Jerzygurl

I told my folks and siblings..two of my friends...and my neighbor because she had it done..and will be a great help.

Wonderful News for you!! BCBS/Horizon of NJ is pretty much the same. Very fast with approvals. I'm looking at middle of Oct for surgery (hopefully). I've finished everything but the cardiologist appt (9/4 was soonest I could get) NUT & the Psych visit (9/3 & 9/11). Got an appt in the a.m with PCP to sign off... oncologist must also sign off (due to cancer history) appt tomorrow afternoon for that.... All should be finished by middle of September!!

Hello everyone, I'm a newbie..and here's my story: I've tried every diet and eating planning known to man, since the time I was 15 years old... some mainstream, some not so mainstream...from popping pills to the vinegar diet to the soda diet and from Atkins to the Zone... all over the course of 33 years. I've lost upward of 65 lbs, only to gain it back, plus some. I've had a personal trainer, a nutritionist, a dietician, a prayer circle and a shopping list...to enhance my weight loss chances. The only weapon (outside of WLS) I've never employed was a witch doctor, but if one could have promised weight loss, I would have probably signed up and tried it too. Suffice it to say, at this point in my life, I'm ready, I mean absolutely ready for a permnanent alteration to my phsyiology, not as a short cut but as a life long tool to help me, not only mount the monster but to conquer it and bury it deep without any chance of recovery. I have reached the point, after much careful study and research, after many discussions and conversations, where I am completely and utterly ready for WLS & the Gastric Sleeve. I am committed to completely changing my life, my eating habits and my exercise habits. I've been working out again with a trainer, light stuff, . I finished my final round of chemotherapy for OV cancer in May, and now I've gotten the approval to move forward with this new journey. I'm ready. I've started the process. Yes, I am ready. I look forward to reading everyone's story and being inspired by other's journey. Bountiful Blessings to All

AWESOME!!!

My neighbor had to go back to the NUT and the Psychologist several times before she finally understood, she had a food addiction and a killer sweet tooth that she had to conquer. As she stated: Both told her, the Sleeve and all WLS is just a tool, she must also be faithful and do her part for it to work properly.. She said, she finally realizes that she has an addiction like any other and must work to fight against it. She thought the WLS was going to end it all but it didn't it. Now she's back on track and losing. She also found out that she loved swimming and added that as her work out routine. I really wish you luck in your journey. I hope you figure out your way in this new way of living. Just thought, I'd share someone else experience in hopes that it would help. Peace and Love

When I had a hysterectomy in 07, I gave myself those shot everday for a month.

I was closer to NYC, but recently moved to southern NJ, not far from Atlantic City. I need to update my profile...bad habit really.

Thank you. Cancer to me is much easier to beat and conquer than losing weight.. for it's amazingly true.

Thank you...very much. Blessings to you and yours!

Ms. Yvette, Thank you for the prayers. Yes, we can do this...Cancer shall not win. I'm so glad to meet you and would love to stay in touch. Btw, doctor's office called this afternoon, all my test came back just fine, now for the cardiologist on 9/4 and the NUT on 9/3-- Moving forward...Moving onward. Glad to be your friend too...and thanks for the advice on the thistle and warm lemon Water... I'll keep you in the loop.. and you please do the same.

I just finished chemotherapy May 23rd. I was on a blind study (two pills a day of a tumor blocker) and Avastin drip. It's my third round of chemo for Ovarian Cancer, initially diagnosed in 2007, 1st round of chem 2008 and 2nd & 3rd (2011 & 2012). I had to be off of Avastin for 60 days before being considered for WLS. My oncologist & PCP have both agreed to let me go forward, especially since morbid obesity contributes to many female cancers, specifically breast (which I've also had in 2002) and Ovarian. I just had all of my physical test this past Wednesday, hopefully nothing pops up and I can move forward with cardiologist, NUT & pscy eval (all appts are already scheduled). My oncologist wants me to have the surgery ASAP just in case my cancer returns (OV cancer is very recalcitrant and insidious). So my fingers are crossed and I'm praying I get a clean bill from my tests and I can move forward. WLS doctor hopes to have all cleared for surgery by mid October. Good luck. No way I'm waiting for 5 years...it's been almost 6 since my initial diagnosis... WLS surgeon said best option would be the sleeve because there is no malapsorption issues common to RY and no foreign apparatus in the body like the lap band. So Gastric Sleeve it is...

Yep. My neighbor has BCBS Federal and it was a snap. I have NJ BCBS Horizon Direct Access and the doctor told me it's one of the fastest approval wise too. I actually was already approved months ago, but ran into a health situation, so had to postpone it all. Insurance company said as long as surgery is done this year, and the doctor resubmits updated paperwork and there are no drastic changes (there aren't), the approval will still stand and I don't have to go through the process all over again. So after my last appointment with NUT on 10/1, he's looking to schedule me very quickly.

If all stays on track, October sleever here as well. I've already completed my test, seeing the cardiologist 9/4, psych eval 9/3--dietician 9/11 & 10/1---PCP & Oncologist appointments on Monday 8/26--both will sign off.. the only hold up will be last dietician appointment..since insurance company need me to go to the doctor three different months consecutively.. Doc says hopefully October mid to late.

Yay!! Congrats! I was approved months ago, but had to do a stint in chemotherapy, then wait two months post chemo to get re-considered for the sleeve. So far so good. Took all my test, still have to see the Psych and the Dietician, doc says he should be able to get me in by mid October. The insurance company is making me see the dietician in two separate months for it to count as three consective consultations.. so I'm scheduled for 9/11 and 10/1-- I just can't wait..to start this journey. I wish it was October already..lol not that I want to wish away summer, of course.

lol it's okay...

Btw, you've done tremendously! Congrats on your journey....

Hmmm.. how do you feel about Tuna. Maybe adding some will up your protein intake. I love chicken, not much a red meat fan. The only shakes I've found that I've liked in the past were from Premier and Bariwise. Good luck.

I do an hour on the treadmill. Knees actually feel much better too.

Start by cutting back on your sugar intake, cut out your junk foods, up your Water intake and eat more Protein and fresh veggies and fruits... I haven't been instructed to lose any weight before surgery, but I decided to start on my own by cutting out junk, sugar and adding more protein, fruit and veggies. I also started walking last week, 3 days a week. I'm done 10 lbs in a month (went to seminar on 7/19). My first visit with the NUT is 09/11 I hope to go in there 15 to 20lbs down, so he will see that I am super serious about my decision. Just start slowly...switching out the bad stuff. I've lost a great deal of weight before, just was never able to keep it off..and the one thing I remember from my countless number of diets is more water, less junk, more protein, more veggies and more fruit.. worked every time. Good luck.

I'm currently 336. When I decided to do the sleeve a month ago, I was 346. I've been slowly cutting out sugar and drinking more Water. I figured, I'd get a jump start. If all continues to go as planned, my surgery will be sometime in the middle of October. congrats to all for conquering the Kraken...

Hello Sleevers! Hello my sisters and brothers from others mothers! I'm new to the forum. But certainly not new to trying to lose weight. It's been a life long battle and after much soul searching, consultation, research and thought, I've decided to Gastric Sleeve it!! Just finished Chemotherapy a few months ago, but I've finally gotten the go ahead from my oncologist and PCP to have WLS. They both feel, losing weight will help me in the long run, especially since morbid obesity plays a role in many gynecologic cancers. So, here I am. Went to the seminar on July 19th, had my first doctor's visit last week on August 15th, went to my mandatory support group this past Monday, August 16th, had all my test done today at the hospital, from the Upper GI to the EKG, to the labs. I have appointments on Monday with PCP and Oncologist for them both to sign off. Then I have my psych eval on 09/03, cardiologist visit on 09/04, first NUT visit on 09/11...and final NUT visit on 10/1... I have NJBCBS Direct Access and they've already pre-approved it based on my health condition and BMI, only need my oncologoist to sign off and me to visit the WLS doctor for three consecutive months... and they'll pay 100%... yippie! Doc said I should be able to get surgery by mid Oct... I'm so excited and ready to rock and roll.. Just wanted to share a little bit about me..and also to introduce myself to the group... thanks for listening and thanks everyone for sharing your journey... I've been reading quite a bit. Bountiful Blessings...to all.

NJ BCBS Horizon Direct Access is pretty much the same. I have to do three months of doctor's office visits/counseling/evaluations. My first doctor visit counts as one, and my two NUT sessions count as the 2nd and 3rd. The only key is that the 2nd and 3rd sessions must be scheduled in separte months. I'm scheduled for the 1st NUT 09/11/13 and the 2nd 10/01/13..and then hopefully I can have surgery by the middle of October. Doc said probably by Oct 15th...

You should be okay...drink plenty of Water and add cranberry juice to your diet. I know my bestfriend did and she passed, even after having smoked 6 days prior to her nicotine testing.

Yep, had all my testing done today at the hospital and he did not request nicotine testing. I guess it's because I'm a four time cancer survivor and he figured there'd be no way I'm smoking. He would be right, of course. But I know in the seminar class, he told everyone there, if they smoke, they'd have to go 6 months smoke-free before he'd operate.