Ashoryb

Being able to run and play with my daughter. Going to the zoo and actually being a it to go through the whole thing instead if finding places to rest while my husband takes her around. Being able to walk more than a block without feeling like I'm going to literally break in half. Looking forward to what life has to offer
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Sky diving
Not paying $50 for a plain black polo just because I shop at the Fat Man's Shop
Travel - Up until recently, I've never had the urge. For some reason now tho, the thought appeals...
Being stared at because I'm so f***ing awesome, not because I'm so f***ing fat!!!
I'm gonna have a crack at a Segway..
I'm also gonna dress like a f***ing dandy!!! I'm just gonna buy clothes that I think are GOLD!!
Jeans - Ok, I've got a pair and I'm ready to slip them on. I've just gotta find a reason to go out...
I'll add more as I think of them...
There are some more 'personal' ones that I may add later as well...
See ya!!

I'm looking forward to shopping in a regular store instead having to find a mall that has a Lane Bryant or Avenue.
I'm looking forward to just sitting in a chair instead of critically analyzing how much weight it can take.
Being able to respond with a smile when I am flirted with instead of suspecting that it's some kind of joke.
Going to a carnival or amusement park and riding every single roller coaster

4 months post-op---never a single problem while in the hospital for 2 days.
My surgeon put a Scopolamine patch on me in recovery, so that headed off ANY nausea before it had a chance to even begin & I kept that on for 72 hours.
I was fortunate enough not to have need for a post-op drain.
I went home with Zofran to use if nausea was an issue, but never needed to take it.
No issue with Constipation. -- As a nurse, I already knew to be vigilant with my incentive spirometry & to walk-walk-walk once I was home.
I have never once regretted having VSG =)
One thing I will stress as being important post-op is: STICK to your diet schedule. Don't advance to the next phase of foods "on your own because you feel ready"....those phases are in place for a reason...to allow your staple line to heal without offending textures irritating it. (I cringe each time I read about people 'skipping ahead', then complaining about how awful they felt afterwards.
Do what your surgeon instructs you to do....do your best to consistently meet your Fluid and Protein goals...and CALL your surgeon and/or nutritionist if you have problems or questions....they know what is best for each of us.
Best of luck to you! You're getting ready to embark on a life-changing journey!

Girl we are doing this together !! You will be fine !!!
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Thank you for the responses and tips! I'm trying not to think about it too much. The two major surgeries I've had were c-sections and having a new baby sort of takes your mind off all the yucky surgery stuff. This time I won't have any instantaneous reward like that! Haha. I know it will be worth it. I have 120 lbs to lose.
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I am two weeks postop today. My case is not typical. Here's how it went:
Day 0 (day of surgery): Handled Protein drink & Clear Liquids just fine. No gas pain. Main incisional pain was at largest incision where they removed the stomach. Hardest is getting in and out of bed.
Day 1: Handled Full liquid diet but everything on it was icky sweet, eew. Tolerated oral pain medication which was VILE (liquid). Discharged and got home about 4PM. Fell down two steps in a completely unrelated boneheaded move and hit a concrete floor chest-first. Ouch.
Day 2: Everything comes back up. It doesn't even seem to be getting as far as my stomach, I drink, I belch, everything I sipped comes up with the belch. Called surgeon, off to ER per the covering surgeon this is Saturday, BTW). Admitted when CT scan shows my hiatal hernia repair site is so swollen my esophagus is essentially shut. Readmitted to hospital. Crap. Happy to get IV pain meds, though, because ribs hurt in addition to incision.
Vomiting is different than ever before, much easier, if that makes sense..
Day 3: In hospital. (Sunday). Tried for three meals to get/keep anything down. Total fail.
Day 4-6 surgeon is back from the weekend, says she wants to keep me in and on IV fluids a couple days and start cautiously getting me back to trying to swallow.
Day 7, discharged home. I've had to go back to Clear Liquids, my sleeve hates my Protein shakes. Just trying some plain nonfat milk in the late afternoon. Postop pain is gone, my ribs still hurt. Never have had any gas pain.

Here is a NSV 7 days post op- this am in my closet for the heck of it I grabbed a pair of size 20 Capri jeans I couldn't get over my hips let alone ZIP 4 weeks ago. Guess what? I'm wearing them right now!!! And they look good on me!!!! Yahoo!

I get up, pee(hey, Water is heavy!), and then weigh myself on a digital scale every morning. The numbers don't lie. I also set little goals(9 lbs until xxx lost). The first place I really noticed loss was in my face. Then my baggy clothes got even baggier, my pants got longer(not as much ass to hold them up!)until I could fit into the next size down. Rinse and Repeat until goal is met. There will come a time, not too long from now, when you see someone you haven't seen in a while. They will do a double take, and maybe raise their eyebrows. Trust me, you will get a serious case of the grins! Keep up the good work.

I wasn't surprised -- obesity is such a hard struggle, even with surgery -- but the show still made me sad. It's hard to watch women (on this episode and on others I've seen) who are so willing to put up with men who treat them like absolute shit. It's also hard for me to watch adults who have been through super morbid obesity and learned how to eat healthy insist that they have to feed their children crap like biscuits and fried sandwiches slathered in grease. Children don't need biscuits and fried greasy sandwiches any more than adults do. It's like these parents *want* their children to grow up to be 600 lbs too. Children of obese parents have a very high likelihood of ending up obese themselves, and IMO those parents have an extra responsibility to teach them healthy eating early on.
Disclaimer: I don't have children so my parenting thoughts should probably be dismissed out of hand.

Thank you. Keep posting. We'll get there....
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@@Ashoryb they shouldn't be asking for all of that. Seems like they are going out of their way to be difficult. What they asked you for is not even a part of Cigna's requirements...smh
They should have to answer for putting people through this mess!
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Ok yall here's an update.
I got my letter and they said they needed all the info on my previous failed lapband. It took some digging because the lapband I had was in 2008 removed in 2011. I did not even mention the band starting this process so not sure why they need all the info. They Arnt doing a revision so I didn't thunk it would be a big deal. They also said I gained one pound during my nut visits program which I did but it was during Thanksgiving and I lost the pound plus 6 more the next visit.
Grr. So any who my doc resubmitted all my paperwork for the 3rd time now so please throw up a prayer and good thoughts. I'm trying not to lose hope. Hugs to you all
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Ok yall here's an update.
I got my letter and they said they needed all the info on my previous failed lapband. It took some digging because the lapband I had was in 2008 removed in 2011. I did not even mention the band starting this process so not sure why they need all the info. They Arnt doing a revision so I didn't thunk it would be a big deal. They also said I gained one pound during my nut visits program which I did but it was during Thanksgiving and I lost the pound plus 6 more the next visit.
Grr. So any who my doc resubmitted all my paperwork for the 3rd time now so please throw up a prayer and good thoughts. I'm trying not to lose hope. Hugs to you all
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I had a stash of pillows waiting for me at home, because I, too am a belly sleeper and was anticipating a problem. With the pillows placed here, tucked there, under this, supporting that --all was well in dreamland.
We belly sleepers are a stubborn lot, aren't we?

I am so sorry you were denied. I am glad your surgeon will do a next level appeal. Most times, the insurance company will approve it once an appeal is done. I hope you get the approval for your surgery. Please keep us posted.

Cigna also denied my surgery twice indicating they were missing documents that were sent. I called them daily for a month and a half asking what the status was...what was missing... Who do I need to talk to to get an answer. My surgeon did the peer to peer review and it was accepted immediately. Honestly I believe their intake staff automatically deny for bogus reasons. They try to see who will give up. It should be illegal what they are doing to people who pay their premium in good faith.
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@@Ashoryb,
I am sorry. It is such a disappointment. Let us know when you get that letter with their explanation. It’s probably something that will be infuriating, like they didn’t bother looking into it!
I am so glad your surgeon is on your side and will take it to the next level. I bet they know how to get through to someone at Cigna with decision making powers, and I bet Cigna will listen to them.
I am so sorry. You are not at all a drama queen. You are asking for something life-changing, you did exactly what they said to do, and all you got was a slap in the face with no explanation. Keep on it, if you can face it. Let us know how it goes.

I know this is an older post but I'm in the process of getting approval and will be getting the inverted gastric sleeve from Dr kim. I'm so excited. How has it been so far for all of yall
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Congrats!! I'm still in the process but I would like to see others responses too. I'm so happy for you! !
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I have heard that most cases from my surgeons office have been approved after appeal. It is terrible that they make you "wait for the denial letter" to learn why they are saying no! I agree, get on the phone. As long as you meet the criteria, I would ask for a one on one between your surgeon and Cigna's Medical Director. Don't back down if you know it should be covered.
Good luck!

Also, ask for a bariatric surgeon to review your case.
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You also can inform CIGNA that you are filing a complaint with the insurance commissioner.

No you don't sound like a drama queen. I know how hard it was for me to just wait on a response from them for approval and can't even begin to tell you how I would have taken it if they came back with a denial. You've done everything you're supposed to do and your feelings are justified. It makes no sense they wouldn't tell you why though. Try going over the reps head to speak with a manager.
If you don't mind me asking, what did they saythey denied you for the last time?

I'm so sorry to hear that. Call and ask questions. Then contact your surgeon's office. I didn't get an answer until I started getting on people's nerves. It took longer than expected but I finally got that approval and believe you will too!
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