Nancy Rivers

Sorry you are still having a lot of pain. I hope it goes away for you soon. Thank you for posting what it's like.

Sorry, I wish I had the answer for you. I'd call your doctor.

I will be finding out exactly what my pre-op diet is today when I go in for pre-op teaching. All I know at this point is it is 2 weeks and I have to purchase the supplements from the doctor (after this, I don't have to). I do know from going to the support group meeting (the doctor required it before surgery) and from me asking the dietician specifically, that I also will get to eat some real food - but I don't know what that will be yet as the list will be given to me today. I am so excited for today - I really feel like today is the beginning of my new life even though my surgery is still 2 weeks away.

Definitely look at your food journal - that will help. Another possibility if you are female is TOM - that tends to put weight on as well (my last TOM put on 8 pounds!) although for most it's only a couple of pounds. Keep with it, and you will do it! Maybe increase your exercise a bit if you are really worried about it.

You will do fine. You have researched the surgery and know what to expect. It is completely normal to have these feelings since it is a "major" surgery. Good luck.

I would also call your insurance to see if they do cover the sleeve or not. Just because they cover one, doesn't mean they will cover the other - and they will tell you what they will cover as well as any requirements they have for you to complete so they will cover it. Research them both thoroughly because only you can make this decision. For me, I did not want my digestive system re-routed and the malabsorbtion issues associated with it. There also seemed to be a higher complication rate with bypass than with VSG which also factored into my decision.

Good luck tomorrow!

I gave up my Diet Coke around May 11 - cold turkey. It's not quite the same as DMD as it doesn't have as much caffeine, but I knew that I would need to do it before surgery because I wouldn't be able to afterwards (it's a head thing). So far, so good. I've been very busy, but I have also just been reading and reading the forums as well as some other sites that I have come across. Tomorrow is pre-op teaching and I get the 2 week diet that I will start on Tuesday. I am so ready to get it started though.

When I first got the diagnosis of diabetes, I was told to NOT test before 2 hours after eating as it would not be as accurate. So, I tested before I ate and then at least 2 hours later so I could see how the food really affected me. It's normal for the glucose to spike after eating - but it will normally resolve in 2 hours. That's the reason for the 2 hour rule after eating.

My surgeon required one from my PCP - all it is is a letter that indicates your attempts at loosing the weight over the last few months/years and that they support you having the surgery. Most doctors will know what they need to put in the letter.

The only way to know for sure if a surgeon would be willing to take you on is to talk to them. Go to an informational seminar and ask - it won't cost you anything but a bit of your time. Good luck.

Diabetes runs in my family and I was first diagnosed with it in December 2003. It has gotten worse over the years - my latest A1C was 8.7. That's part of the reason I am having this surgery. I can't seem to get it under control and do not want to go on insulin. My surgery will be in Ohio, but at the moment I live in Michigan despite working most of the time in Ohio.

Tiffy - I would love to know about some of your crockpot recipes for 1 or 2. I'm single and have always had a hard time cooking for just myself - it was always so much easier to hit fast food (which is why I'm now in this boat). That was a great idea 1-4-many. Although, I don't trust myself yet to stopping at a place like that. I'd be too likely to get the "bad for you" foods. I'm sure that would change after I'm sleeved, but I don't want to try it yet.

If anyone asks that I did not tell about my surgery, then I'll just tell them that I made some lifestyle changes. They don't need to know any more than that. And, it's not lying because it is true - I am going to be making changes in my lifestyle.

I had actually been saving up for something else - I just decided to use that money for this instead. Yeah, it can be expensive here in the states - mine is 15,300 plus the Protein & Vitamins. Most of my blood tests, gallbladder screening and EGD is also covered by insurance, but I'll have a fraction of that cost as well. I'll also be using a credit card for anything that I don't already have the money for. From what I have gathered during my research, if you lose weight on the doctor supervised weight loss before surgery, it won't count against you (in other words, they won't deny you because you lost the weight). Insurance companies base it on the weight at the start of the program. Most of what these medically supervised weight loss programs are that are required before surgery is to make sure you can stick with the program and follow instructions. As long as you keep your appointments and do as your told, you should be fine.

Welcome to the forums. I hope your insurance approval comes soon!

Congratulations on your success so far!

Congratulations on getting through the surgery! The weight will come back off. Just concentrate on getting your fluids in - the rest will take care of itself.

The thing is, since I have to have an individual policy, this is the ONLY insurance that I can get where I live. I checked before signing up for them a couple of years ago. The reason? Well, because I am morbidly obese, I am considered UNinsurable. Because BCBS is non-profit - they HAVE to accept everyone. Otherwise I would not have any health insurance.

Welcome to the forums. Keep looking around the site - you will find a LOT of advice and support here. Don't be afraid to ask questions either. The only stupid question is the UNASKED one.

There's a few people on the forums who are more than a year out - and are doing great. Look through the different forums and posts. You will find all kinds of information and advice from those who have had the surgery a "long time ago". That's one of the great things about this particular site - there are a lot of participants at each stage of the process who are more than willing to share information.

I have blue cross blue shield - and my policy specifically excludes WLS. However, a lot of other people who have BCBS do have coverage and insurance pays for it. Having an individual policy really stinks - but I don't have a job that has benefits (gotta love it when the company considers you as a contract employee so they can get away with giving NO benefits - NOT!).

There's a fair number of people on the boards who have seen Dr. Alvarez. If you look around on the different forums - there is one specifically about the various doctors and hospitals - I know there is at least a thread or two on him. Good luck.

The main difference in the length of time is due to insurance. Some insurances that cover the WLS require 3 months, some require 6 months, some longer - but the vast majority seem to require 6 months diet before hand. However, if the insurance will NOT cover the WLS, then the surgery can be completed much sooner if you have the funds available. For me, my insurance will not cover the surgery, so from the time that I met the surgeon to the time of my surgery it will be 2 months. The month prior I had attended the informational seminar.

Welcome to the forums! For me, it was just shy of 2 months from the first appointment with the surgeon to the surgery. However, I am self-pay so insurance has no say in it really. Your insurance may require longer, or the doctor might require more time. Also, if the surgeon is "popular" and has a very full schedule, it could be longer.