blue8eyes

Uh oh - @@Dub - I just found another hottie! ( @@BigViffer )
Dub, you have competition for the Hottie McHotterson spot!
Just kidding, you guys look awesome! I am so inspired by everything you have done and continue to do for your health.

Our starting and goal weight are similar but I can't imagine looking like you do. Way to go!
CW 227 5'5" 61yrs

Day 6, got a full 64+oz of liquids in today. That included an Isopure drink that was 40g of Protein. I had another quarter cup of Tomato Soup. My wife wanted to go to some antique stores so we went and strolled around a few of them. Got in quite a bit of walking. The pain wasn't nearly as bad as it has been, at one point today I had gone almost 9 hours without pain meds, but my dog put an end to that. He's been pretty bummed that I wouldn't let him lay on me while I was in my recliner. So he decided to just jump up there. Landed right on the large incision. Good thing he's just a Chihuahua but still hurt like a bugger, gave in and took some pain medicine. No leakage or anything from the wound so all seems to be well. Just hurt quite a bit there for a while. Blood pressure and blood sugar are still not being treated with medication and are both well within the normal range. I'm really happy to be off of some of the pills and am excited to come off the rest.
Today was the first time I got a little depressed and was questioning what I had done to myself. After a quick pep talk from my wife and a review of my lists, I was good to go. Come to think of it I don't think I've shared my lists with you guys. Basically I have a list of the pros/cons or having the surgery and a list of things I want to accomplish that losing the weight will allow me to do. I keep them with me and it's a good motivator when I'm down. Anywho, here's to tomorrow being as good or better than today

I have three boys... 10, 8, 6 I have been blunt about it. I refer to it to the as skinny surgery, silly but they get that. The eldest said momma I like you this way and I explained when im thinner I will be able to be more active and do fun stuff. They love to hear how much weight I have lost at each pre opo appt... bet the will love post op appts... they all know its not about size but health
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. Well 24 hours from now my surgery should be in progress. It's been a 1 1/2 year effort to get to this point mostly because of a coronary stent procedure a little over a year ago. Today is the last day of the liquid diet, only Clear liquids, --lookout chicken broth! After the first few days I fell into a routine which I described in a previous post. Basically, I stayed away from prepared food, my wife usually ate by herself, and my new best friends are Greek yogurt, Isopure and Premier Protein drinks, and broth. Watching football games yesterday, the double meat and cheese hamburger commercials were almost too much! Anyway, I've lost about 16 pounds and hope that's enough. Starting weight was 360 and today's weight is 344. You guys just beginning the journey hang in there. If I can do it without cheating you can too! I know the next few weeks will be rough too but it will be worth it if my last years on earth will not be the struggle it has in recent years (I will be 70 in December). I'll give a post surgery report when I can but in the meantime, say a little prayer for me and the others who will be sleeved tomorrow! God bless!
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@@britknee You started at a much lower BMI than many of us - so your weight loss will be slower and require a little more effort. You've lost 11% of your body weight in 8 weeks - that's awesome!!

Well.... weight loss will happen successfully with a combination of the 2. The sleeve is only a tool to help aide us in controlling our hunger, portion sizes, and in turn allowing us (along with the education we received during and after our WLS) to make better food choices. As we begin to form our new normal a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise should become part of our daily lives for long term success.
I was able to shed pounds after WLS with changes to my diet alone HOWEVER-- my weight loss was a lot more consistent when I included exercise. I don't necessarily like to exercise-- but I don't necessarily like being overweight either. We all went through great lengths to achieve a healthy body weight and we should all be willing to do whatever it takes to get there-- including exercise.
There are plenty of people who have lost the weight without a day of exercise. Many of them have physical disabilities which don't allow them to safely participate in traditional exercise programs. If you are blessed to have a sound body to BE ABLE to participate in activities like walking, biking, swimming, weight training for 30 min a day 5 days a week WHY NOT? Starting with baby steps slowly build yourself up...

So I just started on my 6 month MSWL program through my surgeons office. I called my insurance today just because I wanted to confirm that they cover the surgery and also to see what the conditions were for approval. The lady I spoke with said they do cover it and that there is no "time" requirement or amount of weight I need to lose. Hmmmm....that's interesting, and news to me! Glad I called to check.
The insurance coordinator at the surgeons office previously told me it was REQUIRED by my insurance to do the 6 month program. But according to my insurance, that's not the case.
Has anyone else had this happen? I'm happy but also super confused as to why they would tell me that? Super shady right? Any advice is welcome
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I did call them and spoke with my surgeons office and they confirmed it's not required starting to feel excited!! Can't believe it's all happening almost finished with all my clearance just have my cardiac clearance left )
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You need to get info from your insurance company. Coverage varies greatly. I read documentation from my carrier and made calls. When calling, be patient and be prepared to get transferred several times!
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I'm worrying too about being denied for some obscure reason however all the testing is what's really bothering me in these beginning stages.
I'm 61, my BMI is 36.9, I have diabetes, sleep apnea, high BP and cholesterol and a few other things that qualify me. My worry is really irrational I know. I keep pulling back my hopefulness and excitement for fear that one of the tests will disqualify me.
Super irrational since 14 months ago I had major surgery for a shattered humorous which I came through with flying colors.
Just 2 months ago I was put under for dental work and everything was fine.
I just wonder if all my anxiety is at a deeper psychological level... Like I somehow don't deserve to be thin, healthy and happy. Thoughts?
CW 227 5'5" 61yrs

My surgery date is 10/06/2016, and today I had my final pre-op testing and confirmation of submission to the AETNA! I also went to my primary physician and she was awesome, she complete my surgical clearance and also completed my FMLA paperwork. Free of charge BTW!! So the waiting game begins ... so geeked and cautiously crossing my fingers that the insurance powers that be are ever in my favor!!
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Ahh don't envy! We all have to sit on the bench... wait wish and hope when the time comes all the work we put in will be approved by the powers that be! I'm wishing a speedy process and surgery date as well!!!! I'll keep everyone update about the process turnaround time and all !!
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My DR said December! I just had my first consultation last week (I'm a private payer) I have started my pre op diet, tracking and eating clean. I have all my appointments scheduled for this wee and next. Follow up appointment is October 18th to set up my surgery date!! So anxious and excited.
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I'm scheduled for December 16th if all goes well
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Sat here all gowned, stockinged and pre-opped....see you on the other side

I too had the same fear. Once it got submitted I kept preparing myself for denial and h ow to fight it lol. I was so excited upon aproval. Dont stress and just tak t one step at a time. Good luck!

lol it's true I do the same thing! And yes your right I can't wait my surgery!
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@@HuneComz I just paid $140 for my Protein powder for 2 week pre-op diet. Although that seems like a lot - I realized that I spend at least that (more like $200) every weekend going out to eat. So - 2 weekends without going out to eat - I'm saving $$$. Sell some of your clothes at a consignment shop or online (don't use ThredUp) and buy clothes at thrift or consignment stores (or online). You'll probably spend less than you would otherwise. I've spent thousands in medical expenses this past year (and last year as well) - most due to my obesity.
With expenses from surgery will also come savings!

Vow to get revenge on them by reaching your goal weight and living a fulfilling and active life. You know what they say - "living well is the best revenge."
If you respond with positivity and success, they may eventually realize that they were being self-centered and were perhaps uneducated about obesity and weight loss. But don't let the approval (or lack of approval) of other people really affect you. It's really their problem, not yours. Good luck!

I was the same way. In fact I kept coming up with new and unique reasons in my head that I could be denied. I pretty much drove myself crazy.
But then it came, the approval notification and I was in seventh heaven... for maybe 15 minutes. And then I started worrying about not getting a surgery date.
Worrying is part of the process, but try to focus on how great your life is going to be afterwards. That's much more fun!
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Hello everyone!! I just recently started my journey for weight loss surgery and can say I'm super excited!! However I have this fear of being denied my surgeon gave me a surgery date of December 16 and I have been going to a ton of appointments just nervous because I have a surgery date without an approval. Anyone else experience this? It's very emotional for me. I have Empire BCBS metropolitan plan and my bmi is 44 they told me I have great insurance and they don't feel there's any concern for denial but after reading a lot of post I'm nervous
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Lol!! Thank you!!
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@@blue8eyes Don't worry about other's requirements that you read on the forum! There are many different insurances, different plans within that insurance, etc. Your surgeon's office are experts at this and you should feel confident that there will be no issues. Many BCBS plans have removed the 6 month supervised diet requirement. I didn't have one due to my BMI (only time being super fat helped me! lol). Stay positive!!!

Thank you so much for your response your right faith is the key thing I hope it all works out for us!!
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