Kat23

My docs office said its ok to dissolve calcium citrate in water to take it if you can't tolerate it any other way.

I'm sorry....one more question. How tall are you? I'm the same age and same pre op weight. You're inspiring me to what is possible!

My wonderful husband just gave me my birthday present 3 days early because he couldn't wait. The man got me a new vitamix!! Crazy boy. That thing is cool. We are both pre-op and he got it for our journey and to help me continue to love cooking even post-op. He also got me a cool new scale (which I asked for.). Nice birthday!

Happy Anniversary! Good (hard) work! If you don't mind.....what was your starting weight and how old are you? Inspirational!

Congratulations! Worth all the hard work!

My gallbladder surgery was fine about 10 years ago. In less than a week I was up and running around. The gallbladder attacks hurt a hell of a lot worse than post op pain. the biggest pain was just the incision sites. Granted I was younger but I've always been a wimp about pain.

I have a friend who had Baranov and loved him by the way.

Not until end of April. You? How do you like the office?

Graber. You?

I chose RNY at my surgeon's recommendation. He has done thousands of RNY's and a handful of sleeves. He said he has seen many sleeves need to be changed to RNY. Each to there own but I trust him so I'm taking his advice. Scheduled for April.

I'm in the process now....my surgery is scheduled for April. I love him and his staff so far too.

How did it go with Dr. Graber for you?

That's why I asked...he's my doc too! I'm not until April. How was your experience with him?

Syracuse..who is your surgeon?

Our out of pocket costs are multiple office visit co-pays for all of our pre-op requirements and we have to pay for the nutrition class. Inpatient services (hospital services) are all covered 100% with a possible separate surgeon fee. Jury is still out on the separate surgeon fee. I've been curious about the contracted fees as well, but haven't come up with anything yet. The same insurance company may have different contracts/converage between different employers.

From what I understand every clinic/insurance/doctor has different requirements. We are in the middle of the process right now. (I say "we" because my husband and I are doing this together....his surgery is 5 weeks before mine.) I called the clinic in August to schedule a consult with the surgeon. They informed me that my insurance requires 6 months of "supervised diet". We began doing that at our clinic, visiting them once a month for weigh-ins. We went to a mandatory seminar and consult with the surgeon on the same day. Within a few days of that, the clinic called us to schedule surgeries and mailed us our "itineraries". They did all the scheduling for us. So, they scheduled clearance with our PCP, EKG, nutrition class (1 visit), psych consult (1 visit), and pre-op testing. Meanwhile, we keep doing the last couple of months of weigh-ins to satisfy the insurance requirement. The clinic feels we shouldn't have a problem with insurance or med clearances. We'll see what happens. Lucii - considering that every place is different....what your clinic is asking you to do doesn't sound too unusual. Even post-op instructions will be different depending on your surgeon. I hope this helps!

So, I keep reading about people going home with a drainage tube. My doc has not mentioned this. Can someone please tell me about it? Does everyone get one? Thanks!

I know we can never be fully prepared no matter how much we research, read forums, and talk to people. But, I'm wondering what you didn't know before surgery? What didn't the docs tell you? What surprised you?

I am so happy someone said this! I've been feeling ashamed as I've been in the goodbye tour as well! I thought I was the only one. Thank you!

I am wondering how RNY has changed PCOS symptoms. I know fertility may increase, but what about everything else? Any stories would be helpful. Thanks!

Thanks, everyone! That was helpful.