waitingtoexhale

I've called my insurance if not everyday, 4 days of their 5 day work week since 7/22/14 to inquire of my approval. One C/S rep gave me her personal extension and said that I could call anytime and also told me that she'll personally call me if anything about my submitted paperwork, that's still in review, change. Ms. Carol also told me that she's off today 7/25 and if I could hold off calling until 7/26 that I may have some great news, she'll be praying for me... Lol! I just want my surgery date, upon completing all requirements, but I can't get it until the insurance approval!!

I'm fairly new to this only because I haven't had my surgery yet. I have NALC insurance and I've completed all of the necessary requirements including the 6 months of nutrition. My comorbidities are semi uncontrollable hypertension with constant changing meds, borderline diabetes, obesity induced asthma and physical therapy for my knees and feet. I am a female 4"11 and currently 219lbs. My paperwork was submitted July 21, 2014 my insurance states that the approval can take up to 30 business days soooooo, I'm still waiting on the insurance approval so that my surgeon can schedule my date. Btw. I am a usps letter carrier and years of this hard labor job has given me all of the above problems. So now you know how mail carriers can become fat after years of paving concrete, carrying heavy loads in a bag on your back, the older you get, the harder it gets for your body but the job remains the same.

@@Mrs.RRn sounds like she jealous! Lol!! It's amazing how people can talk about you when you're obese and when you lose weight!! You go girl and keep up the great work!!

Chicago!!

I'm from Chicago too!

I had surgery in Mexico in 2012 and had a wonderful experience. I have written some articles that you might find helpful. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I am an open book about my surgery. Just follow the links below and it will take you right to them. I hope the info helps! http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/306639-general-advice-for-those-researching-weight-loss-surgery-in-mexico/ The surgery was the best thing that I have EVER done for myself. I went from 235 lbs. and currently weight 149 lbs. I would do it over time and time again. Good luck to you!

So, here is how I fixed my Plantar Fasciaitis. Simple fix and it worked. Not only for me but for two others at work. I tried braces but they did not help. Inserts for arch support did not help. Get some athletic tape (Walmart has the package of 3 rolls in a box). Each morning wrap around the arch of your foot, just one wrap, starting on the inside just above your arch and wrap over top of foot and around coming back up to the top of the foot and cut the tape. You want to make sure the direction of the wrap pulls the arch in an upward direction for support I wore the tape all day and in the evening after my bath I put new tape back on. It helps to put a sock on to sleep as the tape will sometimes roll up at night. This method actually is a very inexpensive arch support and helps to relieve the stress so your foot can heal.

Thank you so much for this great advice!!

Yes! I've been calling my insurance since the 5th day (7/21/14) of them receiving my paperwork and everyday since! As of today I was told again that technically it's only been 22 of the at least 30 days for them to review and so far, they're short staffed on the decision making department but I should hear something maybe by Friday! I don't understand how they could leave a person in suspense for nearly the entire 30 days!! PS I was thinking to myself..... Decision making department read the paperwork and give the okay?!?..... What happened to medical doctors that actually understand the mechanism of obesity!!! But, I guess.....

I chose the U of C Dr. Prachard and staff for my procedure. I've done all necessary requirements including 6 months, 3 with a registered nutritionist and 3 with a registered dietician. I'm now awaiting approval from my insurance and surgery date, I have a soon to be ex, PCP at Trinity she's against WLS and sent a negative letter to the surgeons office for her own personal reasons, so I really didn't ask her for a referal, my main PCP is at Christ but they have yet to offer the program and she did suggest LCM however, my cousin had the same procedure that I'm having done at U of C, had a remarkable recovery and amazing results. Also a friend of mine had her GP done there with great results. I researched both doctors and was quite pleased. good luck on your journey Chicago and surrounding area ladies!

OMG! I thought that it was just me! I literally eat, sleep, breath my approval and surgery date! The wait is making me miserable when I'm at work, I put my earphones on and turn my phone face down because I can't read the forums so I listen to success stories on YouTube! When I get off I get in my car read a few threads here THEN start my car and pull out of the parking lot! When I get home, I take a shower, CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY to see if my paperwork is out of review then I email the hospital assistant who sends the information to the insurance to tell her it's still in review! I read more forums, google more before and after pictures, watch and listen to more success stories on YouTube, read more studies on my chosen WLS! I'm a mess! My husband just shakes his head! I do manage to cook dinner sometimes and other wifely duties but other than that, my entire days and evenings are consumed with this ordeal! The hospital staff is probably thinking, "damn we can't wait to this girl gets her WLS" lol!! Funny thing is, I don't talk about it to NO BODY! Ugh! I'm excited for the weight/wait to be over!

My doctor gives really vague instructions I am not comfortable asking him questions for help , what do you recommend ? Should I improvise?

I think that you should definitely NOT be afraid to question your doctor concerning YOUR OWN health. Although you may or may not (it seems) trust his judgement on this one, I suggest that you get a second opinion from another doctor. I've never heard of nothing but the benefits of Protein not only for WLS but in normal everyday life. Protein builds muscles. Take it from other WLS patients here in these forums and also do your own research. Your successful weight loss ultimately depend on you. Good luck.

Sorry for the crosspost in the success stories board also, but I wanted to post this here to encourage anyone just starting this journey. It's totally do-able, and if I can do it, believe me when I say, anyone can do it!!! So yesterday I reached my goal weight, losing 134 pounds in 10.5 months. I made a flipogram with all of my monthly progress pics to illustrate my journey to this point. It was pretty awesome to see and actually made both my husband and myself cry. It's been a LOT of work and I've grown tremendously in strength both inside and out on this journey. Ok, so I can't figure out how to embed it, so here is the link to the flipogram!

@@livvsmum girl you did that!!!!!

So there will be multiple answers to this question depending on your comfort level with certain foods. I had the sleeve and the guidelines given to me were : minimum 60 grams of Protein a day, monitor carbs and keep below 50 while you are in a weight loss mode. Fats fall in place if you are following the other guidelines. Increase calories, protein and carbs as needed to meet the requirements of increased activity and exercise. I use sugar free foods and drinks. I do not add sugar to things I eat. I personally do not have any problem with artificial sweeteners. They are prevalent in a lot of drinks that I consume. The guideline regarding sugar was that any food should not contain more than 12 grams of sugar per serving. I read labels and know what is in the food I eat. I could care less about Desserts or snack foods like chips etc. "fat free" foods are usually a signal for me to avoid them. Good fats are needed by your body to function. I usually get fat in my diet through nuts, Peanut Butter, olive oil or eggs. I do not avoid fatty foods but I am careful not to eat too much of it, such as bacon or sausage. I make sure it fits into my daily requirements. I use My Fitness Pal to track food intake on my phone and that allows me to make adjustments as the day progresses depending on what I have eaten. I think that you will be able to eat most anything you want. As long as it fits your daily intake requirements and you watch the amount of food you eat. There is no reason to be afraid of some of the diet foods, just know what is in them and wether they fit into you lifestyle change.

You summed this answer up like a "professor of sleeve!" Now, I can surely understand and your response made me even more anxious for my VSG date to arrive!

Congratulations on your decision for better health and normal weight! I commend you for taking charge of your life and what you want. Everything will fall into place as the psychiatrist will explain to you about changes that you may have to endure with family and friends. My cousin went through not having spousal support and now 5 months out, he's in love all over again and really don't want her out of his sight! Partially because he's a little jealous of her weight loss and sleek figure!

Have had really slow weight loss since I have had the surgery. Hit my 2 month anniversary yesterday and I have only lost about 30 lbs. I decided it was time to chart my food intake...protein, carb, fat and total calories. Hated to do it but I needed to figure out why I have not been as successful as others I see in this site. After only one day of charting I was shocked at my final tally for the day. 800-900 calories, which I think is in the ok range, but only 56% Protein and 36% carbs! Balance was fat%. So guess I will be watching the carbs much better from now on. I think that may be my issue with the dismal weight loss I have had to date. Funny how those carbs sneak up on you!

This is great to know! I will be charting after I have my procedure because I've read numerous post of charting vs not..... Good luck to you and I hope that you begin to see the results you desire asap

Ya'll I could just cry right now! I just got my insurance card and was finally able to pull up my benefits-not just the form that states bariatric surgery is a covered benefit...my surgery is indeed completely covered and on top of that it doesn't look like I'll have a million hoops to jump through! Requirements: Morbid Obesity, performed at a CME facilty and formal request for surgery to be performed. The last insurance I got stated bariatric surgery was covered but when I finally got the benefit paperwork it only covered a quarter of the cost. I had hoped when I made this thread, but was holding my breath to be told I once again wouldn't be able to actually get it done. 10 years, this time will be different. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm so excited!

Congratulations! Best wishes on your weight loss journey and I hope everything goes in rapid speed for you! I only wished that I would've done this at your age!

Dillards, Anthropolgie and fun little boutiques!! I freely admit, vanity is why I had WLS. I wanted to have fun shopping, I wanted to look good in clothes!! I TELL non-ops that it was preventive maintenance, and that is partly true, but deep down. I know how shallow I am.

Amen to that! Lol!! My surgery is due partially to hypertension and obesity but the other half is really due to me wanting to be the sexy woman that I once was about 12 years and 80 pounds ago:)

"I" do pray however, I don't add "WE" because I do understand that not everyone is religious or even believe......"I" am entitled to pray for anyone because it's my own belief and I don't push it off on anyone..... "I" will be praying for "myself" when my surgery day come However, "I" do totally agree with you "ALL" in this forum.... carry on

I've had plantar fasciatis, tendinitis and nerve damage in my feet for over 10 years! I've had multiple kinds of injections, night splints, soft cast, foot braces for my shoes, medically made inserts, medical foot rub, you name it and it all helped for only a short time I wasn't even as heavy as I am now when I developed it however, I do have a hard labor job that now, I really can't perform, this pain has hindered me from a lot and in return, I've gained a substantial amount of weight along with bad knees and hips:(. I will look into the website for other methods, it definitely wouldn't hurt to try...... Thanks for the information

@@jtickle I believe that If you're in the mental capacity to actually take the time to type such angry and judgmental messages, the way I see it is, you're in you're right state of mind and you are continuously thinking of what you want to say while typing ..... Shame on you I pray that you find inner peace to deal with yourself let alone any one you come in counter with. Bariatric Pal is a weight loss SURGERY forum where we come to voice success stories, challenges, share before and afters, meal plans, new Protein Shakes or powder and such. Not to bash others that may be less fortunate to even consider surgery as a tool or find a new physicshiatrist to deal with your new rage. Think about it, were you even in a gym before surgery? My heart really goes out to you and I sincerely hope you find what you're looking for or agreeable arguments. I don't think I've read a thread quite like this.

I'm getting mine done tomorrow. It's a tool so as someone who has yo yo dieted for years I say Do It!! You will never have to experience the struggle and I wish I would have made the decision earlier

I'm not having my VSG tomorrow however, I second your quote minus that part! I had the opportunity to get RNY about 9 years ago when I was 30 but chickened out because of all the side effects and the "open" bypass that was being done at the time, the band 4 years ago but didn't want anything foreign in my body and the effects that my aunt has suffered who's now considering revision to VSG after 4 years. I've researched the "sleeve" for about 8 months and now I'm waiting on approval and a date. Congratulations on your surgery tomorrow and may you have a speedy recovery and the health and weight that you deserve

Thanks for the information! I've never heard of this but I may just order the one for men as well for one of my post op ventures

Pre-op diet is now OVER! I just drank my last cup of broth (with 1 teaspoon of Thai peanut dipping sauce). Surgery is tomorrow morning. Last hoop jumped through. Bam!

I'm so glad that I start seeing more post about weight loss, the challenges and difficulties and success from Black/African Americans. Keep up the great work! I too may join "the challenge" that's on this thread soon:)

@@McButterpants Set goals and follow thru - soon, it will become a part of your new life. Excuses are part of your old life!

Words to live by! Great advice:)

You look amazing!! And I'm sure you feel as great!!