Beth Pets

It only took BCBSNJ four days to approve my application! My surgery date is confirmed for Sept 16th. What a relief! After reading so many delay horror stories I was in dread of being turned down. Now I just have to worry about my pre-surgical testing. I made my appointment a whole month in advance (the maximum) of my surgery in case there was a problem. I have also read of last minute delays because of EKG problems. I also made an appointment with my cardiologist just in case I there is a problem and I need his OK.
My doctor only recommended that I cut down on my food intake and chew my food thoroughly so I have only lost 16 lbs so far. I may ask him about a liquid diet in September to lose a little more. I have enough sample shakes to live on for a year!
I'm so happy that I can't sleep!

Hi, I'm in Bergen County and I just received approval from insurance today...Yeah! My sleeve surgery is scheduled for September 16th at HUMC by Dr. Doug Ewing from Advanced Laparoscopic in Paramus. He sleeved two of my clients in the past year and they were very happy with the whole set up so I decided to finally take the plunge.
I'm still not nervous about the actual surgery but I'm stressing about the recovery time. I hate to be away from work for so long and I am hoping that 2 weeks will surfice.
I live alone in my own house but I have a ton of support from my friends and clients. Still, it's really nice to have a support group to turn to during moments of complete panic! It's good to have people who can tell you that it's just gas...not certain death!
I'm pretty excited and ready to get this started!

When I had my sleeve done about one third of the other folks on the Bariatric wing were originally banded and had to go through getting it taken out in order to be sleeved. Frankly, I think she's right. There may be some successes with the band but the lower rate of loss and the even more rapid rate of regain seems to indicate that, in general, it isn't the optimum choice if you want to lose weight and keep it off.

When I quit smoking I went through almost a year of depression and anxiety. Finally, my body became adjusted to the intense change I had put it through by breaking an addiction. I fully expect to face the same problems with weight loss.
If it were easy to break an addiction, everyone would just toss their cigarettes, drugs, alcohol and chocolate cake and take up knitting! Even if you can mentally adjust it takes many months, even years, for your body chemistry to calm down.
I would not be surprised to hear that there is an increase in chemical imbalance after weight surgery but I have not found any legitimate studies that indicate an increase in suicide. Can you please provide a link to these studies that you mention? Otherwise, it seems a bit irresponsible to drop a subject line like that on a message board like this.

When I quit smoking I went through almost a year of depression and anxiety. Finally, my body became adjusted to the intense change I had put it through by breaking an addiction. I fully expect to face the same problems with weight loss.
If it were easy to break an addiction, everyone would just toss their cigarettes, drugs, alcohol and chocolate cake and take up knitting! Even if you can mentally adjust it takes many months, even years, for your body chemistry to calm down.
I would not be surprised to hear that there is an increase in chemical imbalance after weight surgery but I have not found any legitimate studies that indicate an increase in suicide. Can you please provide a link to these studies that you mention? Otherwise, it seems a bit irresponsible to drop a subject line like that on a message board like this.

Whenever I have to focus and achieve an important goal for myself I notice that I need to become the "Star" of my own life. It seems a little selfish to most women. We are so used to putting everyone else's needs if front of our own.
My attitude is, this is the biggest thing in my life right now and it's a good time for everyone who cares about me to get on board and help me prepare myself and accomplish my goals.
Sure I'm into it. That seems ok to me.

I have been telling everyone I meet for the past 3 months! I just saw my gardener and he gave me a shout out on my countdown to Sept 16th and offered to take care of my garbage and pick up groceries until I can drive and pick things up.
All of my clients know because I have to close down my business for two weeks. My entire extended family is on board and I have a Facebook thread where 67 friends & Family "liked" my surgery announcement and then offered all kinds of support.
What is amazing to me is that folks seem really encouraging and truly interested in the whole deal. I am like a fun science experiment for my social circle!

I have been telling everyone I meet for the past 3 months! I just saw my gardener and he gave me a shout out on my countdown to Sept 16th and offered to take care of my garbage and pick up groceries until I can drive and pick things up.
All of my clients know because I have to close down my business for two weeks. My entire extended family is on board and I have a Facebook thread where 67 friends & Family "liked" my surgery announcement and then offered all kinds of support.
What is amazing to me is that folks seem really encouraging and truly interested in the whole deal. I am like a fun science experiment for my social circle!

When I quit smoking I went through almost a year of depression and anxiety. Finally, my body became adjusted to the intense change I had put it through by breaking an addiction. I fully expect to face the same problems with weight loss.
If it were easy to break an addiction, everyone would just toss their cigarettes, drugs, alcohol and chocolate cake and take up knitting! Even if you can mentally adjust it takes many months, even years, for your body chemistry to calm down.
I would not be surprised to hear that there is an increase in chemical imbalance after weight surgery but I have not found any legitimate studies that indicate an increase in suicide. Can you please provide a link to these studies that you mention? Otherwise, it seems a bit irresponsible to drop a subject line like that on a message board like this.

Ahem ... are you hypothesizing this is a common problem for WLS patients?
If so, this is the first I'm hearing about it.

I've lost 120 pounds and now weigh 118. My feet were 9w. Now they are a... 9. WTH? My daughter summed it up for me when she came over last time when she looked at my feet and said "Mom, you lost so much weight but you still have GIANT HOBBIT FEET!!!". Don't be jealous, girls, she'll ALL mine!! Lol
Thanks to her I can't help but think of my feet as Hobbit feet now... :-p

Began my two week pre-op liquid diet today. I've been so apprehensive about this particular step. Not the surgery though! I ate a healthy dinner last night. Woke up excited. I now have only 13 days, 19 hours, and 34 minutes until surgery!

Hello,
Not sure if your surgeon gave you ideas for all liquid diet. But, I had chicken broth, sugar free Jello, popsicles and continued to drink the required Protein shakes. It was nice to mix it up a little with the liquids. Good Luck to you!!

Thank you! Yeah, I'm thing I should go ahead and reschedule for a week or so out of post op. Thanks for your reply and good luck with your surgery!

Hi, I am in the exact same boat and my Endo is taking me off of some piils 2 day before, some the day before and he cut my insulin (I take a very small amount) in half before surgery. I was told to bring a detailed list of the medications I take as the hospital will provide any drugs I need while I am there. I am guessing that most folks going out of the country need to take their meds with them.
I have an appointment with my PCP 10 days after I am scheduled to come home and he can help adjust my meds if necessary. Since I check my own blood sugar I can easily adjust my insulin or even eliminate it (I sure do wish).
I hope this helps you decide how to deal with your meds.

I intentionally did not go near the scale all weekend. I woke this morning at 4am and went for my daily 4 mile walk. when I got home I drank some Water, took a shower then went to the scale...
...I am exactly 80 days post-op today. I lost 28 pounds in the month prior to surgery, mostly due to the 15 day 800 calorie Liquid Protein diet. So as I stood on the scale the happy dance began... today I am officially 100 pounds lighter!
THANK YOU SLEEVE! THANK YOU DR. ROGULA! THANK YOU BARIATRIC PAL! THANK YOU ALL WHO HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE. POSITIVE AND INSPIRED ME TO MAKE THIS LIFE CHANGING/SAVING JORNEY!
Today is going to be a very good day, the first of many more to come. Good Luck to all and remember, we can all do this together!

I have a very high BMI and I was only asked to reduce my intake by 20% and not to eat a giant meal the night before. Then the usual 12 hours of no food before surgery.
So far I have lost about 20 lbs.

Well in a couple hours I will be leaving for the hospital. Surgery should be about 10:45. Praying for a speedy recovery with no complications.

My surgery is scheduled for 8am. I need to arrive at the hospital by 7. im too anxious/nervous to sleep any longer. i keep having very odd dreams about the surgery, like deciding to go out to Breakfast before the surgery or sleeping too late and missing it. I have so many emotions coming up. im happpy and yet i feel alittle sad. maybe thats the am i making the right decision feeling. I know am, i kno all the pain i go through will be worth it even if it doesnt feel like it later today lol. if i can i will check in later today, and let you know how everything went!
Good luck to everyone getting sleeved today, Here's to us!!!

Don't be scared , it's nothing to it , just be ready for the life change

What a jerk! He should have mentioned the possible side effects of the pain medicine as well.

Do you have pain and red bruising around your incisions. If yes, then go to the ER. If you are in severe pain that may not be normal five days out. I would go to the ER. Better safe than sorry! Best wishes and congrats!!

Congratulations on your decision! My surgery is scheduled for 9/22. I'm currently doing all the tests. Each one isn't so bad, but the total amount of appointments gets overwhelming. Just taking one day at a time. My sister had her sleeve in December. She has met her goal, and couldn't be happier. I'm so happy for her and proud of her. She is my inspiration! Best of luck.

I've pretty much struggled with my weight since childhood. It took me two years to decide on having the surgery but my employer pays for it, I thought it would be crazy not to have it. I have a psych evaluation tomorrow and I believe they call it an EDG on September 15th. After that I should get a surgery date. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I know this will save my life.

It looks to me like Oregon is among the 26 states that do not require insurance policies offered via the Exchange to cover bariatric surgery. However, their in-state health coverage for needy folks, the Oregon Health Plan, does (or at least it did as of a few years ago) Since the OP is a college student only working part-time, perhaps she is eligible for the Oregon Health Plan?
http://www.oregon.gov/oha/OHPR/EHB/docs/Final%20EHB%20Summary%20Presentation.pdf
http://www.katu.com/news/local/126001408.html