branc1

I've already noticed some changes with the presurgery diets. I'm already back in my "good" bras. They're snug but I couldn't even get them fastened 6 weeks ago! My close are loosening up and at least some of them don't hurt anymore. This may be gross but its already easier to wipe my behind.LOL! My feet aren't swelling up like they were and although they still ache with arthritis, they seem some better. I have COPD but its seems I can walk some further without getting winded. All of these are little things but it makes me dream of how much better its gonna get. Day 3 of pre-op diet and going strong. I got a little hungry yesterday but it was time for my snack. After I had it I was fine. I really am gonna do this!:huh0:

I've also seen a suggestion of baby food prunes. Maybe that would help. I know in the past regular prunes worked me pretty good, so I'm going to keep that in mind when I have my surgery.

Thanks I'll work on that when I get home tonight.

I have it and had no problems whatsoever. When I went to my informational meeting, they told me that BCBS Federal was one of the easiest companies to work with! They have certain things they want: complete physical , psyche report etc. but they approved me for lap band and sleeve. I also think if your primary care writes it up that you are morbidly obese with a high BMI that helps too.

Can someone please tell me how to put my picture with my messages? I have looked all over this site and I haven't figured it out yet. I got my ticker on okay but I'd like to put my picture on too. Also I'd like to invite anyone who wants to be friends with me on Facebook...I'm Carole Branson.

I have worked at the same place for 32 yrs. The people who are my friends know the truth and my boss knows. I work at a VA hospital so I can count at least 10 people that I know of have had WLS. The gal who works dayshift in my area had bypass maybe ten years ago. That was before they were doing lap surgery. She has a pretty good scar but she has never been sorry she did it. She has encouraged me a lot...Carole

Today I started my pre-op diet. I am happy and in a good mood.I am not tempted to deviate at all and actually have not feel hungry. I am going to do this:001_tongue:

I started my pre-op diet today. It's for 2 weeks. I have 3 protein shakes a day, 1 fruit and and 1 salad. I also can have 1/4 cup of walnuts or almonds instead of flaxseed oil. You know I chose the nuts. I was so concerned about losing weight before my pe-op visit to the doctor that I was doing 2 shakes and one meal a day. I lost 19 lbs. and he was pleased. So far today is fine and I haven't been hungry. I don't know how the weekend will be. We have the grandkids on the weekend and usually take them out to eat. If we do I'll eat my daily salad then I guess...Carole

Hang in there! We'll be here when you get back. Hope everything goes smooth...Carole

I'd like to add my two cents to that. You are all my inspiration. My surgery is 2 weeks from today. I feel like I'm going into this with an army behind me and a place that answers every question I have had. I plan to be with you and hope I'll be somebody's inspiration in the future.

I'm in Murfreesboro Tennessee. Thats the exact center of the state. (There's a sign that says so). I'm nervous too, but I'm thrilled too.

I'm having my surgery in Murfreesboro. BTW I work at that VA. I'm there right now. I am a housekeeper and I clean the surgery suite in the evenings. I'm not a veteran but my husband is. He retired from here 2 years ago.

We can be Sleeve Sisters! I go September 1st.

:biggrin0:I got my surgery date today! Woo Hoo I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself. I was so afraid that I would be turned down because of my COPD. My doctor didn't seem all that concerned. He just said make sure I brought my inhalers and my nebulizer meds with me. I was concerned about leakages. He said he's done 600 sleeves and hasn't had a leak yet. My head is so full, its hard for me to get serious about work this evening, I start my pre surgery diet Wednesday. Get ready to scooch over on the loser's bench!...Carole:thumbup:

When I had my evaluation, the psychologist talked to me for a while about who I was, about my family, my job, my general health and then my lifelong weight problems. After she got a feel about who I was and where I was coming from, she gave me a standarized test that basically was to see if you are nuts. I had a similar test when I started working for the government. About a week later I got a copy of her impressions that she sent to the Bariatric Center. I tell my family now that I'm not crazy and I have papers to prove it! LOL!! All in all it was painless. I just acted my normal self and it was fine...Carole

My insurance approved me for the surgery. Now if I can just get past the pulmonary dr. I'm on my way. He wanted me to do rehab but there is no way I can afford the co pay. I think I'm over the pneumonia. I see him a week from this Thursday so...we'll see!

Do any of you have COPD along with the obesity problem? How did you come through the surgery? Were there any complications? My insurance has approved me for the surgery. The only thing holding me up is my pulmonologist. I see him again in 2 weeks. My primary care physician thinks I'll do okay. I really would like to hear from someone who has moderate to severe COPD. Personally I think if I can shed this weight my COPD will be somewhat easier to deal with!... Carole

That really does suck! Maybe we'll be sleeve buddies when our time comes. I wasn't that close but the first thing I did was have a REAL cup of coffee, not that decaffinated crap I've been drinking! LOL! Funny how we react to things. We'll hang in there...Carole:laugh0:

I trust my pulmonary doctor completely. In some ways I'm disappointed. However the whole point is to be as healthy as I can. If my lungs need to be stronger so be it. I've been overweight a long time. A few more weeks won't hurt and it allows me to build up more time to take off when I'm ready. I'm still committed to having the surgery. It will happen when the time is right. Again thanks to everyone. As we say in Tennessee "Y'all are great!"

My pulmonologist wants me to put off the surgery until I do pulmonary rehab. He's the expert so... I will still be checking and reading but probably won't be active until I'm ready to go again. Thank you everybody for the things that you share. I have learned so much from all of you. Good luck on your journeys , I hope to join you soon!:thumbdown:...Carole

So today I went to see my pulmonologist, the last step for all my insurance requirements for approval. I am recovering from pneumonia(not a really bad case...I have been working the whole time) and my O2 levels were still low. He made me do the 6 minute walk and they dipped. He said he couldn't give approval until he knows I am completely well. I have to go back next week for a chest x-ray and breathing tests. Rats! I hate them things, however I know where he is coming from. I was really upset when I left the office but I have settled down some. Complicating this all is my bipolar son(26 and father of 2) who is in a manic episode and driving me and DH up the wall. I know everything will eventually calm down but right now I'm just feeling a little crazy myself!:willy_nilly:...Carole

i guess I mean the avatar. When people post a message some have a picture of themselves in the top left corner.

how do you get your pix on your messages?

I have decided to go with the sleeve. I went to a required Bariatric Support group meeting this morning. No Sleevers there. but I have my preop class the 30th and I guess I will get my surgery date then too. I lack a report from my pulmonologist and the letter from Dr. for Medical necessity. He wrote it but the office has misplaced it. They are doing another. I will get it and take it my self! I still need to talk to my cheif at work and see if she will let me borrow up to 2 weeks sick leave. I am hoping she will be supportive. I suspect she will. (she has always liked me and my husband.) Wish me luck!...Carole

thanks so much for all the information. I really do appreciate. Its great to have people to talk to...Carole