Dimples

Good luck. I did 2 weeks of optifast before my surgery it was hard but worth it.

Beautiful! Work that sleeve!

Work that sleeve girl! You look great!

Hang in there! I felt the same way - nausea & gas pains are no fun. I also had the hiatal hernia repair during my sleeve surgery. But this too will past. In a couple weeks you will feel so much better. Although some people seem to bounce back quickly after surgery I didn't but I never regretted my decison and now 5 months out I'm reaping the benefits.

Great! I had a similar story. No diabetic meds once I left the hospital. I thank God every day for my decision to have the sleeve and 64 lbs later I am energetic & healthy.

Good luck! Cigna approved me in about 7 days. However, I had a lower bmi of 38 but I had diabetes, high blood pressure & high cholestrol.

I had surgery on 1/25. I was initially on 4 blood pressure meds and now I'm down to 2. My PCP cut my blood pressure meds dosages in half. I'm continuing to take them until I have my labs done. Don't be discouraged you're only 3 weeks out as the weight come off you will see an improvement. Welcome to the losers bench!

I haven't posted since my surgery on 1/25/12 w/Dr. Halmi (fair oaks hospital). The first couple of days were rough for me - nausea from anesthesia & pain meds. Released from hospital on 3rd day. Sleeping was an initial problem because I'm a side sleeper and it takes a while before you could sleep on your side or stomach. Every day was a little better. Just follow your doctor's & NUT recommendations. I'm 9 weeks out now and I'm down 37 lbs since surgery. My exercise consist of walking & stationery bike. I'm off of my diabetic meds & cholesterol drug and my blood pressure meds have been cut in half. I thank God for making this possible for me to regain my health.

Hi All - I was sleeved on Jan. 25th & was released from the hospital today. I've been a type II Diabetic for the 6 years and I'm happy to say that I have been taken off of my metformin as well as lipitor. I experienced a lot of naseau after the surgery but by the 2nd day I was much better. Good luck on your journey!

Thanks - I'm a little nervous but excited. My surgery will be at Fair Oaks Hospital at 11:00, Since you have Dr. Halmi you probably know that he usually require a 2 week preop diet (Optifast). I started on 1/11 and I've lost 13 lbs. The Preop diet isn't easy but it prepares you for the 2 weeks of liquids after surgery.

Hi Jan. 25th Sleevers, I'll be leaving for the hospital at 8:00 tomorrow morning. My surgeon required a 2 week Optifast diet for me. It was brutal -- the shakes are milk based & I'm lactose intolerant. I've lost 13 lbs since 1/11. Betty

Hi SrHogan- It was a longer process (6 mos) than some of the other insurances (3 mos). I went online to myCigna and did a search for bariatric surgery and all the requirements were there. I was sort of borderline for the bmi but I had several co-morbidities (diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, high cholesterol. I think you need at least 2 co-morbidities. One mistake that I made was not getting clearance from my PCP first. I assumed that it wouldn't be an issue with her, but it was. (LOL). My PCP held me up for two months because she has a bias against bariatric surgery. She finally consented after I passed a Stress Test. The 6 mos. of nutrition classes, psych report (two visits), cardiac clearance and medical clearance reports were all packaged & sent to Cigna by the benefits coordinator at Bluepoint Surgical Group. It was received by Cigna on 11/28 and I was approved on 12/6. I was so excited to receive that letter of approval. I hope your journey is a smooth one. Hang in there!

I'm a newbie. I live in MD but I went to WL seminar at FairOaks Hospital in VA for Bluepoint Surgical group in Feb and have been going through the progress for Cigna which is 6th month program. I was finally approved on 12/6. I'm scheduled for VSG on 1/25/12. Dr. Denis Halmi is my surgeon. I chose Bluepoint because they do provide support groups for their patients.

Hi All - I'm scheduled for Jan 25th at 3:30. I was hoping to get a morning surgery time so I wouldn't have time to worry. I'm also excited & a little scared.

Mel, Thanks for the welcome. Hang in there your approval is on its way.

Wow! that was fast! I wonder why some insurance require a 6 month nutrition program & the whole 9 yards - like Cigna (LOL). I will see my surgeon on thursday. I understand that I still will have several additional tests before my surgery next month. I was so excited to get approved but was unhappy about the month wait for the surgery.

I'm a newbie to this site. I finally finished my insurance packet for Cigna and it was submitted on my birthday 11/28 - I was approved on 12/6. Surgery date is on Jan. 25. I've had a flood of emotions from happiness to fear. I'm hope to get some support, laughs and info as I start my journey.