thenewme1654

I have been telling people on a "need to know" basis. My family and co-workers know and have been very supportive. The reaction from some of my "close" friends has been interesting- most are supportive and one I think is negative because of jealousy. So be it. I don't feel that I need or want to discuss it with everyone who asks, so in answer to "how did you lose the weight", I usually say..."lots of hard work" and smile sweetly. I have never had anyone push it further, but if they did I will say, "I watch everything I eat". I really feel that just because someone asks, I an not obligated to give them my medical history.

------------------------------------------------------------- I SOOOO agree with you Donna4545 !!! I have never seen the show and will NEVER watch it or support the associated products. The commercials are enough!! I think it is the last socially acceptable form of prejudice. What you say about the voyueristic, judgemental public is true....it makes it all OK because it is on TV. I have a friend who watches it religiously because she thinks it is so inspirational. She is very critical about another friend of ours who "won't just lose the weight and take care of herself". Today she emailed me and asked if I had the surgery for "weight loss or medical reasons" like there's a difference??(insuinuating that neither of those were acceptable). She went on to say that if I could lose 30 lbs preop why didn't I just stay on the diet for like a year and lose the rest!!! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The interesting thing is that she could probably stand to lose 75 lbs herself, but doesn't think SHE is overweight.!!! SOOO, what do you with that??? I am sooo sick of seeing Jillian everywhere, she can kiss my fat ass, too... she's a fraud. I don't understand how she believes that destroying the little self-esteem that those folks have is helping them. OK, rant over.

Your copay will depend on your employers policy and the coverage limitations they may have placed on bariatric surgery. My co-pay was $1000, yours may be more or less depending on the policy. You may also have an annual deductible that will need to be satisifed. Check your policy.....they are all different. You should be informed by the hospital and/or the insurance company what your financial responsibilities will be. Good Luck.

I was sleeved on Tuesday, 8/3 by Dr. Genaw at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. I had a wonderful experience, Dr. Genaw is terrific - caring and compassionate and a great surgeon. The staff at the hospital were kind and professional. The room was unbelieveable, like a very high end hotel, private room and very comfortable. I was off the pain pump the next day and only have had one dose of plain Tylenol since and I am very comfortable. I have only occassional "twinges" at my sites when twisting or changing positions. I am learning the new signals my tummy is sending me and am able to take medium sized sips without discomfort. It sure is a noisy little bugger though !! (lol) The only problem I am having is taking my dang pills....I have to crush them and they taste soooo bad that they make me gag...not a fun experience. My nut suggested I use cool whip and form a little nest and put the crushed pill in then cover it over to keep the taste of the pills out of your mouth. I then chase it down with a bit of Water. It works pretty well, but it's very time consuming, my 4 morning meds take about 40 min to get down. The four spoons of cool whip preclude me from taking anything else in for quite a while afterwards. Anyone tried something else that works?? Otherwise I am a happy camper!! Tomorrow I start full liquids. Yippee!!!!

I have finally jumped through all the hoops, insurance approved the sleeve, had my final weigh in this past week (lost 22 lbs) and now my surgery is only 3 days away! I can hardly believe it....it has taken 8 long months....and it is nearly here. I would like to say that I have lurked here for several months and learned so much from all of you. What I have noticed most is that no one seems to have regrets about having surgery. That is such a great comfort for me. All of this is suddenly becoming VERY real!! I am anxious and nervous, but I believe I am making the right decision. My husband and son are very supportive, as are my fellow RNs at work. Even my 84 year old mother is on board (that was a shock). Other friends and family are finding out gradually and that's OK with me. Now the big hurdle is getting it done and getting on with my new life. I hope you will all keep me in your thoughts on Tuesday and I'll let you know how it goes. :crying:

Thanks for all the kind thoughts and wishes, it is so nice to know that all this support and positive energy is "out there". THis is a very special group!!

Its a very odd situation....the last time I lost weight, I lost 60 lbs before anyone said anything. I think sometimes they are embarrased to say something, or don't know what to say...or...Maybe they just don't really look at those of us that are obese? Sometimes I think people are just not observant....recently my husband shaved his mustache that he has had forever. It was a full 2 weeks before anyone noticed that "something was different" but they couldn't say what . Don't be discouraged, it will soon be so obvious they will have to comment.

My surgery is Aug 3rd at Henry Ford. I have had a great experience there...everyone has been great.

Hi all, My date is Aug 3rd!!! It's coming soooo fast....start my liquids only on Tuesday and final weigh in on Weds. Dr. Genaw in Michigan. Best of luck to everyone...looking forward to seeing everyone on the losers bench.

Hi Jen, I am getting sleeved on Aug 3rd in Michigan. Good luck and best wishes.

Hi All, My surgery is scheduled for Aug 3rd. I have several medications that I will continue to take after my surgery, which the bariatrician has said can be crushed. What is the best way to take these in the liquid phase?...put in a small amount of liquid and swallow? Put in mouth dry and sip some liquid? How do you get them down and get rid of the nasty taste? Seems more obvious in the pureed/mushy phase when it can be put in applesauce or something similar to carry it down. Anyone have suggestions to make this easier??? :biggrin0:

Jacky, You should not still be having these symptoms after treatment for pneumonia. Go back to the ER at the large hospital immediately. It is important that you have more treatment so that your condition does not spiral out of control. THey cannot turn you away. Do you still have a fever? Can you keep fluids down? Are you able to urinate? You need to be seen again immediately if your symptoms are not resolving.!!!! Do not wait. It sounds like something could still be very wrong. Your first priority should be getting better. Then hire a lawyer, he can obtain your medical records and look into what happened. You would be suprised how cooperative the hospital and surgeon will be when a lawyer comes calling.

I'm 56 yrs old, from southeast Michigan. I've been an RN since 1974 and done lots of things - addiction medicine, hospice, and most recently, home dialysis. I work full time at a large teaching hospital. I saw my surgeon today and got my surgery date- Aug 3rd! Preceeded by an EGD this Tuesday 7/13. My highest weight was 320, current weight 308 and goal weight -somewhere less than 200 (to be determined). Starting this thread was a great idea Kathy - Thanks.