K_Redd

I also have UHC. Fortunately for me, my husband's employer choice of requirements was rather lax. My only requirements are be over 18, bmi over 40, and bariatric center of excellence. My surgeon can be either in or out of network. I can only have one bariatric surgery per lifetime and I get 10000 for travel and lodging if need be. Luckily I live 5 miles from the surgeon's office. I also don't have to do the 6 months of nurse counseling sessions thru optum . Good luck on your weight loss journeys.

I'm over 8 months out from surgery, and I agree, our memories tend to be pretty kind (unless we had reaaaaally bad post-op experiences). I just went back and looked at some of my forum posts from the days right after my surgery, and I was a hurtin' unit for sure! I remember how much it hurt to swallow even the tiniest sips of Water, how I asked my surgeon for reassurance about those twisting cramping pains in the first three days post-op, and he just smiled and told me to keep drinking. I wanted to cry! I remember not being able to sit or lie down comfortably at night. I definitely do remember how sick to death I was of chicken broth and Jell-O! I remember my awesome nurses fussing at me for using my heating pad over my incision area (but that warmth was so soothing) and they scolded me for sleeping too much (well, yeah, morphine makes me drowsy, and a healing body wants rest).
I remember thinking I was going to throw up, faint from dizziness, and/or just plain fall over and die when I had to take my first recovery-hallway walk. When I got home and was on full liquids, I got so discouraged when out of nowhere I developed an intolerance to my favorite Protein Shakes. Eventually, I became able to tolerate the whey Proteins again--thank goodness. As I went through the stages of post-op eating, my digestive system had to sort itself out and decide if it wanted me in the bathroom every ten minutes or only once every three days. Stool softeners, Fiber, Vitamins, antacids--I had to figure out a new balance to all of it. It wasn't pretty, but I made each milestone, one at a time.
I know "it gets better" becomes the last thing you want to hear...so how about "I promise it won't be this bad for very long"?
For me, the first four days were the worst. By the end of the first week, it was starting to slowly improve. I think it took two weeks to really feel like myself again. Be gentle with yourself; surgery takes a lot out of us, and it takes time to let all that sleeve-swelling and incision tenderness subside. Take it one day or even one moment at a time. When I was in my first week or two post-sleeve, it helped to look at time in VERY small chunks. Try to get through a morning (or just one day) instead of worrying about next week, so you don't feel overwhelmed. Before you know it, you'll be looking back, thinking "wow, I have come such a long way!"

I'm so sorry for what you are going through! I didn't have your exact experience, but I did have strong aversions to certain Protein shakes after surgery. Everything they gave me in the hospital (green Jello, chicken broth, grape Isopure, lemon Crystal Light) still make me gag just to think of them! Blech! All vanilla and chocolate shakes still make me sick-ish. I used to drink the Atkins Mocha Latte shakes pre-op and thought they were delicious. Now I hate them.
At any rate, God willing you will find something soon that sits a little better in your very delicate tummy! I found that the Fuzzy Navel and Pink Grapefruit Flavors of Syntrax nectar tasted OK to me. I also found that, although "broths" weren't great, I could make the packets of the old Lipton Noodle Soup, strain out the noodles, and enjoyed the flavor. Also, the tropical flavors of sugar-free popsicles were a lifesaver. You can't eat them too fast, which helps protect you from that discomfort of taking a big swallow of liquid accidentally.
I had to take a lot of anti-nausea medicine and antacids after surgery. I assume you are taking both?
I hope more people chime in with ideas for you! Blessings - may each day be better!

My PCP has already started documenting my rashes and issues underneath my breast and on the top part of my stomach so that I can get a breast lift and reduction and have the insurance company pay for it.
I haven't had surgery yet, but he said to start now because more than likely my breast will sag even more after the surgery and are sure to cause more rashes and issues, especially with my hot flashes. I was told it's the best way to get them to pay for it by my HR coordinator. Our insurance is pretty liberal, I just need documentation from a doctor. But I've taken pictures too. Every time I get a flare up, I've taken some pics myself. Just in case.
So, I'd say start now. keep receipts of any over the counter products you have to buy that would apply to skin issues. If your doc subscribes any meds keep track of that too.
Good luck and great job on the Weight Loss!

YES, just had a panni/TT on 10/17/2013.
First printed the ins. criteria from their website.
Took that to my pain management dr. who wrote a letter echoing EXACTLY what ins. wanted.
Wrote my own stuff about how my co-morbidities are resolved, importance of exercise in keeping weight off and co-morbidities gone. How excess skin impedes exercise.
Took all that to plastic surgeon, was approved in less than a week.