HopeandAgony

It varies a little bit based on if you have H. M. O. or PPO. I had H. M. O and had to have 3 months of monitored weight loss. Once I completed that I had to get 3 referrals. For Psych eval, pulmonary eval, and cardiologist. The psych eval takes about 1.5 hours, they ask general questions about why you want this, if you are ready, if you have a support team at home and then make you take a scan tron test to see if you are literally sane. The pulmonary Dr makes you do minimally a pulmonary test where you perform a ton of different breathing exercises in a glass chamber (this takes about 1.5 hours). They also evaluate if you are at risk for sleep apnea. (I was not so I didn't have to do a sleep study but some other people may.) Then you see the Dr for clearance. The cardiologist does an EKG on the spot. If that is clear, you are done and they provide your clearance. If that is abnormal you will most likely have an echocardiogram, and possibly a stress test. Once all of those evaluations are cleared, they will call you to set up your 4 hour nutrition class and schedule surgery. The entire process took me 8.5 months, with no real hiccups along the way. If you are PPO things can move much quicker because you aren't waiting for the referrals. There is no monitored weight loss period. You don't have to wait for referrals. You still have to get the same 3 clearances. You still attend a nutrition class. I can tell you that I got my referrals and started evaluations in late August. I finished all 3 of them by the last week in September. The Doctor office received the clearances fairly quickly and called the first week of October. The first available date for surgery was about 1 month and 1 week out, which puts me at a November 16th surgery date. So keep in mind the quicker you get your evaluations done (whether you are H. M. O. or PPO) the surgery is still a month from there. Good luck. Let me know if you have any question!

You totally just inspired me. Before your surgery we are same stats across the board. My surgery is in less than 3 weeks. Thank you for posting. You look amazing and it sounds like you feel great too.

I'm sorry they tried to brush it off with Xanax. Xanax can be an excellent option as a temporary aid to better mental health. It treats anxiety in real time and requires no build up before working. However, it's not for depression. I don't believe mental health drugs are a bad thing. Sometimes they are absolutely needed. Sometimes therapy isn't enough. Sometimes the condition doesn't respond to one or the other. But don't limit yourself to the opinion of one Dr. See someone else. Your other alternative is carrying on as you are, which what you've described sounds less than ideal in all of your posts in this thread. It's your choice. I wish you the best and hope you get well soon.

It's not all kittens and rainbows after, take care of yourself and I know you will do good. Backstory- I am not taking Vitamins regularly, following Protein or Water guidelines... I am probably a good example on what can happen when you go in naive and not sticking to the program Thank you for being honest. Admitting you didn't/aren't following the plan, meeting your protein & water goals nor taking your vitamins makes your original post less threatening to those of us who haven't had surgery yet. Can I ask you why you aren't following the recommendations? Do you think it has a lot to do with your mental health? I ask because I know a little bit about mental health issues. The chronic pain you listed first is extremely common with depression. Please seek help. You could feel so much better and you deserve this. Don't forget why you started this in the first place. Go talk to someone. Please. Good luck and take care of you.

I wore one with the last 2 of my 3 c sections. Will definitely be requesting one for this surgery, though I still have one from my last c-section. I am a huge believer they aided in my recovery. I also feel I firmed up quicker.

I've been on this journey for 8 months, moaning and complaining how long everything took, reading and studying every detail of this surgery, digesting the possible complications... Now, in about 3 weeks, it's go time. Ummm... Yikes. Why am I suddenly so worried that I'm not ready? What is my deal?? I am not this person. Normally I am meticulously confident, but suddenly I am scared. Is it normal? Should I listen to this second thoughts monster on my shoulder? I am not jumping into this. I've done extensive research. I am not happy with my body. I don't want my joints to hurt anymore. I absolutely WANT to be healthy. Why suddenly the uncertainty?

Thanks everyone. This uncertainty is such a foreign feeling. Normally when I make a decision that is that...no second thoughts. I wondered if it was normal, so you've all reassured me. I am sitting here this morning waiting for my final blood work. Next week is my nutritional class. Things are moving quickly but yet time is standing still.

This really makes me feel some kinda way. There are several people who are overweight and content with life. Additionally, not all medications in the psych class are for depression. My SSRI is for OCD. OCD is a chemical imbalance, and in no way shape or form am I depressed. The stigma around mental health has GOT TO STOP. How shameful that someone in the medical field would make such an asinine statement.

Last week I was a wreck because I am in the last few weeks (surgery is scheduled for 11/16) because my nutritional class is Oct 27th. Well that is my time of the month and I tend to gain about 4 lbs during that. I was in a fret trying to figure out if they will weigh me then and if I am up those 4 lbs if they'd delay my surgery. After asking everyone and posting on here I was so anxious I just bit the bullet and called. They said no they won't weigh me and I was so relieved. Now I'm just finding ways to pass the time. Just be honest in your evaluation. Just because you take a medication doesn't mean you aren't prepared. It just means you knew something was up and sought help. And that form of help is a medication to help balance some chemicals. No big deal. Hang in there.

Praying for you. Keep your head up and your thoughts positive.

Thank you for defining NSV...lol. You should see the combination of words I have strung together in an attempt to decipher what those acronyms meant. Haha

Has your surgeon required any evaluations or other visits with specialists? If so, and your new coverage is a PPO, they most likely will accept those requirements that have already been completed (approvals are normally good for a year). Sure there still might be others you have to fulfill but you could be closer than you think if you decide to go the insurance route. If it's an H. M. O. then that would be another story. Have your wife get the insurance company name, phone number, and insurance GROUP number and call and ask for benefits details for that particular group number. You won't have a member ID yet, but they can answer questions based off that group number alone. Hang in there and get the insurance facts. That's a big chuck on change you could save if you are already half way there. Good luck.

I am on an SSRI. During my psych evaluation she did ask but it was a standard question. Like ange117 said, this isn't meant to be a roadblock. They are only ensuring you are mentally ready for this type of change. If they believe based on your replies that you aren't they will offer counseling to get you ready. Nothing more nothing less.

Time is moving very slow and it's so hard to focus on anything else. I wondered if it was just me. I've started to count down mini milestones that give me something to look forward to. For example, I after today I only have 16 days of work left. It's not huge but it does help.

Try it with chocolate protein powder. I hate it too but plan on trying that. My hubby uses swiss miss when he eats plain yogurt and loves it.

Updating in case anyone else ever wants to know. They do NOT weigh you.

For you Illinois people, anyone going to Silver Cross Hospital? Did you get weighed in at the 4 hour nutritional class?

It's the nutrition class required by the surgery center (Silver Cross Hospital Center of Excellence). It is a 4 hour class, the second to final step before surgery. I am trying to figure out if they will weigh me, because it's going to be that time of the month and I tend to gain about 4 lbs during that time. So of course I'm all stressed out at the thought of being weighed and showing a temporary gain.

That's my date as well. Do you have to do the 2 week diet before? I am getting so anxious. Wow. 4 weeks of liquids prior to surgery??I start my liquid diet on 11/2.. It feels like time is flying by. Wow do you have to start your liquid diet so early? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk My3son872, we are same date across the board. I am 38, 5'4". Highest weight was 265. I'm currently at 250.

I will be thinking of you!!! I have 2 weeks of a liquid diet starting 11/2. I am literally praying for the will power to hang in there. Have you found a protein drink that you like?

That's my date as well. Do you have to do the 2 week diet before? I am getting so anxious. Wow. 4 weeks of liquids prior to surgery??

It's a lot of math. In prior attempts of mine to lose weight I did a low calories diet. I will never forget laying out all of my ingredients before making dinner, adding them all up and then dividing it in to serving sizes so I could keep track of my calories. I drove my family nuts but it does work. It especially sucked if one item served 6, but another item I was mixing it with served 8, then it was double the math. Lol. Looking back now I wonder how often I was incorrect! Thankfully with this surgery I am only subjecting the math madness to my own meals and I will probably not mix things for quite some time.

I am having my surgery the same date. Our stats are somewhat similar too. I'm 5'7 and HW is 268. Maybe we could be sleeve buddies lol I would love that! ????Can I buddy up with you both. I am the 16th. 38 yr old female, HW 265, current weight 250, 5'4".

I am a very private person. I am a little concerned about the private Facebook group. I understand that as long as the group is marked secret it stays private, but at any point the creator could mark it public, in error or whatever. Also, when the group is closed it becomes public as well. What is the big push to move off of this forum to have the same conversations? I am surprised so many have moved over to Facebook, and I feel like I am missing a piece of this puzzle. Is the thought that since it's a group, when someone posts it'll show up in your news feed? I'm just confused...

Hi! We share a surgery day!!