Texasmom65

Praying for you. I can't wait to hear how your doing. You have the same feelings as I do right now. I'm so scared about having most of my stomach removed, but I know I need to do this. I want to do this. Hugs to you and your family.

I think what your feeling is normal. I even told my husband last night the two places I wanted to eat before surgery. I've been doing Weight Watchers since March, so there are many places I avoid, such as Italian and fried foods. So I want Italian and seafood. I've done very well controling my intake of food and being on WW has helped me to eat the right foods. It's ok to have that bread or Pasta, just not that often. So I think having it once in the past 3 months will be ok. Once that is done, I will have the 2 week preop diet and it starts when we are on vacation. But I'm ok with that. I'm going to be sitting ont he beach soaking up the sun and spending time with my family. I'm not gonna be there for the food. Good luck with our outings. Just don't over do it if possible. But I think your smart doing the preop for 3 weeks to better prepare yourself.

I guess like some say its different for everyone. Plus I'm sure some people have a higher pain tolerance than others. I think my pain tolerance is pretty high. I've had 3 c- sections, appendex, tonsils, gallbladder and huge ovarian cyst (removed ovary, the size of a football during my last pregnancy). I will say having tonsils out at 34 almost killed me. But as far pain in the tummy area the ovarian cyst removal was the wrost. So I'm hoping this will not be much pain. Or at least tolerable. I never had the gas pains after my gallblader surgery like alot of people told me about. I was up walking as soon as I could. I think moving around is the best for any surgery. It helps work out the soreness. Anyway, that is my plan. Great question, I'm glad you asked it.

Hi everyone. I'm 46, will be married for 4 yrs to my wonderful hubby on July 7th. I will have my sleeve done on July 11th. I have 3 children, 26,25 and 7. I also have 4 grandchildren. I'm so excited to finally put the fat me to rest. I want the next half of my life to be healthier and thinner. It's hard to keep up with a 7 yr old at 46 and you add fat to the mix, its really hard. LOL Happy to meet everyone.

Have you ever tried liquid Stevia? I have several different flavors I use. I use the lemon and orange the most for my water. Just a dropper full and my water taste great. You can get it online or I've seen it at Whole Foods. I also have the rootbeer and vanilla cream too. I'm thinking of trying the Chocolate raspberry on a vanilla protein shake to see how it will taste.

Thank you so much for the post. Mine is scheduled for July 11th. I'm so excited, but at the same time scared to death. Your encouraging words really have helped put me more at ease.

Awesome, I can be a Firecracker too. LOL That is great your wife is on here too. Has she had the sleeve done too or going too?

LOL I'm sure she meant you too. How does it feel to be surrounded by all these beautiful women? LOL So what's a July Firecracker?

Ok, I've read on here a few places about it being so hard to get your liquids down after surgery. My question is why? Is it your throat, swollen, stomach swollen....or you just don't want to drink? Does it come back up or what? I drink alot during the day. And thinking that it will take me an hour to drink 4 oz or so is boggling my mind. LOL I just want to be prepared. What is the mechanics behind this.

Keep us posted a.nurse. Hope it all goes well tomorrow. So happy to see so many having their surgery on the same day or within a few days of me. I've added you all as friends so we can stay connected.

Good Luck on your surgery. Can't wait to hear how it goes.

I've noticed a few have Dr. Nicholson on their sigs....just wondering how everyone liked him, if they have had the surgery done. Also if you have been pleased with his office before the surgery. I for one, love his office. They are quick to answer any questions I have by either phone or email. I asked what size bougie he used and I got the answer within 24 hrs.

Good Luck. I hope you get approval pretty fast. I was told the same thing about BCBS, but mine is of Texas with the TRS plan. They are pretty stricked too. But I was approved. I had enough info from the last 24 months with my PCP about my weight problems that it worked. I'm doing the WW too, since March and stated seeing my PCP monthly in April just to be on the safe side. I was shocked to know they approved me yesterday. I'm having mine done with Dr. Nicholdson in Dallas on July 11th.

I'm so sorry you are feeling this way. But I can relate. And I'm sure as my date gets closer I will feel just as you do now. Good Luck with your surgery. Please keep us informed. Hugs.

Thanks everyone....and woo hoo to all of us having surgery the same day !! I only have to do a 2 wk pre op diet. I get 5 shakes or Protein bars per day, plus one regular meal. I'm glad since the first week of the pre- op diet I'll be in Florida on vacation. I have my pre op testing and pre op nutrition class on July 6th. Are you all as scared as I am. One minute I'm excited, then next I'm sorta freaking out. LOL It's still weeks away and I couldn't sleep last night, thinking about it all. Give me a glass of wine someone...oh wait, I bet we can't have wine. LOL

I was finally approved today by BCBS. I'm so excited and scared. I don't know what to do next. I'm feeling very overwhelmed.

I'm still in shock. Just found out today I was approved for surgery. My surgeons office got all my paperwork from my PCP and I had enough visits about my WL in her notes that the insurance lady thought she would try to get me approved with that, so I would not have to do the 6 month diet and wait. Of course they denied it at first. She sent in an appeal and I'm APPROVED! I have so many emotions going on right now. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I really thought I would not be able to get this done until late in the year.

I love greek yogurt. The only kind I buy is Fage. Usually I get the plain and add honey to it. But you can do so much with it. Add a packet of Hidden Valley Seasoning and use it as a dip. Anything you can do with sour cream you can do with it. I love the creaminess and texture. As the PP said you can add Jello or pudding flavors to it. I one added pumpkin puree, splenda and cinnamon with just a touch of SF vanilla pudding (the powder) to it. It was wonderful and low cal. Robin

Glad you are feeling better. Good Luck

I do medical billing for a living. The best thing to do is get the medical code (CPT code) for the surgery from your surgeons office. Then call your insurance company yourself and ask what the allowed amount is for that code. You are only responsible for the "allowed" amount due. It doesn't matter if your surgeon charges $10,000 for the code, if your insurance will only allow $2300 for the code, that is what your cost is based on. The same goes for the hosiptal stay. Not sure you can find out the CPT codes for the hospital, but you can call and try. Then again, talk to your insurance company about the allowed amount. If the surgeon and hospital have a contract with your insurance company, legally they can only base your cost off of the "allowed" amount. Hope that helps.

I do medical billing for a living and as long as your insurance does cover it, it should be as simple as changing the codes. You just need the approval for the correct code. Good luck, hopefully it won't take too long for your answer.

I just went for my first consult with Dr. Nicholson last week. I'm also in the medical field (medical billing) and was very impressed with his office. He was very kind and answered all my questions. His staff and I have emailed each other in the past couple of days regarding surgery info/questions I had. Glad you liked him. Can't wait to see how your surgery goes. Oh and I saw him at Baylor in Plano.

What state do you live in?

The good thing is since they will be filing my insurance, even if its just to go toward my copay/deductible, they can only bill me the contracted rate. And I've check with BCBS and the contracted rate for the surgeon is just under $2000. So I'm good there. It's the facility fee that will cost the most.

Oh that does suck you have to start all over just for one month. Oh a BCBS employee :-) I am Billing manager for a group of physician in Texas. Oh gotta love BCBS. LOL Actually they are one of the best insuarnces out there to work with. Robin