atkinsoncl

Hi Sherri, My name is Courtney and I live in Pennsylvania. I have a boy, 4, and a girl, 8. I am waiting for my insurance approval now that can take up to 6 weeks. I went through a 3 month program which included 2 nut appts, 1 psych appt, 2 preop classes, 2 postop classes, 2 appts with a bariatric RN. The bariatric review board approved my surgery, so now it's all on the insurance. I am tentatively scheduled for my sleeve surgery on April 9. I also quit smoking last June 2011. Just did it one day cold turkey and I can't imagine going back to it. I have no cravings or anything. It was hard the first few days, but then got so much easier. It's nice not smelling like it and coughing, etc. Good luck!! You can do it! The first day is always the hardest. I am not scared to have surgery at all. At this point, I just want it done so bad!! I have complete faith in my surgeon, so that helps with my nerves. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I will be nervous, but I don't know if I will get scared or not. I've heard to get popsicles, sugarfree Jello, broth, and crystal lite mixes for the first week. My first week is all Clear liquids. You will also need to find a Protein drink you will like for the full liquid stage, which is my second week. My preop diet will consist of a low-fat atkins diet for two weeks. I'm glad I do not need to do a liquid diet and am able to eat. Hope this helps! Good luck to you!

Yes, I agree with beautifulnewme2012. You are probably only 2-3 pounds away from that anyway. Insurance can be tough sometimes, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Good luck!

I am scheduled for surgery on April 4. I had a required three month session, which included 2 small pre-op classes, 2 large group post-op sesssions, 2 with nutrionist, 1 psychologist, 2 registered nurse visits, pcp visit, 1 surgeon visit, bloodwork, and an ultra sound. All of my requirements have been met the end of Feb. I have surgery scheduled, but am waiting for the "go ahead" from insurance that can take 4-6 weeks. It was not bad at all. You really learn a lot from the sessions and I looked forward to them. I would not be as prepared today without them. Good luck to you!!

I will be allowed two caffinated beverages a day. I just bought Folger's coffee 1/2 caff. and 1/2 decaf. It's already premixed and ready to go. I am not used to Folger's coffee, so I bought it to get used the taste. I have to admit, it isn't bad.

Will you be following up with any doctors in the states? I've heard lots of people going to Mexico and being very happy they went there for the surgery. Best of luck to you on your new journey!

Did you go to any classes before you had your surgery to be prepared and know what to do after your surgery. I just completed my three month program and am well informed with how it is going to be after my surgery. At 40 days, I will still be on soft foods. When you start your regular foods, you should introduce one at a time because of intolerances. You cannot tolerate certain foods any more. You probably started the regular foods to early...try going back to soft for a little while. Sorry that you feel the surgery is stupid, maybe you weren't ready for such a drastic change.

My insurance did not cover the sleeve, but I decided to go on with my three month required session anyway. Although I wanted the sleeve, I was going to get the lap band for insurance reasons. I started my process late November and in January, the sleeve was now an option for surgery. I was so happy when the surgeon told me the news. More and more insurance companies are approving the sleeve now. Hopefully, your's will not be too far along.

My surgeon requires a two week low-fat atkins diet to shrink my liver. I do not need to do the liquid diet, but cannot have any carbs. Hope this helps. Each surgeon is different with their requirements, but I believe that trying to shrink your liver is standard with all surgeons. You should check with your surgeon's office to find out what he requires you to do. Hope this helps!! Good luck!

Sorry!! I know how hard it is to wait when you want something and you want it now. My last appt was February 29, but I still had to wait until April 4 to schedule my surgery date because of insurance approval, which takes 4-6 weeks. Hang in there!! I know this isn't going to make you feel any better, but it will be here before you know it. Sometimes things happen for a reason and maybe this is one of them. Hope you feel better soon!! Sometimes I know you can just feel better by venting a little bit . . . it always helps me. Hugs!!

I do not have that insurance, but if you call they should be able to give you the specifics. They might not be able to give you an answer until you get the insurance, but it doesn't hurt to try now. Good Luck!!

Oh my gosh, I'm so glad you asked that question . . . I was just thinking about that today. My surgery is scheduled for April 4 and of course, that's when it's my time of the month. Hopefully, my nerves will delay it or maybe even come early, but I'm not counting on it. I'm not liking the idea of having it, but what am I going to do. Good luck to you!!

Thank you!! I will add that to that to my vitamin list. I have heard so much talk about people taking this vitamin after surgery. When I asked the nutritionist about it, she said I won't need it right away. Better to be safe than sorry!! Have a great day!

Hi All, Quick question for those with/getting the sleeve. Are you required to take the B12 Vitamin? I am not required to take B12, but I'm wondering if I should add to my preop vitamin regiment.

Best of luck on your journey. I just completed my three month program, which flew by. I have to say, that is wasn't bad and I actually enjoyed most of it. I learned a lot so it really helps you prepare. My records should be mailed any day now. I'm excited, but nervous at the same time. Especially, with the approval process. I, like you, have battled weight most of my life. Now it's time to really take control and make the lifetime changes that I need. Not only for myself, but for my daughter (who is 8) watch me with all the yoyo dieting. It's effecting her and she's already self conscious about being thin. So I must say, that a major change is needed. Let us know how things are going for you!

I am in your exact situation. From what I understand, it depends how long you have been overweight. Your skin stretches, and when it has been stretched for so long, you will have loose skin in that area. I know already that my stomach is going to be the worst area for me. Your skin will shrink some, but probably not as much as we would like. Plus, you will be loosing weight fast after surgery, so it is hard for your skin to react to your shrinking body. I've heard that it can take your skin up to 2 years to react to the weight loss. I'm not entipating too much loose skin that I will go for plastic surgery, but only time will tell. Best of luck to you!

Congratulations!! Best of luck on your new and excited journey!!

I won't see my surgeon until my surgery day...guess I won't know until then. Oh well, won't worry about it too much! Just knowing it is possible that I may have a drain and a catheter will mentally prepare me enough. Thanks for all the responses.

Thank you!! Good to know that I may not need to have one.

Hi! I'm just curious about the drain. My surgeon never said anything about a drain, but I never asked either. I didn't even think to ask about it. So now I would like to ask if all get a drain or only select surgeons require you to have a drain. Geez, I learn new things every day on here to prepare me...so glad this is available to us! Thanks!!

Yes, I definatley agree to report her. That was completely uncalled for!! They need be aware of what she has done and what she is doing to people. If it was so easy for us to loose the weight, I don't think we would choose weight loss surgery for the fun of it. Unfortunately, it is not that easy for those of us. Please don't let her discourage you. She obviously has a low mentality level.

That's wonderful news!! Congrats!!

So there is really no controlling it then??

Thank you for letting me know...I've heard of slimes too. They are probably the same thing.

I have very thick hair . . . I'm hoping it won't be so noticable if it happens to me. But if it does, I'll probably do the extension route too

My surgeon told me that it happens to about 20% of patients. He said that there is not much you can really do about it. It happens because of the drastic weight loss in a short amount of time. It is temporary and will grow back. I am really concerned about this as well. My surgery date is April 4. I guess the best thing to do is to just mentally prepare that it may happen.