sickofitall

That's a great start! Good for you! Lori

Oh definitely! I will need the support. Lori

HAHAHAH! I bet in another country you probably could do that. LOL!

I agree with the other posters. It's really comforting to know it's possible. Congrats on your amazing accomplishment I hope to post that one day! Lori

Good luck with everything. Good job with the weight loss already. I thought your thread title was funny!! I asked my doctor if they could give me my stomach back after surgery in a jar and he looked at me like I was crazy. I told him I hated it and wanted to burn it for a new start..lol He then asked if I was a pagan...hahaha! Oh well, to each their own. I thought it was a good idea. Lori

Not til July :-( Good luck everyone. I will be thinking good thoughts for all you! Lori

Good for you! Congrats! I too was planning on gastric banding originally (self pay) but just found out recently my insurance is changing in July and will cover the sleeve with no 6 month diet. It seemed like the best choice for me. I'm so glad I didn't settle with the band. I was really preparing myself for months of agony with all the adjustments and what not. I'm so happy! July cannot get here fast enough! Wishing you all the best on your journey! Lori

Hi, I have not had surgery yet but my nutrition info says to mix Water with a bottle of Isopure (those are 40 grams for one bottle) and sip, sip, sip just about every 15 minutes. I really don't have any other input, sorry. I'm sure I'll be in the same situation as I am starting to realize that it's probably very hard to stay hydrated.. Good luck to you! Lori

Coach KK - Welcome! I am new also. I too have suffered from both anxiety and depression -both made my obesity much worse. I tend to eat when anxious, and I don't exercise when depression hits. I am going to start therapy to help curb that so I don't set my self up for failure. Your date will come up very quick, just plan, plan plan! I look forward to reading your progress. I am planning for July as soon as my new insurance becomes effective and I get approval! Woohoo! Lori

Congrats to you. Can't wait to follow your progress! Lori

I noticed some people talking about a pump post surgery? What is that?

Hi all, Thanks for the quick responses. I should have mentioned that my job is a desk job so I wouldn't have to lift or move anything at all. I am just so darn excited!! Lori

Hello everyone! I had a surgery date with the gastric band on May 27th, paying cash. Looks like an omen as I just got a new insurance card in the mail and it turns out that United Health Care/Oxford bought my insurance company and they cover the VSG 100% with a $250 deductible. Of course I was jumping for joy because at the bariatric seminar last month, I was very interested in the sleeve but I knew I could not afford it. It was around $6,000 more than the band (about $24,000). I am so so exited now, I can't sleep! I will have to wait til July for my new insurance to become effective but the benefits were already quoted to the surgeon's office. It takes less than a week to get approval as long as BMI is over 40. I cannot believe this as my luck is never this good. My luck usually would have been to get banded end of May, then get the new insurance card in the mail AFTER...lol Unbelievable! One thing I wanted to ask opinions on is how long after surgery did it take you to be able to function? Also, how many days is average hospital stay? I will probably have the surgery on a Thursday and will most likely have to be back at work on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Does that seem possible? I am the only one in the office so it's hard to get coverage for many days plus summer is VERY busy, so I'm hoping I won't be down for long. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks, Lori

May 27th here! Good luck and please post your experiences! Lori :thumbup:

All your hard work is paying off! Congrats on this huge milestone! Lori

Congrats. I know it's not easy! Thanks for the inspiration. Lori

So happy for you, congrats! :thumbup: Getting banded in May and hoping to have good results like you! Thanks for posting. Lori

I too live right down the road from the hospital I am having the procedure at, so I definitely feel better about that. I may board my dogs for a day or two as they are small and like to jump all over me. That is sure to hurt! Again, good luck with everything and please post your progress! Lori

Wow, you look amazing! Congrats to you and thank you for being such an inspiration! ~Lori

Congrats and keep it up!! You can do it! I quit 8 months ago and it was definitely the hardest thing I ever had to do. I couldn't do it cold turkey, though. I did the patch and supplemented with nicotine gum when bad triggers hit. It made all the difference! Give it a few months and you will notice a healthier you! ~Lori

Hello, First off, I wish you luck in your journey this month! Hopefully I will have a date soon as well. Looking toward mid or end of May, but I know my surgery as a self pay will be outpatient at the hospital. My mother just had it last month and stayed overnight and she has medicare. Same doc, just different pay methods. I guess if insurance will cover it they will have you stay, if not, it's only day surgery. The only reasoning I can think of. ~Lori

In fairfield county CT, for my doc it's $18,950.00. The price includes the hospital, surgeon, anesthesia doc, post op check up, lifetime fills, plus monthly support groups with psychologist and nutritionist. There are also 3 appointments prior which range from 100 to 125 (consult, psych, and nutritionist). Plus I'm sure the Protein shakes cost plenty..I'll find out next month. Lori

Thanks for the input. My mother was banded a few weeks ago by Craig Floch and I'm going in for banding in May with Neil at Norwalk Hospital. I have heard nothing but good things about both doctors and the office. I'm looking forward to it! I will post my experience as well. Lori