Need-a-Sleeve

I am same height, weight & BMI but I am 59 & feel the same as you do. I am scheduled for my surgery tomorrow!

I wouldn't go blaming him for ruining your dream just yet. Just like Oncologists tell cancer patients they only have 6 months to live & they live for years after, all doctors speak from their own experience with patients or what is in the literature. This is a just a tool, you can use it to lose more than 100 pounds or not lose at all--either way, you have to put some work into it.

Keep us posted!

Outstanding! Thanks for posting this. My surgery is Tuesday & my doctor said he usually uses a 38 French bougie. I realize there is a minimal amount of difference, but will revisit it again.

I would say either someone was either a really good sales person or the person that authorized it didn't have a clue!

Red597, I am getting sleeved the same day. I guess because I am a nurse & worked for 18 years in the O.R., I really have no fear about the procedure or the fact that my relationship with food will be changed forever. As a matter of fact, it was fear of what I was facing that drove me to this point! I have seen countless amputees, blind & heart disease patients over the years. It was never "real" that it could be me until now. I am more focused on living to see grandchildren & not living to eat. We will BOTH do well!

Agree with Bufflehead. Customer service is not always right but even the benefit booklet can be an abbreviation of the plan as it may be supported by internal medical policy guidelines. Those aren't "secret", but you may ask for a copy. I usually do these 3 things: get a copy of my current benefit booklet, go to the website & print out the providers (proof I checked on that day if they were in my network) and then make 2 calls to customer service. Take the person's name, date & time you called with the information they provided to you. IF it differs, call back & ask to speak to a supervisor or manager, tell them who you spoke with & ask why you got different information. Remember, just because you have XYZ insurance, it doesn't mean all policies with that carrier are the same. There can be 100's of variations.

You know Gustavo, it took a lot not to let that big old witch cat get out! She is an alcoholic, so I think we each carry a burden.... I hope you get the courage to tell everyone, you already did the bravest thing--you chose to do it!

I know this is not the norm, but I have told just about everyone. Yes, I have gotten some negative comments, including the proverbial 'easy way out'. I told that person they were showing their ignorance & don't really care what anyone else thinks. My life, my decision, my struggle. What I have learned though is I will be losing some friends along with the weight. Like one I thought that was a close friend. When I told her, she said 'Oh good, when we go out, you can just watch ME eat.'. Needless to say, she has always been thin.

Surgery in 2 more days. Not nervous at all but really excited, think I am going to need something or there will be no sleep on the night before!

Awesome Phillip! You are courageous & have made a great step toward reclaiming your health. Will look forward to sharing in your progress!

Actually Amy & I go to the same doctor. He was the head of Cooper (as in Aerobics) Clinic Behavior Modification program. I found his candor refreshing. He is in no way a negative or defeatist type practitioner. Just my opinion but knowing that 80% SUCCEED is what was the most hopeful. A therapist's job is not to paint a rosy picture for you, but to arm you with the tools to overcome the negative--but first you have to know them.

Yes, well aware of what Propofol is--have been a RN for 36 years & work for an insurance carrier. We cover it & I would not be having the procedure anywhere that did not offer the option. That is a personal preference & I realize others do not have this choice.

You can call the hospital & ask for an "estimate". They can't give you an exact price of what it is going to cost. The reason is each patient is unique--you may have complications (heaven-forbid) & it costs more. The best advice I can give you is to take a notepad & write down EVERYTHING they give you when you are awake. After discharge ask for an itemized bill. Compare your notes to theirs, for example, if they say they put an abdominal binder on you, but you brought yours from home, you can dispute it.

Love Chike Vanilla 28 grams, very smooth & mixes with anything. They have a dynamite iced coffee protein mix too. But hands down best (for me) is Isopure Zero Carb unflavored with 50 grams in 2 scoops.

You owe it to your surgeon to tell them how their staff has handled or mishandled your file. Remember, this is how the MD gets paid & in turn, pays THEIR salaries. If they are sitting on files or don't understand your benefits, they are costing HIM money! Now for the other disclaimer: it is the policy-holder's responsibility to know what benefits your policy allows. Become the subject matter expert before you go down this road. I printed the policy (you can ask customer service to mail or email you it) and handed it to the staff. I met ALL the requirements before I saw the surgeon & knew that my carrier had up to 30 days to make a pre-determination (same as most carriers). I was approved in 2 days & scheduled for surgery 2 weeks later.

Julie Ann, this is not normal. Have you called your doctor? Do you still have your gallbladder or history of kidney stones? In any case, would recommend you call.

My doctor has us doing clear liquids the first week, then liquids that will go through a strainer the next two weeks. My sleeve date is 8/28 but I have been doing the Isopure RTD & tried almost all the flavors. So far I only "like" Blue Raspberry" & "Grape Frost".

sleep apnea is not a problem when you have surgery. They usually put you to sleep with medication in your IV. After you are asleep, they give you a medicine that allows them to take over your breathing & insert a tube into your lungs to do this. You will be in good hands with lots of trained professionals that do this every day!

I was told you can stretch your stomach ( from constant & increasing your portions beyond you feeling full) but the real danger of regain is from constant grazing & drinking while eating. There is a great video on here somewhere that shows what drinking with your food does in your sleeve.

Hi, I am in Allen & scheduled w/ Dr. Nicholson on August 28th.

I mixed the Syntrax nectar Caribbean Cooler with cold Water & ice today. Even though it was in water, it tasted like a Piña Colada. Not creamy but great taste without the funky aftertaste. My favorite is Chike (mail order sample sizes too). They have a coffee Protein shake that is wonderful & several other choices.

Very cool, thanks for posting!

Has anyone tried Chike protein? I tried the chocolate bliss with Almond Breeze almond milk w/ coconut water & it was truly so good I wanted another! 29 grams of protein in 7 ounces & great taste--let's see how it fares after I am sleeved next week!