MaryL

I was sleeved on Friday, the 24th, and I'm sort of bummed to admit that my time in the hospital was rougher than I'd hoped it would be. I felt pretty good right after the surgery and was able to complete my one mile walk around the hospital floor, but by Saturday things had taken a turn for the worse. Fever, vomiting, utter misery. I was in a bad panic. In the midst of it all, however, I made myself complete that day's required mile. Sunday things began to turn around, because I realized that I was making myself sick by pushing too hard. I was too eager to get going with my new life, despite all the good advice I had received, both here and from friends who've had the gastric bypass, to TAKE IT SLOW. So I walked more slowly and carefully and, most important, took much smaller sips of fluids and then waited before the next sip. That did the trick. I was able to keep everything down and increase my intake, my fever lifted and, after one extra day, I was finally released (on Monday) and sent home. Today it's Tuesday and I'm on top of the world!! I was able to gently sip down two Protein Shakes (for Breakfast and dinner), a little Soup (lunch), and plenty of Water and juice. (I live in Los Angeles, where we've presently got a heat wave going, so I really need the extra fluids.) My energy level is fantastic and I completed a mile this morning with no trouble at all -- but, again, not pushing or going too fast, just taking it easy until I'm completely back. So for those of you who are going to be sleeved, please, please take the good advice you're getting here and be really gentle with yourself following the surgery. "Tiny sips" should be our sacred motto! -- Mary

Thank you all very much for the wonderful support! I'm home from the hospital since yesterday -- had a bit of a tough time, which I'll tell about in a new thread -- but now I'm back to full liquids and feeling SO much better! Onward I go! --Mary

Hello all, My name is Mary and tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. I'm going to get my sleeve. It's been such a long journey getting to this moment that I almost can't believe it's really going to happen. I've always been overweight, since I was a child, and have done the yo-yo dieting that most of us have over the years. But then I developed sleep apnea and high blood pressure, and I knew that something had to change. I hoped to have weight loss surgery, but my primary doctor wasn't comfortable with the idea. Finally, about six months ago, when blood work showed that I'm also pre-diabetic, she decided to refer me for the lap band. I made an appointment with the surgeon and began to do some research, and very quickly decided that I was going to press for the sleeve instead. The sleeve just seems like such a superior option, healthier and more natural, compared to RNY and the band. Well, long story short, my insurance company denied the sleeve but approved the RNY, and I almost gave in and went with that, because so many people insisted it was a better choice and that I'd be crazy not to have it. There really isn't much support for the sleeve in the bariatric community at large, at least not yet. But then, thankfully, I found VST and read about people who love their sleeve, and about others who had successfully appealed for the sleeve. I can't tell you how much help it was, being able to come here and find such great advice about how to file an appeal and what kind of documentation to include. Two months later the denial was overturned. I'm so excited about tomorrow, but also really scared. I guess like so many others I'm afraid that I'm going to screw this up and regain the weight in time. I've had a few friends have that happen with the RNY, and they're so discouraged. But I'm determined to do my best and use this wonderful new tool to the absolute fullest potential. Being on the strict two-week liquid diet has given me some hope -- if I can do that, I can do anything!! :mad: I'm so grateful that this forum is here. I've spent every spare minute reading old posts, gathering courage and staying calm. So thanks very much to all of you who've posted. You're awesome! I'll post about my surgery and hospital experience when I'm back home on Monday. Reading about others experiences has been so helpful! -- Mary

Thank you all so much for your good wishes. This has definitely been one of the most interesting journeys of my life! Sandi, I got your private e-mail and will send you a copy of my appeal letter. I would try to post information here but I'm not sure how to upload documents. Basically I spent a great deal of time researching what the most successful appeals seemed to be, and these focused on why the sleeve is better for that particular individual. In my case, for instance, I have had a lifelong struggle with anemia, which the bypass might have made much worse, (because of malabsorption), and I have mild arthritis which may one day require NSAIDs, another big problem with the bypass. I listed my various medical and future concerns in my appeal and then provided documentation (there are tons of great articles and papers on the web) to support my arguments. (I think I had 14 attachments.) From what I've read, and from my own experience, focusing on specifics like medical issues rather than on general feelings, such as saying that you just like the idea of the sleeve more, appears to make the difference in winning your appeal. Hope this is helpful. (Sandi, keep an eye out for an e-mail from me.) -- Mary

Hi, my name is Mary and I've just registered with the site. Despite that, I'm very familiar with Vertical Sleeve Talk, because it has been my "go-to" place for help and advice these past several months. I began the journey toward weight loss surgery in April of this year and, thoroughly researching my options, knew from the start that I wanted the vertical sleeve. But my insurance is Anthem Blue Cross (in Southern California), and I felt pretty dismal about my chances of being approved. My surgeon, (Quilici) requested the sleeve, but, sure enough, Anthem denied the procedure on the basis that it is "always" experimental. They approved me instead for the gastric bypass. If it hadn't been for everyone on this forum, I never would have had the knowledge or courage to file an appeal. I want to thank all of you so very much. Because of you, I knew to file the appeal directly with the DMHC in California, rather than with Anthem, and I knew exactly the information to send and what I should include in my letter. And I won my appeal! I'm scheduled to be sleeved on September 24th, and am looking forward to a new, healthy life. I'm even excited about starting my two-week pre-surgery liquid diet tomorrow. (Although I imagine the thrill of liquids may wear off in about three days. <G>) So thank you all very much. I'm so glad to be getting the sleeve instead of the bypass, and never would have been able to get that accomplished without the amazing help and advice you all have shared. -- Mary