MsDebi

So very much has happened since my last blog in November. I suppose I got rather frustrated at times which is probably a normal way to feel when one is trying to get something so life changing scheduled. When I realized that being sleeved by the end of the year wasn't going to happen, I relaxed a bit and just decided to enjoy the wait as much as possible. To make a long story short, my insurance did not cover my surgery so I ended up being self pay. That's ok. I don't care. I had my sleeve done on Monday, March 5, 2012. I barely one week out, so I still have a lot to learn. I am so very happy tho. I don't care how fast or slow my weight comes off. It's coming off. That's enough for me!!

I am about 1 week post op and having a hard time getting in all my protein and water. All suggestions and comments welcome!!!!

I was just sleeved on March 5, 2012. Tho I am sore, I am so happy about this decision. Poo on naysayers! Worry about you....how u feel, what makes u happy. You are the only one that really worries about how you feel...and what makes you happy. My insurance did not cover, so I am a self pay. I don't even care. Just so happy to be on my way to a happier, healthier me!

Thanks for the replies, All! I'm so excited!! We are about to leave to head to Baton Rouge. We will spend the night there and get up to head to the hospital! Surgery is scheduled for 8:30! I'll keep you all updated!!!

My surgery date is Monday, 3/5 and I understand all the mixed feelings. I think of it like this...The level of nervousness does not even compare to the level of excitement and happiness I feel about finally getting my weight and health under control...I'm so gonna rock my sleeve...and so are you!!!!!

I sure hope that I am not reposting this...I think I forgot to hit "post" when I typed this originally.... Anyway.... I am so excited that my surgery date of March 5 is finally approaching! I was wondering if anyone else is having surgery on that date and would like to have a "sleeve buddy". I would just like to have someone to talk with, share stories with, fears with, accomplishments with...someone who REALLY understands because she is going thru the same thing. Anyone interested??? Also...I know I saw a checklist of things needed to take to the hospital, and for the 2 weeks after. I just can't find it. Any suggestions? I have my GasX strips and my liquid diet supplies for the first 2 weeks. I will be doing some last minute shopping on Friday. Any help is appreciated! Thanks so much!!! Debi

So it is 9:30 pm here and I am about to try to get some sleep. The last steps before my surgery (3/5/2012) are tomorrow. We leave at 5:30 in the morning and I have blood tests, urinalysis, x-rays and upper GI starting at 7:30. Then, at 9:30 I meet with the nutritionist. After a break, I see my surgeon at 1:30 for my pre op appointment. I'm sitting here wondering exactly how I am feeling...but it is so complicated. I'm so very excited that the date is finally so close. I'm hopeful that this will be the tool that I need to finally accomplish the goal of a healthier me. Admittingly, a little bit blue that food won't be so important to me anymore (strange, I know, but I honestly do feel a bit sad for that). I'm really happy and proud that I am doing this for me. But for the most part, I am scared to death that I will fail. I'm committed, for sure...100% committed....but still so fearful of the "unatainable goal". I really need some words of encouragement from people who understand.

Thanks! I just tried it again with a small strawberry yogurt, skim milk and ice in the blender. Much better!

So my surgery date is set for March 5 and I ordered the post op diet recommended by my surgeon. It came in yesterday and I decided to try it out. I tried the Unjury unflavored in my low cal gatorade. It was TERRIBLE! The texture...the taste...ugh. Now I'm worried that I will have trouble getting in all my protein. Any suggestions? What protein drinks do y'all like? Please help!

I THOUGHT I was going to be insurance...but my policy did not cover it. So, now I am self pay, scheduled for March 5! My total is almost $14,000...that includes hospital, doctor, 2 week diet plan post op, and vitamins for first 3 months. My doctor is Drake Bellanger, MD in Baton Rouge, LA. So far, I really like him and his staff...along with the staff at Women's Hospital. I know it is a lot of money...but Mexico is not for me either and I have wanted this for so long. I'm gonna work hard and it is going to be SOOOOOOO worth it!! Good Luck!

Girl, those words could be coming out of my mouth! I am a very friendly person. Outgoing and love to laugh and visit with friends and family. But with the extra weight, I don't wanna "be seen". Your younger sister is right!! That is exactly how I am getting back to being upbeat now. I keep thinking....It's all better from here. Next year this time I will be thin! I'm gonna rock! and so are you!!!!

I haven't posted anything in several days...probably a week...but I have bronchitis and have felt like poo. Starting to feel better now, thank goodness and looking forward to the holidays. My daughter is coming in today and I'm so excited! The only thing that could make it better would be if her brother could come too. He has a wedding this weekend and a rehearsal supper tomorrow, so that is not possible. Wow, it is not fun when they grow up and have their own lives. LOL So anyway, I found out last week that the only 2 surgical dates left, during this calendar year, for my surgeon is Nov 28 and Dec 12. I also found out that I can't see my neurologist for clearance until Dec 5. Since that is only one week before the Dec 12 date, I doubt if insurance will approve me that fast. So it looks like it will be January. Ah well. I did find out that my insurance provider is NOT changing, so that takes the worry out of the equation as far as rushing to get it done this year. I'm not too upset about it. I'm really proud of myself. Delayed gratification is NOT something I am good about, LOL, but I think because I know this is going to be a lifelong change for me....It is calming. I'm more relaxed about it. Like...it's going to happen...so I don't need to stress. And the fact that it will be lifetime...just....I dunno...corny, maybe but it really puts me at peace. I'm so excited and so thrilled! I am going to enjoy this holiday season with my family...and NOT shy away from the camera. Cuz...I know it only gets better from here!! Movin right along!!!!

So today I find out that I can't get in to see my neurologist until Dec 5. That means I probably won't make the surgery date of Dec 12. O well. January is coming, and with that, a NEW ME!! So I am still excited! I'm sick with bronchitis right now and not really like feeling like blogging so that is all for tonight. Take care and God Bless.

So today I found out something exciting. I thought that my insurance carrier was changing at the first of the year so I was trying to rush to get this done. I'm so happy that today I found out that my carrier is not actually changing... Long story, but the short of it is..... I don't have to be in a rush!!! I am so horrible about delayed gratification, but with this...I'm so proud of me. I'm doing really well! I don't care how long it takes. I know now that I WILL have the surgery, that I WILL possess this wonderful tool, and that I WILL lose the weight and KEEP IT OFF!!! I am committed and I'm not even worried about it taking a while. I don't care. Cuz I know it will be ok. The excitement continues!!!!

Today I posted my first video blog on YouTube! It is actually quite exciting for me. I decided to put together a little video diary of my journey and post it after seeing so many great ones out there. I so enjoy watching and learning and sharing from all the "ones who go before me". LOL So anyway, check out my video blog. Just search for MsDebisTime and there it is! Kinda corny...not professional, but hey, it's my first one! LOL

My week is winding down and so far it feels as if I've made progress towards my goal to be sleeved. It feels really nice and relaxing tonight...knowing that I am on my way to a healthier life. A week ago, tomorrow, I had my appointment with my surgeon for orientation and information. This past Tuesday I saw my internist and was cleared by him for surgery. Wednesday I had my psych eval and that went well. Today my cardiologist cleared me for surgery. All this accomplished in one week! I sure hope the waiting on insurance approval goes as well! If it does, I could be sleeved by Dec. Here's hoping!!

Well, my cardiologist's office just called and said I was cleared for surgery and he will be forwarding a letter to my surgeon. Whew...Another item checked off the list. So I call Dr. Bellanger's office (my surgeon in Baton Rouge) and Tracy tells me that United Healthcare sometimes takes 20 days or so to get approval. YIKES!! Now I'm starting to get anxious. I've done everything I can do from this end so now it's a wait and see thing.... I wouldn't mind that too much if my insurance wasn't changing at the end of the year!! Sending up prayers that United Healthcare will be speedy!! Lord, let me get this done by the end of the year!!!

Today was my psych eval in Baton Rouge. My parents came and went with me, so it turned out to be a nice day. The eval really wasn't exactly what I was expecting. The setting was comfortable, easy conversation...really nice. My psychologist actually has had the VS done as well... Which was really exciting to sit and talk to someone face to face who has had the procedure. Glad this step is finished. Getting closer every day!!!

I'm sorry you are having problems...I've heard BCBS is really "sticklers" about the pre op process. One thing, I was thinking...have you had any nutrition training due to your DM? Sometimes insurance companies will accept previous nutritional training. Maybe check into that? Hope it helps!! God Bless!

Ok...so today I had my appointment with my internist and it went really well. He is supportive in my decision to have the gastric sleeve and thinks that I will do well. He did tell me not to take my appointment for my psych eval too lightly. He said it is an important step and it is very important to be honest about any problems with depression in the past. I guess I'm a little nervous about that. The possibility of dealing with depression after surgery. I've had my fair share and really really don't want to go down that road again. Hopefully, if I go into it with the full knowledge of the chance of it, I will be ready to deal with it if it arises. Anyway, I feel like I am another step farther along in my journey. Tomorrow is my psych eval and I'm excited to be getting that step done as well. On we go!!!

So today I made my appointment with my internist. I see him tomorrow at 3:15. Then I made my psych eval appointment in Baton Rouge on Wednesday at 9am. My cardiologist office called and just wants me to come in for an EKG and he will clear me. Things are moving right along! I love progress!!!

I just thought of something. I have a problem posting a pic of myself, looking at pictures of myself, or even having my picture taken. I know it is my weight, cuz I'm always thinking how fat I look in a pic. Posting my pic here is actually kinda freeing...kinda a relief. That's me; that's how I look. AND ITS GONNA GET SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!! This is the beginning of a new attitude!

INSPIRING!!!!

I don't think you are being selfish. I, personally, wish I had done this years ago. I'm not sleeved yet and don't have my date yet, but I do think that it will not only make me healthier and happier...but feeling better about yourself help you be a better person, mommy, wife, daughter...everything. Think about it. How many activities have you avoided because of your weight? Because you feel frumpy and fat in anything you wear? I think if had had this tool years ago, when my children were growing up, I would have been a lot more active with my kids. So look at this as something you are, once again, doing for your family. Because they WILL benefit, too. God Bless!!

Wow! It's Sunday morning and things are great! I told my parents yesterday and they were so very supportive! I'm so glad, cuz I was worried about how my mom would react. She said she would do it if she could. LOL So now, all I have to do is get letters from my cardiologist, and internist, and then wait for insurance to approve, which shouldn't be a problem. I am so freakin excited! The prospect of having this wonderful tool to help me get to and keep a healthy weight actually makes me emotional if I sit and think about it! I WILL BE THIN!!! I WILL BE HEALTHY!!! Yeah, Me!!!