Tobeornottobe

You are doing awesome.

December 9th. On full liquids at the moment will move to mushies phase next week.

Definitely call your doctor.

Congratulations and welcome April.

Let me know how it goes.

I totally understand. Is there a program near you where you can go for an informational session? Inova Fair Oaks and Sentara in Lakeridge offers them on a monthly basis. Sentara would probably be closer as it's like a 2 hour drive from Richmond. You can check their website for when the meetings.

http://www.sentara.com/woodbridge-virginia/classesevents/events/weight-loss-surgery-seminars-northern-va-36.aspx

Hope this helps.

My suggestion would be in order to find someone local to the Richmond area, contact your health insurance company and find one who is in network and uses a center of excellence.

I am in NoVA and there are several bariatric practices in the area; Fair Oaks and Sentara have stellar bariatric programs. Bluepoint Medical, Virginia Bariatric.

Again, I would (and did) start with your health insurance company. Then I put my feelers out to people I knew who had surgery and asked about their experiences.

What part of Virginia?

Does anyone also use any type of fit bit or something like that? I don't, but I feel like it could be a good investment. Just wondering what others use and why like do or do not like it.

I have a fitbit and a jawbone. My fitbit is the zip and I'm considering upgrading to the Flex or Charge. I have has some issues with my jawbone but the customer service is awesome and I had a new one within 2 weeks. I'm currently researching the Vivo. I would really like something that's waterproof.

Any of the trackers would be a great investment. I get a kick out of counting my steps. Th only competition is myself so I try to outdo myself daily.

I don't know how to post a topic can someone tell me?

Anyways I have Cigna does anyone know what their approach is and if they help pay for surgery?

I have Cigna and they do cover weight loss surgery. Call the number on your Cigna ID card and ask them for a copy of your employer's particular policy. Weight loss surgery is option and some employers opt out.

What all did you have to do to be approved? My BMI is right at 42 but is there a waiting period and tons of appointments?

To be approved I had to meet the criteria set forth by my insurance company. I did not meet the 40 BMI criteria but I had/have co-morbidities (diabetes and high blood pressure), I had to also attend nutrition classes, Cigna requires no less than 90 day. It has to be 90 or it will be denied. I did have quite a few appointments, physc eval, ekg, bloodwork, and some others I can't think of at the moment.

It may be different for you since you have a high BMI. I encourage you to call Cigna and ask for the criteria and speak to your primary care doctor.

I don't know how to post a topic can someone tell me?

Anyways I have Cigna does anyone know what their approach is and if they help pay for surgery?

I have Cigna and they do cover weight loss surgery. Call the number on your Cigna ID card and ask them for a copy of your employer's particular policy. Weight loss surgery is option and some employers opt out.

Congrats!!!

I'm on day 5. I am able to get all my liquids and Protein in so far. I have not experienced nausea just stomach spasms. I did call the doctor's office about this because its painful. I was told it was perfectly normal and its caused by the hernia repair. She said once the swelling goes down the spasms should subside. I really hope this is the case, even though I'm getting my liquids in, it freaking painful. I just had hubby take my ON-Q out so now I have something else to obsess about - when the meds wear off what will my level of pain be? Yep, I'm completely nuts. I'm do beginner exercises daily, trying not to push myself too hard, no setbacks!!

Glad to hear everyone is doing well!

Are there any local bariatric groups you could join? Those folks should be like-minded.

I'm having my surgery tomorrow and I'm totally freaking out, but I want this so badly. I'm starting at 224 at 19 and I want to be healthy and happy so badly. I just really hope that I don't completely freak out tomorrow.

I totally understand how to feel. Up to an hour before surgery, I told my husband I wanted to go home. I think it's perfectly normal to feel like you're going to freak out. You will do fine.

I most likely won't attend the support meetings. Where they meetings are located is 45 minutes away from where I work and live and the start times are during rush hour. The hospital where I had my surgery also offers support groups, again the same problem 45 minutes away in no traffic. I have looked online for ones that are more localized but so far no luck :-(

I drank loads of infused Water and herbal teas. The first day was probably the worst.

You can do this. Good luck!

I didn't.

But, I did have this interesting ball of numbing agent that was wired into me and hung from my neck.

I have this too. How long did you have to wear it? I was told I could remove it when it goes flat on either Monday or Tuesday.

I live in the DC area and there are tons of things to do on weekends. Some cities have websites that will inform as to what is happening on any given week or month.

I'm not sure how crazy it is but I've been known to do standing yoga poses while waiting at registers. To get my steps in, I will walk in circles or up and down stairs. I also do stretches at my desk. I also do short meditations randomly.

Actually while waiting to go into surgery, I did a 30 minute meditation.

Maybe you should contact your doctor's office. Good luck.

Best to you!!

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I actually woke up in more pain today. But I think I may have over done myself with walking and stuff yesterday. And then I took a shower too and blah. I have a lidocaine patch on one of my incisions that is giving me the most grief and also a heating pad. I'm getting liquids in well today though so I'm hoping when the docs come to do rounds again I will get to go home!

Do any of you use my fitness pal?

It's good to hear you are doing better, I'm sure it will get better each day.

I have used it for tracking food not steps or anything like that.

Hello everyone, I had surgery on December 9th and was discharged on December 11th. My pain hasn't been as horrible as I feared. It does feel as though I did 1000 sit ups.

I am walking daily and I'm not having any issues getting fluids in. Protein intake has been good, I'm averaging 50 grams of Protein per day. I still have an On-Q attached to me and I can't wait until it goes flat so it can be removed.

How is everyone doing?

Good luck!!!