Penpen

June 23 Dallas, TX

Hi Gayle! I have dealt with cyst on my ovaries for years and I do agree that they are very painful. I couple of years ago I had a rather large one on my left ovary and after a CAT scan (for a different reason) a month and a half ago, it had disappeared but now I have a rather large one on my right ovary. By the way, I knew before they told me from the CAT scan because indeed, they hurt like crazy sometimes. I was told that most likely they would resolve themselves. They never said anything about surgery. Ugh! Poor you! But maybe they will go away on there own.

Diva...I know how you feel, I'm sure just like everyone else. I will have my surgery June 23. I started my preop diet 4 days ago and had a melt down the first day. My husband was getting ready to let me have it, I'm sure! Lol that was by far the worst day yet for me. I think my body getting used to mostly liquids and no sugary junk made it go nuts. Each.day so far has been a little easier. But I'm hungry all the time and find myself thinking of all the yummy things but as all the rest here have said, the reward will be well worth this temporary pain right now. As for my diet, I'm doing 4 Protein shakes (like 5-6 oz. Each) and 3-4 oz. of fish or chicken or Boca Burger (patty only) and then spinach or something green for supper. I have to stay under 1000 calories a day. The 4 prot. Shakes take up 800 calories. THIS IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS I'VE EVER HAD TO DO!!! lol Did you just see my eyes cross?!?!? Lol I have to lose 15 lbs. atleast before surgery. I lost 5 before I started the preop diet and I've lost 6 more in the last 3 days. I'm hoping that I can drop 20-25 lbs before surgery. The doc said the more I lose, the faster the surgery and recovery will go. Hang in there! We're all in this together. You can do it.

Awesome job!! You have to be proud of yourself! I'm so happy for you!

So sorry you feeling so horrible! I haven't had my surgery yet...coming very soon...but I thought I'd throw something out there. I read a thread on this forum...I think it was on here....where the lady was having a lot of trouble getting anything down and her daughter went out and bought her an inexpensive ice cream cone machine. She used it just for the shaved ice. It worked for her. Just my 2 cents. I may be way off but it's just an idea.

Welcome!!! You will love this forum!! There's so much support here and the things that you're too embarrassed to talk about to others in your life..it's okay to talk about here! Everyone is super nice and wants to help!

Congrats to you! This is so exciting isn't it? My surgery is scheduled for June 23. I'm so happy for you. My suggestion to you, would be to find a Protein shake you like before it is time to start. I made the mistake of waiting until the last minute! I started with my husband's shakes (he uses Muscle Milk for his workouts...ugh...nasty after taste that last and last)...I had 2 my first day and was in tears because I couldn't drink any more of it. So, I had to run out and find something else....finally found something 4 or 5 hours after my last tiny Protein Drink. It was a very tough day....the sudden change, too, didn't help! I think, too, that maybe I was mourning the loss of all the yummy foods that I ate so much of before. I thought I was mentally ready but boy, I had no idea. But now, I'm 3 days in to my preop diet and besides being hungry all the time...my Protein Shakes taste pretty good! I started on Tuesday and this morning I was down 6 pounds already...if that tells you anything...lol :lol: My husband just asked me if I was blogging about my meltdown on Tuesday! Why yes, I am! Yes, ladies and gents, it was pretty bad! We had just watched the movie Julie and Julia...and if you have ever seen it, there's a scene where she lays down on the kitchen floor, flat on her back ...balling her eyes out! Okay, so I wasn't on the kitchen floor but it was bad enough that my hubby keeps comparing me to her.

June 23rd for me too!!! Yay!! Congrats!!!! Happy dance from me to you!!! I started my preop diet 3 days ago and I am sooo hungry!!! I have 4 tiny Protein Shakes a day and about 3 oz. of tuna or something like it for dinner. In between, I have sugar free Jello. I'm going nuts! I'm standing here cooking supper for my family right now and am feeling very emotional because to be honest with you, I could eat dirt right now!!! Lol Anything with texture would be good. The good thing is that I've lost 6 lbs. as of this morning...6 lbs. In 2 days....hummm...I want to be excited about it but my tummy says FEED ME!! lol Let me know how you're doing as you go through all of this. This is an exciting time for all of us June sleevers. I'm curious about your Protein bars...how much protien/carbs/sugar/fiber/fat is in them? How many calories are you limited to? I have to get down 15 lbs. But had already lost 5 before my diet started. The doc did say the more I lost the faster the surgery and recovery would go...that's why I'm keeping on...sigh.

Thank you all!!! Yes, UHC is awesome!!! One of the ladies at the doc's office told me before I went through the approval process that UHC was the easiest insurance company to deal with. I sure do believe it!

Hi fattymcfatterson! Thank you! My doctor is Dr. James Davidson. I actually considered using Dr. Barker but went to see my doctor first and decided he was the one. My husband works with a lady that had the bypass done by Dr. Barker last September. She really liked him. I live east of Dallas...past Mesquite. I hope you get approved super quick! Maybe you'll be able to have yours done in July. That would be so awesome.

I want to say thank you to all of you for being so encouraging. As you know, this journey is not easy.

Hi chunkymonky91! Okay, I was very confused as to what UHC would cover and would require for this surgery. I had actually gone to a doc a little over a year ago to see about getting the lap band. They told me that they thought UHC would make me do a 6 month supervised diet but then about 10 days out I got a call from them saying that lap band was approved and that I had to do nothing else as far as the insurance was concerned. I didn't have it done because my husband was completely against it. Now that my husband is on board and I discovered the sleeve. the process has gone so smoothly. I did call UHC before finding my doctor but they could not tell me anything ... Just that everything they consider is based on that individual and their coverage. They do not have a set standard for everyone across the board. This was really nerve racking because of course, I wanted an answer right then. So, here's a timeline of what happened. My husband and I attended the seminar on 5-4-11. I had my first appointment with my doc on 5-11. Now, I had to sign something giving my permission for my other doctors to send records over. I thought that they were having to gather all this past medical history and everything to send to the insurance company. So I waited until 5-24 to call my doc's office to find out if they'd heard anything because the ins co has 30 days to make a decision. I was told that they sent my case to UHC on 5-18 and that usually if UHC had any request they would have heard back from them within 48 hours. I asked if they had any trouble with getting my medical records and was told that they never requested them...that they would only request them if UHC asked for them. Wow, i was really surprised by that. The doc's office seemed to think that this was a good sign. Then on 5-27, doc's office called and said I was approved and UHC required nothing from me. I couldn't believe it. Now I have my preop class next Wednesday. But I started my preop diet 3 days ago. My surgery is on 6/23. I don't know how they decide but if it matters, I am 5'5" and was 280 when I was weighed at the doc's office. My BMI was 46.6. Also, I'm not taking any meds for health problems although I have slightly high cholesterol and blood pressure...I was always told to watch what I eat to control both. Then in the last couple of months my blood sugar levels have been a little high and I'm actually waiting for results from in-depth blood work done last week to see if I'm diabetic. Also, had my back out last year and was almost completely bed ridden for a month. All of this the doctor said he would put in my case because the insuance co wanted a good reason or two to have this surgery done besides the fact that I wanted to lose weight. I really don't know what was the big decider for UHC. I hope this helps.

June 23rd for me. I started my shakes today and have been a total emotional, mushy mess!!!! Ha! I started using my husband's Muscle Milk and YACKKKK!!! The after taste...eeeew! Lol I had 2 this morning and couldn't bear to swallow another drop. So I decided to head to Vitamin World...like 4 hours later. I never knew that being so hungry would bring me to emotional low...oh my goodness! My poor husband said, "And this was only the first day!!!" It's funny now but earlier I was in tears. So anyways, I found something different that the employee said they sale a lot of. I can't think of the name at this very moment but it's in a clear, red jug. It actually taste really good for a Protein drink. So I think I will survive! Lol Wasn't sure this afternoon! Can't wait for my surgery day! I hope all goes really good for all of you!

You look beautiful!!! I was going to say that there's no way you carried 45 lbs. in your face but others beat me to it! I'm sure it's just hard to recognize where you've lost yourself but I bet it is noticeable to everyone that knows you. You're doing so good!!!

I think JG is right!! I know exactly how you feel. I've done this for years, too. I will shut everyone out either because I allow my weight to define me or because the depression I feel is so heavy that I just can't fake being alright. It is so hard facing life sometimes and I'm sick of not wanting to face it. That's why I'm taking this journey. I'm worth it and so are you. I feel like I have been trapped in this body like a prison for years and until I escape it, I'll be at it's mercy! Give it to God...he already knows your pains and hurts!

I can feel your excitement as your story goes!!! What an awesome story!!! I'm so proud for you. That is one of the many reasons I want this surgery so bad. I have an almost 8 year old son and I've already sat on the sidelines for too long. Congrats to you and your new found life.

Thank you all!!! I'm so happy right now! I can't wait to be on the losers' bench. It's crazy to think that I would be so excited about having something so major removed. It just feels like I'm counting the days down to a new me...a new way of life!! Awwwwww!

I got a call today from my doctor's office and UHC has approved my surgery!!!!! YaY!!! It took them a whole 9 days to approve it. Wow!!! I went in for my doc's appointment 16 days ago but it took them a week to send it to the insurance for approval. I'm so excited but am scared to death at the same time. When I got off of the phone, I wanted to jump up and down!!! Ten minutes later, I wanted to cry! Ha! The emotions have already started flowing. Now, I'm waiting for a call to schedule the surgery.

Yes, one of my big concerns was that I would end up having this awesome tool but not know what to do with it. After talking with Dr. Davidson, I found out that they have a 5 year program to keep you on top of information, your own health, etc. Also, they require you to attend a class before surgery to learn about what you need to do. No guessing!!! Plus you get this really cool notebook that tells you everything you really need to know and more. Plus, I wanted someone who was close enough if I had problems along the way. Thank you for reaffirming my decision.

Lol!! Thanks for making me laugh! How fun that was!!! I was singing along, too! You have a great attitude and I think you will do awesome! I haven't had surgery either...waiting to hear whether or not the insurance co. has my back. Keep that awesome attitude!!

Hi everyone!! Thank you all for letting me know who you chose! I had actually wanted to go to Dr. Nick but my insurance wouldn't cover him. Then it was between Dr. Barker and Dr. Davidson. Barker did the Bypass surgery on a lady that my husband works with. Dr. Davidson did the sleeve on my sister-in-law's friend. After meeting with Davidson, I decided that I really liked him. So as of right now, I'm waiting on my insurance to approve the surgery. Will hopefully hear something really soon.

Take a family picture that my husband has wanted for almost 10 years now! And of course, many more!

You look amazing!!! Congratulations!!!

1. For my knees, hips, back, and feet to stop hurting!!! 2. To be able to shave my legs....all of my legs! To be able to shave my legs without feeling like I just ran a marathon! 3. To feel pretty, cute, sexy again! 4. To wear a swimsuit without having to put something over it. 5. To wear shorts again! 6. Can't wait to look in the mirror and admire myself...instead of despise and disgust myself! 7. Ready for thinner women...not all...but definitely some....to stop giving my husband the look, as if I don't matter...as if they are thinking, "What is he doing with her? I can offer him better!"....DARN IT...that really hurts! 8. To not feel so irritable all the time from being out of energy and in the dumps! 9. To go swimming with my son in public! 10. To not take a dive out of a camera's view! And to not hind behind my son in pictures when I can't dive out of the way! 11. To not be a slave to food! 12. To feel like dolling myself up....because right now, I feel like what's the use! 13. To weigh less than my husband. 14. I want to walk to the mailbox during the day in full view of everyone...instead of hiding inside so no one sees me, until dark! 15. I want to enjoy sex again....not dread it!

Thank you all for your input! This makes me feel better. I was afraid I wouldn't know when to stop, like now, and I'd bust my stomach open or something. Lol. I like the idea of feeling in control...knowing that I will have a sign or two when to stop and possibly not even wanting all the food anyways.