Apple203

Surgery is postponed...insurance did not approve it citing "not medically necessary."  I was calling to check what time I was going to report for surgery, I was told I was not on the list.  Probably due to some finance (insurance) problem and for me to call finance in the morning.  I come home late from work and see the letter from the insurance company stating it did not appear that my doctor was working with me on my weigh loss and that it was not medically necessary.

I'm frustrated, but not defeated.  I filed for an appeal this morning.  I called the clinic and I was advised to wait.  So now I wait....

I just added up my bills for pre-surgery clearance to-date: $2,997, what insurance paid, not what was billed. Includes: endoscopy ($900); cardiology ($603); psych consult ($532); radiology ($336); six dietitian group classes  ($210) ; surgeon ($192); 1st sleep study @ home ($144); labs ($59).  Wow!

After many years of losing myself to weight loss and gain, many months of planning, eating better, Dr's appointments and seminars, and many many days of worrying, the time has finally come.  I'm scheduled to get to the hospital today at 12:00.  Everyone warns you about nausea after the surgery but nobody warns you about it before...the anticipation is driving me insane! I have a little tote packed with earplugs, headphones, comfy pjs (just in case), my unflavored protein, and lots of fidget toys.   I know this is going to be the start of something great for me but I might go crazy waiting!  I'm trying to stay as busy as possible but my entire body knows something big is looming and it's in overdrive.  See you all on the other side! 

100 freaking pounds gone, and only 5.3 lbs from goal.

Tomorrow is the day. I don't have to be there until 2 pm and my surgery is scheduled for 4 pm. I had thought I was was strangely calm, but after it was pointed out to me that I was barricading myself on the couch with all the things I had to pack I have a clothes basket in front of me and a bunch of stuff beside me along with my sweet furbabies who love to lay next to me. Apparently I do this when I'm anxious. my way of protecting myself I guess. 

Anyway here is a picture of my sweet furbabies who are trying to help me through the anxiety. 

5 more days. Anyone have any ideas on how to relax before the big day?

I have to admit, this is pretty cool

One month Post-OP and here is what I've accomplished:

PROS: Lost 22 lbs. No longer on blood pressure meds. No longer require CPAP.  No snoring. Dropped from size 18 to 16. My shoes fit better.  Increased walking from about 500 steps on day 1 after surgery to 12,000 steps per day after one month. Back to resistance training after 3 weeks and nearly up to my pre-surgery routine. Back to  yoga and slow regaining abdomincal strength. Full of energy. Calorie intake has increased from about 300 per day (first week) to about 900 per day (surgeons recommendations).  Discovered new protein foods like powdered peanut butter and nutritional yeast. Discovered that low fat yogurt and ricotta and cottage cheese can be quite yummy. Discovered that i can survive quite happily without alcohol, cofffee or sugar. Discovered that its incredibly empowering to be able to decline sweets and treats because I truly have no interest in them now.

CONS: I nearly killed myself because my feet got tangled in my too-loose pants at the top of the stairs. I pee twice a night. I don't poop nearly enough. My hips and butt kinda hurt from joint pain, I don't know why.  I do get pretty tired in the afternoon. I have some insomnia but I found that if I have a little snack before I got to bed, that I sleep better. 

The worst dumping episode

On Friday night I had the worst dumping episode to date. I have had nothing like it so far, just mildly and immediately after I have eaten, this was a case of late dumping.

I didn't eat much or as regularly as I would normally do, as I had the day off, and things are never how they usually are. I also donated plasma in the morning, not that I have ever had problems with that before.
In the afternoon I had a few reeses covered pretzels (Yes, I know) and didn't think anything of it. I was playing with my dog on the floor, was a little tired, but nothing unusual, and then woke up over and hour later. I was shaking, heart racing, sweating, legs like logs, stomach not too happy.

I knew I had to eat, so managed to get some food in me, forced myself to walk my dog half a block and then went to bed and stayed there for 12 h. On Saturday I still wasn't back to normal, a friend also telling me that I was extremely pale. As the day progressed I got better, and Sunday was no problem, went and worked out as normal.

But what a horrible experience. Guess who has another intensive to stay away from sugar.

I've been thinking about what my surgery goals are.  Here's my list:

1.  Neck circumference less than 14-inches, which is a threshold for sleep apnea.

2.  Waist less than 32.5 inches, or half my height, which is threshold for heart health.

3.  Weight down 50 pounds or more, which is what the two heavy-as-heck dumbells in my media room weigh.  This will be good for my hips, knees and feet.  This will put my weight to at least where my PCP wants me.

Everything else is gravy.

Psych evaluation in 1.5 hours -- I'm a little nervous!

 TODAY I HIT 50lbs lost  I am super happy and excited to be at my 50lb loss at  6 weeks out  !!!!!

Ive been in hospital 12 days.. Not that I am counting .. ( Not surgery related i am 3 months out) It is really hard.. Today I refused to eat because I can not stomach feeling sick everytime I eat.. I am trying to stay positive in here..

I went to my monthly support meeting yesterday and got "yelled" at.
They think I'm too rigged with tracking my food, and I'm not eating enough carbs. Not that I should overload with carbs, but I should have more in the morning, and continue to eat a lot less of them in the afternoon and evening.

As for tracking my food, they think I can't continue like I do, and think at one point it'll be what makes me gain weight again. That I'm not on a diet, and that I should build a normal relationship with food.

Today is my first bariatric challenge: zero fat for the whole day to prep for radiology tests tomorrow morning (required for surgery). Just had a Oikos triple zero with strawberries -- yum!  

Very excited this morning. Good things have been coming my way all week. I finally got over my stall (which ended up being dehydration) and have entered "onederland".  I have gone from a 40J to a 36H (start weight at 256). And to wrap it up even more nicely, my husband had an very successful surgery for his battle with cancer this Friday. Very excited and happy and a million other things. 

I have scheduled every required test: endoscopy, cardiac+stress test, psychological consult, radiology exams, lab work.  Sleep study is being scheduled by the surgeon's office.  Its a big lift!  I wonder how many people give up along the way?

GOAL!!! this week I have reached my goal. I have lost 30kgs (66.7lbs or 4.7 stone) since 20/3/17 and I feel amazing. I'm fit and healthy and wearing an AU size 8/10. Can't believe it. It hasn't been easy, it's involved an immense amount of will power and very regular exercise but has been well worth it. My friends say I look 15 years younger and I certainly have a younger outlook and feel so very positive. If you are stuck, just getting started or just need to hear that it can be done then believe me it can. Just grit your teeth and stay on it and you'll get there, and when you do your life will be so much happier and fulfilling. Good luck🍀

I have scheduled every required test: endoscopy, cardiac+stress test, psychological consult, radiology exams, lab work.  Sleep study is being scheduled by the surgeon's office.  Its a big lift!  I wonder how many people give up along the way?

Hi there, I have been struggle with my weight since I was in grade school always bigger than the rest. I was referred for weight loss surgery by my pcp in May 2017 did all the necessary requirements that was needed by my insurance......nutrition classes,EKG, psych eval etc. My surgery is scheduled for this Friday 9/15 but I'm nervous because I had my preop with my surgeon last week and he said I lost TOO MUCH weight and needed to gain or my insurance would not cover it.  So you can imgaine my surprise When now I'm told to gain weight I've been trying eat everything in sight but of course now that I need them few lbs it won't happen. I weighed myself today I'm 227 and I'm the same as I weighed last week even after eating a lot......Ugghhh but then I was researching and seeing if others had this problem of loosing too much weight then the insurance not approving them or I even read the insurance takes back the approval.....I wanna know if any one else had this problem where they lost TOO much weight and inaurance gave them a problem. I have the approval letter from the insurance and what I read is that when my claim was submitted my weight that I began with was what they initially submitted which would have of course made me eligible.....I just don't wanna be excited for Friday and then get to the hospital and they tell me no your not fat enough........?

Currently 12 days post-op.... Someday's are better then others some days my emotions are crazy other days Im overly happy... I miss food mostly tacos weird but I thats my current craving that Im considering throwing in my blender... LOL however I am learning to eat again, I am still on mushy food yesterday I enjoyed tomato soup... my body handled it fairly well I however can not tolerate Jello since the day of surgery my body has not wanted it every time I try it I get ill... So I just don't attempt it any longer.... I went and seen my Doctor on Wednesday and that went well I am down 15lbs since my operation so thats over a pound a day... I think this journey isnt going to be easy however i believe it will be worth it... She gave me a long talk about a stall I will hit from week 3-5 explaining this is normal to not freak out to much it will not last but may last the full 2 weeks I have vowed to not weigh myself but when I am at the doctors office and to only take measurments once a month so that I dont become overly obsessed with the changes in my body I just want to focus on feeling better and that alone will make me happy  

Hi there, I have been struggle with my weight since I was in grade school always bigger than the rest. I was referred for weight loss surgery by my pcp in May 2017 did all the necessary requirements that was needed by my insurance......nutrition classes,EKG, psych eval etc. My surgery is scheduled for this Friday 9/15 but I'm nervous because I had my preop with my surgeon last week and he said I lost TOO MUCH weight and needed to gain or my insurance would not cover it.  So you can imgaine my surprise When now I'm told to gain weight I've been trying eat everything in sight but of course now that I need them few lbs it won't happen. I weighed myself today I'm 227 and I'm the same as I weighed last week even after eating a lot......Ugghhh but then I was researching and seeing if others had this problem of loosing too much weight then the insurance not approving them or I even read the insurance takes back the approval.....I wanna know if any one else had this problem where they lost TOO much weight and inaurance gave them a problem. I have the approval letter from the insurance and what I read is that when my claim was submitted my weight that I began with was what they initially submitted which would have of course made me eligible.....I just don't wanna be excited for Friday and then get to the hospital and they tell me no your not fat enough........?

So I haven't been here for a while because of the in fighting and the first thing I read is the ' I regret this surgery' post'

Why haven't you been banned??

The waiting is the hardest part... i am having a bit of luck losing during this 6 month medically supervised weight loss, and that's great but... i just want all this to be over, to have my surgery done and my post op life started... i feel like i am stuck in limbo waiting... anyone else??...

Sold my soul to the Optifast Gods this passed Monday. My wallet is $400 lighter and I have less than two weeks until I start drinking 7 shakes a day and no food.

They said that I could have 1 cup total of either Peppers, lettuce, celery or cucumbers.... and that I was allowed to have sugar free - calorie free drinks and popsicles. But it is no doubt going to be three weeks of misery. on the 22nd day I will have to start my day before surgery stuff. I just hope it goes by fast.