Darkkyss

My sister stopped by yesterday, and walks in the door and says OMG!! I can tell in your face already..... She makes me go in the bathroom in front of the mirror and we stood there and she told me to lower my face so you can see how many double chins we had. I noticed!!!!!! it was not there compared to the way I used to have BIG double chin. So then She started looking me over and said let me see your stomach so I showed her........ she said YEP I can tell your tummy is not out as far. Well I am down from my highest weight of 263 to 242... 21lbs down!!!!!!!!!! and then we measured my waist down 2 inches!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!! She started saying OMG ( yes one of our favorite words to each other)" now I have to really start working on myself!" She has gained weight over the years but still not as heavy as I got, she is about 180 something. So she is doing the protein drinks for 2 meals and then salads, chicken, shirmp, and different low cal. meals. So because of my surgery my sister might get healthy also. Another side note, my boyfriend has been eating healthier he is down 15lbs by eating healthier which will help me in the long run. Been working at this since May! My mom is coming over today to do our toe nails, I bought some fun colors!! Should be a good day! Friday is my Dr. follow up appointment, I shall see how far my new scales are off from the Dr.'s scales!!! I do not look forward to the drive about 2 hours up, 2 hour appointment, and 2 hours back. So for a long day tomorrow!!

Check with a jewler, My grandma's weight went up and down because of medication. I had found a gold band adjuster "thingy" sorry not sure what they called it. But it worked wonders she was able to wear her rings up till she passed. They had it in gold and fit nicely inside of the ring and it flexed a little bit.

My Dr. removed my gallbladder at the same time as my Sleeve. They did an ultrasound on my gallbladder. before hand. It did bump my surgery out about 2 weeks because they only did first surgery for gallbladder and sleeve because they wanted 2 Dr.'s. Talk to your Dr. should not be an issue!! Good luck! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me

I have not told many, Family(dad, mom, sister, son) my boyfriend and my best friend. I did not even tell work, with all the paperwork it went straight to Coorprate and said adominal surgery. I partly just said I did not want to talk about it, others I let them know I needed my gallbladder removed, which is true I was having both done. It would depend if you feel your family will stand behind you. Remember who you tell usually tells others. I made it clear to the few I told I do not want others to know. I do know my mom told a few family members, I had to threaten her STOP, in a nice way! She did not think it was a big deal. I reminded her it was my choice on who I wanted to know. Yes people would notice me losing weight, but I had for 2 months already started trying to lose weight and walking, eating right, all that stuff! Small bump but she understood. Good Luck

I know I have heard of people eatting tons 2 weeks before there first appointment to be on the safe side. take shoes off!! LOL..........They did not tell me I just took mine off, wear heavy clothes that day.

call, call , call, but honestly call often. Push! as you are finding out there is an error every time you call ask to speak to a supervisor dont just take the first person word. If you keep on top of it, it might make it go faster. You have to decide how long you are willing to wait. a couple weeks is really not a long time to give them. But it is up to you to stay on top of everything.

Good Luck! I got up and walked the first night, that was my biggest thing go slow but walk, help get the gas out! Don't over do it!. I was in hospital 3 days, I was able to wear my own gown and robe by 2nd day. COMFY clothes for ride home!!! depends on person I brought stuff to read but didnt touch it. I pushed myself on my 2nd day home wiped myself out for over 24 hours.

I had a headach for about 3 days, it got easier!!! I think the second thoughts are how many times have we tried to diet and never worked.... That was my biggest fear, that this would not work for me!!......... I got over it by reading all the stories I could about sleeve and the positive side. The pictures, how happy people are now. That in 5 months or so you can eat "normal" if you wanna call it that but just very small portions!!! Good Luck!!

Yes, depends on Dr. but Honestly from what I have read. I think being on a pre op Diet is the best. It helps shrink the liver which makes surgery easiery for everyone around. I was unable to do FULL liquids but did 2/3 drinks a day and ate salads, 5oz chicken, or fish, VERY low carbs. It helps liver. Then 24 hours before surgery I did full clear liquids, popcicles, broth, jello, water. It was hard but so glad I did! Good Luck!!!!!!!

Best answer is call your insurance, Mine did so much for me when I called. They help with so many things. like what was required, instead of questioning or wondering. I spoke to someone about weekly either by phone or email.

Fatiniowa; It is up between you and your Dr. I requested 3 weeks. I did read where people took 6 weeks. Talk to your Dr. explain you feel 6 weeks would be best for you. My Dr. did not even question when I asked for an extra week.

Surgery was Aug 15th!!! Everyone was so nice, a lot of in and out with people all asking the same questions (safety First!!!) My boyfriend (marc) and my mom were in the pre room with me up till they wheeled me away which was really nice. I do remember going into the operation room and looking around but I was done from there. I woke up in recover for a few, I was in such a fog. They brought me to my room, I am not sure what all happened or how to explain it. But I freaked out pretty bad, I felt I could not breath from the pain in my side. I could see my mom and Marc I started crying It took about 1 hour to calm me down and for the pain to be comfortable. From that point on I was doing good, I ended up getting up before the night was out and walked the halls. Second day I was up was able to shower by that evening. Doin small walks, clear liquids. Friday (third day) I was released and on the road, We ran into construction on the way home. Made for a rough, long ride home about 3 hours(compared to 1 3/4 hours). Was home comfy and enjoying being home and my own bed. Sat. I made sure I did treadmil SEVERAL times stayed on top of my pain meds and such, showered and was up most of the day. Well Sunday woke up to feeling like a Mac truck hit me. I had WAY over did it Sat. I slept and ate on Sunday nothing more. Here it is Monday doing ok, better then Sunday and decided HELLO I just had surgery dont rush yourself. I was up for 2 hours then napped, watched TV, then showered, decided I would go along for the ride( had to mail a package for my son) O BOY does the road feel bumpy, I did not realized I forgot to take my pain meds and did not realize it had been over 6 hours later and not feeling to hot on the drive back home!!!!!!! I have really cut back on them I did not think I need the full dose. I cut it in half and doing every 4/5 hours. They had me doing every 3 hours. Getting out bed has been the hardest. My tummy looks pretty good, They did have to do 6 cuts, They removed my gallbladder at the same time. Taste buds have changed, I have always hated the taste of diet stuff, the after taste is what I could not stand. My mom made me sugar free jello, pudding, and bought sugar free popcicles. I like the taste of these BUT seems so sweet!!! I was reading and realized I could finally have Tomato soup SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!! and OMG did it taste so good. So I have not had problems feeling full, but did HATE when Marc cooked breakfast and I could smell the bacon cooking..... Has it never smelled so good. I think that is a big thing to get over the next 2 weeks is having the texture of chewing on food!!! I will make it!! I have made an appointment to have my hair done before I return to work, having it colored and cut. At work I don't do much with myself (hair in bun, no makeup, and stay in my office most of the day doing my work) So I will have a new look to go back to work with, with the new ME. I have not told others, except my best friend who works there. Most people know we have been "dieting and walking" daily and that I was going out on medical leave for gallbladder surgery. I had lost 15lbs before my last day. who knows how much more before I return in 2 weeks. I wonder if they will notice. On my surgery date I was 242lbs home from hospital I was up to 254lbs!!!!!!! I weighed myself today 246!!!!!!!!!! So a lot of rambling but I really want to remember the journey and so I wanted to get a lot in over the last few days! If you have any question please feel free and send me a message!!!!

YEAHHHHHHHH!!! just right around the corner and you will recovering!!

I was in your boat, I started 2 days before surgery and my PMS was so bad. I was so sure they would tell me no but they did not. They are more worried that you are trying. My Dr. told me as long as I did not gain I would be ok. Good Luck. Keep positive.

Yes, but I started 2 days before my surgery.......... It sucked and the Nurses stated it can be from stress or nervous!

Call your insurance company, start asking questions. Why, what can you do to help.............

I have to either crush or take liquid medication. and while in the hospital they stuck most of my medication through my IV. I was there 3 days.

Mine was approved with no problems, Your Dr. signs off on the forms. I am having my gallbladder out at the same time and they put that as secondary. I even asked for a little extra time off. I will be off 3 weeks. No problems! I started mine about 1 1/2 months early on paperwork, just incase they needed more info. Good Luck.

I had wanted the lap band also, Just going to the Dr. helped talking to him and listening to his opinion and what the pro's were on both. I switched after speaking to him and going on line and reading. I found that the lap band had issues, slippage and people that did not lose the weight they were hoping for! I even went on youtube and watched videos of both surgery and people who had both. I just went of my gut feelings. Good Luck

I would still fill out a FLMA request just in case you need more time off. To be on the safe side!!.. If you end up needing more time and its medical your boss can't let you go.

congrats!

CALL!!!!!!!! don't know how to make it any clear. LOL call them Monday dont wait another day! I would call insurance then the Dr's office. I kept in contact weekly making sure things were in order. You dont realize how many times the ball can be dropped and you have to stay on top of everything. I am not blaming the insurance company or the Dr's office but honestly you think of who all they have to deal with. I had to call on test results that were just sitting there at the hospital and not faxed to Dr.'s offfice, I had to stay on top of both. My nurse at the Dr's office heard from me weekly, either by email or calling. I would call her to tell her what test were done and had she received yet. I also had the nurse drop the ball she was suppose to send me a list of items I had to have done and she forgot. I had psyc. eval. done and was waiting, when I called a week later she informed me of the other items I had to have done. She stated it was on the list and I said you did not send that list to me. She was sorry and faxed over same day to me. Luckily I was able to get in for the test within a couple days. Good Luck!!!!!

I asked my other half to take pictures of me today so I have some full front, side and back pictures. Part of me feels time is not going fast enough and another side of me is its flying by. Today my nerves are getting the best of me... almost like anxiety!! Seems like the protein drinks are not enough today!!! Picking up a tread mill today so I will have it in the house and be able to walk on it when ever I want since I will be home almost 3 weeks before I head back to work. My son called yesterday which made my day. He is worried not being in the states and being here for me. I reassured him I will be fine. I put off my surgery date till Aug. because I wanted as much time as I could with him while he was home. I did not want to be laid up and unable to do things with him. He had just got home from Afgan. and then he would be off to Germany. So I told him to call Marc about 11am our time on Wednesday and I should be out and everything so Marc could tell him everything was ok.

Congrats!