Raptor_Mom

I was given one in the hospital and honestly, it helped me tremendously... I carry most of my weight in my stomach and all that weight just pulled on me after surgery, having lots and lots of scar tissue cut/burned through (I've had three classic c-sections) did not help the pulling/burning sensation either. The binder helped keep everything taut so it the weight of my stomach didn't make me hurt worse. I would take it off at different intervals of the day, but if I was up moving around, I had it on for the support. I wouldn't say it's necessary but if it's something you want to try, go for it. Either you like/need the support or you don't like/need it.

Anything in yellow txt was required by my insurance carrier and anything in blue txt was required by my program/surgeon. June 13, 2016 - Referral to Weight Loss Surgery Seminar @ Ohio State University by PCP July 26, 2016 - Attended Seminar Nov 03, 2016 - Submitted application to begin weight loss surgery process Dec 19, 2016 - Entry Psych Eval (All patients have to pass a consult w/ MMPI psych eval prior to entry into the program) Jan 2017 - Therapist pushed referral to see psychiatrist to discuss medications Mar 14, 2017 - First of 9 monthly PCP visits per insurance Mar 20, 2017 - Second Psych Eval @ OSU - Passed and entered program My insurance requires a consecutive 9 month weight loss monitoring program with a PCP and they counted the visit prior to passing the second psych eval as 1 of 9. April 5, 2017 - Initial visit with at bariatric clinic with dietitian and nurse practitioner ALSO required EKG and labs May 2, 2017 - Required Endoscopy to check for h. Pylori (negative results) May 3, 2017 - 2 of 9 PCP visits June 7, 2017 - Dietitian follow up June 8, 2017 - 3 of 9 PCP visits June 19, 2017 - Cardiology Clearance July 13, 2017 - 4 of 9 PCP visits July 30, 2017 - Initial Psychiatrist appt for Mood stabilizers Aug 16, 2017 - 5 of 9 PCP visits Sept 14, 2017 - 6 of 9 PCP visits Sept 9, 2017 - Pulmonary clearance (I have thrombophelia) Oct 2, 2017 - Gastroenterology Clearance (I had Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome) Oct 3, 2017 - Required Sleep Study (passed... no apnea) *Had I had apnea I would have then began 6 months of mandatory CPAP usage, followed by another sleep study, etc... this would have extended the 9 month requirement well into 15+ months) Oct 18, 2017 - 7 of 9 PCP visits Oct 25, 2017 - Dietitian follow up Nov 22, 2017 - 8 of 9 PCP visits Nov 29, 2017 - Dietitian follow up Dec 12, 2017 - Third Required Psych Eval (Psych Eval had to be within 6 months of surgery so a third one was required) Dec 12, 2017 Required "Life After Surgery" consult with nurse practitioner *Required my program NOT insurance Dec 19, 2017 Dietitian follow up Dec 21, 2017 Required "Life After Surgery" consult with family (husband plus children) with dietitian and nurse practioner. *Required by my program NOT insurance Dec 27, 2017 9 of 9 PCP visits - ALL paperwork was submitted on this day to insurance including 5 years of weight history (I had to get records from other doctors where applicable and email them to the patient coordinator) > Began 4 weekly online video conference courses on "Life After Surgery" that had to be completed as a requirement of program Jan 4, 2018 Insurance Approval!!! Surgery tentatively scheduled for 1/31/18 Jan 15, 2018 Began Liver Shrink Diet (5 protein shakes, 1 300/cal or less frozen meal, 1 salad, 1 small fruit, unlimited non-starch veg) Jan 23, 2018 Initial meeting with surgeon PLUS dietitian follow up > Surgeon was changed the next day due to scheduling conflict Jan 29, 2018 - Pre-Op Assessment with anesthesiologist, blood typing, and labs Jan 31, 2018 - Surgery Day!

There are two quotes love in regards to this weight loss journey "Comparison is thief of joy," and "Men have become the tools of their tools." This is "your" journey and someone else is on "their" journey... You are not on the same race track, even though you are running the same type of race. Everything about your race and everything about their race is completely different. Don't lose sight of your own journey, race, goals, etc... by comparing yourself to the differences of others. Where you are today, is not where you will be tomorrow. Don't let someone else's today steal your hope for tomorrow.