Hey ya'll. I am in the process of losing the preop weight that Dr. Maher wants me to lose. I am down 8 pounds and have 16 more to go. Is anyone else from the Richmond area? I live in New Kent, Va, but am having my surgery at VCU.

Thanks in advance!

Geeky, u can do it. Have u thought about following the preop diet ti lose the 26#? Wouldnt be easy, but it seems alot of ppl lose on it prior to surgery.

How are all the Felliw Richmonders doing? I am so exited and nervous!!

Getting there. Im done with everything except the psych test. Had the consult, now just waiting on the doc to call me in for the testing (??). After that we go for ins approval.

I was talking to my therapist today about that actually. Doing a preop diet. Basically doing high protein drinks and whatnot. I guess I will see.

Took the test yesterday, a joke in mho, its all relative and of course I have food issues duh..look at me. Lol he didnt have one form ready after a week and will mail it to me smh..great. So..waiting on him and my patience is withering.We'll get there eventually.

Hi all. I'm in Powhatan about 30 miles west of Richmond. I had the sleeve done October 10, 2011 with Dr. Brengman at St. Mary's. This is certainly becoming a popular surgery!

Terry, it is great to see your post. How had your journey been?

Terry, it is great to see your post. How has your journey been?

I just posted this weekend about it

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/41353-xpost-1-year-into-the-journey-and-8-months-post-op-long/page__pid__370557#entry370557

Terry, great journey so far. Congrats. Very inspiring.My paperwork should be submitted by weeks end for approval. Keeping my fingers crossed, and though I should do it more, Im praying really hard.

Terry, I am also having surgery with Dr Brengman, how was your hospital experience with him and St Mary's?

So just an update. I have lost a total of 16 pounds. Although, I lost the same 8 pounds about 6 times. I am hoping these last 10 pounds come off fast. Thats all thats holding me up from getting the surgery. He wants me at 285. Damn this is hard. Sometimes I really just wanna give up! *frustrated sigh*

_{Hi all! I'm in Powhatan too and see Dr. Elliott. Haven't had surgery yet but am hoping I will next month or September. I have seen the nutritionist and had my psych eval. I have my last doctor's visit in my 6 month doctor supervised weight loss plan on Tuesday! After that all of my information can be sent to my insurance company for approval. Fingers crossed! I haven't been told about any other testing or other requirements, so I'm guessing that will happen after approval.}

Welcome all. Nice to see there are several of us in the area. Im going to Dr. Elliott with HCA. I have psych, manometry and 24HR PH 6/4 and Nut 5/29. Then to be sent for approval. Hopefully we all get on the loser bench soon.

RDO- I have a question, if you see this. The manometry and 24 hr pH test, are those requirements for your insurance or Dr. Elliott? I haven't heard anything about them.

Its a Dr. Elliott thing. He likes to be sure the cardiac sphincter is working properly so as not to exacerbate gastric reflux. GR can be made worse by the sleeve if its caused from the sphincter and not just due to the persons weight. So says he. Smile