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Congrats on your sleeve! I was sleeved 10-12 in Portland, OR. It's amazing how fast the recovery is from this procedure. I was walking at the park on Sunday after having surgery on Wednesday. Will look for you on the Oct 11 sleevers blog. This surgery was the best thing we could do for our health. What a gift we gave ourselves. Take care, Jan

You have surgery coming up Monday:) I wish you a successful operation, a speedy recovery, & a tool that fights obesity. Will look for your updates. Take care, Jan

Thanks for your good wishes regarding my surgery. I am doing much better at day 5 than I would ever have guessed. Can't wait to start eating scrambled eggs, tuna, tofu, etc! The sweet protein drinks seem much sweeter after surgery. I just tried my sample of Unjury chicken soup & ordered some. I got in 60 g of protein yesterday. I can't wait to hear good news from ya'll. Take care, Jan

Hi Karen, I had my surgery 10/12 & was home the next afternoon. Dr Halpin was my surgeon at Legacy Weight Mgmt Institute, Ste 520 right next door to Dr Patterson. I am feeling good - lucky not to have nausea, vomiting, or much pain. Looking forward to weeks 3 & 4 to start adding food back. Let me know how things are going for you. Jan

I had my surgery 10/12 at Legacy Good Sam with Dr Valerie Halpin & so far so good! No nausea, only 1 night stay in hospital & didn't even need pain meds by 10/14.

Glenna, I'm home & sleeved. I already have favorite liquids & yogurt:) Keep calling BCBSIL every day & get a rep that will contact medical review for you. You need to know if they have everything they need. I'll look for your approval soon. Hang in there. Jan

Glenna, Tomorrow, 10/12, is my day to be sleeved. I only spend one night in the hospital & when I get home Thursday, I hope when I check this blog that you have posted good news. Jan

I will be praying that your sleeve helps you lead a happy, healthy life. I have my surgery tomorrow. Jan

Shelly, sorry I was thinking you were having the surgery in a few days. The 6 mos will pass quickly & you will be sleeved. Take care, Jan

Shelly, Have you joined the Oct 2011 sleevers? If not, please do & we can keep up with each other. Jan

I was on Weight Watchers for 6 mos & now on liquids the last week before surgery but each doctor (& ins co) has their own requirements. Start exercising & chewing slowly now:) Good luck, Jan

I'm on a pre-op too. My surgery is Wednesday. I'm drooling over my husband's salad & I usually don't like rabbit food:) Jan

Wow!! You are doing so well. All of us love to hear about your progress. Take care, Jan

The explanations sound promising to me. I'll cross my fingers for you & hope you get approved soon. I know you are more than ready to be sleeved. Take care, Jan

I shared your post with my husband about adding your wife's purse to your weight. We were cracking up laughing. Glad to hear that you & your wife will be having surgery soon. I am having mine next week. My husband wants to see how I do with the sleeve before making his decision for WLS. My best to both of you. Will be looking for your posts. Jan

Glad to find fellow Oregonians. I'm having my sleeve done in a week (mid-October) in Portland. My cousin in TX was sleeved 1-11 & she's done so well. She convinced me to choose the sleeve over other bariatric surgeries. Hope to hear from ya'll (can you tell I'm originally from TX)! Jan

Thanks for the suggestion. Underwood Deviled Ham sounds tasty. I'm having my surgery this Wednesday so I'll have to remember to try it.

You look amazing! I wish you the best & know you have the confidence to do anything because you are in control. I have my surgery in a week on the 12th & am happy to have read & watched your story. Very inspirational. Jan

You are right to keep smiling. You won't get anywhere being unfriendly to an insurance rep. I will be praying for you to get approved soon. Take care, Jan

I remember the rep's name was Clay but I threw away his ext #. Sorry I can't be more help. I wasn't saying LOL after my 3rd denial....I was on the warpath! Hope you get good news soon. Jan

I got so disgusted with BCBSIL. When they denied me the 3rd time, I was about to cry. I called & didn't like the 1st customer service rep. I called again & got the nicest guy. I explained that my frustration was when I had my doctor fax what they wanted, next time I was told they wanted other things. I asked him to call medical review & tell me exactly what was holding up my approval. He told me & my dr again sent a fax. I was expecting to have to call the rep back b/c he had given me his ext but I got a nice surprise when he called in the am to say I was approved. Just hang in there & don't give up. Call them every day following any new faxed information. Jan

The 17th is 5 days after my surgery. Join the October 2011 sleevers & we'll stay in touch. Congrats!!!!! Jan

I will be sleeved 10-12 in Portland, OR. I go for my pre-op labs & class tomorrow & then hope the next week passes quickly. I have bought soups, baby food, protein drinks, & V8 juice. I need a 2nd pantry! My best to all my fellow October sleevers. Will keep you posted after my surgery. Jan

The 1st time I was denied in May b/c I hadn't completed a 6 mos nutritional program. The 2nd time they denied me early September they said I didn't have a 2nd co-morbidity since my bmi is 38 & I hadn't completed the nutritional program. I had completed a 6 mos class at the hospital in which I was weighed monthly, b/p recorded, exercise & challenges for the month discussed. I do have 2 co-morbidities which are dyslipidemia & sleep apnea. I had to have my doctor resend the documentation of my visits (dates highlighted) + additional information about the program & information from my sleep study. The 3rd time they said I wasn't treating my dyslipidemia in the past 6 months. I was scared b/c I do not take statins but my doctor sent them a document stating I take fish oil for high cholesterol. I called BCBS & was so frustrated b/c I wanted to know exactly what else they needed. I was very lucky I got a customer service rep who listened to me & made a call to medical review & he called the next day to say I was approved. I think BCBSIL wants to deny several times. I felt like I was holding my breath for weeks. I am so ready for my sleeve as I know you are. I wish you the best & hope you are approved soon. Jan

I've read many encouraging words you have written to others. You deserve the compliments now. Way to go! Look forward to reading your posts & viewing the pictures you will post. Take care, Jan