JacobsMommy

I have my pcp letter of approval/recommendation. I will submit everything next Tuesday after my pre - op class. This crap is nerve wrecking

*drum roll* I called Cigna a moment ago and I am officially APPROVED! !! #BAM#CAUSEIMHAPPY# SLEEVERSROCK

Feel better and take it one day at a time.. Happy losing!

Good job. Just keep following the rules and learning to listen to that brand new tummy

Wishing you a speedy rocovery! Remember walk walk walk and each day will get easier.

Thank you for your story. I will have surgery next week and some of these stories and YouTube videos are depressing and horrifying! But this story is encouraging!

Lap Band 9/2007 by Dr Spivak in Houston: 20 lb weight loss immediately after band. Lost another 60 with running, boot camp, exercise and benefit of band as tool to eat less. Reached weight of 135 and felt great, but intermittent episodes of severe restriction, vomiting. Dr Spivak had moved out of the country and his website directed his patient to the physicians at TLC Surgery in Houston. Made an appointment with Dr Sherman Yu. Found out in July that my esophagus and pouch were dilated and i had reflux esophagitis (asymptomatic). All Fluid had to be removed from band and I returned to bad habits. Gained 50 lbs back and felt miserable. I was approved for band removal and revision to sleeve right away, but I chickened out and canceled my surgery in February thinking I could do it on my own. Wrong!
i rescheduled and had my revision on 5/12/14 at Park Plaza Hospital. In the hospital, I received IV acetaminophen, dilaudid PCA and the On-Q painbuster ball. I walked 4 hrs after surgery and went home around noon the next day. The staff at PPH was amazing. Dr Yu gave me prescriptions for pain and nausea meds at my preop appt so it would be available when I got home from the hospital. He also is using new compounded lotions/creams for scar, nausea and pain which I am using as well. It is pod#4 today and feel great!! Of course, I have some incisional pain, but I really cannot complain at all. The last time I took pain meds was 2 days ago. I was sent home with the On-Q pain ball and removed it myself on pod#2. No nausea or vomiting, able to drink without problems. I drove myself to the movies yesterday and walked 2 miles today. I hope I'm not speaking too soon and jynxing myself, but I really don't think so. I just wanted to put a positive experience out there for those folks who have heard the horror stories. Best of luck to all!

I dont even think of my WLS anymore like I did with the band. I feel really good and dont even realize im missing part of my stomach. There's no worry about food getting stuck, throwing up because food is stuck, worrying the band has slipped or fear the bite you just took was too big and its gonna get stuck.
It is easier to over eat with the sleeve though. You have to make sure you stop when youre satisfied and not full. That takes some practice because sometimes what your eating tastes so good and you want more of it! But take your time eating and enjoy the food. Measure out your portions and stuck to that and not to go back for more.
I just wish I had the sleeve originally and never had the band to begin with.the sleeve has been great!

I have lost 160 since my revision and am at a healthy weight.

I was banded to sleeve on 4/10, I'm down 31lbs. Everyone is so different. Best of luck to you.

Only my husband knows. Didn't tell my kids or parents.

Out of my family only husband and my 2 sons know, nobody else. I too live away from family and when I have seen them they comment on loss and I just say "thank you". I'm sure there would be lots of snide comments if they knew.

@slvrsax agreed.. I too had buyers remorse for the first 4 days on day five, I knew it was going to be ok... Day 4 I think was the hardest day of them all...

Another thing you can do is organize your closet. It makes going shopping in your own closet more efficient and fun (wink)

I'm 8 days out of surgery and I expected to feel emotional at some point but I haven't at all. Bring your own pillow to the hospital, I found that really comforting. Just get your head ready for not knowing what to expect and realizing there could be many what if's. Basically it was been an extremely easy road for me and I realize that this is not everyone's experience. My only thing is bad breath. I think a small price to pay for never feeling hungry or craving anything. So far I'm 15.2 down (since May 1). Good luck, relax and honestly you will think it's the best decision you will ever make.

I had a moment about a week before surgery when I kind of started freaking out a little..... But it helped me to just go back and remind myself of all the reasons why I chose to have the surgery. Also know that the pre-op diet and the first couple of weeks after the surgery can be difficult emotionally. Prepare for that and just know that it does get way better and life will return to a "new" normal very soon! Good luck to you!

Prepare yourself for a wonderful journey. It can be challenging at times but mostly very rewarding!
I was not expecting to have buyer's remorse post-surgery, but I did. For about five days. I've learned since that it is totally normal, but when it happened to me it really freaked me out! It cleared up in about five days when I started feeling better.

Keep busy. Read a book, go window shopping to see all the fashions you will be able to wear when you lose your weight, watch movies, etc etc. Don't overdo it before the surgery. Seems as though your current situation is pretty hectic. Prepare for your surgery to make sure you have the foods that you can have on first two phases of eating Buy broth, Jello, Protein Drinks, etc etc. B
The next two weeks will fly by.

try to relax... you got this, we are all here to support you make sure you pack chap stick... granted I had my surgery in Dec, but I found that was one thing I was most happy I had, my lips were so chapped...
Honestly, what kept me calm... the thought that after surgery I am going to start living my life rather then just existing in it... It was the best thing i have ever done for myself.
Wishing you peace of mind as you prepare!!

I wanted to share a NSV!
I have been going to my chiropractor for about 6 years, however, I haven't been there since a week before my sleeve surgery (Surgery was Dec 11th 2013)...
Anyway... When the Dr came out of her office to greet me (I was the only one there) she looked at me, then looked around, then looked at me & said to me "I'm sorry I was looking for someone else.." I gave her a big Smile & said "how are you?" she looked back at me & said "OMGoodness - I was looking for you, but you weren't the "YOU" a was looking for... WOW you look amazing, I didn't even recognize you - You look so happy!!"
Such a great feeling!!!!

I had a drain tube for 2 days. It was a relief to be rid of it, more mental than anything else. good luck!

Every plan in the nation is different you have to call you company. Just because it's Cigna doesn't mean all Cigna is same.
My Cigna is $4500 deductible and 15% to $9000 out of pocket. My cousin has Cigna and it's $500 deductible and 10% to $2000 out of pocket
It depends on what you purchase if individual plan or what your employer purchases

Horray for me!!! Riding the struggle bus no more!!! This gal just got APPROVAL!!!

Congratulations to everyone! ! We must keep in touch! I am super excited about our new journey! Sleeve buddies!!

I love kickboxing!! it really does tone your body and give you a sense of power! After each class, I felt like I could conquer the world. However, I over did it and developed planter fiscitis in my foot. Be sure to wear good shoes, take plenty of Water, a towel for the ton of sweat and have fun!