Missy V 477

I was only on clear liquid the 2 days prior to my surgery and for 1/2 day after. I was sleeved 6/7 and clear liquid in the hospital on the 8th released that day and started protein on the ride home. Was not an issue for me. Thick protein supplements are not something I can do even 2 weeks post op and I am eating again. I get about 1/4 cup portion so I am still supplementing with protein shakes. I prefer the RTD over the powders but each person will be different.

Congrats to you! I was sleeved 6/7/2012 and started my soft / pureed foods today. 1/4 C of cottage cheese was a TREAT! So glad I did this and would do it again without hesitation. I was 224 1/16/2012, 199 on 6/7/2012 at time of surgery, gained 5 lbs in the hospital and am now 186. Feeling spunky and walking with a bounce in my step that has been gone for many years. LOTS OF LUCK!!!

It only took my insurance 4 days to approve I called 3 times a day to make sure that they had what they needed. Then called the surgeons office to be sure they sent what was needed to both insurance and me. I would also forward the info to insurance as I kept copies of all my tests, labs, doctors notes, etc

So I am still in the liquid diet phase of my sleeve journey. Sleeved 6/7 weighed 199, was 187.4 this morning. HATE the flavors I have with my Protein and have tried different options but am ready for something with a little more substance like an egg or yogurt. Maybe some steamed asparagus and salmon. Glad to hear that the old comfort foods may not be as comforting. I have heard this in my local support group too.

Don't give up! Keep calling every day, multiple calls a day. I did that and I got my sleeve done in less then 2 months from my consult visit. Be polite and ask for copies, send them to your insurance yourself. I did this with much of the requirements for both the surgeon and my insurance. Be your best advocate because nobody wants this more then you! Good Luck!

I love muscle milk RTD (ready to drink). If I use powdered mixes I make them with milk in the blender. Adds some fluff to them and breaks down the powder better. As for the "NO WAY" there are some I got at a local diet shop that are thick and not easy to drink. Remember that you can thin it down if you aren't handling it well. Stick to one type ~ soy or whey until you know what you can tolerate. I'm not lactose intolerant and the surgery didn't change that. Try them before your surgery so you know which ones you like and how they taste.

I started at 224 in January 2012. Weight on surgery date 199, weight this morning 188. I started with a BMI of 40.3. I have lost most of my weight because I began eating like I would need to after surgery in February. Feels GREAT to almost be able to cross my legs and bend to dry my toes without having to bend around my belly.

Maybe I am unique I can chug water, protein, broth no problem. I can tell if I have taken in enough and have not felt "too full". Wonder if this is just me.... any feed back would be great!

I called my surgical center prior to my first appoinment and checked with my insurance as to the requirements before starting my journey. I met with my surgeon on 4/9/12 and had my sleeve 6/7/12. I did most of the requirements before ever meeting the surgeon so that I could streamline my process. I have lost 34 lbs since I began my journey and 9 of those in the last week. Don't be afraid to call your insurance company and ask tons of questions. They should have a standard for the surgery to be approved. Read it and inform your surgeon. I completed all my tests and made sure they got to the surgeons office. I did not allow time to pass I was done being too big for my britches!

I was sleeved on June 7th and felt that way too. Try the Special "K" Protein Water mixes, they give you a little protein, some fiber and help the water not taste so blah. Push your protein drinks and make sure you are getting at least 72 oz of fluids per day if not more. I can get my protein in as long as the drink is not think. Have to thin down most of my protein drinks because of the gas problems. If you still have gas issues switch from whey to soy or vice versa. That's what my RD recommended anyway. Good Luck Coach!

OK so this morning the surgeon submitted to insurance. I have a tentative surgery date of 6/7/2012. I am now at 205 with a high weight of 224. I have done all the pre surgical requirements and they are asking for me to begin some vitamin supplements. Vit D, Calcium and a multi vitamin.

Apparently the 227 I thought they documented in January was not in my chart and I am now "too small" for the insurance requirements. So discouraged.

I have not had anything submitted to my insurance yet which is why I cancelled my pre surgical consult, if I went and was "under" or gain after I would be disqualified. Would take 18-24 months to have them re-evaluate me. Cancelling now before anything goes to insurance allows me the opportunity to meet the 40 BMI requirement

Wishes: I can't wait to feel like this! I know you don't want to hear how LUCKY you are but I started crying last week because I had AGAIN out grown the items in my closet. Find a new favourite place to shop, mine is the consignment stores to stay "green" and to keep my green!

SO I had to cancel my appointment for Monday. I had a high weight of 221 and am 62.5 inches tall this makes my BMI 39.8 and the .2 that I don't have could get me disqualified. I had a bout of diverticulitis last week and lost 8 lbs from the liquid diet. I am re grouping and could use some encouragement to get through this. I feel like this will never happen for me and am very discouraged.

Thank you Liberated. Hoping that I will be qualified. Going in today to do a pre surgical appointment weigh in to get the BMI Anthem requires. Thought that my apnea would be enough, not severe enough for them. Got plans to make this happen. CROSS YOUR FINGERS FOR ME PEEPS!!!

Well I spoke to my surgeons office yesterday and they are able to use some of my documented weights from my doctors office to get me qualified. I hit 227 in January and they can use that so it should get me into the program with insurance approval. When I told my partner that I may not qualify he told me that the money we have saved for my portion of the medical expense can just be used to buy exercise equipment. Man that was not what I wanted to hear! I wish I could explain the feelings I have because of my weight....

Please explain what on Q ball means??

I am waiting for my appointment and wanting to know what this will be like for me on the other side. I don't have support at home for my decision and was told I could exercise more, eat less ~ you all know the usual. It's hard when I don't over eat, my 6 year old eats more then I do, I don't have a metabolism due to my former life style. I found out the results from my sleep study (co-morbidity factor) is mild and not the moderate/severe I was hoping for. I have less then 7 days to gain 8 pounds to qualify for weight purposes only. So discouraged at this point.

Please keep posting for this sleeve hopefuls reading and encouragement. I have my surgical consult on 3/12/2012 and hope that I have been accepted into the program by 3/19/2012. I am "underweight" for the sleeve my BMI is 38.3 not the required 40 and haven't gotten the results of my sleep study yet. I have been using the protein in hopes I will add the needed 1.7 BMI before my appointment.

I know that there are doctors that take Medi-Cal for this surgery, my friends daughter just had hers on public assistance benefits but it took 1 year from her first appointment to the date of her surgery. Ask your worker for a list of providers. If that fails go to www.medi-cal.ca.gov and search for Medi-Cal providers in your area. This is the Medi-Cal website. GOOD LUCK!

So I am trying to find anyone that has Anthem Blue Cross / CalPERS, Pers Select to help me wade through the insurance nightmare. They tell me that they won't have any answers until they hear from my surgeon. The surgeon does not have answers without the insurance and I'm in a loop....

Thanks for sharing your story. I am gearing up to begin my journey and like being able to read about the experiences others are having so I know what to expect. Please continue posting about your goals and triumphs so we all can cheer you on!!

Ok so I am gearing up to have the Sleeve Gastrectomy and wanted a way to catalogue my experience. My start weight is 221 and my goal weight is 135. I have my first appointment on March 12, 2012 to find out if I will be accepted into the program that my insurance covers. Because I live in a rural area I have to go over 300 miles from home to meet my surgical team. I will take a photo journal to document the metamorphosis that will be taking place.