ravenjeh

I, too, have an exclusion for WLS. There is no way to fight that through your carrier, since it is excluded by your employer. I am paying $9800 by Dr. Thomas Borland in Louisiana. That does not include the few pre-op tests that he requires, but insurance should cover those tests.

Good luck to all the Sept. 1 and 2 sleeve babies!!!

My doctor is a little more lenient:

1 week clear liquids

1 week full liquids

1 week soft foods

then gradually add more solid foods

Yeah, I guess you're right. It would be my luck to drive the 250 miles to my surgeon just to be turned away due to an infected tooth! Hopefully, it won't cost too much. The bad thing is, our A/C died today too. And it was only 101 degrees down here today, and still 90 degrees in our house tonight . Ughhh, when it rains, it pours! Guess I will have to push my surgery back a couple of weeks due to this week's luck.

Ughhhhh, here I am saving up the last bit of money for my VSG next month, and I get a toothache in the back on my mouth. My gums on that side are red and inflammed. So, I touch way back there and it feels like under my gum is a "point". And if it is the point of a wisdom tooth, it is coming in sideways . So I'm popping advil and painting my mouth with orajel in hopes of it not being a wisdom tooth. How much does it cost to get one cut out anyway? I had one cut out a few years ago, but I had dental insurance then and also used general anesthesia. Definitely won't be spending the extra money for that now. I'm 29, I thought I was past the age of wisdom teeth. Grrrrr, this could not be happening at a worse time.

September 27th for me in Louisiana by Dr. Borland!

I got my surgery date yesterday! September 27th for me I was hoping for a week earlier, but won't have the money saved before then. That's ok, though, hehe.

Hi, I'm meeting with my surgeon tomorrow too. My insurance excludes WLS, so I don't have to jump through hoops with supervised diets and a ton of testing, but I have had to come up with $10k . Hope we both get good news tomorrow! Good luck!

Yay, how exciting! I'm expecting to be sleeved on the 20th or 21st, but won't know for sure until tomorrow when I go see my surgeon. Congrats!

My consultation is FINALLY here! Tomorrow my husband and I will be driving the 4.5 hours to see my surgeon and to get a surgery date! Woo hoo!!!

For the past month, I have been jotting down questions to ask him. Here they are:

-What bougie size, and does he oversew

-What is the post-op diet

-Does he use a catheter

-Does he use a drain

-What Vitamins and acid reducers do I need to use post op

-How soon can I take my regular medications (anti-depressants) after surgery

-Do I need to change my anti-depressant (Effexor XR) because it is extended release

-What gallbladder risks are there and do I need to take a gallstone preventive pill (Actigall)

-Does he perform a leak test

Did I miss any important questions? Any advice would be awesome Thanks, guys!

WOW, congrats! What an awesome gift from your scale today!

I have fun just going to the mall and looking at all the cute clothes that I will hopefully be able to wear. In fact, just today my mom and I waddled into Victoria's Secret and used a couple of free panty coupons that we got in the mail. I felt a little awkward walking around in there with it being blatantly obvious that I could not fit anything they sell, but I picked up a size Large and a size Medium panty. I came home and hung the large one on a hanger by my bathroom mirror so that I can look at it everyday for inspiration, lol.

While it wasn't a distraction from my obsessive vsg thoughts, it was really exciting and fun

I'm a piano teacher. I teach lessons from my home and only have 6 students, which equals about 3 hours a week. Not a physical job, though it can be a mentally trying job, lol. I should be ok to go back a week post-op, right?

Thanks, Tiff! That makes me feel better

Since barium is NOT Water soluble, my surgeon doesn't use it. He uses gastrographin solution.

If it would not have been for the leak test, my leak would have gone undetected. Grant it, I was a revision patient so my risk for a leak was quadrupled.

There are several very experienced, well-known surgeons that only perform the one in the OR, and nothing post-op via a swallow test.

While on the subject, I have another question. Do you guys think the barium swallow is really important post op? I don't think my surgeon does it, unless he does it only a couple of hours after surgery because he does the sleeve as an outpatient procedure. I see him on Tuesday and I will definitely ask if he does it, but I think I would feel better if I had one...

Have you guys heard the latest snack craze the kids are eating these days? They are called Pickle Pops. They are just frozen Pickle Juice. I had never heard of them until my mom's foster son came home from school telling us that they sell them during break. I don't really think its a very good idea to feed our children so much sodium, but if you guys are dying for a little taste, I'm sure a bite or two of one wouldn't hurt ya. Google "frozen pickle juice" and you'll find some recipes.< /p>

I've wondered this too. My surgeon only requires routine bloodwork, UA, EKG and a chest x-ray, all done by your PCP (he doesn't do any lab work himself). Perhaps this is to help out us self-payers. Luckily, I'm heathy as a horse (besides being obese) so I don't think any of the extra tests would be too beneficial for me.

Welcome to the club! This place is such an invaluable resource. I lurk on here periodically throughout the day and learn something new everyday. It's awesome

94 lbs in a year is AMAZING!!!! Don't fool yourself; that is incredible! What diet could have ever given you those results before the sleeve? Girl, go strut your stuff and have an awesome anniversary with your hubby! You deserve it after all of your hard work

Does anyone know if Vitamin World will give you samples of Protein Shakes before you buy them? I think I heard that GNC does that... I'm pre-op and ready to stock up but want to taste before I waste (money, that is)

Just curious if there was anyone else...

Well put! You are such an inspiration, LilMissDiva! Thank you for this encouraging post!

Woo hoo, looking good! Can't wait until I feel sexy again! lol

LOVE the dress! Congrats!!

Wow, that's not long at all! You guys will be on the loser's bench in no time!