KikiSue🙋🏼

Wow, to me that sounds like you’ve lost a lot! Seriously, be grateful for what you have lost. My surgery was a month ago today and I’ve lost 9 lbs in a month. Doesn’t seem like a lot but I know my clothes are fitting much better, I’m taking much less insulin for my diabetes and I’m feeling better. Good things are on the way!

Good idea! Thanks

Does anyone know of any bariatric Facebook groups that do not have the name “Bariatric” in them?? I’d love to find a closed group that I can join, but don’t want it to show my friends that I’ve joined a bariatric group. Not because I’m ashamed, just because it’s nobody’s business.

One of my friends joined a bariatric group and it showed me a few times a week that she was in it..... EVEN though it was a closed group.

I’ve only told my husband and kids that I’m having this surgery. Have t told my parents or siblings or any friends. I just don’t want the judgement and stigma that comes with it. They won’t care to take the time to educate themselves and realize that it’s still a LOT of hard work on my part. So with only my husband and kids knowing..... I still want additional support with questions or someone that I can connect with.

My surgery should be in September 2018.

Naturelover... for some reason it won’t let me message you.

Naturelover,
I’m sorry to hear about your adrenal tumor, but so glad that you’re feeling better after surgery with your FMS and CFS. That gives me so much hope!
I am going to PM you.

Frustr8 - ME is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

I have FMS & CFS as well, and am so glad I found this question and read your answers. I’m only into my 3rd month Pre-op and have wondered the same thing for a while. Even if it helps a little bit, then I’ll take it!! And like you said, just having the excess weight taken off of my knees and ankle joints will be a big help. I’m excited to get this journey started and start living life!!

Thanks for sharing! I look forward to hearing about your progress.

Well, I thought I was ready and then got hit with a big disappointment the other day. My doctors office called my insurance and asked "is precert needed" and my insurance said "no, because this is an Outpatient procedure it's not needed". However, she never asked if this procedure is actually covered. So she assumed and told me it was and scheduled the procedure. Thankfully I called the other day to confirm and was told that it's considered investigational and not covered. They said if anything we can do a pre-determination and see if they'll grant permission for this procedure. After running around to several doctors offices to get my medical records for them, She marked it as URGENT and sent it off to my insurance for Pre-D. I've been told his can take up to 4 weeks and my procedure is scheduled for Monday 9/25. We have to make the decision today to reschedule or cancel if we don't hear anything back from the insurance. I'm so bummed out right now!! I've been crying for 3 days!!!

Just venting..... [emoji27][emoji27][emoji22]

That's awesome Jim!! My ESG already was rescheduled once because the doctor had a conflict with the schedule. So now it's supposed to be THIS Monday 9/25. I was told that the office Precerted the procedure and it would be covered at 90%. Awesome, so I'm getting prepared and then thankfully I pulled the policy last weekend and it's listed as uncovered because it's labeled as experimental. I could just CRY!!! So at this point I have no idea if I'm going to be able to have it on Monday or it. Sorry for the book, I'm so frustrated as I'm diabetic, have high cholesterol and was really counting on this help to get me on the right track and get off of these meds and be healthy.

How are you feeling? Are you staying hydrated? How many days post-procedure are you now?

Good luck to you! I look forward to hearing about your progress!!

Does anyone know of any Drs in MI that do the endoscopic sleeve?
Or anywhere nearby?
TIA!

I'm in SW MI, and going to Chicago next week for mine on 9/25 with Dr. Chapman at U of Chicago.

There's an entire forum on here dedicated to ESG procedures. It's fairly new.

Thanks Apple1! And thank you for the tip about the Water. That's good info to know!

I guess the part that will be hard is that you can't drink anything for 1 hr before or after eating. I can understand how people can get dehydrated. I usually gulp water super fast, so the sipping will be a challenge for me.

I have 9 days until my ESG. I'm wanting to make sure that I'm well prepared for all of this.

I already have: 2 and 4 oz containers w/ lids for sf/ff Jello, Protein Powder and fresh/frozen fruit for smoothies, unsweetened applesauce, a few jars of baby food, a daily log food journal (ordered on Amazon), my calorie fat and carb counter, several different kinds of sf/ff flavored water - some with extra B Vitamins for energy and some with electrolytes to keep me hydrated. Plenty of coffee and teas to replace my Diet Coke

I'm picking up my meds in a few days. I know that I still need to pick up some more broth and ff milk next weekend. I have logs printed to check my blood sugar every 4 hrs and write it down for my endocrinologist.

Is there anything else that anyone can think of? Is there anything that helped you most that I haven't mentioned?

I quit smoking 27 days ago - cold turkey, and feel great about that!!

I'm so ready for this!!!

Belle,
The week of my procedure my doctors office called to reschedule it. It's now on 9/25. I was so disappointed, but understand that everything happens for a reason. I'm looking forward to 9/25, counting down the days actually!

[emoji1384] I'm September 25th for the ESG (Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty). Getting very excited!! Only 1 day of Pre-op Clear Liquids required.


Kiki
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Original Procedure date: 9/8/17
Updated Procedure day: 9/25/17
BMI - 34

Well, I'm kind of disappointed, but I guess everything happens for a reason. My doctors office called and moved my procedure date from 9/8 to 9/25. I was getting so excited for next Friday and now have to wait a few more weeks . Oh well, I guess I have a few more weeks to prepare. It just sucks because I'm having my food funeral and probably packed on 5 lbs this week from eating everything that I need to say goodbye to!


Kiki
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Procedure day: 9/8/17

SydSyd..... I really hope you get feeling better. I can sense the depression in your post and that's concerning for me too. I go through bouts of ups and downs and I'm trying to stay positive about all of this and am feeling very excited, but it's definitely something that I need to prepare for. I really hope that your insurance will cover it for you. Often you can add the additional diagnoses, if you have them, of any diseases or family history codes to help get things covered. I'm sure your doctors office knows that though.

Please keep in touch and I hope you get to feeling better soon!


Kiki
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Procedure day: 9/8/17

Belle3endosleeve & Melesg ~
What kind of food plan will your doctors have you on? My procedure is next Friday (9/8), and I'm having it done at U of Chicago, which is about 2 hours away from my house. So I'm planning on scheduling appts with my endocrinologist & nutritionist here for follow-up.


Kiki
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Procedure day: 9/8/17

Hi Belle ,

Yep, me too! I'm only telling a few select family members. There is nothing easy about any of this! And I don't want to be under the microscope. I'm with ya!!


Kiki
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Procedure day: 9/8/17

I'm with you EW as to why I'm only sharing with certain family members. There is nothing "easy" about any of this and I don't want to be under the microscope with certain people.


Kiki
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Procedure day: 9/8/17

My gastroenteritis office called and Pre-certed everything. I'm type II diabetic (on insulin) with high cholesterol and PCOS w/ complete hysterectomy at 27 yo (13 yrs ago), now on HRT. This is an unlisted CPT procedure code of 43999, so a lot of ins. companies don't understand what it is since there's not a code for it because it is so new. If you can find covered indications it helps a lot!! My BMI is 34, so technically I almost could've had the open procedures, but love the idea of less invasive and quicker healing time with ESG!
I'm having mine at U of Chicago and the cost is (all-inclusive) $10K. Good luck! Let's all keep in touch!!


Kiki
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Procedure day: 9/8/17

That's awesome EW!! I'm looking forward to keeping in contact with you during my journey - 22 more days until my procedure!!

I'm a gulper too, so I'm glad that Belle asked that! Good to know!

I do have a quick question - im on hormones and other (pill form) meds - will I be allowed to take these the day after the procedure?


Kiki
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Procedure day: 9/8/17

Which do you prefer and see the most weight loss with, Low Carb or Counting Calories? My MD wants me to stick to an 800-1000 calorie diet after my procedure. I want to do whatever I'll get the best results with. Which do you prefer and why??

Kiki

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty

Procedure day: 9/8/17

Yes, it is non-surgical and all done through your mouth, like when you go in for an upper GI. I'm having it on a Friday and hope to be working on Monday.

Yes, I'm in the US. I'm having mine done in Chicago.


Kiki
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Procedure day: 9/8/17

Shedo - Yes it is fairly new. And only being done in a handful of clinics in our country. It is being taught to physicians more and more, so it will become as common as the other gastric surgeries very quickly.
What really entices me is that it is outpatient, only takes about 45 mins, less invasive and you don't have to go through the multiple pre-op specialist appointments like you do with the more invasive gastric surgeries.


Kiki
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Procedure day: 9/8/17

Thanks Shedo! And good to know! I wish that I would've read this before I went shopping yesterday, lol. I went to Sam's Club and bought the chocolate and vanilla Protein drinks there. They're 30 grams of protein.

Do any of you have any info like paperwork that describes examples of meal ideas for the first few days and beyond? I would love to see it if possible. I can give you my email or you can text it to me if that's easier.


Kiki
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Procedure day: 9/8/17