msdw59

Sleeved on 6/13 and I'm still in the hospital with complications. You name it and it has happened,but it is my hope and my prayer that I will be home in my own bed on Friday! Prayers and lots of them are needed.

The smell of all the Protein drinks is off putting. I found a ripe banana thrown in, not only naturally sweetens the drink, it add thickness. I can't stand any of the vanilla drinks. I honestly can't stomach any of these Protein powder drinks unless they are blended for at least 3 to 4 minutes to eliminate graininess and then into the refrigerator for overnight cooling.

I also have Aetna, but for the life of me I couldn't tell you how long it took to get approval. I began my wl journey back in September 2010 and was told I was approved 5/13/2011. I went into the surgeon's office so he could look at my "belly" for SIL VSG. As I was exiting the office, I overheard the program coordinator tell the surgeon "she agreed to June 13th and she's approved" I yelled out, "did you say, I was approved" the coordinator replied, yes - you've been approved for ages. But when I think back, I did get a call from the insurance company, but I never returned the call. Maybe that was them giving me the good news. Well I'm scheduled for June 13th! Scary, Exciting and Scary - Yikes!!!! D

My flipping surgeon requires a 30 day pre-op diet. 2 Protein Shakes a day with a light dense protein dinner. Now about the shakes: I too was in a panic. I have never in my life drank a slim fast or even a Carnation Instant Breakfast. So, off to GNC I went and I brought Isopure chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. I also purchased Designer Whey Chocolate and Vanilla and then while in the store my cousin called (she had bypass) said to get the GNC red can of vanilla. I started with the designer whey vanilla. And it looked great, but the smell was off putting. But because I spent $20 on that can, I opened the chocolate designer whey and added a scoop of chocolate. It wasn't enough "chocolate flavor" and I still couldn't get past the smell. I then went in the refrigerator and put in two bananas and a pack of diet chocolate putting. Then put the whole thing in the refrigerator. After about an hour and the drink was cold, cold, cold, the smell dissipated, the drink was YUMMO! I have my shake solution! 27 bloody days of this sh** and then it's surgery day. How will I ever survive

on June 13th, I will be on the NY Loser's Bench! Hot damn I'm so flipping excited!

Up until 5/13, I hadn't told a single person I was doing WLS. Upon receiving my approval and surgery date, I went to my mom's house and sat her down and told her what I was doing. And just as I predicted, she gave me the sad face and said "well, what are you going to do with the hanging skin" I replied "live with it" Have you made arrangements for if anything happens. I said I have. Do you have insurance? I do Who'se getting it? I said you're getting some of it. She replied, well don't leave your sister too much, she'll loose her mind and tell her husband and he will leave her. I burst out laughing and said maybe I should give her the money now so she can be done with him. We went back to my WLS and after I explained what I was doing. Why I was doing it. That No, I can't do it solely on my own and that I needed her to drive me to the hospital. She said, "Wow, you really planned this all out" Mom decided then and there that she was doing a diet because "she can't be the only fatty in the family" and my 70 year old mother said, "And if this diet doesn't work, I'm going get myself some WLS. I want to feel better too. I burst out laughing because this is so typical of my mom. She good for putting the kibosh on some new fangled idea, but as soon as she understands something (and I've co-signed it) she's all for it. She's excited for me and now has questions and more questions since I told her that I'm doing the surgery.

Approval was about 2 weeks. But I had no idea that the hospital had submitted my paperwork in to the insurance company. \ Thursday, the doctor's office called to ask if I could come in so the doctor could "look at my belly" You see, I wanted the Single Incision VSG and he needed to determine whether I was a good canidate. Well, he was late for our appointment, but the buzz was around the office that I was there for single incision vsg. So four doctors come in to look at my belly and one of them says "Wow, you slimmer than most patients that request the surgery" All of the doctors smile and nod in agreement. I'm 5'9" and 303 lbs and I'm slimmer than most? Wow. Well, the big cheese finally makes it to the office and sees me right away, I have to show him my belly and voila he says. OK, we'll do it! Now, I'm pleased as punch at hearing this and as I am exiting the exam room, the surgery coordinator is saying to the doctor, she'll do the 13th "She is approved" I yell out, "I'm approved?" they said yes! I did a happy dance down the hall. Finally, it's happening. June 13th is my date.

I am fortunate that I have never relied on the councel of others. Nor have I've been motivated by guilt or moved by tears when it comes to my decision making. Weigh the pros and cons about the surgery and then make a decision. No matter what you decide, it will be OK. Only you can determine what is best for you. I personally haven't told anyone that I'm doing the surgery. I plan on telling my office 20 business days in advance. My family will be told two days in advance (I need someone to pick me up from the hospital).

Holy Moley about eating everything not nailed down. I've lost 75 lbs on my own and the closer I get to a possible surgery date (I go into the hospital tomorrow to sign the papers!); the more I eat. Going the cardiologist office, I just knew that I was having a heart attack and all I was going in to in to have the doctor to read the results of the stress test and give me an all clear! When the cardiologist told me to tell the surgeon to schedule me for surgery, thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. Blood pressure began to drop then elevate! I immediately did what I always do when I'm beyond stressed, I grabbed 6 turkey meatballs, followed by a snickers candy bar and a selzer Water, 1 package of strawberry Cookies, 1 package of nuts! luck for me I'm eating vending machine sized portions; otherwise I would be OUT OF CONTROL!!!!!! (Not in one sittling - all eaten during the course of the day) All the best to the May VSGers! I'm shooting for 5/31!!!!! Wish me luck!

I go in Tuesday, to sign the papers and then everything is fwded to the insurance company!!!!! Then fingers cross approval will follow shortly there after.

All right, you got it out of your system! You're afraid! Yes, you are. Now, look fear's fat arse in the face and say "Kiss my soon to be slim arse - I'm going to Mexicali and you can't join me. Bye, bye!" LOL YOU'LL BE FINE. KEEP US POSTED! WE'RE ROOTING FOR YOU! Think the theme from Rocky. You're a prize fighter, you're about to throw a right hook in the face of fear! Keep punching, Keep moving. Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee. You are the greatest! Now, get off your arse and start packing. PACK, PACK, PACK!

Isopure RTD! I actually don't mind them at all. Some people complain about an "after taste" or a hint of clalkiness. Yes, it's there (the last reminds me of weak koolaid and it has the same mouthfeel as liquid jello), but they're not bad. I'm pre-op and trying out the drinks before my actual surgery.

Protein Shots. Personally, I don't like the smell of them, but they do the trick. And set your timer on your phone and drink when it goes off. I'm pre-op and I'm training myself to drink my Isopure RTD drinks (2gm of protein per oz). Not bad. But the timer reminds me to actually drink. Two of the bottles of this stuff gives me 80gms of protein. Add a protein shot to the drink and you've upped the protein by another 40gms. I started drinking the stuff, because I'm doing a pre-diet and dropped my calories (and my hair). 60 lbs off of my behind, but my beautiful hair is just falling out. So Protein Drinks, Biotin and protein Snacks daily.

msdw59@gmail.com Thank you for your kindness. D