Mel24

I got a call on Wednesday from the insurance person at the Dr. office. I figured it was to tell me she was ready to submit the application, even though we had to wait 3 months for supervised WL. Turns out she was calling to tell me she had already submitted and it's been approved! I was flabbergasted! I figured I would have to finish the SWL and then submit at the very end of May. Then hope to have surgery by July! Today, I got the call from the scheduler and I am scheduled for Monday May 4! I have my pre-op appointment/class on April 15, so I will know more then. I do know that I will NOT have to do a 2 week liquid diet, only 24 hours. So I had mentally prepped for July, not early May (like 5 weeks). I am trying to wrap my head around this, I know I "want" to do this, but now actually having the guts to go through it... that's a different story. I have never had surgery before and it's making me nervous. Little back ground: Have Cigna insurance; Did weight watchers continually (and still do) for 4 years; had mental health counseling a couple years ago for WL; currently on Contrave (new WL drug).

I had a good appointment! Dr. said I was a candidate for the VSG, not the lap band. She uses a 36f bougie for the sleeve and has had lots of success with it. I have lost 8 lb since my first appointment with them a few weeks ago. Dr. wants me to lose 10-15 more, ending at 272. She started me on the pre op diet, low carb, low sugar, low fat, high Protein (90 gm a day). I am limiting my calories to 1400-1500. Hopefully we can get it approved with the WW stuff, if not I am looking at a late June surgery date. They are submitting it ASAP to see what Cigna says. I am glad I have a plan, and know what to do.

yay congrats!!

Congrats!!! You look amazing!!

Tomorrow I am meeting my surgeon for the first time. I've only met the medical assistant, Nut and Exercise specialist. I am super nervous to meet her and hear what all the testing has shown... Not that I think anything will come up. But I am anxious to hear about when we can apply to insurance. My insurance (Cigna) requires 3 mo supervised weight loss, but I've been doing WW for 4 years straight. So I am kind of hoping that those records *might* speed things up a bit. I'll know tomorrow afternoon!!

I have my morning latte everyday, it's sugar free and non fat milk, but it's my go to... I am really hoping I can at least have a tiny one post op.

@@My Bariatric Life I also heard that Jamie Dorian was not going to do the sequels... Hmmmm. I am not sure if there is any truth to that, but I really didn't buy him as Christian. That's just me. I really liked the idea of Ian Sommerholder (sp) as Christian, and I can't get over the fact that he isn't him... KWIM?

Yes very much so! The books were so much hotter. I loved book 2, so I hope they do the sequel.

Thanks! I am cutting cardio to 2 days a week, and lifting 3-4, per the exercise dr I saw at the clinic. I need to email him to see if I can do cardio with the weights! Adjusting from 2200 calories to 1500 has been a "shock" so I am glad it's not to 1200, yet.

Not sure if I am going to be April, May or June... But I will say hi anyway! I am Melissa, I am almost 37, married 11 yrs to my college boyfriend. We have 2 boys, 6.5 and almost 10. I have been doing WW since 2011, hence why I am not sure of the date. Go Seahawks! ????

What did the dr/NUT put you on for your supervised WL period? I am currently taking Contrave, attending WW, but don't count points. I have been battling the same 5-8 lb for a couple months. When I did my pre op visit, they did the Resting Energy Expenditure test and mine was 85% of average. So since I am only burning 1780 cal at rest, they (NUT) said I should eat 1500 cal to 1800 cal on heavy workout days. Any tips? I only have to do this for 3 months, but I am still hoping the insurance sees 4 years if WW records, and they will grant the approval. I meet with the dr on 3/12. TIA!

What did the dr/NUT put you on for your supervised WL period? I am currently taking Contrave, attending WW, but don't count points. I have been battling the same 5-8 lb for a couple months. When I did my pre op visit, they did the Resting Energy Expenditure test and mine was 85% of average. So since I am only burning 1780 cal at rest, they (NUT) said I should eat 1500 cal to 1800 cal on heavy workout days. Any tips? I only have to do this for 3 months, but I am still hoping the insurance sees 4 years if WW records, and they will grant the approval. I meet with the dr on 3/12. TIA!

Do you have a link?

I love COSTCO, it's one of my favorite stores! I get all the stuff for kids lunches and stuff for us. We get frozen veggies, ground turkey and beef (we mix half and half and food saver it), cheese, milk, sour cream, eggs, bread (kids), protein bars and powder.

Where do you get these? I am intrigued!

I am doing an online one for $100. My surgeon gave me the site, and said they have had good results. Check it out! https://www.bariatricpsychevaluations.com/

I started it last Wednesday, it took a month of back and forth with insurance to cover it. But they are! I am in pre surgery phase as well, but my dr said this will be good while I am waiting. So far, I am not eating as mindlessly as I was before. Whether that is a placebo effect or not, Who knows. My dr said the part that starts with the N works right away, versus the B takes about a month to build up in your system. I do have slight nausea on it.

I am finishing night 2 of my home sleep study. The sleep specialist that gave me the kit, told me they don't really need to do it in clinic unless you have nightmares, tremors, restless leg; where they need to watch you. If you are just being tested for sleep apnea, an at home should be OK. I am sorry you are having to go through this. I was NOT looking forward to the sleep test, but it's been ok.

I was told to stay away from soy if you can. Mine said whey is the way to go.

Friday was a big day, 4 hours worth of appointments. sleep Study set up, thankfully it's at home. I have to do it for two nights, and will finish that tonight. Yay. This was a part I was not looking forward to, maybe I am afraid of the results. Not sure. But I will find out on Friday what the verdict is. Medical Assistant did my body composition (down 3% in fat since August-woot!), EKG, blood work and metabolic test. They did the Resting Energy expenditure. Turns out my metabolism is slow, I only burn just under 1800 calories at rest. Well no wonder the diet I had been on hasn't been working. I've been eating too many calories. Which leads me to... Nutritionist, where we went over what the diet will look like and what my goals will be. It was pretty general in the sense that I didn't get much in the way of written instructions. She said the Dr. will go over that when I meet her in a few weeks. She did say to start getting in the habit of slowly eating and chewing a lot. She told me to find a Protein drink that I like and can tolerate for 6 weeks. She said she's not very "strict" on the nutrition label, besides being 20g of protein or more. She said she'd prefer that it be sweetened with Stevia. Ok, I can do that. She also said I should aim for 1500-1800 calories a day (more on heavy exercise days). I had been doing 2200, so this is going to be a bit to get used too. Then I met with the Exercise person who set me up on a strength training program to bulk up my muscle. He told me to cut back on my spin classes, only 2 now instead of 3. He wants me to lift 3-4 times a week instead, really aiming to build the muscle mass. He said the muscle mass will increase my metabolism which will burn more calories. I kind of knew that, but he was really cool; avid cyclist too! He gave me tips on wheels for my bike! Best part was telling me I will be back on my bike and spinning 4 weeks post op! That was the best news!!! Next up is psych evaluation on March 2, then I meet with Dr. Patterson on March 12! This was starting to get real, and I was very nervous last night. But I am feeling better about it. The exercise Dr. said most sleeved women lose 20-25 lb a month. Wow! So for those waiting to do the pre-op, this is what I did. Hope this is informative to you.

This is something that makes me nervous! Friday night is pizza night with the kids and hubby, and we try to do thin crust (papa Murphy delite) but I love it. I plan on doing just the toppings, but I am going to skip the pizza for a while. I know we will all be healthier for it. Maybe even make it at home with a flat out. Glad I am not the only one with this weakness!!

Great to hear! I have my first pre op meeting with the crew on Friday, then I meet with her a couple weeks later. I am nervous and excited!

My sister had the VSG done with Dr. Ortiz and had a great experience. She is now 2+ weeks post op and isn't having any issues! She's following the diet to a T, and just started eating mashed potatoes this week, she was so happy! She was off pain meds by the time she left for home. She did fly first class home so she was a bit more comfy. Good luck!

@@Jovie62 I am starting with OWLS and Dr. Patterson. I don't know anything of Dr. Halpin, but I have heard good things about the clinic! Good luck!