sunshine6855

My date is March 21. I did the pre-op today.

Thanks. Good luck to you too!!!!

Congratulations!!! I know how you feel. I got mine recently. I am being sleeved March 21. We can lose together.

No. It took about 2 weeks to get a decision after they had all the paperwork.

I had very similar experience with the band. I have had my band for 3 years. Things were constantly getting stuck and I was vomiting a lot. My esophagus had ulcerations it was so raw. I lost 35 pounds post band but gained 10 back in the last 6 months. My doc removed the Fluid from my band so I could heal. I need to have gall bladder surgery so I told him to take out the band while he was in there. I didn't want it any more. He talked to me about the sleeve and we began the insurance process with doubts it would be covered. Because of poor wt loss, continued health conditions (sleep apnea and non-insulin dependent diabetes) I was shocked, surprised and excited to get approved last week and my band to sleeve revision with gall bladder removal on March 21. don't give up on your insurance company. the doctors know how to write it up so you are more likely to get approved. It is a slow process but I highly recommend pursuing it. I was going to get the band out and have nothing. The sleeve is a nice surprise.

I have yet. Monday is the day I start everything. I will cut back on the caffeine during the week and hopefully not feel terrible. I am a nurse and very few professions consume more coffee than nurses I would think.

Like dogg said, really really great sex. maybe I will meet someone and have it.

buying regular sized clothes getting off a bunch of meds not wearing a seat belt extension on the plane feeling confident

I am scheduled for March 21 and the nerves are beginning to hit. Glad to know I am in such good company.

Congrats on getting the surgery you want. I got my date today and will be just after you on March 21. I totally understand the nerves. Good luck. Cathy

I got my date today for a band to sleeve revision and gall bladder removal. I am so excited and so nervous. I have to start walking every day and get up to 30 day by surgery date. I can already do 30 minutes at a leisurely pace. I need to pick it up. My diet restriction is just liquids 24 hours prior to surgery although I am going to try a low carb diet from this point on to get used to Proteins first and low carbs. I already drink a lot everyday. I guess I need to give up caffeine and sodas before then also so I deal with that caffeine withdrewal headache now and not after surgery. Did I mention I am so excited!!!!! Cathy

I got my date today, too. It is the same as yours, March 21!!!! YEAH!!!! We can be sleeve buddies along with Sarah and msrnjs. I am so nervous too. Not much time to be nervous, though. So much to do before then. Cathy

I got my approval letter in the mail yesterday for my revision. I will have the band to VSG and gall bladder surgery at the same time. I know several here have also had that surgery and would appreciate any advice you have. I am a little nervous about surgery but know that is normal. When I get really nervous I say to myself," you are going to have surgery no matter what because the gall bladder has to come out. this is just a little more." Seems to work a little. Is there a great deal more pain associated with gall bladder removal? Cathy

Thanks for the response. That's good to know. I hope I can be scheduled as soon after April 13 as possible. I will be out of town for work April 11-13. I have a beach vacation in June and hope to be loosing by then.

I opened my mail last night and there was the approval letter for the VSG!!! It listed the date as 3/21/11. I cannot do it that day as I have to have my mother at Emory in Atlanta on 3/23/11 for eye biopsy. I sure hope delaying the date will not be a problem. Does anyone have any experience with insurance companies and delaying dates. I am so excited I got approved. Cathy

I am sorry you had a bad start to your day. Look at it this way, it distracted you from all your fears somewhat. Hope everything went well and you are now on the losing side. I will expect reassurance and support as I get closer to surgery. I will be just like you thinking of all the what ifs. That's that medical background for you Let me know how you did. I see you are from Atlanta. I am in Augusta. Maybe we can meet up something down the road and compare experiences. Cathy

I never wrote and said thank you for the booklet. It is great! I am printing it out and taking it to my next MD visit to see if they are interested in something like this. I would be glad to fix it to their specifications. Cathy

When I expressed fears of complications and worse to my cardiologist, she said those were rare but I would definitely have complications and/or worse from obesity if I did not have the surgery. When I get worried, I think about that. I am a nurse and most patients have some fears and worries about surgery. I worked in surgery for 17 years and never had any patient not make it through surgery unless they were trauma patients from accidents and even then, I never was in on the surgery. 17 years and everyone woke up. Those are pretty good odds. Try and relax and think of all the positives of having this surgery. I hope I can follow my own suggestions when it is my turn to have the surgery. I have to have my gall bladder out and am have a band to sleeve revision at the same time. good luck. Cathy

I, too, would like a copy. thanks for the effort you put into this. cbilliter@comcast.net Cathy

Yes I did. I now I am following you here to have the band to sleeve revision. I hope my journey is a good as yours. I look forward to getting to know you. Was it a longer surgery and more difficult recovery going from band to sleeve? I am having my gall bladder out at the same time. I am getting nervous but excited and wish it was here now.

What a great story from beginning to end. There is such a dramatic difference in you appearance from you pre-op to present picture. You look years younger. Does you husband think he has a new wife? He does actually. Not only in appearance, but mentally, emotionally and with greater energy. You have such a positive attitude and you confidence comes through in your message. I hope to have my Surgery this Feb. I go to the MD on 1/28 and will find out then. I am like Irene. I will be a band to sleeve revision. In fact, she and I have similar stats. Your story is so informative and inspiring. I need all this as I get ready for surgery. Thanks again. Cathy

good. I had fears of 4 or 5 hours. I just don't want to be asleep under anesthesia that long. Happy New Year!

I go in January for a pre-op. I will need my gall bladder removed, band to VSG revision. I am hoping (pretty certain) for a February date. Dr. Blaney in Augusta will be doing mine.

I have a non-functioning gall bladder which will be removed with the surgery. The symptoms you describe are what I experience now. So I guess, from what you say, this will continue after surgery. It has to do with not breaking down fats and things go through faster.

I am going to have the band removed, gall bladder and sleeve all in the same surgery. Out of curiosity, how long did it take to do your surgery? Cathy