I'm so excited to be this close to surgery. I don't have a date yet. I go back to the surgeon on Jan. 8, 2014. I expect we will set a date then (hopefully). January 29 ends the 3 month "diet" period. So I think I'm looking at surgery in February.

@robinson - my doctor requests I lose 10 lbs before surgery because it helps with recovery to be at least 10 lbs lighter.

I have 2 weeks of the Optifast shakes. My surgeon said the pre-op diet is to make sure your liver shrinks. It makes the surgery easier for them.

My insurance requires 5% weight loss but the surgeon requires 10% prior to surgery. For two reasons. First and foremost to shrink the liver and second to show you are able to control your eating habits.

Congrats to everyone whose gotten a date! Can't wait to get mine

I started this process April 2013. I had to complete a six month diet, see a nutritionist, psych evaluation and a pre op class.All was submitted to insurance on 12/22 and on 12/26 I was approved. I have an appt with the surgeon on 1/22 to set a date for surgery and get all my preoperative testing info. I am super excited for the change that is going to happen. Anyone else in Colorado Springs, CO?

Hi Sarah! I was sleeved Jan 30th in Colorado Springs by Dr. Fedorak. Would love to know how you are doing and feeling? I'm feeling really alone in this process. I'm married and have a 10 month old son but I have no one to go through this journey with. Would love to be a buddy!

I've just had my Endoscopy done today. Best sleep I've had in a while lol. They did tell me that I have a little irritation in my stomach(gastritis) and took a sample. I am worried that this is going to prevent me from having the surgery on the 17th. Has anyone had their procedure delayed due to this?

Hi Sarah! I was sleeved Jan 30th in Colorado Springs by Dr. Fedorak. Would love to know how you are doing and feeling? I'm feeling really alone in this process. I'm married and have a 10 month old son but I have no one to go through this journey with. Would love to be a buddy!

Hi JessRose,

Lets be buddys. I am schedule for 2/13. Would love to hear about your journey!

Got my date today...2/25/14.

My date is 2/24/14 with Dr. Cavaretta in Buffalo, NY I go for pre admission testing at the hospital on 2/4, a liver reduction class on 2/5 and start the liver reduction diet on 2/14.

I remember hanging up with the surgery scheduler and thinking, "oh my god... **** just got real!" Then my nerves kicked in!

LOL.....I read your post and died.... I thought the EXACT same thing when my doctor's coordinator called me last week. I went from consult to approval in less than a week... surgery is Monday and I am a bundle of nerves too.. I am SO ready for this to be over with... I wish Monday would hurry up and come on!

Hi everyone-surgery is scheduled for March 3rd in La Crosse, Wisconsin. I can't wait to start my new life!!! I just hope that I do everything right and that my recovery isn't too bad. I feel consumed by thoughts and feelings and even though it's only a few weeks away I feel like it can't come soon enough!

I have Kaiser in California, but I think they have Kaisers in one or two other states as well. Whereabouts did you live? I am in the Inland Empire (San Bernardino county.) I know how you feel! I have enough anxiety as it is, but this is a "good" anxiety. I just want to get it over with so I can start my new life! To be honest, I don't shop much anymore. It's too depressing like you said. When I do find something that fits, it is usually something that is ugly. So that's why I am usually wearing black. And plus size stores such as Torrid are just too expensive. I'm so over it! I've only told my parents, my boyfriend, boss (only because he's the one who has to give me the time off to go to these appointments), and one of my sisters that I am closer too. I have three other siblings that I will tell when I actually have a date. Other than that, I have no intentions of telling anyone else. I MIGHT tell a friend, only because she had the sleeve as well. I am apprehensive about telling her, though, because at one point she tried talking me out of ever getting it done (she knows I was considering it). Her reasons? She lost a lot of hair and has flabby skin now. Uhm, I will take that over being this big anyday! I am from Southern California, San Bernardino county. I am having my surgery through Kaiser. Nice!

Hi there! I'm from Inland Empire also! From East Highland area! My surgery is for March 7th.

Congrats to everyone whose gotten a date! Can't wait to get mine

You don't have a date yet?!?!? I thought by now you had surgery?! I just started reading this thread but didn't finish! I will go back to page 2 so I can finish reading everything! Good luck to you! Kb88

My date is Feb 17. Only stay 1 night in the hospital. Anyone else who is to be or was sleeved stay 1 night?

Was told Pts walk every 2 hrs and can only be in bed from midnight to 6 am. The hospital Scottsdale Healthcare Shea is beautiful and everyone is so pleasant. Had the pre-op class all day Wed and they give every a pt a massage or manicure and facial the day after surgery.

For 1 wk after surgery all Pts are on a clear liquid diet and then go back to class to learn how to eat. My Dr assures that pt's are not hungry and the 64 oz of water everyday flushes toxins out of the body. The Nut said one wk w/o vitamins etc will not deplete the body of vitamins.

I'm still reading the binder of info that was given at the class. This so much to take in and absorb.

WOW a wk from Monday I join you in the land of the sleevers walking into a healthier and happier life.

When I did my pre registration the other day, I was told as long as everything went good, I'd be out of the hospital Thursday afternoon. My surgery is Wednesday the 19th.

Edited February 8, 201412 yr by Sarahjane79

I guess it's pretty standard for the sleeve to just stay one night in the hosp. Ins co's don't want to pay anymore than they have to. Someday we'll have drive through surgery.

Are you getting excited? I am.