Nancy Rivers

Ok, thanks. I figured I was over-reacting, but it's nice to get an answer.

Congrats!! That's awesome!

So, I finally got the results of my bloodwork from May 27. My A1C and blood sugar were predictably high - although the A1C was the highest it has ever been it is still under 9. My cholesterol was within "normal" range for total, but HDL vs LDL is out of whack. Triglycerides are within normal range. Vitamins are all good except D is showing as low. I also received a letter from my surgeon's office - from the PA actually. She stated they received the results of the blood tests and gave me the A1C, sugar and cholesterol levels. Nothing about if those would delay my surgery - but I'm guessing not as everything else is proceeding apparently. She said nothing about the Vitamin D being low though. I have called the surgeon's office and had to leave a message. I am wondering if having low Vitamin D would delay the surgery. Or if the other results would delay the surgery - although if that was the case, I would think that something would have been said in the letter that I received. Or they would have called to let me know - but maybe not. I'm probably just over-reacting, but anyone have any insights on this?

My blog is in my signature.

Welcome to the forums! Congratulations on starting your new weight loss journey! I attended the info seminar on April 6. It wasn't until May 1 that I actually got an appointment scheduled with the surgeon - and then only because I called and asked about it. At the seminar they told us they would check the insurance coverage and call us - usually within 2 weeks. I waited a little longer since I'm out of state, but when I didn't hear, I got anxious and called. Apparently they had some issues with about 5 of us and had just gotten the response back from the insurance a day or two before. I met with the surgeon the first time on May 18. I will be having surgery on July 12. I am self-pay as insurance won't cover anything weight related. However, if your insurance will cover it, it could be 6 months as you jump through their hoops. What I would do is call your insurance company to find out 1) do they cover it and 2) if they do, what are their requirements. They will let you know. Of course then it also depends on your surgeon's schedule....

Good luck today and I'm sure it will go fine. I can relate - I'm single with no kids and will be going through this alone. But, it really isn't bothering me as I am so used to doing things by myself. It stinks that I have to have people dropping me off and picking me up from the hospital for the EGD and then of course for the surgery. I hate depending on others for anything. But rules are rules, so I deal with it.

Congratulations! I'm glad you haven't had any issues.

I am not telling my family of it. The people I am living with in Cincinnati know of course since they can't help but notice I will be doing things differently - plus I need someone to take me to and from the hospital. Some of my students (I teach union workers how to use computers) know. My boss - I just told him yesterday that I am having a medical procedure done and when I will return to teaching. I'm sure if I told him what it was, he would be supportive as he always has been supportive of anything that I do. The funny thing is I haven't really had very many people give me grief over it. Mostly I just get "Do your research on it". Of course I have, otherwise I wouldn't be going forward with it. Most people know that I am a research freak anyway. I haven't had anyone flat out tell me not to. But then, if I had told my family about it, then I would have encountered that. I think that you should let people know if you are comfortable with them knowing. If you know they will not be supportive - then don't tell them. Just let them be surprised when they see how much weight you have lost and then just tell them that you made lifestyle changes (which is not lying!) when they ask how you did it.

For my EGD that is Friday, I had to put down a $200 deposit - which they will charge to my credit card on Friday. They told me that insurance will cover 80% and I have a 20% copay, but they required the deposit upfront. On Monday when I go for the pre-op teaching, I will have to pay for the surgery in full (I'm self-pay).

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Congratulations on the new position! That is awesome!

That's awesome! Congratulations!!!

WOW!!!! That is awesome! Congratulations!

Wow - that's quite the move! Congratulations!

Welcome to the forums. Thank you for sharing your story. Wow, that is awesome weight loss! Congratulations!

So, I had the psych eval today and I think she will recommend me for the surgery - at least that what it sounded like. There was an interview and then I had to take two questionnaire tests. But based on the interview she said that she would recommend me. I also found out that my referral letter from my PCP still had not been received. So, I spent the afternoon working on that. Made about 4 phone calls to my PCP's office and finally got them to fax me the letter along with 5 year weight history. I just faxed it over to my surgeon and called to make sure they received it which they did. YAY! One more item off my checklist! Just the EGD now on Friday. I'm getting nervous about that for some reason. I know that he's just basically going to knock me out and put a scope down my throat to get a visual, but still, I'm getting nervous. How weird is that? Then on Monday I get to sign the consent forms, do the pre-op teaching and get the "package" for the pre-op diet that will have to start the next day as that will then be 2 weeks before the surgery. In just 3 short weeks from today, I will be undergoing the surgery and starting my new life! Wow - this is going quick!

That's terrific! Way to go! Congratulations! Thanks for posting your update. It is inspiring to see what others have accomplished with the surgery.

Have a good time while on vacation - enjoy the company and the sights. Forget about weighing yourself for a few days.

call your bariatric surgeon - they are the one that will make the final determination.

I just had the Psych eval today and she told me to keep coming here as it sounded like I was getting great support on these forums. So glad I found this place!

Thanks for the laugh.

Wow, that is amazing! Way to go! Thank you for the update.

I had been thinking about the bypass as well. However, when I spoke with the Dr's office and the person who checks the insurance, she suggested the sleeve. Since I am self-pay, the sleeve is cheaper and she said that a lot of people op for that instead of the bypass who are self-pay, but of course the decision was mine. I asked about the ability to loose the weight successfully and she told me that in that particular doctor's practice, the sleevers lose just as much as the bypass patients. I then started checking it out and found out there were a lot less chances of getting various complications with the sleeve. Also, there is no re-arrangement of the insides, so there isn't the mal-absorption issue. Those two things really helped to make up my mind about it.

Different people have different experiences with it. I will be starting it next week, so I'll find out then. I do know that I get to eat some "real" food along with the liquid diet. I was told (because I asked about it) that I would be allowed to choose 6 different foods from a list they will give me. I'll find out Monday what that list is. It could just be Jello, but I think it will also include salads since a couple of other people at the last support group meeting indicated they could have a salad each day. I think that will help with the diet. I know from the past that a pure liquid diet won't work for me because I still want to actually EAT. The dietician said that is why they allow certain foods to be used while on the pre-op diet. Several people on the boards have said that the pre-op diet was torture for them. I really hope it's not like that.