jjinWA

Thanks for the info. I had an appt with my NUT today and she explained taking liquid vitamins that first week was not necessary. So you both provided me with the same answer. Nice! :-)

God speed to a quick and happy recovery to all of you that have had your surgeries this month. Good luck to all of those that remain scheduled for their surgeries this month. I start my prep diet one week before surgery on the 17th. For me, that will be when this all becomes more real for me. I do have a question for anyone that can help me... I know the diet the first week AFTER surgery is clear liquids... Should I be starting my vitamins that week also. If yes, these would obviously be in liquid form. How long before we can graduate to the chewables?

I hear you! I read those threads in that forum as well. Big Mistake! Scared be big time. I too said that it gave me pause as to whether I am doing the right thing. I put that out there and I was quickly told that if I felt that way, then don't have it! Ha... Nice. Anyway instead I talked with my surgeon and explained my concerns. He of course started off by saying all surgeries have risks. He answered all my questions and definitely brought me back to a more normal reality. Keep in mind that there are thousands of use on this site. There will be a few with issues. But go back to the threads of those of previous months and years that have already had the surgery and had good results. If you follow plan as prescribed and follow post op instructions your risks go way down. Keep telling yourself that. I am not going to simply tell you that if you have doubts, don't have it.... Instead I am going to say go for it! It is a start of a new life! You will be fine. I say this to myself every day. And stay away from those threads about complications. :-). Good luck!

I heard back yesterday. No luck for me. My ins declined. :-(

I applied for the protein shakes through this company. Have not heard anything bCk from them yet. How long does it take before you get a reply.... How do I know if they sent the request to my ins?

Glad to hear all went fairly well and you are home!!! Good for you.

I think the reason I had to show proof of weight previous two yrs is my ins companies way of preventing fraudulent weigh ins in the current year. A lot of ins companies requires this proof.... Some even further back then the 2 years I had to provide. You should probably check that out for sure.

I have not seen an ins plan that covers under 35 BMI. Usually it is set at 40 unless high risk factors exist such as high blood pressure, diabetic, etc, then the threshold is set at 35 BMI. Not sure if you did the surgery in Mexico what requirements they have.

All drs are different in what they require. And the current weight is also a big factor in what is required for pre-op. At least that is what my surgeon told me yesterday. The higher the BMI, the longer the pre-op diet.

I have fed BCBS. 3 months with a NUT, physc eval, proof of weight 2 years before(2012 and 2013) and dr requirements of EGD and cardiac consult, and some blood lab results. So far, out if pocket about $500 which included my $350 deductible. Not sure what my surgery will cost me once the ins pays what they contracted with the hospital and drs.

Yup, these are very good steps and certainly doable. Weight watchers follows the plan that you can eat all the fruits and veggies you want. I once was told that you will easily stay in you calorie intake limits if you follow this theory. An Oreo cookie and a small apple are the same calories. I can eat a whole package of Oreos in one sitting but I can not eat the same number of apples.... Good example for me to follow. :-). I still would look into Mexico option. Can anyone that had the surgery recently in Mexico give their updates as to how they started the process and did their research... And a range of how much in cost.... In a quick summary format. This might be helpful at this point.

My sister had the band. It was with miserable outcome and no real long term success. She was approved for revision to a sleeve and has lost all her weight gain (since she was banded) and more. Look for a new bariatric surgeon and rule out any medical issues before you beat yourself up too badly. It is discouraging to gain weight back but it could be other things aside from bad choices and loss of control. Could be several factors that you are not even aware of.

Don't give up after the first attempt. Find out why you were denied and seek out what steps were missed as part of the "hoop" process. Go at it again and ask your surgeon and his staff to request a review of denial. That is usually a 30 day process. And if all else fails, Mexico is another viable option. I have followed the comments here on the various threads and it seems most have had good luck and very competent surgeons. I have been approved by BCBS for surgery here in my home state, but my daughter is still waiting on her ins approval.... She is Aetna. If they deny, if will support her to go to Mexico for the surgery. I will be by her side the whole way! You are right, it must feel like the end of the world and soooo disappointing. But Mexico is another option, don't rule that out if your review is still unsuccessful.

It seems like so far out, but yet we will blink and it will be here. Yeah!

My instructions for surgery post op diet from my surgeon says...Most protein powder drinks or ready to drink (RTD) proteins in a can should be consumed within 20 - 30 minutes to obtain the best protein value. Be sure that the protein you choose does not contain any more than 200 calories, has at least 20-30 G protein and no more than 5 grams of sugar. Also be sure that it has a full-chain of essential amino acids.... So not sure how this works with the other facts noted in this thread. So confusing.

I just got home from the final pre-op visit with my surgeon. My surgery was scheduled for 6-17 and is still a GO! I have to do 1 week Pre-op diet... 2 protein shakes and one lean cuisine meal for each of those Loooooong 7 days. :-). I think I can do it. I know I can do it.

OMG... I cannot imagine facing this recovery while working 11 hr shifts. Try to take care of yourself as best you can.

Thanks Sue for starting this thread!!! I love sharing the excitement and even the trepidation of having surgery this month. This thread keeps us all together! I enjoy seeing the various states we are all from. I even see I have a few neighbors in WA state sharing this journey with me. You are one of them! There are great support groups in Federal Way and Lakewood here in Washington. If any of you have groups like them near your area attend them! They are great fun and informative. Like this site there are all stages attending g... Those in pre-op status to those that had the surgery years ago. Love the opportunity it's to share our experiences and learn from each other. The two support groups I mentioned here in WA are hosted by the Franciscan Weight Management System NUTs. They are very sweet and very helpful.

Or very close to that date. It will be nice to have all of us to be sounding boards.

Cool. There are several of us on the 17th.

I have heard the tired thing is very normal. I expect this will happen to me too. This is a big jolt to the body. We need to give our bodies time to heal. Rest... Rest...Rest. You need it.

Ha! I call them "last suppers"

Funny, the girl I talked to said they can go back 8 years or more. I was shocked I did not give her anything more then my name and the states I lived in. Nothing else and they still pulled up my records.

The most common I hear is " you have such a great personality." Whatever.....

I am having my surgery by dr Houseworth in Federal Way WA state, at the Franciscan weight management center and hospital. They say we stay in the same ward as the mothers and new babies. Hubby will be with me for the overnight stay and can sleep on the extra bed in my room. Not sure I want him there overnight though. I may rest better if I don't have to worry about him. :-)