lauren8486

@@Bean80128 - I just came on the forum to post the same thing!

I was sleeve 8/5 (5 weeks) and between the pre-surgical liquid and surgery I'm down 37 pounds. I stalled for about a week and then GAINED 2 pounds. I don't understand how this is possible, I have 1/4 of a friggin stomach! My eating has remained Protein, Protein, protein (Boar's Head deli meat, fish, chicken, cheese and quiche). I haven't had sweets, carbs or anything from the "forbidden list". I've been getting about 64oz of Water a day (some days much more, other days it's a struggle).

Please let me know what you find out!

Hi All!

I was sleeved on August 5th and I couldn't be happier! I did a 2 week liquid diet and I'm on stage 2 of my post-op diet - so far I'm down 33.5 pounds (the office was shocked and made me get back on the scale, lol). I see a lot about cravings and trying to forge ahead on the post-op plan but all I can think about is MEAT! I have zero interest in sweets, fruits, veggies or snack foods. All I dream about is meat. Lately I've woken up literally salivating over a fresh crab cake topped with a poached egg and some hollandaise sauce (when my husband and I first started dating, we ran a restaurant review blog). I am one of those "follow the rules till the end" people and I know right now my new stomach can't handle meat or anything like it but good golly, these cravings are insane. Last night my husband was eating some fresh sausages and I actually licked one (bizarre, I know) but it was like I got a peak into heaven for a moment.

Is anything else going through this? Tell me I can't be the only one who licks meat...

@@garbekr0118

What have you "cheated" with? Are we talking entire meals or a small bite here and there? If you're doubting yourself now, it's probably best to seek out a therapist and work through some of the issues and readdress when you're ready.

Hi All

Thank you all for the kind responses and words of encouragement. I am very happy to say that day 8 is much easier than day 1 was. For all on day 1, it's the hardest but it does get easier. I felt like everything smelled 100xs better than I remembered, foods I had never craved before (Vietnamese Pho, corn tortillas and egg rolls - to name a few) I now craved. I did figure out that if I made the shake and left it in the freezer while I blow dry my hair or watered my plants made it go down MUCH easier - dare I say I even enjoyed it. My surgeon has a very strict list of what I'm allowed pre-op: Protein Shakes (from a specific list, most Protein shakes are glorified milkshakes), broth, SF Jello, SF ice pops, SF 0 cal beverages and that's it. It was a rough adjustment phase but I think I'm over the hump and I'm looking forward to the finish line.

Again, thank you all for the kind responses. Best of luck to all heading into surgery in August

Hi All

I'll be having my surgery on August 5th (the day after my 29th birthday) and I'm on day 1 of my liquid diet.< /p>

This. Is. Not. Easy.

These Protein things are not my cup of tea. I've got GNC Lean 25 in chocolate Peanut Butter and Cookies & cream. I'm finding them to be too sweet, too syrupy in texture and just...not what I like. Can anyone suggest a protein that is maybe not a "shake" or a "smoothie"?

THANK YOU!

A coworker was sleeved 5 weeks ago, she says she craves raw veggies and salad like MAD. Our surgeon says no raw for 3 months so I've been eating raw veggies with spinach dip and salads.

I switched practices half way through. I was incredibly uncomfortable with the former practice and feel so much better/safer with my new surgeon. I was open with my insurance company and they supported me 100%. Make sure you fill out all the HIPAA release forms ASAP and have your records emailed to you (paper copies can get lost/damaged). Your new practice should have no problem accepting the prior doctors information.

GOOD LUCK!

Hi All

My new doctors office will be submitting a "conditional approval" with the insurance company within the next few weeks. I started the process with one office and will have the surgery with another (long story). Because of the sloppy work the original office did, the new office wants to make sure everything will be approved. They've suggested submitting everything for a "conditional approval" - basically, give them everything we currently have but note that 2 more weight documents and an EKG are being performed and will be included in the final submission. This way if they deny it, I have time to work on getting new tests or records and still have the surgery in mid-July.
Has anyone had experience with this? Is anyone familiar with United Healthcare Oxford, my insurance company?

Thank you!

@@theotherfatgirl - where are you located? The previous office I was working with used to "pre-schedule".

I'm workaholic and plan on staying home for 2 weeks but will be working from home. I have coworkers/friends who took as little as a week, as much as a month. Take as much time as you are given (paid) and if you need more time you are legally allowed it per the medical leave act. Speak to your HR department ASAP.

My insurance company told me I needed to maintain a BMI of at least 40 in order to be approved, even a slip of 39.5 could render it unaccepted.

Call your insurance and ask to speak off the record. Don't give your name or your policy information. They may even have a bariatric specialist that you can speak with.

Hi All

If you’ve read some of my past posts then you know the history, if not here it is in short. I started my journey with Dr. Ahmad at Mather Hospital on Long Island (where I live). After a few appointments/seminars, I just do not feel comfortable moving forward with his practice and I’ve decided to have Dr. Brathwaite at Winthrop do my gastric sleeve. It’s been an uphill battle from the start and the road seems to be getting steeper.

I signed a HIPAA release form (and gave them a detailed list of everything I needed) for Dr. Ahmad to release all my records so I could provide Dr. Brathwaite with the weight history, blood work, pulmonary, psych/nutrition evaluation, endoscopy & pathology report and ultrasound results. Dr. Ahmad’s office told me it would take SIX WEEKS for them to print everything (SIX WEEKS!?!). Luckily I still have 2 months until I can submit for insurance so I figured this wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Then I get an email that the records administrator “had time” and printed everything, it was ready for pick up. Awesome! I headed down to the office that evening to get my files. They gave me my ultrasound, blood work, endoscopy & pathology and pulmonary reports – they did not give me my weight, nutrition or psych evaluation. I went back into the office (I had sat in my car reviewing everything before I went home) and asked for my weight record – the most important part of the whole packet. I was told they “don’t release clinical information”. I told them it was part of my file, I had signed a release and I needed the information. Reluctantly, they printed it – or so I thought. Again, I went to my car to review and found it was SOMEONE ELSES RECORD. It had no name on it, no date of birth, no identifying information other than dates that this person had been weighed…dates that I wasn’t even living in New York for. Again, I walked back into the (now crowded) office and asked for MY weight record. The clerk huffed and puffed and printed the correct record. It wasn’t until I submitted everything to the new office that I realized they had neglected to provide my nutrition and psych evaluation. Dr. Ahmad’s office (the old office) is now not returning my calls/emails.

The other issue I’m having is with the weight record in general. It does not contain any clinical notes, it doesn’t state that the doctor reviewed nutrition and exercise information with me – it looks like a spreadsheet with weight on it. I asked the current office what this could mean for approval and they said they’re going to submit for conditional approval ASAP. They’ll give my insurance company, United Healthcare Oxford, all the information they have so far (with an explanation as to why I started with one doctor and I’m moving forward with another) and they’ll see what they say. With any luck, my insurance will accept the information and will only require my remaining weights and an EKG report.

I’m so afraid that my insurance company will reject all of the information so far and I’ll be back at square one. Has anyone dealt with something similar?

Hi All!

I just wanted to give everyone an update. I called the original office, Dr. Ahmad, and asked for some clarification on a few things...turns out he's not even the surgeon who would be operating! He'll be in the room but won't be the one doing the surgery...WHAT?!? After that revelation and speaking with my insurance company, I've officially switched practices. I just didn't feel comfortable with the way the old office was handling things and I couldn't allow them the chance to rearrange my organs!

As if the universe wasn't pointing me in the right direction already, I reached out to a high school friend to catch up. I haven't really seen her in 11 years but for whatever reason I was compelled to touch base. Turns out she's having the same surgery with the same surgeon TOMORROW! Ok, universe -- I get it!

Thanks for all the support guys!!

@@Butterfly512 - Let's get one thing very clear, the "easy" thing would be to sit on your tush and do nothing. The "easy" thing would be to live a miserable existence instead of embracing this wonderful tool. You are not taking the easy way out -- this isn't easy. Anyone who tells you this is the easy way out can suck a fat one.

It took me years to finally allow myself this gift and I couldn't more excited. I've faced my share of hiccups along the way but I can't wait to begin my new life. Use this forum to air out anything you need to, I do. It's been such a wonderful resource for me.

GOOD LUCK!

After sleeping on it and hashing it out with my husband (who is insanely supportive), I'm 100% going with a different practice. I called my insurance company to go over everything with them and was told that I should be seeing someone I'm comfortable with - they noted my file so that when it comes time for approval there are no hiccups. I've called the new practice and they are going to have their patient advocate call me later today -- they have a patient advocate!

I'm so lucky to have found such a wonderful resource in BariatricPal.com. Last nigh in the "group meeting" I was fuming and all I kept thinking was "I need to go write a post about this and see what others have done!".

Thank you all so much for the support.

Hi All!

I am NOT post-op but I'm hoping I can get advice from someone who may have had a similar experience.

I can't believe I'm even writing this. I had heard great things about Dr. Arif Ahmad and Long Island Laparoscopic but after my various interactions with the office, medical staff and the group meeting, I'm seriously considering looking elsewhere. My initial consultation went wonderfully, I felt comfortable and excited for the next step. Then...the other shoe dropped. I scheduled my first battery of tests (blood work, pulmonary, ultrasound, nutrition and psych evaluation) and off the bat something was wrong. I'd speak to one receptionist/scheduler who would tell me my insurance won't allow me to do everything on the same day so she schedules the tests on various days - then I got a call from someone else who asked why I did it this way and when I said someone in the office had told me to do it that way she said "oh, don't listen to her...she doesn't know anything". I scheduled everything for 10:45am (I had planned other things later in the day), I got a call 3 days prior and was asked to come in at 12:15pm as they had a scheduling issue (I rescheduled the rest of my day). I then show up at 12:15pm and was told everyone had been waiting on me! They rush me into the room for blood work, then into another room for the ultrasound then a 3rd room for a pulmonary test. I'm then told due to a scheduling error (again) I have an hour and a half until my next appointment. The nutritionist, bless her, was a fresh faced college grad who clearly had never struggled with food or weight and spent 20 minutes telling me about sugar free Jell-O. I was then rushed into a meeting with the psychologist (who is not a psychologist but a licensed master social worker - not the same). She spent, at max, 30 minutes with me (10 of which were telling me it's her birthday and then she was fielding calls from her mother) asking if I've ever been suicidal, what diets have I tried and have I decided who is going to drive me home from surgery. I was disheartened and confused -- I have friends who had the surgery with other doctors and who had wonderful pre surgical experiences, that's what I was hoping for. But, I thought "hey, you've already spent the $250 program fee and you have the group meeting tomorrow...it could turn around!".

I just left the "support group" and I'm completely disappointed. The "meeting" started with a 30 minute sales pitch from a Bariatric Advantage salesman. We were then "discussed" surgery...by discussed I mean we sat around in a circle, introduced ourselves and talked about how we can't drink after surgery. WHAT? I didn't come here for AA, I came to ask questions and be informed. The "group meeting" was again run by stick thin dietitians, not people who have gone through surgery and could give first hand experiences.

Bottom line...I don't feel comfortable. I don't think this is a competent group of people and I don't want to put my life and future into the hands of a bunch of halfwits. I run a business and had been conducting my meetings/schedules (I perform wedding ceremonies) based on the idea that I'd be having surgery in the middle of July, now I have no idea if that's possible and I could have potentially lost hundreds of dollars from clients.

Has anyone switched surgeons? Is anyone familiar with Dr. Arif Ahmad? I'm thinking of using Dr. Brathwaite at Winthrop - any tips?

I can't believe I'm even writing this. I had heard great things about Dr. Arif Ahmad and Long Island Laparoscopic but after my various interactions with the office, medical staff and the group meeting, I'm seriously considering looking elsewhere. My initial consultation went wonderfully, I felt comfortable and excited for the next step. Then...the other shoe dropped. I scheduled my first battery of tests (blood work, pulmonary, ultrasound, nutrition and psych evaluation) and off the bat something was wrong. I'd speak to one receptionist/scheduler who would tell me my insurance won't allow me to do everything on the same day so she schedules the tests on various days - then I got a call from someone else who asked why I did it this way and when I said someone in the office had told me to do it that way she said "oh, don't listen to her...she doesn't know anything". I scheduled everything for 10:45am (I had planned other things later in the day), I got a call 3 days prior and was asked to come in at 12:15pm as they had a scheduling issue (I rescheduled the rest of my day). I then show up at 12:15pm and was told everyone had been waiting on me! They rush me into the room for blood work, then into another room for the ultrasound then a 3rd room for a pulmonary test. I'm then told due to a scheduling error (again) I have an hour and a half until my next appointment. The nutritionist, bless her, was a fresh faced college grad who clearly had never struggled with food or weight and spent 20 minutes telling me about sugar free Jell-O. I was then rushed into a meeting with the psychologist (who is not a psychologist but a licensed master social worker - not the same). She spent, at max, 30 minutes with me (10 of which were telling me it's her birthday and then she was fielding calls from her mother) asking if I've ever been suicidal, what diets have I tried and have I decided who is going to drive me home from surgery. I was disheartened and confused -- I have friends who had the surgery with other doctors and who had wonderful pre surgical experiences, that's what I was hoping for. But, I thought "hey, you've already spent the $250 program fee and you have the group meeting tomorrow...it could turn around!".

I just left the "support group" and I'm completely disappointed. The "meeting" started with a 30 minute sales pitch from a Bariatric Advantage salesman. We were then "discussed" surgery...by discussed I mean we sat around in a circle, introduced ourselves and talked about how we can't drink after surgery. WHAT? I didn't come here for AA, I came to ask questions and be informed. The "group meeting" was again run by stick thin dietitians, not people who have gone through surgery and could give first hand experiences.

Bottom line...I don't feel comfortable. I don't think this is a competent group of people and I don't want to put my life and future into the hands of a bunch of halfwits. I run a business and had been conducting my meetings/schedules (I perform wedding ceremonies) based on the idea that I'd be having surgery in the middle of July, now I have no idea if that's possible and I could have potentially lost hundreds of dollars from clients.

Has anyone switched surgeons? Is anyone familiar with Dr. Arif Ahmad? I'm thinking of using Dr. Brathwaite at Winthrop - any tips?

Hi Kayla

Congratulations! I wish I had made this decision sooner - I'm 28 and will be sleeved in July of this year. I have told a select group of people. I work full time (and have a high stress job) so I've told my boss and 3 co-workers. I've told about 5 of my closest friends and will possibly tell more as I get closer/need support. I think you'd be surprised with how supportive people may be -- I was shocked. Everyone I've told has been so wonderful and is so excited for me. I was incredibly embarrassed and ashamed but then I realized it would be more embarrassing to allow myself to be so miserable when I have such a great tool at my fingertips.

Hi @@Swampdoggie,

I can really only speak from experience so here goes. Much like with big pharma meds you'll have to spend some time finding the right strain of marijuana for you. Marijuana has varied side effects and those side effects vary from person to person. Some strains will produce a short term high, others a longer high. Some strains will make you sleepy, others will just relax you. Some strains will give you insane munchies, others won't.

For me, I use marijuana recreationally as needed. Lately I've been enjoying half of a small joint before bed. It allows me to focus on sleep and not what's going on at work, what's up with my husband, our home, our families, various social obligations, what's on TV, did I defrost something for dinner tomorrow, etc. I experience very little munchies with what I have right now - I did have half a piece of bacon last night (strange craving, I know). To combat the cotton mouth effect that others touched on, I just drink more Water. If you're well hydrated then you'll be fine (pre & post op).

Good luck!

@@LilMissDiva Irene - Thank you. That's what everyone has said "but you aren't even that big!" Compared to some, I'm small but compared to others, I'm huge. I've struggled with yo-yo dieting my entire life. I've been diagnosed with PCOS and Hashimoto's - both make weight loss incredibly difficult. I'm just ready to have a permanent tool to help me finally win the weight loss battle.

What a bunch of wet noodles! Marijuana is technically a drug, yes...but it's a hell of a lot safer than alcohol. Have you ever seen an angry pot head? The worst that can happy with a little pot is you may hug someone a bit longer than socially acceptable, laugh a little louder at a joke or, god forbid, get a great nights sleep! OH, THE HUMANITY!

Personally, I use marijuana as a sleep aid. I've struggled with insomnia for most of my life. Melatonin no longer works for me. I've been on Ambien, Lunesta and (lately) Trazadone. I'd much rather smoke a little organic pot (my uncle grows and uses all organic fertilizers and pesticides) and sleep well than pump myself full of big pharma chemicals.

@@jadama22, I'm interested to hear what you've decided and how it impacted you.

Hi All

This is more of a vent than anything else. I had my first appointment in January and (get this) I didn't qualify because I wasn't heavy enough. I went back for a second appointment and, in February, I had my first qualifying weight. Because of my insurance I have to have 6 months of qualifying weight (surgery will be mid July). I honestly didn't think weighing what I weigh would be THIS mentally taxing. I am miserable every second of every day. I struggle not to cry each morning as I get dressed for work -- none of my clothing fits, my coats don't fit, I struggle to put shoes on. THIS IS HELL. I know I'm doing this for a short term and that the ends will absolutely justify the means but I feel like this is what hell must be like. I'm also completely terrified that once I get my 6th weight registered that my insurance company won't approve me (although I've been reassured multiple times that won't be the case). The doctor I'm working with is very positive and tries to keep me upbeat, he has a great staff who talks me off the ledge constantly. I KNOW in my heart this is the right thing for me, I'm so tired of struggling with weight and yo-yo diets. I'm ready to finally be the person I want to and to not have my weight be an issue.

Is anyone else in a similar situation? Have you found something that helps deal with the anxiety?

Thank you

I completely understand not wanting to tell people. My husband is 100% supportive, my parents are not. They truly don't understand what I'm going through and, as this is difficult enough on its own, I don't need a negative cloud following me. This is your decision and your journey, who you share with is your call.

With that being said, you may choose to open up once you're seeing marked success. I had thrown around the idea for years and recently a close friend disclosed they had been sleeved. Suddenly I had this remarkable resource, someone to talk to about what's happening - who actually knows my entire past. Had she not opened up and told me, I might not be where I am.

I'm not going to miss the backhanded compliments...people telling me "you've got such a pretty face" and knowing they're then thinking "but you're fat so if you'd lose weight you'd look better".

Hi All!

Thank you for the responses and the private messages. I have contacted other surgeons and looked into other options but the restrictions are being set forth by my insurance company and not the bariatric practice. From what I've read I'm actually pretty lucky that I only need 6 months of weight, not 2 years like some other posters. Unfortunately (can't believe I'm saying this) I don't have sleep apnea or diabetes, if I did, I'd be in the clear. By all accounts I'm incredibly healthy, just overweight.

When the doctors told me I didn't qualify because I wasn't "that" overweight, I burst into tears. My husband got watery eyed too. I've struggled for 20 years with weight issues and dieting. I'm doing this as a last resort and not as a quick fix. To those who have commented/messaged that it's "cheating" if you try to flub your weight for qualification, I "understand" where you're coming from but I'd like for you to imagine you've spent 20 years dieting and exercising, losing and gaining weight. You finally spend months researching, planning and speaking to everyone possible about the potential surgery and then you're told "well, you're overweight but because you diet and exercise and don't have sleep apnea or diabetes, you're not THAT overweight so you don't qualify". It's an insurance qualification...a bunch of strangers who know nothing about my past or my continued efforts to get healthy are allowed to judge me based on a weight in a chart. If adding 5 pounds to my pockets to ensure my acceptance into the program is what it takes, then I'll do it. I've already done everything under the sun to try and lose it on my own. Not everyone is "lucky" enough to be accepted right off the bat and seeing as this is an information/support network, your support is appreciated but your judgment is not.