SugarFreeMe

Welcome to the forum. I personally am having the RNY on the 18th of this month. I chose this option for a couple of reasons. First, its the best option for helping to eliminate meds I take for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Also, because I tend to easily get heart burn the sleeve wouldn't have been a good choice. Another reason is that this surgery has the highest percentage of weight loss compared to the sleeve or band. Healing time is longer, but if I can get better long term results it's for me. Keep reading, asking and learning. Your journey will be easier with knowledge. Everyone here is awesome at helping with problems and providing encouragement and support. Congratulations on making this important decision in your life and best of luck to you.

According to another support group I'm in, there are people who use their FSA for Protein shakes and Vitamins. I will need to get a scrip from my Dr, but that shouldn't be a problem. I'm going tomorrow to my surgeons office to purchase my pre-op replacement meals from them - I'll let you know what they say then.

I've been trying to find out if the Protein shakes are covered by FSA accounts. Since the shakes are a requirement to support nutritional needs I'm thinking that if I have a prescription for them I could use the account but I just can't be sure. Does anyone use their account for these?

I'm so glad your okay. Also, thank you for the heads up. It's definitely something to watch out for.

During my psych eval I told the dr that the only real issue I could foresee was the coffee thing. He looked at me funny and asked what I meant. When I said I wasn't sure about giving up my morning coffee, he assured me I didn't have too. He did warn me that my new tummy might need a bit of time to warm up to it though. Also I was looking at my pre-op meal replacement packet and they even have a recipe for a shake that includes coffee and it doesn't say it has to be decaf.

I just spent the last 5 hours going thru both Target and GNC familiarizing myself with their products and what they have to offer my baby when I bring her home. It's very overwhelming. I have 5 different types of Protein shakes to try but I'm not doing that until AFTER because I know my tastes will change. Purchased liquid multi Vitamins and liquid D (I'm deficient) and the sub-lingual B12. I know I'll need more vitamins, but I have 2 weeks to get it all together. I do plan on having everything ready for when I get home. I don't want this to be a labor intensive process for my family, I want it to be as smooth a transition as possible for them. I'm searching for topics that hit on what others did to prepare for this, so I'm really hoping to be totally prepared. Thank you for pointing this out though, I'd hate to think that someone didn't cover this important part of the process.

Lynn, I'm so sorry for your loss. Loosing anyone is aweful but your best friend, I can't even imagine. Know that she's still with you in your heart and she'll always be cheering for you from above.

I start my liquid on Tuesday for surgery on the 18th. Not looking forward to it, but what's a girl to do? Pull up my big girl panties (literally big girl panties) and get thru it.

I'm not sure what your not seeing, I see comments on almost all posts. Give me an example.

Good luck, you'll have to let me know if it works. I just got my date today, so as of March 18th I'll be on the losers bench with the rest of you.

I got my date, March 18th. I'm soooo excited, I'm doing a happy dance. I have a 15 day Meal Replacement program, guess that starts on Tuesday, yikes!!!!! Not looking so forward to that, but if that's what it takes, I'm all in.

You've taken the first and most important step in reaching out. I haven't had my surgery yet, but I've read others say you need to go back to the beginning and start over again. Also I've seen others recommend this link as a re-start point after a long stall: http://www.5daypouchtest.com/index.html Hang in there, you'll get going again.

I'd still go, like Amy said it's a long process and the first appt isn't anything you need to do anything special for.

Finished all my appts today. Insurance (BCBL IL) approval has already been received. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get my date. I'm hoping for the 17th. Fingers crossed and congratulations to the other March surgery team members.

BCBS IL already approved me and I haven't even completed by surgeons prerequisites. They're usually pretty quick. If your surgeon is with a "Center of Excellence" the approval should be quick,insurances know they have higher standards and they only submit for those who WILL/DO quality. Trust your surgeon, they know how insurance companies work and how much time they need to allow for approvals.

I don't have a date yet, but I was told at my first consult that it will be in March. I have my last 2 appt's on Tuesday, then it's a matter of waiting for the appt call from the surgeon. Insurance is already approved, so I'm good there. I'm hoping for on or just before the 17th, my youngest (18yrs old) has that week off for spring break. It would be nice to have someone home with me for the first week. I get terribly bored, reading makes me sleepy and daytime tv is the worst. With him home we can play cards, put a puzzle together and just hang out which is something I normally don't have much time for.

I've not told many, just the people I'm closest too. I've started the conversations like this: "I've been doing a lot of research, talked with my PCP and put a lot of thought into something and I've come to a decision about my health." I then tell them about the procedure, what my hoped for outcome is (no meds) and tell them that their support is what I'm looking for because it would make it so much easier. So far everyone I've told has been great. There have been some who have hesitated with their response and those are the ones I assume aren't comfortable with my decision, but with my preamble I think I was able to stop any negative replies. Best of luck and know that this is about you, not anyone else. If your good with it that's ultimately all that matters.

My surgeon required pulmonary and that doctor required the sleep study. They are looking for sleep apnea or other sleeping issues. Interestingly enough, lack of sleep is a huge contributor to excess weight gain. The body doesn't get enough rest so it hordes fat because it wants to conserve energy stores. Anyhow, some require it and some don't. I will say though that the sleep study was probably one of the worst nights sleep I had. The place I had to go to was soooo noisy. I could hear people snoring, the staff using a microwave, toilets flushing. I went home and took a 4 hour nap.

You'll get there, I had to do most of the above, but it wasn't an insurance requirement, it was my surgeons requirement. I actually feel better about the process knowing they have high standards. Knowing all you can about your health will only help you on the other side of surgery. Best of luck

ChristmasJanet, My last appt is the psych test/eval on Tuesday next week. I had my pulmonary on Monday and the stress test today, all of which went very well according to the techs. I was told that I have "above normal" lung capacity, I'm convinced that's because I talk so much and my family totally agreed with me LOL I'm so hoping to have the surgery on or just before the 17th of March. My youngest who is a senior has that week off and it would be nice to have a gofer or chauffeur around with me.

I'm looking so forward to all those things you just listed. Things I can do, not things I can no longer due because of the excess weight. Congratulations to you.

I know it's gross, but when I get wicked acid reflux Gaviscon works for me. Your going to look like a rabid dog though because it foams up in your mouth as you chew. Good luck,

I have one more appt and then I'm also getting my date. I was just over-thinking everything last night after everyone went to bed and all was quiet. I just keep telling myself it's normal and in fact I would probably not be a good candidate if I wasn't nervous and anxious about the process. I know I'll go thru with it, it's just that "What if..." that pops into my head now more then ever.

You'll sleep tomorrow, tonight just try to rest. Best of luck to you both. Stay positive.

When do you finish your 6 months? Fortunately BCBS of Illinois did away with that requirement a while ago, I can't imagine waiting all that time. What other testing did you have to do? I feel like after this I should be good to go after being checked head to toe - Sheeeesh........