thisislou

I’m type II also – and yes – it is possible. I’m @ the 2 year post stage and maintaining a loss of 85 – 90 lbs. Prior I was very close to going to the pump for my diabetes. In fact – that help push me to the sleeve. I was on metformin 1000 mg twice a day, Glucotrol 10 mg once a day, Lantus 45 and also – when needed a fast acting insulin. Now, I only use Victoza - 1 shot a day and I am averaging a reading of ~ 105. I eat what I want – in fact I really think if I stop all the sugar intake I could stop the Victoza. I have also stopped taking most of the other pills – like Zetia, Ramiprill, tetracycline. Like I said – it has been 2 years and life is great. My only regret, as many others have said – I should have had it done years ago … I just turned 61 when I had the operation. Hope this helps

Same here - My nose runs when I eat too much am I'm almost at the 2 year mark ... I guess when the little stomach gets full - it needs to push the excess somewhere? Lou

Hi All It will be 2 years for me also in July. I went from 265 to 180. I stay within 85 - 90 lbs lost. All is great - no regrets. I am always hungry but still can only eat a bit then have to wait. I turn 63 in a few months but do not feel it at all. My exercise: 5 days a week – take off weekends… get up @ 2:45 (I know crazy) – 50 push-ups, 0 sit-ups – then I alternate – one day – 30 minutes on the elliptical – some weights exercises – then 15 minutes on the treadmill. On the other days it is 20 minutes treadmill first then 20 minutes elliptical. I have a hard time dealing with the death of my doctor – Dr. Radulescu. I recently read that it was a suicide. He was very depressed and reports from his doctor said he worried all the time about making a mistake and hearting one of this patients. He was a great doctor. The report goes on to say that he poured gas on himself and light it. WOW… Some stages that I went through and curious if others had the same … When I eat too much – I need to blow my nose I only started to belch after ` the first year which helps a lot to free up “space” I can eat anything – some more than others

Bad new - My surgeon sorry to say - pasted away today: A bariatric surgeon at Orlando Regional Medical Center has died from injuries he suffered Tuesday in an explosion in the garage of his Seminole County home. Dr. Marin Dan Radulescu died as a result of the injuries he suffered in the explosion at his home in west Seminole County, Sheriff's spokesman Lt. James Clark said. It appeared that Radulescu was working on model airplanes at the time and that fuel for the planes may have ignited and caused the explosion, fire officials said.

Not a dumb question ... the size of my face has changed a lot - with the extra fat gone - my jaw is much smaller ... might not be the reason but sure sounds good. Lou

Question: Istarted having problems with my jaw about one month ago – just went to mydentist and said it seems like a TMJ problem suggested a specialist. We talked about my weight loss and that it most likewas/is caused by that. Anyone else have similar problems? Lou

Looks like it all depends on the surgeon. My doctor never stopped be pre/post from drinking regulate coffee.

I had my surgery 2 weeks after my 61st bday - all is great

I also can not get warm. Originally from Maryland and now in Florida for the past 11 years – pre-surgery,I laughed at others wearing jackets when it was 40 out. Now I have a pull over@ work that I put on most days and sleep with sweat pants and top. I also get a chill when I eat too much… you know thefeeling. But after 75 lbs gone – I can take being cold…

It sounds like everyone is doing great - no regrets. Cheri - Hang inthere. He is seeing you go through a big change and needs to adjust to it. Asanother man, I would suggest spicing it up a bit. Get some really sexy clothsand suggest a "date night". You are a new person - introduce yourself to him. Picturesare great - you look good. I have gone into a new phase of this process - I cannot get enoughto eat... It started about one month ago. I'll eat a meal - still a small amountuntil I can feel that I can eat no more (my warnings are - stuffed up nose andcool chilies). Then I stop and within 20 minutes I need more food. I'm bouncingin weight but overall staying constant. I see my PCP doctor Monday and am hopinghe can help. I am diabetic and have gonefrom 3 pills a day - 58 units of time released acting insulin along with a shotof fast acting insulin down to no pills and just 18 units of the slow timereleased. At one time within the past 3 years - he tried me on a type ofinsulin called Byetta- it did not help then but help to suppress my appetite. I'm going toask him to put me back on that. A mistake I made and I'm sure we all are guilty to some extent - new cloths. I started with 40 - 42waist and now down to 32. During the process, I went out and stocked up wit -38 - then 36 then 34 and now 32. Should have waited awhile to advoide some ofthem. I was also in XXL tops and now large and some mediums. I'm talking too much - so I better stop for now Lou

Hi all It's been 5 months for me and all is great - I would like to hear others from this original July 2010 posting to see how you are doing... Lou

Hi I was never told to stop drinking coffee and never did.It has been 5 months and I still drink about 5 cups a day while at work and allregular.

It will be 5 months on the 14th of December and all is wonderful. I just now am at a stall and actually gained ½ pound last week… but I can eat more and am hungry more often. Something I need to work hard on. It was too hard to get to this point and I do not want failure.. But anyway – I’m asking if anyone else experiences the same thing when they eat a bit too much? When I do, my noise gets stuffed up and I need to blow it and I get cold chills. I also seem to be a bit colder then I was. My wife said it is because I do not have all the extra body fat. Might be. Lou

Hi I don?t understand what the ?don't have the adequate weight history? is. If you meet all of Aetna's requirements then their should be just a 3/6 month "supervised weight loss program" with your PCP. Saying that - it is simple. I have BCBS and I imagine they are close. It is stated (in BCBS) your beginning BMI is what is used - so even if you lose weight during that time - you are ok. My advice is to meet all other requirements and have your doctor submit for you. If all else is ok then they should come back with the 3/6 month request. I just went to my doctor 3 consecutive months and documented it - what he said and what I weighed. I also submitted paper work that I was on WW for a year - but don't really think that helped. It also helped my case by calling BCBS every week or so to find out what was happening. Remember - it is you they are approving - not your doctor and if you wait for them to get back to your doctor - then he to get back to you - time is wasted. Life is good for me after my VSG. 2 months today and down ~ 58 lbs... Lou

Hi fellow July sleevers... Tomorrow marks my 8 weeks from sleeve day and everything is great. I'm still waiting for the shoe to drop since I have not had any bad experience so far. I have lost a total of 54 lbs as the scale reads this morning - and pretty consistent of 2 lbs per week. I am eating more often then last month and seem to be picking up my appetite a bit. I am eating almost everything and not had any problems. I always know when I hit "the point" and stop. One small observation I've made within the last week - I am "belching" again - which is great. I eat and get to a point that I feel full - wait a few minutes - belch and can eat a bit more. No hair loss so far. Never had food come back up... I was only out of work 1 week, started exercise after 1 month (start @ 4:25 am - 20 push-ups, 20 min on elliptical and 15 minutes tread mill) Not bad for a 61 year old... We went out this weekend and bought a bunch of new clothes - I now need large shirts/tee's not xxl, and went from a size 40 (betled below the stomach) to a 36. Enough boasting - how about you? Lou

Hi JCJC This is what I had to do for BCBS IL. They require a 3 month supervised weight loss program with your PCP. I had to go to him 3 consecutive months and document in his letter the dates of the visit, his recommendations, and my weight. My doctor was very supportive of the whole process. I actually wrote the letter since I understood what BCBS needed and he signed it after the third visit. It does state in their policy that your starting BMI is what is used for the determination ? so any weight loss during that time does not count?. Hope this helps.. Lou

My doctor told me a bit of a different story. He also said it is like a sink - but a sink that is full and "clogged" after eating. By drinking it just adds to the stomach where nowhere to go but up... and I have had that feeling. Lou

I have BCBSIL and was denied - appealed and was accepted. Come to find out 2 weeks later on July 1 - they changed their policy and now accept VSG - it's not "investigational" anymore. I read on this board someone else that was denied by BCBS - called them up and read their policy to them and was accepted. I had my doctor submit my paperwork but did all the calling myself. A few times they were waiting for something I was able to supply on the phone. Remember - they are approving you and the procedure - not your doctor. My suggestion is to find their policy on line and read it. Lou

Hi I had my sleeve 3 weeks ago in Orlando - ORMC - where are you having yours done? My experience was very good - the only pain was when I came to in recovery and that only lasted a few minutes. No gas experience as many others have had, no feeling of being kicked in the stomach. My surgeon is the best and the hospital had their stuff together. I would be glade to answer any questions you might have... Lou

My doctor/insurance company wanted a 3 month suprvised diet. Which needed documented info of every visit -- so I had to start over -took me 2 months longer. I did have 3 visits during the previous 4 months but since one month was skipped - i needed 2 more appointments. The process is long but worth it... hang in there. Lou

home page : BCBSIL/Provider Medical Policies on Fyiblue then i search for "sleeve" then "Bariatric Surgery " Lou

Cheri Last month, my normal day, I took one Metformin 1000mg twice a day, Glipizide 10MG once, Lantus 58 units a day - and Novolog when needed - ~ 6 units 3 times a day (when level went over 170). When I started my liquid diet, I stopped taking Glipizide and lowered my Lantus to 18 units and no more Novolog. Today is 8 days out of surgery and the only thing I take is 7 units of Lantus. Granted I'm back on liquid with very little intake. I assume that when I start eating a bit more my Lantus will go up some but do not expect to have to take any more pills for my type II diabetes. Lou

I failed my sleep test and will have to go back tomorrow (Monday) to be fitted with a breathing machine. I?m told that once that is done ? they will send paperwork to my doctor and hospital so they will know what to use on me when I have surgery on Wednesday. So, as of now ? I?m still on for the 14th ? lets see what my doctor has to say about this tomorrow Lou

Just got back from my doctors office ? and hit with a problem. I was suppose to have a sleep apnea test and it fell through the holes. He insist that I have one prior to my operation which is scheduled for July 14th ? 6 days from now. I was able to get the test setup for tomorrow night ? which works out great ? get there @ 7:30 and out my 6 the next morning ? no loose of work. My doctor said that sometimes it takes awhile to get the results back so my date might be put on hold ?. And after 9 days of my diet. The good news is everything else is fine and I lost 15 pounds in 9 days. Lets hope that its negative and they tell me/him by Monday.... Lou

I ask for "43775" and my approval letter has "43842"