B.Annie

My surgeon sent in my packet for authorization on Friday evening and called me today (Monday) at 3 PM to tell me that they have received the insurance approval. I'm spinning a bit because I was expecting a full two weeks for the insurance to approve my surgery after all the hoop jumping. Even though my surgeons office said it normally takes five days for her to get a decision because she contacts them regularly. I certainly wasn't expecting an approval within 24 business hours! Wow All of this to just encourage everyone that it is possible to have things go smoothly and much more quickly than anticipated. For me, it was all thanks to patience, kindness, and a whole lot of phone calls to make sure everything was moving forward in each hoop

Great information! Thank you for sharing. I will add the questions about how much stomach He will remove and if I have To go back down for other preop meetings/appointments. I hope not!

I'm not sure what my appointment will include. I was scheduled a surgery date of May 26 and preop appointment for this Tuesday. I live an hour and a half away from my surgeon and only met him once so I don't know what hospital it's going going to be at or much of anything else. I do know about my preop diet because my NUT gave me those instructions when I met with her 6 weeks ago. Just not sure what to expect and I have to bring 2 of my kids with me so was hoping to get an idea. I'm going to try calling the office staff tomorrow to discuss but unfortunately they're a very small office and don't answer their phones much.

My surgery is scheduled for May 26th. Yours?

Preop diet hasnt been bad at all. The protein shakes I get (premier protein chocolate) are good and packed with protein so it keeps me full. I have one of those for breakfast and lunch and then I'm able to have 4 ounces of lean meat and a cup of non-starch/root/pod veggies for dinner. I can have a half of a cup of fruit or a small snack of raw veggies if I absolutely need to, but so far I have havent had to. Honestly, I wasn't even really hungry for what I ate today. I guess it would be similar to the "food funeral" others talk about. Not necessary, but wanted, so I indulged as a farewell to eating "normally" with family. Eating is the main type of family socialization we do, sadly, so it will take mental stamina to get over the idea of it. im ready.

I'm having my preop appointment on Tuesday and I'm just wondering what to expect. What questions did you ask that you hadn't had answered beforehand? Did you do any hospital tours? What was a surprise at the appoitment? Im curious to see your experience! My surgery is scheduled for May 26th and I haven't seen my surgeon since my consult in Feb. I'm so excitedly to go in that my mind is going blank.

Considering you're working out so much, have you had big problems with loose skin? i have to lose 188 and work out 3-4 times a week so I'm hoping that will help

Ive lost weight without surgery before. I lost 60 pounds in a few years once. The problem was, after months of diet and exercise, I would hit a mental rough patch and get so down on myself, I'd binge. Then it would make me feel like a failure and I'd give up and gain weight back. Normal battle. I want the surgery because I want the life change and I do not want to be able to binge as much. I want the restriction and consequences if I ever start to fall. Today I was neither depressed nor tired of the diet. For some reason, I just wanted to eat and enjoy a movie with my family on Mother's Day. I am on the 2 week preop diet even though my surgeon said I only need 1 week since I've lost weight already. Today I had Culver's chicken tenders and a half of a regular order of cheese curds. Then for desert I had a chocolate truffle that was gifted to me. Whats amazing is that I'm NOT feeling like I failed. I actually feel like I won a small piece of the battle because, Instead, I just feel physically gross. Like sick almost. And instead of wanting to give up and eat "regularly" (for me) after 2 1/2 months of a very restricted diet, I actually laughed and thought "wow. I really have no desire to eat that again". It wasn't all that tasty and the heavy oily feeling plus headache I have Now is eye opening. I am celebrating my mental victory over a small piece of my old life that I never thought I'd get past. Addiction is real and for this tiny moment, I won in the long run. All because I let myself fail and took the time to assess it instead of punishing myself. Lol hope that makes sense.

Are you paying out of pocket? Most insurance companies who require the dr monitored weigh ins also require you to not gain during that time. If you are even just 1 pound heavier than your first weigh in, they deny the surgery. Maybe ask your insurance or surgeon - I was told that the point of the dr weigh in Period is to make sure you take the life change seriously enough to work at losing weight AND to try to get you to give up or fail so they can deny It and save money.

Not a single person noticed I had lost weight until I was down 43 pounds. Then the only reason why another person noticed was because they overheard me telling the first person that I had lost 43 pounds lol. Then they just said "oh that's great". I wasn't offended. I figured it would take my husband and kids forever to notice since they see me daily. I was a little surprised about others not noticing sooner and then i realized that I need to lose a total of 188 pounds. 43 out of that is just a drop in pond. I'm sure people will notice when I've lost at least half of my excess. And if THEY don't, at least I will.

I'm using the iPhone app as well

5.3.43

Within the last week or so my BariatricPal app is turned from being decent to being worthless. Notifications aren't showing or reporting and the only three notifications that I see in my settings are from February. Posts are older and it's freezing on me. I've uninstalled and reinstalled three times without any effects or improvement. Suggestions???

Close, I'm on the 26th.

Lost 46 pounds so far in my dr monitored diet since feb 21. I'm officially starting the preop diet tomorrow. I'm hoping to lose 14 more before my surgery on may 26th.

You rock, thanks for the words of encouragement!!

I started my journey on feb 22 with a consult to a bariatric surgeon. My preop requirements were: 6 mo dr monitored weigh ins Psychological exam Pulmonary clearance Cardiovascular clearance Sleep study Surgery seminar Support group participation X-rays Blood work Dietician consult Letter of medical necessity I was one of the lucky ones. I had already seen my PCP monthly since dec for unrelated concerns and since I was weighed at those visits, those counted toward my 6 month dr monitored weigh in. Because I was on this app, my surgeon released me from the support group requirement and due to my previous research and binder I brought with me to my consult, he cleared me from the seminar. My NUT told me it would take a good 6 months just to get me in since she was so busy, but she had a cancellation within a week and because of my preparation, cleared me that same appointment. My psychologist didn't accept my insurance so I thought I was going to have to pay out of pocket, but all of a sudden another psychologist called and said they'd get me in and use my insurance. I had already done a sleep study within the previous year due to unrelated concerns so the dr accepted that as completed. So here I am a bit blown away by how quickly this went by. In 2 1/2 months, I completed everything and just got a call today from my surgeons office to select a surgery date (may 26th) and preop appt (may 16th). I was hoping for less than 6 months, but as of this week, didn't think it would be earlier than the 2nd week of June. I'm surprised my surgeon got me in so quickly for surgery. She said the only reason why I have to wait 2 more weeks is because that's allowing the insurance to approve. She says she calls them almost daily to push for answers so they can get their patients in within 2 weeks of clearance. Had a twinge of fear when I heard may 26th just because it seems so soon, but this is what I've worked so hard for. Anyone else on May 26th??? I'm going to go through this alone since my husband is working and no one else knows. It would be nice to have a buddy. [emoji4]

I was just given this date for surgery too!!

Oh, and keep a list of achieved NSVs (non scale victories). It will help ease the pain when you don't see the scale moving. It's also fun to have an incentive chart! I have varying weight loss goals that reflect low weight marks, scale numbers, total pounds lost, and personal goal pre surgery (which I've already met and then changed to a new goal). My goals range from 2 pounds to 25 pounds before an incentive is reached. THEN I MAKE SURE TO GET MY INCENTIVE!! Skipping something just makes the chart pointless. I've included pics of my personal "charts" including a monthly weight loss tracker and skinny bucket list (of things I want to achieve once I'm thin). I keep these in the back of my daily journal so I can reflect and update often. Hard to read - sorry - I didn't intend them for sharing. My sister and step dad are body builders/weight lifters (depending on their season). I worked out with them often as a teen and have been through every phase of diet/exercise/flabby/fit/muscular/sad there is during my life. I worked my enormous butt off in 2011 to lose weight after having my kids and being diagnosed with PCOS. I went from 287 to 218 in 2-3 years just on diet and exercise. Then, tada!, I got pregnant through 2 forms of birth control and gained over 100 pounds during pregnancy. Now, 2 years after birth, I'm back on diet and exercise while waiting for this tool that will help me stop the rollercoaster ride. I have only told my husband about surgery. No one else in my family would agree. But now that I'm older and been through these weigh ups and downs way too many times in my life, I'm ready to stop the routine and get help. HW: 328 (02/22/17) SW: TBD CW: 285 Pounds disowned to date: 43

So exciting!! Glad we can motivate each other. It's a frustrating and emotional process for sure. HW: 328 (02/22/17) SW: TBD CW: 285 Pounds disowned to date: 43

Correct, I haven't had surgery yet. I've lost 44 pounds in the 3 months preop so far. I am waiting for insurance approval now. HW: 328 (02/22/17) SW: TBD CW: 285 Pounds disowned to date: 43

To all the new people joining who are preop, the struggle is real even pre surgery! Your body odor will very noticeably change - usually for the worse - once you start losing. Mine went from almost no odor post workout to "oh for heavens sakes, something died in my armpits and crotch!" Right around the 40 pound mark loss. If you are like me and have used the same cheap deodorant since middle school, plan a burial ceremony now because you'll need something much stronger. You will get unsolicited advice at the gym and people will stare. Realize most are just wanting to help and are unsure how to approach it. Smile, be thankful, and very quickly you'll have some reliable gym buddies that can help train you for free instead of paying for a trainer. It's not necessary to become defensive even though it WILL hurt when they throw assumptions around. Every surgeon, PCP, NUT, psychologist, etc is different. According to my surgeon, once all of your preop hoops are completed, he takes a day or two to review and approve before the work is sent to insurance for approval. At that point, they set a date for after the 2 week max time allowed for the insurance to make a decision. My state might be different and I'm sure if there are questions or issues, it will take insurance longer to make a decision. Ask for copies of everything! Things get lost in translation often. Yes there is a "week 3 stall" that will happen normally between 2-4 weeks post op, and AT ANY POINT pre-op. Do not give up on diet and exercise just because your body is throwing a temper tantrum. Keep working on you and your body will give up. Be more stubborn than it wants you to be. It's just trying to readjust and come to terms with the changes. Keep in mind that this will not be the only time you stall. It is normal to stall and changing your exercise and diet routine for a week might break it. Stay off the scale! But not too much. Yes, A body can fluctuate 2 pounds each day. Mine has fluctuated by 5 pounds here or there. If you're a scale junky, pick a day each week for a weigh in and track it. For those who hate the scale, Weigh yourself at least once a month to keep on track. Depending on how much you need to lose, it takes too long for someone to FINALLY notice and ask if you've lost "a little weight". After you've lost the equivalent of a newborn YAK, they'll say something awesome like "yeah I can really see it in your face". The rest of your body will be noticeable soon too, no worries. Deflated boobs or a magically larger penis is part of the joy of the journey. No your manhood did not literally enlarge. It is just not surrounded by so much cushion so more of it is available. And ladies, if your like me, the first 40 will come from your chest. Get used to looking like a helium balloon that's been trapped in a hot car for 2 days. All sad and wrinkled. I haven't even gone through surgery yet and they're already bowing instead of saluting. Stock up on lotion. The first 10 pounds quickly lost in the first week or two is water weight. Dry skin is real after that! Eventually it will regulate to normal, but it might take a long while during your journey as you continue to lose weight. Withdrawing from sugar, carbs, and caffeine will feel like a near death experience. After a week, it's better. After a month, you almost don't want it anymore. Going back on the stuff will make you feel sick at this point. Push through the withdraw period. It's worth it. Drink a half an ounce of water per pound you are each day. For me, that ends up being roughly 18 CUPS of water - or a gallon and a half. It keeps you full, energized, washes out those wonderful toxins we've built up in our fat pantry, and helps flush the slew of hormones you'll experience as you lose. No you will not die from drinking that much water throughout a 12 hour day. And don't worry, after the first few weeks you won't be peeing as much as you will at first. Yes you're hungry, we all are. Yes you will survive because yes it's all in your head. You got to this point by allowing your brain to run the show. Well your brain is officially your enemy from now on. It's time to follow your heart and do what you know is right, even if it's hard. You have a purpose that is personal to you only. Hold on to that like a life vest during this storm. It will pass and you will be thankful and proud that you can finally trust yourself. If you do everything right, there's really no way you can't lose weight - except in the normal stall phases. The key is to be honest with yourself. People will enjoy giving examples of why this has to be wrong. Let's face it, if we could trust ourselves, we wouldn't be in this particular position in life. We will lie about what we really eat. It's just what makes us feel better. For heavens sake, make a list of every question you can think of and ask your doctors! They do this every day so they should be a reliable source. Mostly, Good luck on the journey. We are rooting for you! HW: 328 (02/22/17) SW: TBD CW: 288 Pounds disowned to date: 40

How much have you lost since surgery? HW: 328 (02/22/17) SW: TBD CW: 288 Pounds disowned to date: 40

TMI for those sensitive to racy topics... [emoji6] Still preop but so far my favorite NSV happened yesterday while being intimate with my husband. My stomach wasn't squishing him in one position and I was able to be way more flexible in another. Also, there was air/space between "us" that has never been there in recent years. A non racy NSV that I realized yesterday was that I was able to do 10 minutes of stairclimber workout without needing a break or being winded. It was so crazy amazing that I did it again at the end of my weight training!! HW: 328 (02/22/17) SW: TBD CW: 288 Pounds disowned to date: 40

I "should" be getting a call today to tell me that the surgeon reviewed my files of "hoop proof" to approve and send to insurance. My question, when I went to see a dietician as an insurance requirement to receive clearance for surgery, she was the one to review all of the pre and post op diet info. I have the guides from her to follow when time. Has anyone else been given the preop diet from the NUT instead of surgeon? I keep seeing that some people have liquid only diets while other have lean proteins and veg diets and since mine states the latter, I want to make sure it's correct. Of course I'll be talking to my surgeon when I get the date set. Just wondering if this is fairly normal. HW: 328 (02/22/17) SW: TBD CW: 288 Pounds disowned to date: 40