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During this process I ordered a few different books and thought I'd pass them Before & After - Living and Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Susan Maria Leach This book has advice on eating before and after (as the title indicates) There are 135 Low Carb, High Protein recipes in the book. Eat It Up! The Complete Mind, Body/Spirit Guide to a Full Life After Weight Loss Surgery by Connie Stapleton, PH.D. This book is written by a psychologist who also speaks at Obesity Help Confereneces. She talks quite a bit about how to not regain the weight after the surgery (which as we know can happen if we are not mindful) and how to incorporate body, mind and spirit. I have enjoyed both of these books and found them to be helpful.

INSURANCE APPROVAL TODAY!!! I have been walking this road slow and steady and I can see my "Oz" just ahead! Ultrasound for Gallbladder on Wednesday, Appointment with Surgeon next Monday and Nutritionist after that for pre-op diet. Looking like Mid May for surgery which is exactly what I was hoping for. I will have a month to recover and get a handle on new eating before I have to return to Grad school to finish up my last 2 classes in May and start an internship at the end of August. I'm hoping this will be enough time. Excited and nervous...more excited than nervous though....at least today :-)

INSURANCE APPROVAL TODAY!!! I have been walking this road slow and steady and I can see my "Oz" just ahead! Ultrasound for Gallbladder on Wednesday, Appointment with Surgeon next Monday and Nutritionist after that for pre-op diet. Looking like Mid May for surgery which is exactly what I was hoping for. I will have a month to recover and get a handle on new eating before I have to return to Grad school to finish up my last 2 classes in May and start an internship at the end of August. I'm hoping this will be enough time. Excited and nervous...more excited than nervous though....at least today :-)

Interesting event yesterday...no accident :-) I was at a birthday party for a friend of mines nephew and started talking with one of the grandmothers. She said she had been losing weight after having a special surgery....you guessed it, she was sleeved! I was able to talk to her and watch as she "filled" a plate (half a piece of cheese, 1 piece of turkey, and I think an olive) didn't drink with the meal, saying no to the cake, watching her chew slowly and thoroughly.......all of the things I have read about. Hearing her talk about no carbonation, sugars/sweets and carbs being a thing of her past and having to learn how to be a new person without food being the center of her world. I have to say seeing it was definately different than reading about it and I had a "moment" of "are you sure you want to do this?" Followed by a quick, "Yes You Do!" I am ready and willing to do the work so that i can live a full life! No more sitting on the sideline or living a less than fulfilling life because of my weight! This grandma decided the same....in her sixties. Not going to wait that long! Come on Insurance!! Let's get this show on the road!

I haven't heard back from Insurance yet. Hoping this week.

New me......I would be interested in support group and possibly workout. I live in Burnsville. Haven't been sleeved yet....hoping for mid May.

Perhaps you don't need to tell them anything :-) When they ask you about your weight loss you can say that you are under a doctor supervised low carb. weight loss program. That is true :-) Whatever you decide to do, it's YOUR story to tell. No obligation to tell anyone if you choose not to. Good luck!

My machine is an adjustable pressure one....goes up and down as needed during the night. I know what you mean....hard to sleep; especially at first! I actually set my alarm for the first couple of weeks. I needed to show 4 hours of usage each night for 2 weeks to be cleared for surgery. So...4 hours is what I did. However, now I'm getting used to it, learning how to maneuver in bed so that I can sleep and I've been able to extend the usage. Talk with the people that gave you the CPAP machine. They should be able to adjust the pressure for you. I know mine did. Good luck!

The part in the journey that we all hold our breath for.....approval. Sounds like it should be no problem and will have an appointment with surgeon shortly! I'm on my yellow brick road to the land of Oz (sleeve time).....yippee!

Good luck! Your new journey is beginning! Can't wait to be in your shoes :-) Let us know how all goes :-)

So everyone is in agreement that sippy cups aren't the same as using a straw? I guess I am picturing all of the toddlers I've seen sucking on those things like they are gonna get away from them! lol I really think they would help get the "sipping" idea down. I'm a gulper by nature so I'm a little worried about the sipping liquids thing.....

Fabulous!

No exact date as of yet but looking like it will be sometime mid-May. Let's get this show on the road! Nervous, excited, scared but ready. I have ALOT of living yet to do :-)

I just made a Walmart run to get some smaller plates, spoons, bowls, ice cube trays for freezing smaller portions, quarter cup snack containers etc. to help me on this journey in the beginning. I found most of it in the baby section. When I went to the check out the woman said, "Oh Oh! Your little one must be ready for real food!' I chuckled and said, "Yes..... I am"....she looked at me with a bit of bewilderment on her face and I just continued to smile. I realized we are all a bit child like in this process, graduating just like children to new utensils, foods and the like with each phase we complete. Here's to walking the path of "Gerber Graduates" Sleeve style!

I too was found to have sleep apnea. My surgeon and insurance (Healthpartners) requires at least 2 weeks on the CPAP machine with an average of 4 hours per night. There is a card in the back of the machine that is read to see if you are in compliance and how the machine is helping the apnea or not. I was just signed off on that part. It was just a little time added on. Shouldn't hold your process up too much.

I'm right there with you.....off to insurance today! Here's hoping we both have quick turn arounds with no problems. Time to get on with this! :-)

Chart being submitted to insurance today! Any ideas of how long for approval ? I have Healthpartners insurance ? Looking for Mid May surgery....fingers crossed!

Chart being submitted to insurance today! Any ideas of how long for approval ? I have Healthpartners insurance ? Looking for Mid May surgery....fingers crossed!

Found out at my sleep study appointment that I have to have 2 weeks of 4 or more hours a night. I was only at 8 days so have to go back next Wednesday. By then I will have the right amount of days. I DISLIKE this mask BUT....I will wear it four hours even if I have to stay awake to do it ha! I'll look in the binder again about the pre op diet. Last Healthpartners call tomorrow and Psych appt. on Friday and I'm finished! Then off to insurance I go. Getting excited! I can see my new life right around the corner!

I am saying that I am on a doctor supervised diet low in carbs......that is the truth :-) Much like an Atkins diet for those on the outside

Julie: I have gone back and forth about telling family for many of the same reasons. I got some good advice.....tell who you want as close to the surgery as possible. Let them know that it is out of courtesy that you're telling them. That while they may have their thoughts and concerns they are not up for discussion. You have made this decision for yourself and hope they can support you. You don't have to explain or defend your decision. Seems a little hard line but I think it shows your confidence in doing this and doesn't put you in a place to doubt and second guess yourself because of someone else's opinion. As a mom myself, it's time to take care of ourselves for a change :-) Good luck!

Way to go! Looking great!! So motivational to see what could be me in 3 months after being sleeved! Hoping to start my journey mid-May. Last appt. before file goes to insurance is April 4th.....

How exciting for both of you! Just keep trusting the process....it's got you this far and will continue to see you through the finish line (if there is such a thing as finishing :-)

I see that a few of you went to Meadowbrook Park Nicollet Methodist and had Dr. Jones for a surgeon. A couple of questions: I am wondering about the sleep study. I did it and was found to have sleep apnea. I've been trying to adjust to the mask and have been having trouble using it nighly. If any of you were diagnosed with this how many hours or days did you have to show use of the machine in order to be cleared for surgery? I have an appointment on March 31st and then last appt. with Healthpartners APril 4th.....getting close! Dr. Jones....what does he require for a pre-op diet if anything? Thanks!

Power aid and the Vitamin waters I am talking about do not have carbonation. I am hoping to get sleeved mid May. :-)