wishes

Yay! Welcome Cofeebean! Congrats on getting a date! I can't believe we will be sleeved the same day. It is getting so close!

@Shea: Thank you so much, it means so much to me to share this with you. @lostalongtheway: lt is hard work but so worth it. I will be keeping you in my thoughts. You can do this! @Rosalind: YOU GO! This is it. Keep us posted on how the visit goes and what insurance says.

I am with Dr. Steven Webb at Memorial Hospital. UHC has not approved St. Luke's Hospital as a OptumHealth COE. Thank you so much everyone. I don't know what I would do without you all.

Well, I personally looked for a physician that had well below the national average and I think that is what you should definitely aim for. That and looking at their mortality rate. I hope I can live through a leak, but a death.... that is forever. When I get home, I will get you the statistics for my surgeon, Dr. Webb at North Florida Surgeons. His last leak was over two years ago and the person who it happened to.... well, he drank a big gulp a couple weeks after surgery. I don't think I can blame Dr. Webb for that one, lol. And he has no deaths on his record.

After I received my official date today, I really got pumped for us September sleevers! But you know what I realized? We don't have a name.... So it is time for us to throw some ideas out there and see what sticks! We can totally do this. *fist pump* I am feeling kind of fiesty right now, so I am especially partial to the idea of being a Spitfire.

To continue where my title left off.... OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! I am so ecstatic right now. I really think I could just burst. It has been a really long six months, and I was really starting to get worried that I would not get the date I wanted, September 1st. But everyday I gathered confidence and kept my hopes up that it would happen by reading through everyone else's struggles and triumphs, and wished and wished and wished it would happen for me. AND IT DID. I am just so happy, thank you everyone so much for being a part of this with me. I only have 21 days left in the waiting, and I am so excited. You know? I know I can tackle this. VST has my back. So on September 1st at 8:00 a.m. I am heading up to Jacksonville for pre-op testing and then at 11:30 a.m. I have surgery. I will make sure to keep everyone updated. wishes

Okay, time to start the engine! I am starting the pre-op diet on the August 12th, two weeks and 6 days before surgery. Anyone have any hints or tips to get through it? Anyone want to commiserate? P.S. Do most doctors recommend dulcolax or magnesium citrate before surgery? Does doing one or the other really make a difference? P.S.S. What helped you most get through it?

Congrats! I am so happy for you. It is official for me today too. I am September 1st.

Awesome! I am so happy for you, Meme. Congrats on your successful surgery. I hope for a quick and pain free recovery.

My fellow pre-sleevers.... I have great awesome news! I was approved. I am so happy. I really just wanted to share this with you since you guys totally know what it is like to wait and wait and wait just to see if insurance will approve you.

Congrats, lady! You are wooping that 6MSWL in the butt!

Haha, today is a great day! I just got approved also. Congrats! I am so happy for both of us.

Awesome! I love these kinds of NSVs.

I just finished my 6MSWL today, and I cannot tell you how much I HATED it. At times, it flew by in what seemed like minutes, but at others, it was sooooo slow. However, at the same time, I beat this fat camp and did lose weight. I worked on learning the habits I need after surgery like eating slower and small bites, not drinking with meals, exploring my problems with food, and preparing my loved ones for the changes. Six months is a long and short dichotomy of time, but I am glad I had it. You can do this, and you don't actually have to lose weight unless your surgeon requires it. Don't think of it as a set up for failure, just another hurdle to get through.

Well, every cloud has a silver lining. At least you have the approval in hand! Good luck on getting a date for the removal.

Wow, I was holding my breath during the entire story. I am so glad you are doing better. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that you came on here to share your story. I am happy this is here, and I want to know what to expect. You are such a brave person for getting through this.

Lol, ridic. Glad you are okay though.

That is awesome! Lol, I can't wait to buy some nice bras, but it will probably be after the breasts get a lift and some filler. I have really uneven breasts, so I never really feel attractive in a bra. But after I meet goal, these girls are getting a job!

Looking good! I can't wait to be able to run a 5k.

When I lost 70 lbs a couple years ago, I lost a 1 and a half shoe sizes. I never gained it back even when the lbs came back, so yeah you will lose some inches in your feet too.

Awesome topic! Sometimes, I think this type of thread needs to come up more often. It is informative, and it really allows everyone to share their knowledge. I think it would make a good pinned thread because the "why" behind the pre-op diet can never be overstated.

Lol, I know my natural hair would allow me to lose a pound or so if I cut it. It is sooooo long now.

Yeah, amazon how a starter 6 pack of the torani syrups really cheap, so you can try a couple and see which you like. They really liven up the plain old boring vanilla Protein shake. OMG, I have the same blender! Yeah, it is totally a steal. Also, don't forget there is a Hospital Checklist on the forum for what we might actually wanna bring for surgery. P.S. Don't forget Gas-X strips!

Sugar free flavored syrups Chicken Broth and Beef Broth Unjury chicken flavored protein powder Small 2oz tupperware containers A small single serve blender Small plates Baby spoons and cocktail forks (I have a problem with eating fast) A candle warmer from Michael's (Keeps the food warm while you eat slow!) Kitchen scale

Welcome it is so great to have you on the forum! I am so excited on your behalf. It is awesome to have you in September with us. Can't wait to share your journey!