robd928

My update,

Weight on 8/14/15 was 502

Sleeved on 12/15/15 and weighed 443 that day. I'm now 321, have lost over 180 lbs since August of last year.

still have 71 to go to get to my goal but I'll make it soon enough.

Shirt size went from 7x to a 2x, pants from a 60 to a 46.

No longer on blood pressure or diabetic meds.

Averaging 2-4 pounds a week

Taking in 100+ oz Water and 100+ grams of Protein a day(most days)

So far only down side has been a little hair loss that started a month ago but seems to be better and still trying to deal with eating out but its getting easier

Sleeved on 12/15, 443lbs on the day of surgery. Today 377. Pretty frickin happy so far. Taking in 90-100oz of Water a day and 80-90g of Protein. Best decision of my life.

I started at 502. Day of surgery I was 448 on 12/15/15. Today I'm 406.

Stalls are part of it all.

I was sleeved on 12/15 and hit a stall 2 1/2 weeks later. It lasted a week then I started to lose again.

Stick to your program and you will get through it.

Can't help with the pain...sorry.

I had my sleeve done there last month. I was required to loose 10% of my extra weight by the nut. It wasn't a problem just follow their advise and you'll loose it. It's better for you at surgery time too since it'll help shrink your liver.

Who's your surgeon?

I'm curious if anyone recently got surgery with the insurance Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois? I'm aware a couple of years ago they required a six month medical assisted diet. But, now they no longer require the diet. What do you'll think about this? Does anyone have BCBSIL, how did the process go for you?

My goto hospital has always been Rush but when I called my insurance to ask about sleeve surgery they said they would only cover 60% at Rush because they're not a "Blue Distinction" hospital.

Turned out University of Chicago hospital is so I chose to have it there.

Best decision I've made.

Their program and facility is tops.

I started the process in August and was approved in November and had surgery in December.

I met with the surgeon,psych dept and nutrionist on the first day.

BCBSIL required you to meet with a psychiatrist instead of one of their social workers so I had to go back for a quick 15 min meet.

I got clearance from my cardiologist and primary care doctor, also a letter from my primary care doc stating he recommended the surgery.

Had a 3 hour pre op class to learn about the surgery and nutrition, 2 one hour diabetic info classes

Also had to get clearance from the pulmonary doctor.

The scheduler for the bariatric dept at UofC is phenomenal at her job,answers the phone on the 2nd ring and answers email very quickly. She gets all the paperwork ready and keeps you informed as it progresses.

Once my paper was submitted to BCBSIL I had an approval in 5 days.

BCBSIL didn't require any regulated diet but the nutrionist did. I was required to lose 30 lbs before she would sign off.

2 weeks before surgery I had to attend a 3 hour class with the surgeons nurse and the nutrionist to learn about eating after surgery.

Everything went very smoothly.

The scheduler calls each dept you need to see and get as many appointments as possible for the same day so you basically bounce from appt to appt.

I couldn't have been happier with U of C Hospitals and the staff.

As for BCBSIL since it was done at a "Blue Distinction" Facility they cover 90%

I know the posts long but hope it helps.

Rob

Mine was 2 hours but i also had my gallbladder out at the same time and my surgeon had to work around mesh from a previously repaired hernia. So I have 7 incisions instead of the usual 5.

The day I walked into my cardiologists office and the scale read 502.

Although I am this size my weight has never stopped me from doing anything I wanted to with the exception of riding roller coasters.

I've always been the "funny fat guy" and that always helped me meeting people but now I'm 46 and the health problems,pain and general weight related issues are catching up with me. Foot pain, back pain, trouble with knees, dreading stairs etc.

I also have a 10 year old daughter that I WILL walk down the isle one day.

I'm currently at 448 and my surgery is this Tuesday and I couldn't be more ready.

I'm 12/15/15 also...I can't wait. I started this journey in August of 2015 when I finally made the decision after 2 years of considering it.

In August I weighed in at 502lbs. Currently I'm at 448 and ready to go.

Good luck to everyone!

December 15th in Chicago