Jerzygurl

Thank you. Glad the Cath saved your boyfriend's life. I'm sure it is quite necessary for many. But research has found there are many done unnecessarily when other test are now available that are not as invasive. in my case, I don't have any symptoms or problems with my heart..and truthfully, I don't trust this doctor. He just comes off like Slick Willie... I'll get a second opinion and go from there..but what I will not be doing is returning to card 1 for anything. Thanks again.

Thanks!! More than one way to escape a greedy cardiologist.. I let you guys know how it pans out Thursday. I suspect the cardiologist doesn't approve of the Gastric Sleeve.

Thank you Pickleface... appreciate it. I'm truly hoping a change in cardiologist will be for the better. I was so defeated today when I left his office.. Highly unusual for me because I'm generally upbeat and happy all the time. My mother told me to pick myself up and find another path... who knew I would run into one while gathering my reports. Fate. I say.

Thank you...Montereygrl.. very much.

My Nut and doc said no gummies because it could get stuck. They prefer chewables.

Hello and welcome to the forum. Good luck with journey.

Elli.. If you read around the boards, the "dreaded" 3 week stall seems to be a reality for many. All the advice, I've seen thus far on the topic is... take it easy, keep doing what you're doing, stick to the program and your body will eventually start releasing the weight again. It's an adjustment period and the body needs to adapt. You're doing great though... I can't wait to be on the sleeved side of things!!

Hmmm..just give it some time and see if it shows up. If it does not call your insurance company and ask how far along in the process it stands. They may surprise you and have an answer. Believe me, I know about thinking you're all done with appts..ha ha.. My cardiologist has been the worst. I can't even began to tell you how many "tests" I've had...some I believe to be completely unnecessary too..but I have to bite my tongue because I need the approval, so I can get my surgery as soon as possible. I don't want to upset the apple cart, but normally I'd be pretty darn vocal about things...

Bonnie, Most doctors do pre-op nicotine testing.

Former smoker here, so I know what it's like. Even now after 12 years have passed, sometimes I still have an urge for a cig... but I beat it back. I didn't go through any program to quit. I just went cold turkey..what made me go Cold Turkey? Breast Cancer. I don't want to scare you, I just want you to think about your life and what's good for you and those that love you. My story is a long and involved one (breast cancer, ovarian cancer (recurrent 2x) but just wanted you to know, you can kick the habit...you really can...I just don't want it to be fear that does it for you.. I want it to be you...for you.. you will feel a whole lot better, believe me. If I had to deal with my weight issues and smoking right now..I'd be starting way behind the 8 ball... Good luck to you..and I hope you conquer and succeed. Bountiful Blessings...

You're welcome. Hopefully, your insurance company does have this... I know my BCBS does... good luck. I'm still waiting too.. got my last cardiologist appt on Monday...I need my written approval from him, then it's a go...

Yes. Life is great! I can't wait for this to be me! Congrats!

You can check their website. If you have a log-in, you usually can track the progress for any sumbitted approvals.

Hey Powder... I would love to stay in touch...let me know how things are going for you. But it appears, you are well on your way too! I have to see the cardiologist on Monday morning to get my written approval (fingers crossed). I've had two Ekgs, an echo and a nuclear stress test in the last two weeks, and if there was something wrong, I'd know about it by now. I have been very patient and will continue to be, so that I can receive my letter of approval. But I really want to scream at the doc for making me jump through hoops in order to bill the insurance company more. I know, I should be thankful that I have a platinum health plan, but sometimes the docs see it as a money grab! Okay, my little rant is over..just frustrated and I can't show it...for now. On a side note: I just spoke to the nurse and she informed everything else is all done, and they are ready to go, as long as the cardiologist approves me. So, you see I have to be nice and patient..ha ha..

oh one of my favorite people on the planet earth..lol "strip from the waist down, the doctor will be with you shortly!" :-)

lol no hurt feelings...actually made me giggle.

My oncologist once told me, that women that tend to gain more weight around their hips and maybe prone to cellulite appear to be more prone to female cancers such as ovarian, uterine and cervical. Made me think ..because I'm more of an hour glass and prone to gain weight in my hips and arms more than anywhere else and I definitely have had my share of female "cancers" Just a little tidbit of info for us ladies.

Just a little information for all shapes: Most common female body shapes The following are the four most common female body shapes: Apple (triangle downward) Apple-shaped women have broader shoulders and bust, and narrower hips. banana, or straight (rectangular) Banana-shaped women's waist measurement is less than 9 inches smaller than the hip or bust measurement. Pear, Spoon, or Bell (triangle upward) Pear-shaped women's hip measurements are greater than their bust measurements. Hourglass Shape (triangles opposing, facing in) Here, the hip and bust are almost of equal size, with a narrow waist. A study of more than 6,000 women conducted at North Carolina State University in 2005 revealed that 46% of women were banana-shaped; just over 20% were pear-shaped; just under 14% were apple-shaped; and only 8% were hourglass-shaped. The hourglass is normally accepted as the "ideal" female shape in Western countries. Research suggests that apple-shaped women have the highest risk of heart disease, while hourglass-shaped women have the lowest. Diabetes professionals say that women with a waist measurement of over 80cm (32 inches) have a higher risk of heart disease due to body fat buildup around the waist, which poses a higher health risk than fat buildup at the hips.

Welcome to the forum!!! I'm still in process too....hoping for surgery soon! This is a great place, lots of information, lots of support and plenty of understanding and shared life experiences!

And there it is......

Everyone around me has been supportive. Not one negative comments. I'm very pleased with my support system.

Btw, forgive my typos and missed words..lol fast typing, and no morning coffee yet...had to fast for labs for my onco today.

I think fear is normal for a lot of people. I'm not one though. I am ready to change my life, 1000%.. My aching knees, feet and back as well as my history with "female" cancers has erased any and all reservations and fears I may have had.. I read all the success stories here, so all the before and pictures, the smiling faces, the reports of better health and happiness and I know there is nothing to fear but fear itself..because after all what is left.. I've tried this on my own for the whole of my entire life and it has not worked, or let's say I have not been able to sustain any weight loss I've accomplished. I know this isn't a magic bullet, but I do know myself enough to know, it's a life changing surgery, not to be taken lightly, but to embraced and honed..for a better quality of life for me and those I love... Take all the time you need to think about it,..because in the end, you will have to live with it... weight the pros and the cons..and come to your decision. Good luck.

I understand...part of it is the waiting game. Looks like we started about the same time... I'm also hoping for surgery mid-October. I was pre-approved by Horizon BCBS but it was conditional. I had do three consecutive office visits with the doctor office, one with the surgeon, and the other two with the NUT & Psych...and of course pass all the medical tests. Had my last stress test today and won't know much else until I get to the doctor and last NUT appt next week. It is going to drive me crazy until then..I still think something is going to pop up and come along and say...nope..you have to wait for such and such and such..which will be sometime off in the future.. Guess we have to keep our fingers crossed..and hope for the best..and for time to go quickly.