Hi Everyone,

I've been reading these boards for a while but first time posting. I decided to post today since I officially scheduled sleeve surgery! My journey has been interesting thus far but not nearly as long/hard as some posts I've read. I originally started thinking about wls over 2 years ago. I had always been thin growing up and it wasn't until I had my first child that I began to gain weight. Actually after I had my first child I lost all the baby weight and fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans 2 weeks later (size 5). But it did not last long as I found my appetite had increased and the weight would not come off like it used to. That was over 16 years ago. Since then I've tried numerous diet & exercise programs. Bootcamp, weight watchers, slim fast, intensive bootcamp, jenny craig, well you get the idea. Each time the same thing would happen, I would lose a bunch of weight and then slowly regain the weight lost and some. I grew tired of the see-saw but never really thought about wls as my immediate friends & family view it as taking the easy way out. Also at 5'4 and 220lbs (my heaviest to date), I was looked at as not having the large amount of weight which would deem wls appropriate. In other words, you don't have that much to lose so you should just work out and eat right. That stuck with me for a long time. I think during the exercise and diets the lowest I came down to was about 180lbs.

Anyway about 2 years ago I began intensely researching wls. But before making the decision, I decided to give myself one year to do it on my own without surgery. Well a year later and although I initially lost 20lbs, I gained it all back and am at my heaviest weight to date. That was it for me. So I began the process of getting approved for surgery. Since I have BCBS, the only requirements were BMI over 40 or BMI over 35 with co-morbidities. Every doctor I checked out online was in-network so I made a couple of consultation appointments to feel them out. Next I just had to have 2 dr. visits (the consultation satisfied 1 visit) and one psych consultation. At both consultations I received a script for blood work. The one I ended up going with was more thorough with their bloodwork requirements, while the other one set me up with a surgery date on my first visit. I didn’t go with the second one because I felt like they were treating me in a rushed manner because of my “easy” approval requirements and it felt kind of like they were a salesperson.

The first place, (nj bariatric center) I felt they were more professional and I felt more comfortable with the doctors but the office staff leaves much to be desired. I almost went to look for another place because of my dissatisfaction.

I decided to go to a different psychiatrist rather than the one associated with my doctor’s office just due to logistics of when they would be in the office (I missed my first appt. and so had to reschedule for one a month later). I found one that had Saturday hours and met with her and she was able to write my report and send it off that same day.

My bloodwork came back with some issues requiring follow-up: had low iron so was put on iron pills, EKG came back with something troubling on my heart so had to see a cardiologist to get cleared (the cardiologist required 3 visits before clearing me).

So I finally got all of my “extra” clearances and met with the doctor for the second time to go over the results of my tests. I was then told that now that I was cleared I would be called to schedule my surgery. The next day I was called and was offered surgery dates as early as June 5 but I decided instead on July 12 because my daughter will be out of school by then and able to help me around the house.

So here I am. I still have to get some pre-surgery bloodwork done at least 2 weeks before surgery. I also have to meet with the doctor again to sign some consent forms and I have to view a video on the surgery. So from my first appt on 2/10 to my scheduled surgery date of 7/12 it will have taking me approximately 5 months and some of the delay has been self-inflicted. I am excited and nervous.

13 hours ago, Sosewsue61 said:

You might have to reschedule or risk insurance not covering it. That would be extremely quick decision in one day for approval, most ins is not that fast. I would make sure the whole packet incl the psych eval goes together from your primary/surgeon's office. I think I would ask to be copied on email of it. Good luck.

Well good news. I talked with my doctor's office and I was worried for nothing. They said that's the standard letter my insurance company always issues and that my surgery was already approved. I have my surgery time scheduled for tomorrow at 10:30am and I have to be at the hospital at 8:30am.

5 hours ago, gwbicster said:

The insurance lobby in this country sucks. Any doctor will tell you the long term savings from having this procedure is far more economical than the consequences down the road. I live in a state where unless you work for the government (ironic), the insurance is NOT going to cover it. It was painful for me to come up with the money to pay for it, but on the other hand, there were zero hoops to jump through. I was able to have it done quicker and without any preconditions.

Best investment I ever made.

Generally I will agree, with one caveat that one thing about working in the public sector is we have great insurance. I just picked up my pain medicine for when I go home that the doctor prescribed and it cost me $0.35 for the prescription. I also only paid an initial $10 co-pay through this process. When I worked in the private sector my health insurance barely covered anything and my deductible was ridiculous.

Oh good news!!!! Hooray.

So due to a meeting that ran over I missed my opportunity to eat lunch. Sooo I'm on liquids from now til midnight. Sigh.

You are a brace lady - going it alone can work - in two weeks sleeved and relied heavily on friends and family and a maid service especially since I have a child.

I am just about ready to go
Back to work

Thanks LetGoJo!

Ahh I'm so hungry. Man I wish I wouldn't have missed lunch or had something solid for breakfast (had protein shake). Been on liquids all day at this point. Also milk of magnesia has not kicked in yet though I took it at 1. Not sure what that's about.

Still trying to get this water down. Got a half a gallon to go.

Ok got an hour to go before I can't drink anything. Still have 1/4 gallon of water left to finish. Sigh.

I'm a little nervous about how tomorrow's going to work out. I have to drop my child off at daycare at 7:30 and then head to the hospital but I have to be there by 8:30am (2 hours before surgery) which during rush hour will be pushing it since it takes an hour to get to the hospital.

Good luck on the surgery! Don't worry about traffic, I don't think a few minutes will hurt.

35 minutes ago, Ldyvenus said:

Good luck on the surgery! Don't worry about traffic, I don't think a few minutes will hurt.

Thank you.

Well just finished all my water with 20 mins to spare. Now I'm off to bed.

This is the first day - of the rest of your life

So this morning was rough. Got up and the milk of magnesia finally kicked in. Soo took long time in bathroom. Ended up running late dropping kid off at daycare. Now I'm in Uber on way to hospital. I decided to tell mom to meet me up there. Looks like I'm not gonna get there by 8:30. More like 8:45. Hope that's not a problem.

Made it. Got here at 8:43. Wasn't a big deal being late. Had to wait a little in reception and now I'm checking in.

Ok it's 9:36am. I have had blood drawn and gave a urine sample. My height and weight was checked. Surgery day weight is 225.1 pounds. They also checked my blood pressure. I am now in hospital gown laying in bed.

Good luck! Ask the anasthesiologist to give you something for the anxiety. Once I asked for that, I don't remember a thing until I woke up.

Ugh almost time. About to get IV put in. I just started crying. Ugh scared. It's 10:13am

10:40am. Iv finally put in. Couldn't find my veins at first so tried different spots. Did I mention I hate needles