SnohoGal98296

So as I was being prepped for my pre-sleeve endoscopy, the Anesthesiologist was chatting me up about what to expect and he asks "Do you have sleep Apnea?" and I say "not that I know of...", he presses on "Have you had a sleep study?", me "nope", "Hmm - Well you are now!". Sure enough, the day after the endoscopy (which went perfectly, thank you) my WLS center calls and says they are requiring a sleep study for me. I understand why, Sleep Apnea is a risk the Anesthesiologist wants to know prior to surgery, so he can know what to expect during surgery, and I totally appreciate why that is important and I respect it. What I am stressing about is, going through the study, possibly being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, the expense and distraction of getting the CPAP machine setup in my house (ok I admit it, I am little freaked out when "installation" people come in my home, much less my bedroom - I know get over it - but it does kind of freak me out) and then have my surgery and no longer need all of this stuff; time, worry and dollars lost. That is assuming that weight loss resolves the apnea. I am self-pay and while I know I snore, I don't have the other symptoms; like difficulty waking, being sleepy during the day or headaches. This is an additional expense that I am worried my insurance won't cover all of the costs and the test and equipment may cut into my funding for the surgery itself. Anyone else go through the test as a pre-requisite to surgery and then not need the equipment two months later?

I am June 11th - Scheduled to accommodate some international business trips, crossing my fingers none of those meetings slide!

Or juice on the rocks, have them add a squeeze of lime and no one will know it isn't a fully leaded drink. .. You could ask for a Virgin Mary, low sugar and veggies on the side :-D

Well I applaud you for your mature response, I find my inner bitch agreeing with "Bitch Please" and "Bite Me!", I mean really!

Lots of sunscreen, it is sun exposure that creates melanin that darkens your skin.

Yeah, me too, had my endoscopy today, so no more big hoops for me, the next two months are going to be tough!

My biggest recommendation would be to ask your local WLS center what local companies have insurance that covers WLS and see if any are a good fit for you, that way you get coverage for your surgery.

LynRN, I am so sorry for your loss. I know the world is spinning right now and you won't believe me when I tell you that it will get better, but it will. I lost my Father unexpectedly 17 years ago. It was such a profound loss I thought I would never get over it. But day by day it gets easier, never fear though, it isn't easier because I don't think of him, it is easier because I do. Let me explain, those deep feeling of sadness eventually mature to moments of joy when you remember "Mom taught me that", or realize "Mom would have said this funny thing about that"... Even 17 years later as I sat watching the Super Bowl this year, I thought my Dad would have been texting me something funny because he hated the Seahawks, and it brought me joy. You will get there. For now, embrace your grieving process, but remember your Mom would be encouraging you to take care of yourself. So do her proud, support yourself and your family through this tough time. Hope this is helpful,

Way to go! Congratulations!

Vanilla protein shake (pick your fave) mixed 50/50 with Oregon Sugar Free Chai Tea base (or you could brew from chai tea bags). Yummiest Iced Chai Tea Latte ever!

So I am pre-op, I have always been a size 9, that being said in the past 2-3 years I have noticed that my go to size 9 feel tight across the top of my foot, I tried 9.5s and 10s, and my feet drown in them. This is one gal who is hoping that my projected 100+ lb loss will help my feet fit shoes normally again :-D

This is one my goal NSVs, it is humiliating to be flying to Asia and all of the flight attendants are tiny Asian women, and having to ask for the extender, or worse getting a front row seat with the in arm tray tables, because my belly inteferes and the tray won't lay flat... so embarrassing. .. surgery date is June 11th!

Washington State -Seattle Area Bariatric Centers of Excellence, Out patient surgical centers (Not in a hospital) Prices range from $17,000 to $18,000 and that is with your insurance covering the pre-op tests billed against your comorbidities, like blood tests, psych evaluation, endoscopy, sleep test, etc. The $18k price included BLIS self pay insurance.

Is it possible she isn't saying anything because she has known you for your life long struggles with weight, that she is worried that you will rebound again and then her comments will be remembered harshly? I know when I have attempted diets in the past, I didn't tell anyone so I wouldn't have to explain when I would inevitably start gaining again. I guess I am applying this in reverse to her, she thinks that by not making a big deal she is supporting you or protecting your feelings, in what she thinks is a short term success. Just thinking of a different angle. ..

Hmmm, if it is a true "exclusion" then there is nothing their insurance gal can do, if it is a "well they haven't approved anybody yet", then a talented insurance coordinator can work miracles. ..

Hi, try doing pre-op diet search in the forum, there was another discussion just a few days on this topic, if I find I will send it to you. The jist seems to be that some Docs do and some Docs don't, and that there is nothing to worry about!

So I asked my surgeon about bougie size too. She said that bougie size is irrelevant if they find that the curvature of your stomach dictates another size. Meaning that they can go in with size 32, 34, 38 whatever, they still have to gauge how much of an offset from the bougie based upon your stomach shape to maintain a certain boundary for your lower stomach valve (sorry don't have the name of that valve in my head at the moment). That if they ignore your specific physiometry (sp?) it can lead to strictures and other serious problems. So he may go in with a 32 and your stomach allows for a close trim and match to 32, or they may go in with a 32 and have to cut away from the bougie to maintain that areas shape and you are closer to a 38. Maybe your doc says 38 because he will make a decision for smaller bougie once he looks at your stomach in real time? I hope I explained that clearly - but definitely talk to your surgeon... Maybe he has a different reason for his decision...

Seela, if you are between insurance you could check what local services are available through either your state or county or a community service like United Way. When I was in college I used a county medical office that was for young women and children, they accepted a much lower fee based on your current income, so a visit was only $15

Keep up the hard work Seela, you will get there:-D

I hear ya, but I think I will be ready to try almost anything during the pre-op or post-op liquid phases...

I ship things to hotels all the time for work, just check their receiving address and address the package Attn: Hotel Guest John Smith, I do talk to the concierge or the front desk and ask they put a note on the reservation as well. I have shipped cases of Meal Replacement bars to Taiwan, 12 packs of Mtn Dew to Hong Kong, you name it I have shipped it to keep my field service team happy. That said, commercially or home packaged single serve powder packets shouldn't be a problem in either your carry-on or checked luggage. They are concerned about gels and liquids, not solids or powders. Otherwise think of all of the bare minerals makeup that would be confiscated; -D

I'm curious why collagen based protein is not recommended? I haven't heard this, so I am just curious on their reasoning. Maybe it is a quality thing or an absorbability thing?

As a size 24 today, I stand in awe of you who say you used to be in women's sizes and are now wearing 4, 6, 8, 10 ' s etc! I have a positive attitude and can't wait until June for my sleeve! I would be thrilled to be a size 16, and over the moon to be a size 10! My surgeon had told me I will probably end up around 165lbs, but my true goal is 145-155 which would be the top edge of a normal BMI for my 5'6" height. The last time I weighed 155 was when I was 24 in 1992... I wore a size 9/10 at the time.

So I tried the Protein Plus milk, I love it. My son has been also been dipping in my Nectra Sweets for his post track chocolate milk! I didn't so much love the single serve Lucerne Protein shakes, but they only had vanilla... The mixing the Chocolate Truffle with Water - I have never tried water, I always mix with NF milk or with Almond or Coconut Milk unsweetened, of course - it is 35-45 calories to milks 80-90 calories, I am afraid of mixing chocolate with water :-D

Ok, so 21 years ago I was pregnant with my first, I was so sick from morning sickness (24 hr sickness!), I couldn't keep anything down, I puked multiple times a day because I kept trying to eat for the baby. I was not a skinny woman back then either! I lost weight for the first 6 months of my pregnancy, I was growing a tummy but losing weight! The Doctor and the nurses gave me a standing ovation when I finally gained a pound at my 7 month appointment! I was beside myself with worry the whole 6 months, but my Doctor said not too worry, that the baby and your body work it out so the baby is nourished. He was more worried about the effect on my body than he was about the baby! I ended up with a beautiful baby girl and less than 20lbs gained. My point is, the baby will take what it needs and that beautiful baby girl? She is in college, working part time and smart as a whip! Congratulations on your pregnancy!