Allens Comedy

Hey guys...wondering what protein any of you are using that is basically sugar free or very low on sugar. Im type 2 diabetic (for now...hopefully this surgery will allow me to manage this with diet and exercise), and don't need the extra sugar if I can help it. I can manage it with my insulin , but would prefer not to have to ness with it if possible. Any suggestions for protein powders I can try that would be good tasting as well as good for me?

Well, Here we go! Gonna start this thing and use it as sort of a blog for my journey, which I have dubbed Allen's Magical Mystery Tour. I guess Ill start off telling you guys what Ive already done and what is coming up. First, the stats - I am 5-6, 327.5 pounds as of today (6-18-15). This is my all time highest weight. I am 49 years old and always have been a big boy. I started this journey about a month ago at my PCP's office. We had mentioned before, in passing, about me doing the surgery, but she looked at me and asked me if I thought it was time, I thought about it a few days and asked her what I needed to do. Called insurance company to see if I was covered - CHECK Attend a mandatory seminar - CHECK Met with the psychologist to have a general psychology exam performed - CHECK (Done on June 18) Meet with Surgeon (coming up on June 22) I met with the psychologist today who told me that she thought I was mentally "surgery ready" and she would make her recommendation to the surgeon sometime before my appointment on June 22. That appointment with Dr. Paul Macik will be my initial meeting with him, as I took the seminar with another surgeon (that is a whole other story). Now, a little backstory...I initially met with another surgeon and attended his "seminar" last Saturday. This whole thing was a debacle to say the least. We were supposed to be there at 1 and at 1:30 the doctor strolled in snd looked at us sitting in the lobby and asked what we all were doing there. We told him the seminar and he said out loud "I thought that damned thing was cancelled". Apparently he was just coming in to his office to pick something up. He went ahead and went with the seminar "since we were all here anyway". This whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth. I mean, if he can't even coordinate a seminar, how do I know he can perform the surgery right? I mean, I may end up with half a leg or worse. Yeah...no! Then and there, I decided to do some more research and found another surgeon in my insurance network that could do the surgery. I researched him and have read nothing but good things about Dr Macik, He has performed more VSG surgeries than any other surgeon in the state of Georgia...That was good enough for me. I called and spoke with Tiffany at his office who was very nice and assured me that this would be fine and wouldn't take long to get to my surgery date as long as I got the required paperwork in to the insurance company in a timely manner. I started making appointments with whoever I needed to see that same day. Knocked out the psych evaluation today. Not much to it...except a lot of paperwork and tests. That took me about 2 hours and I met with the Psychologist for about 45 minutes and she told me I was approved through her! I was nervous that she was going to think I was a nut...but she didn't. So, that is where Im at...waiting now in the 22nd to go meet with Dr. Macik and hopefully get a surgery date. This is gonna ge rough, but SO worth it! More later guys...

I have my initial consult with him on June 22. If you have used him, how was he? Tell me all you can because you guys will help me choose the surgeon! What does he require? My insurance company told me today that they only require what my surgeon requires other than the letter of medical necessity. I s;joke with Tiffany today at his office who told me that they don't really require anything special. What say you, about Dr Paul Macik?

Well...I found out today that Humana doe NOT require this unless the surgeon requires it. I called my surgeons office and they have o requirements for the doctor supervised weight loss. All they need from me is a letter form my PCP clearing me for surgery and a medical necessity letter to go to the insurance. The nurse told me once I get the psych exam (Thursday) that I could be scheduled for surgery within a month. YAY ME!

Were those once per month?

Im just starting my journey. Attended my seminar on Saturday and have my psychological test on June 18. I have the consult with my Surgeon (Dr Clarence Hixon, Atlanta Medical Center) on July 7. I certainly hope that I can get this done before 2016. I am proclaiming 2016 the year of the ca...oh wait...MY YEAR!

im with Humana for my insurance and I think I'm going to have to go through a six month doctor monitored weight loss program. I've been on diets my whole life. Weight watchers online, Atkins, paleo. None work for me. Why do the insurance companies require this? If I could lose this weight on my own, I wouldn't need WLS. If I could do this on my own my doctor wouldn't need to say it was a MEDICAL NECESSITY. Keyword NECESSITY. I'm just a little frustrated over it all. Anyone else go through this?

This is gonna be SO different for me! Im ashamed to say this, but my wife and I will order pizza, but it will one pizza EACH! Ever ate a large papa Johns pizza for dinner? I have. I couldn't imagine eating JUST 2/3 pf a cup of ANYTHING. Which is why I NEED this lifestyle change. I am SO ready to stop this crap. Ive made my mind up that I won't live without doing something drastic. I imagine myself "normal sized" eating "normal" meals. I can't wait to get this done! I am SO ready for this!

Ive read that this is expensive to d in regards to just eating post op. As of now, we eat out a LOT! This gets expensive as you would guess. Im wondering, wont I be replacing the eating out (and even the expenses of eating in) with Protein shakes and supplements? How much per week do you spend on those things? It has to be less expensive that eating out. Cn you give me a ballpark fir just after surgery to when you are eating normal foods again?

What can I expect at each of these? The psych exam is the bog one, and I'm a little nervous about that one. What if they think I'm nuts? Seriously, what can I expect at each of these?

Thanks guys! Got my psychologicall evaluation scheduled today for June 18th. Not sure what to expect there.

*** TITLE SHOULD READ SEMINAR NOT SENIOR*** So, I guess I am going to actually do this! After a lot of thought and research on what to expect, I know that if I want to live to grow old, this is probably my best option and I have made the decision to get the sleeve surgery done. If I continue at my current rate, and on my current mindset about food, I will be dead with 10 years. Adult onset type 2 diabetes, SEVERE sleep apnea, and just not being able to do the things in life that I want to do has made me understand that I need to change my life, my lifestyle and my way of thinking about food. Having said all of that, I will be attending the seminar this Saturday at Atlanta Medical Center. Im a little nervous bout the whole thing, but I can't wait to start a NEW life!

OK, here goes. Saw my Dr today nd she asked me if I had ever considered GBP...Honestly, I HAVE thought about it but never had a doctor come out and just ask me like that. Now, I am seriously considering it. I am type 2 diabetic, 5 foot 7, 324 pounds as of today, and have severe sleep apnea. My doctor said that this surgery will help get rid of ALL of that along with eating right and some exercise. What I would give to sleep again on my couch or in any bed without having to lug around this stupid machine. BUT, I'm wondering the pros and cons. Anyone wanna chime in and help me make this decision? Tell me the good and the bad. For better or worse. Will I regret this, or will it change my life for the better?