MzGee

Surgery on 6/16, with 1 night in the hospital, all went well (though no sipping liquids while laying down, it will come back up). Stomach was a little sore (6 holes). Went in to hospital weighing 216.5, weighed yesterday and down to 212.
You seriously don't feel like eating, your not hungry at all, no cravings, no nothing. I think I'll have to just set up a schedule to remind myself to eat something. Right now I'm doing Protein shakes, sugar free jello/pudding, greek yogurt, sugar free ice pops and malt-o-meal. You can only eat about 1/2 cup of food at a time, it takes me like an hour to get down the small container of greek yogurt.

I am sooooooo excited! I can't believe it! The hospital called me today, and I got home and there was the letter from the insurance company! I'm still in shock.

I am sooooooo excited! I can't believe it! The hospital called me today, and I got home and there was the letter from the insurance company! I'm still in shock.

11 months & 78lbs down.... I'm 7 lbs from my goal. I lie before and after pics so I figured is start this thread.

Found a full length one

I'm no where I thought I'd be but learning to be satisfied with my health and ability to spend quality time with my family! And that was my main reason for having my surgery to begin with. I was just truly hoping to reach my goal weight my 1 yr anniversary date in July.

Woohoo! I was sleeved on August 26, 2013. As of this morning I am down to 182 from 289. I only have 22 more lbs to lose until I hit my personal goal of 160 which will put me in a "HEALTHY" bmi.
I am 5'8". I was in a tight womens size 24 or 3X. I am now a size 8 or 10 and a size large or XL top.
I am so glad I've documented everything along this journey. Here are a few pics that I'd like to share.        

My insurance required a letter from a doctor that was not the surgeon and providing medical clearance
I my case it was the pcp

Coming from somebody who works for a PCP it is great to have one because after your follow-up visits with your surgeon after surgery your PCP will be doing the rest. I know it sounds ridiculous to have a PCP established, but in the long run the weight loss institute is looking out for you well being. My insurance required me to have a PCP established but no letter. I already had mine write a letter anyways to the doctor at the weigh loss clinic stating I need this just a precautionary measure.

I only know about Medicare (I'm only 46 but disabled, so I'm on Medicare and the VA system). I had no PC to refer me. Looked online for a WLS clinic, emailed, made an appt for seminar, went, got my lapband (I'm 10 mths post op sleeve revision) about 3 weeks later.
I guess I could have gotten my PC at the VA clinic I went to to refer me, I just didn't.
Not sure how other insurances work. Ull hafta ask ur WLS clinic what the insurance and clinics requirements are.
Good luck!

My dr. required a letter from the PCP but she just wrote it based on another doctor (my cardiologist) stating medical clearance was given although I am an intermediate risk for the surgery.

This pic was 1 year ago!!! My 1 year surgiversary is coming up quick! June 26th. Down 145lbs!

Great regime to try to follow once I get surgery. I can definitely see it has worked for you! You look excellent a drastic change in your numbers in a short time.

April 2013
April 2014
372lbs to 191lbs

Thanks for the kind words everyone. :-) It means a lot to me and is very encouraging because this last leg of the weight loss is TOUGH! lol....
For those who have asked, I try to stick as much as possible to my numbers..... it's pretty simple.... no more than 40g of carbs, at least 65g of Protein, and at least 10 8-oz glasses of Water each day. Also, I track every single thing I eat or drink in MFP. That has really kept me accountable and taught me a lot about nutrition.
I've also learned a lot about myself. For example, I know that some sleevers are able to have a little treat here and there and keep it under control. I learned that I am NOT one of those people. food for me is a complete addiction and if I give myself an inch I WILL take a mile. So for that reason, I avoid my trigger foods like the plague (fried foods, chocolate, chips, pizza, pretzels, etc). It is just something that I have accepted.
As far as exercise, I run a lot. I'm training for a 1/2 marathon now so I run about 4 times a week. Then I will fill in a day here or there with a class (zumba, spinning, etc) or some time on the elliptical. Pretty straightforward. I would like to start some strength training once I hit goal to start and tone up my arms and legs a little bit.
Again, thank you all for your kindness and encouragement!!!

Just did my 8 month post op comparison pics & seeing the drastic change has given me the encouragement I need to push through & lose the last 12.6 pounds. It seems like the closer I get to goal the harder it is!
Anyhow here are my numbers...
Starting weight - 8/5/13- 278.4
Surgery weight - 8/12/13- 270.6
Weight @ 8 mos- 8/12/14- 157.6
120.6 pounds lost & 90.55% of excess weight lost.
Hopefully this can encourage someone who is struggling! :-)

Surgery date was July 8th 2013 !
Sw: 280
Cw: 143
Gw:125
Height 5'1

Ty everyone <3
5'9
HW:329
CW:180

I asked a lot of questions about the surgery and hospitalization and aftercare, just so I would know what to expect. Not because I would choose a surgeon based on the answers -- I was pretty settled on my choice of surgeon before I met him! I just wanted a lot of information beforehand so I could prepare and be mentally ready for everything coming my way. Some questions I asked:
--do you use a drain and/or catheter?
--how do you test for leaks?
--how long will I be in the hospital? What would cause you to keep me longer than that? Is there anything you need to see from me (i.e., drinking a certain amount) before you release me from the hospital?
--what measures do you take to prevent blood clots?
--lifting restrictions post-surgery?
--exercise restrictions post surgery?
--how often and when will I meet with you/your team after surgery?
--how strict is your post-operative eating progression? (btw: I was looking for something very strict, not "eat whatever you want in moderation" which absolutely is proven not to work for me!)
--what medications (otc and prescription) do I need to stop prior to surgery? How will I take meds after surgery and who is responsible for making sure I have detailed instructions about that?
--what tests do you (not the insurance company) require before surgery and what are some possible results that would cause you to delay surgery or not do it at all?
--how often will I see you in the hospital after my surgery? What will you be checking me for?
--what do you think are the biggest factors leading to either successful weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, or lack of success in losing weight/maintaining weight loss?

MzGee,
I am meeting with my surgeon tomorrow, having read so many posts here about others concerns and experiences I was able to make a list of questions and concerns that I have, hope they will help you.
1. what are the chances of leeks? and what causes them

2. how many incisions will I have?

3. Are there any heavy lifting restrictions, how long?

4. Will I have a drain after surgery? if yes why?

5. Pain management after surgery and when I go home. (I have a very low tolerance for
pain, but I am a total wimp lol)

6 Gas pains after surgery, how long and is there anything you can do to minimize
them?

7. What have you heard about hair loss, and why?

8. Will I be nauseous after surgery? meds to stop it?
I keep adding as I read something else and or something else comes to mind. keep in touch. Pamela

I was approved by GEHA, surgery scheduled for 6-16.

My doctor is only making me do pre-op liquids the day before my surgery. I am going to do liquids on my own a few days before just to make sure ive lost a few extra pounds. My surgery is 6/17/2014.
Anyone else have to do pre-op for only one day?

I hope you have a great experience as well. It astounds me at how much I've been blessed to have this experience go so well! My surgeons office has a nurse that works one on one with patients and she gathered all my required info and submitted to insurance. She as telling me all the staff at the surgeons office couldn't believe how fast it was approved!

I went to my first consulation today. The staff was excellent and explained to me that GEHA requires the following:
6 months of supervised visits to check for monthly eating habits. No diet, but dietician speaks to you and basically there to prep you for pre and post surgery eating habits.
GEHA requires an "in hospital" procedure, where many procedures can take place in an office/ clinic setting.
GEHA doesnt require a sleep study, but is covered if you want the study as an option. Study can be conducted at your home.
Out of pocket after insurance, I will be paying less than 2k out of pocket.
GEHA also requires for you to meet your deductible before anything. Some hospital fees may not be covered, however they told me i was still looking at less than 2k out of pocket.
Hope this helps!