may be having vsg very soon.

Well I am back with some good news and some not so good news. First of all, I have not been denied yet. All that information that was faxed to Medicaid was not enough. They called Dr. Husted's insurance staff, telling her that they needed more information. The first thing they needed was a statement from my family physician on a prescription form stating what kind of diet I had been on since I started my monthly weigh-ins. The other thing they needed was a statement from me stating if I had received all the information on risks and complications of having the surgery. So I got all the info turned into Medicaid a few days ago and we are waiting for an answer again. Maybe in a day or two I should have an answer from them. If I get approved, then I will get a surgery date scheduled. At this time, surgeries are being scheduled for the last part of Dec. The only way I can get a date sooner than that will be if another doctor gets a surgery cancellation and they give their spot to Dr. Husted. He only has Fridays scheduled for surgeries, but if he receives an opening on another day of the week due to another doctor's cancellation, than maybe he will work me in early. I was told that I would need to be on the Pre-Op diet for two weeks before surgery, so I don't want to be refused for having an earlier date just because I wouldn't have the two weeks done. I have read on some posts that others started their milkshakes early, but I just don't want to be on the milkshakes for too long. I need to ask my doctor if not having the two week Pre-Op diet completed, if an earlier date does come up, will cause any problems with getting to have the surgery. I have lost some weight so maybe he won't be real concerned if I have to stop and have surgery sooner than the two weeks. When I started in Feb. I weighed 257. My weight went up and down until July when it had reached 266. Then I really have tried to change alot of my eating. I have been going down and when I got weighed at the doctor's office a few days ago, I was at 239 1/2 pounds. I am getting around so much easier. I have been going to the Y to exercise and go to the fun and fitness swim class. I hope I can give you good news in a day or so if I get approved. Thank you for all your comments.

I hope all goes well with you. I am hoping to have the sleeve done very soon. I have a wonderful doctor. and he has explained all the different procedures and he thinks the sleeve would be the best for me. I have read so much trying to find out if this is the best way to go. In the beginning I was only for the Band, NOTHING ELSE, I did not want to have major surgery. I have since learned alot about the vertical sleeve and now I am satisfied with this decision. I have read so many positive things about the sleeve. I hope you only have to have one surgery and pray that all goes well with you getting the sleeve.

Hello jsm, I hope and pray that everything works out ok for you. I know that this has to be so frustrating for you, but one of these days soon it will all be over and you will be on your way to a new life. Please let us know if you have the surgery on Nov. 10. I have not been denied, but they did have to have some more information which I was able to obtain. Ellen, the lady at Dr. Husted's office, who takes care of the insurance, faxed it right away and we are waiting for an answer from them in a day or two. I am hoping that everything I turned in will be what they needed. They had to have a statement from me stating that I had been explained all the risks and complications of having the surgery. Also they needed a prescription form filled out by my family physician stating what diet I had been on for the months that I was doing my monthly weigh-ins since Feb. The stress and frustration have been at an all time high, but I have been trying to stay positive and just hang in there, hoping that everything works out for the good. In a few days I will post what I heard back from Medicaid. They will give me a surgery date as soon as I get approved. Dr. Husted is booked up into the middle of Dec. but if other doctors have any cancellation of surgery, then they can pass the opening to Dr. Husted. Then My surgery date would be moved up to the new opening. If I get approved, then I could possibly be having surgery this month if that were to happen or at the least I could be having it in Dec. The longer it takes to get approved, the farther out my surgery date will be, because Dr. Husted only does the surgery on Friday here in Somerset and he only can do so many in one day. His dates get filled up real fast. I know that you will be so happy to have your surgery over with and be on your way to losing weight! I pray that it will be soon and all this frustration will be over for you soon!! God bless you!!

Thank you so much! I am just hoping that everything is just what I needed to turn in. I have been at this forever it seems. I started weigh-ins in Febuary and I had went to a seminar and I was already considering having a Lap-Band Before that. I am hoping that the delays have only helped my chances of getting the sleeve approved, since in the beginning it was not approved at all, but now sometimes it is. I will let you know if I hear something this week. I put some new pictures on my photo album, because somehow I deleted the other ones. Have a good day!!

I sure hope you here some good news, I hope all goes well for you. I should find out in a few days if I get approved, I am sure you are more frustrated than you were before, but I am sure there is a reason why it is on hold that will be to your advantage one way or another. You are in my prayers!!