GeekyGamerGrrl

Alicia and geekgamergirl... I too am in the process of trying to get sleeved. I have Medicaid insurance so I have a check list I have to complete. I had to go to a weight loss seminar which I did on Wednesday.
Dr. Bautista, at St. Mary's hospital was the speaker that night so he is who I am going to use as well. I see them Nov 1st. Then I have my phyic evaluation Nov 15th. And I don't know when my nutritionist appointment is. Dr Bautista secretary has to make that after I see them on Nov 1st I guess. Then they will turn my stuff into insurance. I am 320 pounds. I am married with three kids and I live near Fredericksburg Virginia. And geekygamergirl I am a girlgamer as well. Call of duty baby!!!! Lol wishing u lots of luck Alicia on ur surgery on the 31st!!! and geeky I am so happy you finally lost enough weight to get ur surgery. High fives all around.... now it's my turn for the waiting game

Well, I am currently still awaiting a call from Dr. Mahers office. I am thinking I will just call tomorrrow I'm so freaking ready! I am so freaking tired of WAITING!

I'll let you know as soon as I remember...

Hi! good here. I have my half day of classes on thursday. Talking about pre-op, post-op, behavior modification, etc. I'm looking forward to that. Pre-op testing is a week from today. Final doctor's appointment is 10/23 and then the big day is 10/31!
How are you doing?

GUESS WHAT?!?!?!? I GOT TO 292 documented by a doctor and Dr. Maher is HAPPY with that number!
I only have 3 things really standing in my way.
*Get my therapist to call the Psych Eval Dr. at VCU
*Get my gastro doctor to fax all my files to Dr. Maher
*Get my sleep study from Norfolk General Hospital faxed to Dr. Maher
These are simple things! I am so freaking excited! Will let you all know my surgery date! <3

Thanks!! Yes surgery went well. I came home on Wednesday. I am just trying to get my Protein in and also the the fluids in for the day.

GUESS WHAT?!?!?!? I GOT TO 292 documented by a doctor and Dr. Maher is HAPPY with that number!
I only have 3 things really standing in my way.
*Get my therapist to call the Psych Eval Dr. at VCU
*Get my gastro doctor to fax all my files to Dr. Maher
*Get my sleep study from Norfolk General Hospital faxed to Dr. Maher
These are simple things! I am so freaking excited! Will let you all know my surgery date! <3

MsNae, I hope your surgery went well and you are recovering fabulously!

I just wanted everyone to know that she was sleeved this morning, and i am so proud of her. She is in revovery staying overnight. Thanks to everyone in this forum for your support. I'm just so happy for her......

oh, I know the feeling! It will be your turn, hopefully before you know it!!

Surgery is scheduled: October 31st.

Thank you both! I'm excited! (scared as hell, but excited too!)

Finally approved! I've been on Cigna like white on rice. Called this morning and it was still pending, decided to call again this afternoon since this is the 5th business day. It's approved! But, she said that the surgery window is small (10/11-10/12) and that will have to be amended. But, at least I'm approved!

I'm sorry. I know that's frustrating.
So, I called my insurance company and my file is in nurse review again. lol. this is nutso! I keep calling everyday because last time the coordinator sent them information they combined it into the denied file. I'm not letting that happen again! Hoping for an answer in the next couple days.

That's just around the corner! Congrats!
Definitely the insurance company that's been messing up. They, for some reason, were putting the new information from the new surgeon into the old, denied, closed file. I don't know why, no one seems to know why. So, the insurance coordinator at my surgeon's office had to call them yesterday to open ANOTHER new file/request.
I swear. I feel like they're doing all this just so I'll get frustrated and give up!

I just can't stop smiling I just scheduled my surgery for Septermber 17. I am so excited. I have to start my liquid diet on Sept 3.

I am so sorry Alicia. *hugs* I hope you get it figured out soon. Maybe its time to get mean

Total of 31 pounds down! Best decision I made was to get this tool.

I have not been on line here after surgery so here is my update. I had the sleeve on 8/6 with Dr Brengman at St Marys. He also fixed my hiatal hernia. I stayed 1 night in hospital and did not have any problems. Loved the nurses and had a fabulous experience. I did go to the support group on 8/16 and enjoyed it. The nutritionist is at Dr Brengmans office 1 day a week and you can see her there and not pay extra. Of you see her in the hospital nutrition center then you pay your copay. Tomorrow is 3 weeks since surgery and I have lost 20 pounds, I lost 11 during my 2 week pre op diet which was 2 shakes and a low cal low carb meal each day. I am sooo exited with life!!

Thanks and I am having surgery at St Marys.

I too am at VCU, and excited, because everyone has been so nice, and informative. No matter how many times you call and ask questions, they never make you feel like a bother. Good luck to all that are undergoing the surgery soon. If only I could lose the weight I need to. Its so frustrating!
Have a great day everyone!

I got approved today and my surgery date is October 8....Im excited and nervous!!!!!!!

I did not have to lose any weight before surgery. My starting weight was 258.5. I have been doing the pre op diet for 9 days and am down to 247.5. If you have to lose weight before surgery this shake diet will def get it off of you! I am in ketosis and actually feel pretty good, i would never do this type of diet if i was not close to surgery because i imagine as soon as i would stop it the weight would just jump back on. But if you are moving forward with surgery it would get that last 15 lbs off quickly...if you can tolerate the bad breath and constant peeing! Hope that helps good luck!

Ever since I started thinking about a sleeve, my biggest worry was, "Will I be able to lead a normal life again?". I see that question asked a hundred different ways in this forum. Let me add my experience.
I should mention that "normal" for me looks different than "normal" for most Americans. I get to a lot of places, and eat a lot of different foods. I was terrified that I would not be able to function in that lifestyle.
Today is my 6 week anniversary, and life started getting back to my "normal"
I am writing from my hotel in Singapore.
On this trip I have survived 3 airline meals, and 3 formal hosted Chinese dinners with 5 to 7 courses. I managed to get through it without insulting my kind hosts, or throwing up, I actually had some wonderful little morsels. I hit all of my Protein targets with 3 conventional meals and one Protein Bar a day. I didn't have to make a bunch of dietary demands, pack a ton if supplies, or turn my hotel into a "shake factory".
Tonight I had a few treasured hours to myself, so I went to my favorite Hawker Center where I have spent many hours sitting with friends and locals surrounded by the smoke and clamor of a bunch of busy Satay stands.
I managed to eat a few of my favorite Satay and some of my favorite Sambal Stingray.
I just wanted to assure people that life post-sleeve does not have to be bleak or ordinary. These are actually "soft" foods. (OK the satay is marginal but I get promoted next week).
I really miss the cold Tiger Beer that goes with this meal, but I know I will back to that eventually. In the mean time I am down 53 lbs and feel great.
This has been a great life-altering decision for me, and I did not have to give up much at all.
I hope the attached photos make it through.
Sent from my iPad using VST

oh yes, I definitely know! We're about the same starting weight. I would have a very hard time getting down to 285.