new chapter in life

Wow---in 4 days I'll have my surgery---I cannot believe that the time is finally here. My pre-op diet is going good, Ive kept active & busy & have been reading up & studying all the material on what to expect/how to live after the surgery!! Looking forward to my future success

and Ps---I've already lost almost 5 lbs!! Im just picturing that liver shrinking too!!

No fruit due to carbs & sugar. I have been on my pre-op diet since Thanksgiving day--not only did I start on that day, I gave up diet coke!! Nobody who knows me can believe that. The shakes arent the best--I just gulp it down & look forward to my protein dinner. Dont give up!! Its only 2 weeks & it will fly by!! Be positive & stay strong!

Im on day 3 of my pre-op diet. Its not been too hard--hardest part is the giving up diet coke!! I am wondering if anyone else has these side effects of being cold & so so tired!! I am almost never cold & I am just chilled all the time right now!! And I cant stop yawning---Im even taking naps. 9 days to go!

Today I started my pre-op diet! It wasnt the best scenario to start on Turkey Day, but I made it work. I had to work, so I drank my shakes & by the time for dinner I was ready!! I am thankful that I had some yummy protein for dinner! The shake is not the most flavorful---but I held my breath & drank it down---tried not to smell it either eeewww. The hardest part I think so far has been giving up diet coke. My last one was yesterday & the caffeine withdrawal headache kicked in bad!! ow I met w/the Dr yesterday & got my bag of goodies--shake mix, shaker cup, supplements (which I was told I will be taking for life) exercise band (subtle hint), heart rate monitor (not so subtle hint) & a cd of the instruction manual for my new life. I have the pre-op class on Monday & will be learning about what to expect in the future!!. I am fortunate that I have always been an active person & have really kicked up my workouts over the last 6 months--I think that will help my metabolism kick in & help my recovery. I really like this Dr---he did assure me I would be staying overnite after surgery to make sure there are no problems & they can make any necessary adjustments. Cant wait to see what tomorrow brings! Happy Thanksgiving All!!

Today was my 1st pre-op diet day too!! My surgery is Dec 6th. I drink 2 shakes a day & can have a protein for dinner---I can supplement throughout the day w/non starchy veggies, broth, sugar free jello & cheese. About 8 years ago I was on a medically supervised liquid diet (new direction) and their shakes werent bad----oooohhh but these are not tasty!! lol I just hold my breath & suck it down. Luckily I could eat turkey tonite as my protein!! But I had to give up diet coke & the caffeine withdrawal is killing me!!! Good Luck!!

yeah ur right about the no more pre-existing conditions---but I noticed the 1st post was in 2008, so maybe she has had better luck w/the change in the laws

today was my 1st day of the pre-op diet---luckily the turkey was my protein! I did NOT miss the extras!!

I was hoping someone responded with the how to---Im having problems doing it to!

I hear you!! Tomorrow is the day I start all my pre-op diet stuff---and tonite I ate SOOOO much!! so stupid and I feel like a stuffed sausage! lol

I only had the high bmi & I got approved (well after my insurance co denied me for another reason) Perhaps you should snore really loud during your sleep test & wake up alot

I have my Dr's visit on wednesday & will get all my stuff for the pre-op and then next Monday I have a mandatory lap band class. Has anyone else had to do this? Or is it just unique to my surgeons office---they said if I didnt attend, I couldnt have the surgery. In the meantime--I am counting down the last days at work. I told my co-workers I am having surgery & they asked why, but I am NOT telling them. I just dont want to deal with the "how are you doing?" "how much weight have you lost?" or my worse case scenario--I fail & have to live with the fact I had surgery & still couldnt lose weight. Too much pressure!! I know that this surgery wont make me prettier, younger etc--but what I will get is even better! I cant wait to buy/wear fashionable clothes. I can go horseback riding again!!! I can pursue all the athletic activities Ive missed. and thats why this is a new chapter in my life!

dont forget stripes---yuck

well the ticker is there now---but then I have that bottom section w/my ticker info....arrgh

Im new to the site too---and I just cant get that ticker thing on! I copied the html info & posted onto my signature page & this is what I get. I feel like an idiot!! lol

Mine is set for 12/5---I will start my pre-op diet this week. Im anxious but nervous too about what to expect

Dawn--how did you get your ticker on there? I just tried & couldnt do it!! I copied the HTML & tried to paste onto my signature under settings.....is this right??? thanks

This past week I got my surgery date---12/6! Im so excited, but SOOOOO nervous too. I found this site today & it has been very informative! Im looking forward to reading & learning more & sharing my journey too.

I started back in April/May---I was required by AETNA to lose 10 lbs over 6 months, attend nutrition/diet class & exercise. I did all of that & completed what was required of me by the Dr's office. So after my last weigh in, the surgery approval request was submitted. After about 2 weeks, I got the denial---and in it they said I didnt complete all the necessary things--didnt exercise, have supervised weight loss, attend nutrition/diet class etc. Not only did I do everything I was supposed to, I wore a downloadable pedometer & my fitness club was able to give me a printout of all the times I went there. The Dr's office tried to talk to the AETNA rep, but she refused to back down. So they started the appeal & my emloyers insurance broker got involved. An appeal usually takes up to 30 days----they had it done in less than 2 weeks!! I knew that I had done all that I was supposed to & that I would prevail, but its just so stressful!! The Dr's office said this one AETNA rep is known to deny everything and they knew it would get reversed. I would just suggest that you document document document!! Good Luck & keep me posted!

Hi all----I've been reading some of your blogs & wanted to say how helpful they've been. I started my process back in May----I was hoping to have had my surgery by now, but after my final visit to the Dr in Sept (per insurance requirements), I was denied by AETNA. The reasons they listed were factually wrong, but the AETNA Dr refused to change her mind. Luckily for me, I had a successful appeal & am scheduled for my surgery in a little over 2 weeks!! I start my pre-op stuff this week. I found this site after wondering what to expect after the surgery---Its been really informative & I am looking forward to reading & sharing some more. I feel better prepared for what to expect right before & after my surgery. Good Luck to us all!

I too have aetna pos---I had to do 6 mos of monthly weigh ins, the psych, the cardio, pulmonary tests etc---after my 6th visit at the end of Sept, I was denied! aetna said I didnt follow everything--which was a lie & the dr had all the documentation to prove it. The denial was overturned on appeal & I start all my pre-op stuff this week & surgery in 2 weeks--Im excited about this new chapter in my life--but so nervous! Good luck to all of us!!