IsaacsGram

kolerz I was just thinking that today too! September 1st- 1 month till my date of October 1! I like Oct 1, my birthday is Feb 1, I got married on July 1, and it's just right!

Thank you all for the advice! Vixkey, I am also having a hernia repair at the same time-so I left the decision in my Mom's court, I don't want her to feel obligated, as she is coming from Florida to Illinois. But I do think I will need somebody-and the selections are thin here at home!

I'm trying to decide if I will need a support person to stay with me the first week and while at the hospital. My hubby has to work and now that I told my Mom she wants to come help me. Any thoughts?

Thank you for the Top Ten list, I am still pre-sleeve and it helps to get a real idea of what to expect. I LOVE the photos in your blog of Hawaii, I just ache to go back! My hubby and I went to the North Shore of Oahu for our 10th anniversary and I swore we would move there some day! Thanks, again, for sharing! Brigitte

1. I won't miss being ignored at stores 2. I won't miss the lack of respect at work 3. I won't miss the tents I call shirts 4. I won't miss wearing "granny panties" 5. I won't miss avoiding trips because I can't keep up

I have BCBS of IL PPO, I had called and they advised me that they will pay 80% of the surgeon's fees but only 60% of the Hospital as it is out of network, but I have a $6000 out of pocket limit and a $1000 deductible (which I've met already), so I figure $6000. The surgeon's office has never asked for any money, and they only require $350 for the pre-op kit they want me to use. To get the whole cost you would have to get the surgeon's fees, the hospital's fees, the anesthesia fees, etc. good luck at your consultation!

good question, hopefully someday the prevailing discrimination will be a thing of the past.

Wow! I should be so lucky to lose 50% by 3 months! I agree with the others-if it's working for you-don't stop!

I started out just telling my hubby, my daughter (not my sons) and my boss. But now as I have a date and I feel much more secure in my decision I've told a few more people. I EVEN TOLD MY MOM! That's huge, as I really was afraid of her reaction. Well guess what? She is supportive, worried, but supportive! I'm so relieved!

Thinking of you! You are probably in surgery right now - will pray for your Doc & surgery team, and a smooth recovery!

Yes, me too! Weaning off caffeine in general and carbonated drinks! Still havn't been able to slow down yet! Im a nurse and eat on the go alot-trying to figure out how to fix that. Initially planning on bringing protein shakes to work, we'll see. Good luck to you!

Me too!! Just yesterday I was called by the surgeon , and today got my LOA approved at work! Good luck. Sleeve-buddy!

October 1st here. Just got approved for LOA from work'! So excited and a little scared. I'm 48 with 3 grown kids and 2 grandsons , I'm a nurse of 18 years experience. Most worried about not losing all the excess weight and acid reflux for eternity. I'm an hour south of Chicago. Best wishes for all of us!!

48 and just got my date! October 1 will be my sleeve day! So excited!

That's the funny thing, I DO HAVE INSURANCE APPROVAL! They want these specialist's clearance also. Which I understand medically, but I have no pre-existing conditions-it's just making $$ for these specialty docs. Very frustrating.

It is Monday and I had to make my weekly call, again. I had my sleep study July 26, and my nuclear stress echo on August 13. I have been pre-approved by BCBS of IL and gotten clearance from the psychologist (that is all BCBS requires). But my 2 specialist Doc's are dragging their feet getting my letters to Dr.Joyce's office. I started by calling BMI surgery and struck the jackpot by talking to the Coordinator, herself! She initially said they did not have anything from the pulmonologist, but when I told her they promised me last week they were faxing the letter-she SUDDENLY found it! But the cardiologist clearance was still not on file. So I called the the Cardiologist's office and they ASSURED ME they would be faxing it TOMORROW! My push for getting all this done is so they will give me a surgery date! I have seen that some docs give a date even before insurance approves them, but not BMI Surgery....you gotta have all your ducks in a row! It is a big office, and I know they are busy-but have a little courtesy and at least give me an estimation! I'm sure I'm not the only one with an employer that needs to know when an employee is taking off for a few weeks! Ok, enough venting!

Oh good luck to you, too, Skye!

Every time I started a new diet! Back in 1988 I reached 200lbs and said, "Enough!" and joined weight watchers-lost 30lbs, then in 1994, after college and gaining those 30 plus 20 more I said, "Enough!" and bought every book on Atkins and followed it to the letter, and lost 40 lbs. Then in 2002 while my first son was in Iraq I was disgusted with myself for reaching 240lbs, so I joined the gym and started the South Beach diet, and lost 40lbs. Then 2009 I reached 276lbs and knew if my husband and I went to Hawaii for our 10th anniversary I would be humiliated to get on the helicopter tour-so I said , "Enough!" and joined JennyCraig, and lost 60lbs. Now 2012, I have gained it all back again, and sitting at 280-I want this to be my FINAL ENOUGH! And I went to Dr.Joyce in New Lenox, Illinois and just this week got approved through my insurance for the VSG! Can't wait to feel better (bad knees, plantar fascitiis, back pain), and breath better (asthma, hiatal hernia), and be able to get on the floor and play with my young grandsons and not need help getting up! It is just pitiful when a 2 year old is trying to help Grammy get to the chair to stand up! ;-(

I hope to get my date in October, we should keep in touch-I'm L&D also, and also in school for my BSN! Such a small world! Good luck with your journey! Brigitte

MissKatie I just went through the website (www.bcbsil.com) and went through the "contact us" link.

I messaged BCBS asking if they received the letter from my surgeons office and in 24hours they replied that they did receive it and I have been approved for VSG! I sent an email to the surgeons office coordinator and I'm waiting to hear back about a date. This whole process is wait, wait, wait...

I was really worried about hair loss (I'm still pre-op), but now I'm embracing the possibility. I plan on getting a really cool, modern hair cut & color - something along the lines of Ellen Degeneres. I've had long hair all my life, I used it to cover my fat face/neck/double chin. So if I lose this 100 lbs, I will gladly give up my hair! I watched my sister lose all of her hair to cancer, and I really learned alot from her courage and sense of humor. Losing your hair is not the worst thing that can happen to you.

I also had a most uncomfortable sleep study. The bed was hard as a rock! My leads also kept coming off my leg and I swear I did not sleep one bit. But the pulmonologist "interpreted" the study and said I had "mild sleep apnea", he said i do not require CPAP yet, but he was glad i was getting WLS as it should help a lot. That was reassuring! My insurance does not require pulmonology clearance, but my surgeon does, so I'm glad my doc felt my case was mild enough to to give his blessing!