FloraBama Girl

Hey Eddie, You are a comedian and a chef, who knew? Glad your surgery is over and it went well. Hope your other issues clear up real soon. I know that feeling about wanting to get out of the hospital. We are all pulling for you. Get well real quick, Steph

I had only 19 days on protein shakes, 4 oz. puree fruit, yogurt and milk then will go to regular food (best to eat moist foods in the beginning, but mostly what I can tolerate). I have been feeling must better and down 25 lbs in 2 weeks.

I had Cigna *** and it covered my surgery. I had a BMI of 42.5 when the paperwork was submitted, I got the approval on Monday August 22 and had surgery Auguest 24. The approval for the surgery was all we were waiting on because all the other requirements had been meet. Here is an a passage from the Cigna policy: CIGNA covers bariatric surgery using a covered procedure outlined below as medically necessary when ALL of the following criteria are met: • The individual is ≥ 18 years of age or has reached full expected skeletal growth AND has evidence of EITHER of the following: ???? a BMI (Body Mass Index) ≥ 40 ???? a BMI (Body Mass Index) 35–39.9 with at least one clinically significant obesity-related comorbidity, Also your surgeon must recommend the surgery and gives them the CPT Codes for the sleeve procedure. I had the codes for Morbid Obesity and Sleeve Gastrectomy in the letter of medical necessity from PCP. The only problem I had was Cigna had asked the surgeon' office for their clinical notes on me and there was some confusion on whether Cigan was going to calll or not. Cigna finally sent a fax and when the information had been provided I got approved in 2 days.

Mine was severe too. I take 2 Benadryl capsules at bedtime and it helped me more than anything.

pineapple, asparugus, Rhubarb.

Good for you baby.

You look beautiful and healthy. Congratualtions on your victory.

Best of luck, sweetie. It gets easier day by day.

It's great to see such happiness. I am so happy for you both Best of luck with the new house and best wishes on your new baby. Steph

I started with a program here in Orlando. I loved the surgeon, but the rest of the program and staff turned me off. When I talked to Melissa the program director at US Bariatrics it was like I was home. The difference between the 2 programs was like night and day. I would recommend anyone not comfortable with the whole program to look into other programs. Your success depends on a lot people not just the surgeon.

Wow, Wow, Wow.

Hey Fluffy, I live in Orlando below the Florida Mall. What area do you live in? I was sleeved August 24 by Dr. Marema in St. Augustine. If I had now this was going to be so easy I would have done it long ago.

Hey there. Still pretty tired, don't have enough energy to do my walk. I just take longer than the average patient to recover. I am alway challenged by my blood levels with any surgery, trauma or serious sickness. I will get there. Following my liquid diet and trying to get my fluids in. How are you doing?

The Flagler Hospital Bariatric Surgery Center and US Bariatrics is a Center of Excellence also. Dr. Robert Marema was my surgeon and was the mentor of Dr. Kim. Surgery was In St. Augustine but all other appointments and post op visits are at their office in Orlando. We love St. Augustine and had a mini vacation before and after my surgery. Here are the websites for Us Bariatrics and Flagler Hospital http://www.usbariatric.com/ http://www.flaglerhospitalweightloss.com/

My surgeon was Dr. Robert Marema at Flagler Hospital Bariatric Center in St. Augustine. Support will be in Orlando where I live. Sugery was the only thing I had to do in St. Augustine, everything else was done at the Orlando office including the pre-op consultation. They will fast track you too if you have your insurance requirements done. I actually didn't get into their program until July 14 and had surgery on August 24. Dr. Marema is a great surgeon, he did used the Spider on me and I have one incision through my belly button. He is very friendly and kind also. My husband was really impressed how they kept him updated through my procedure and Dr. Marema came out to talk to him when the surgery was over. Hearing it went textbook was just what my husband needed to hear. Sorry for the long post but I can't say enough good things about Dr. Marema and their program.

Good luck. Get up and walk as soon as you can and use your sprirometer to get over the anesthesia. Where do you live in Orlando? I live below the Floriday Maill in Southchase.

How are you doing? I was sleeved on August 24 also. I've lost 15 lbs since surgery.

On my program the Protein shake or supplement needs to have beeen 20 - 40 grams of whey protein and less than 3 grams of sugars. Pure Protein ( I find at Target) and

My surgery was Wednesday. When the surgeon checked my blood levels on Friday my hemoglobin had dropped to 7,5 (Normal 12 -16). They released me when it got back up to 8.5, This is Sunday after surgery and it was all I could do to get a shower. When I finished my shower the fatigue hit me lik a ton of bricks. Had to lay back down for a few minutes. I know the more I heal and stay on programs the better it will get. .

I was sleeved on Wednesday and I did not get released until late Friday. I have a genetic blood disorder and when they tested my blood, my hemoglobin had dropped a lot. Explained to the doctor that my body does this with any injury or surgery. I had convinced the doctor my hemoglobin would come back up as I recoveand . They were in the middle of doing my discharge when my right calf starting hurting. This delayed my discharge because they did an untrasound on my legs and the radiologist had to read the results. It was about 6:30PM when I finally left the hospital. These surgeons want to make sure you are not going to have complications and I feel better with them on the caution side. Hope you get better soon and get out of there.

Hey , I am just 3 day post op. I wanted to know if you are still on Armour. I almost died last year taking Armour after they changed the formular. I have to have my medicine compounded at a pharamacy e

You are a sweetheart, thank you. Better be Monday or somebody has got some explaining to do.

Good luck with the insurance Norman. They love taking your money and then balk when they need to pay out.

Thanks Norman. I called Ciga at 8:51 tonight to see if the approval had come in. A recording came on and said they were closed. Call back during regular business hours between 8:00am and 9:00PM EST. Beats me how 8:51 is not in regular business hours and I am in the eastern time zone. Well, Monday another day of calling and wondering. So Norman, have you already had surgery?

I hope I am typing an update 3 hours after surgery. Morphine knocks me out but anything puts me into overdrive. You are extraordinary SassyGirl, hope the rest of this journey for you is just as good.