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Update!

Its been awhile since I added an entry to this blog but since mid-July I have...   1) Had my gallbladder removed on 8/3. 2) Scheduled my surgery for 9/4. (Woo Hoo!!) 3) Started my pre-op diet (it is currently Day 3!)   My pre-op diet consists of 4 Bariatric Advantage shakes a day and since Friday, I have lost 6 lbs! So that is motivating. My surgeon told me I have to lose at least 15 lbs by surgery, which I feel like will not be a problem if I have already lost 6?! I know its just water, but still. Pretty stoked.   I am using the Chocolate Bariatric Advantage powder for my shakes. Though I did try the Nectar "fuzzy navel" flavor today as I had a sample and it was VERY tasty! Tasted like juice. So I think I will be ordering some more of that from the Bariatric Advantage website.My mom got me a NINJA blender which I have been using for some of my shakes to make it more like a frapp. Doesn't really come close to Starbucks, but its tolerable!   In preparation for post op, I have purchased some Isopure unflavored powder (about $50 for a 3lb tub, on sale) and some pre-made Isopure drinks, fruit punch flavored. The pre-made drinks came in a pack of 12 bottles, for $64!!! However, they were on sale and then the cashier gave us an additional discount so it came out to about $25! What a steal This was all at GNC. The cashier seemed a little confused/curious as to what I could possibly be using all this protein for... finally I told her I was having Lap Band surgery and she nodded and said a lot of people come to GNC for bariatric supplies. Nosy!   So I basically have to get through 2 work weeks, 2 more weekends, and Labor Day on liquid diet before my surgery. Seems like a long time but I have a calendar that I am crossing off the days on. Hopefully with work and everything it should fly by?? Yeah, right. I just keep telling myself this is only temporary...
 

The Update

Wow, I have a huge update.   So, I'm doing it. I'm doing it!! Its going to have to be self pay, but its happening. My parents have agreed to pay for half, and my husband and I can cover the rest.   The patient care consultant said that I should be able to have the surgery within 4-6 weeks if all the testing comes back okay. I have already scheduled my nutritional consult. I tried to schedule the psychological but the first person I called didn't take my health insurance and it was going to cost almost $500! Of course, thats a drop in the bucket compared with the whole procedure... lol. but I think I can get it covered so we'll see.   Stoked!!
 

Nutrition, Psychology, Labwork, Oh My!

So today has been a busy (but productive) one! I had my nutritionist consult this morning and got a lot of good info, and then I stopped downstairs at a bariatric products shop and got some chewable vitamins. I admit, I didn't quite know what I was doing when looking at the vitamins (SO many choices) but I tried to choose a good multi vitamin that had a high dose of folic acid (for about 20 bucks).   I then spent a good portion of the day (while at work, lol) making my other appointments. I was successful in setting up my labwork and EKG at my primary care provider for Friday, and my case manager scheduled my sleep study (7/17) and all the hospital tests (Upper GI, Right Upper Quandrant Ultrasound with Gallbladder, and Chest X-Ray) are on Thursday. Whew! However, after doing some research, I'm going to cancel that sleep study and reschedule with another provider that is in-network with my insurance.   So one of the last pieces of the puzzle is scheduling this darn psychological. I am having a TIME with this! My surgeon's office gave me a list of local providers that they typically work with, but it turns out that NONE of them take my insurance. I have been quoted anything from $450-$700! So today I went on my insurance website and looked up in-network providers that do bariatric psychological evals (I was pleasantly surprised that I could specify that service in the search option) and I called and left a message for a provider right down the street. Of course, I am irked that they didn't call me right back, lol. Hopefully they will call me back soon and I can get something scheduled.   Side note, while I was on my insurance website, I found out that they offer a $30 discount per order on Nutrisystem. I have been doing Nutrisystem for about 3 months, wish I had known that!!! I called Nutrisystem and they said they can't apply the discount retroactively, but they can apply it to future orders. Well, considering I am probably cancelling Nutrisystem before my next order is shipped as I am getting ready to have surgery, that doesn't help me out that much. Doh! Oh well...
 

Never Thought I'd Be Excited About Getting A New Scale..

Well, like the title says, I got a new scale! It is a Weight Watchers brand scale that is digital and calculates all kinds of things like weight (of course), body fat percentage, water percentage, bone mass, and BMI. It even lets you store up to 4 "users" with your height, age, and gender. Not sure how precise all the percentages are for under $30 but I think its pretty cool. And, I had a 20% off Bed Bath and Beyond coupon   The scale is kinda a big deal because prior to starting my lap-band adventure I had a non-digital scale that was easy for me to fool myself with. "what does that say? I'll just round down..." haha.   Anyone else have any new weight-loss related purchases?
 

My First Blog Entry

Hey everyone!   My name is Meredith and I am at the beginning of this journey. So far I have attended the info session and thats about it, lol! Well, I also submitted my insurance information (United Healthcare) to my surgeon's office so hopefully they will be calling me soon to set up my initial consultation.   When I called my insurance company the other day they told me that weight loss surgery is not covered under my plan, but that my doctor could submit a preauthorization letter. I am trying not to be too discouraged by this information as at this point I am hopeful and determined, and willing to do whatever it takes to make this happen. My doctor also feels that I am an excellent candidate for this procedure, which is encouraging.   I have tried pretty much every non-surgical program out there and failed. Programs I have tried include Nutrisystem (twice), Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers (can't even count how many times), Atkins, South Beach, Xenadrine, Alli, Healthy Trim, HCG drops, and two medically supervised programs: Medi Weight Loss and Optifast (twice). On each of these programs I had some success, but short term, and I eventually gained back all the weight and more. I'm sure many, if not all of you, can relate.   I am happy to have found this community and look forward to learning and sharing more about this experience <3
 

Get Results Tomorrow

I talked to my case manager today and she says she will get the results back from my Upper GI and Ultrasound tomorrow. I am kind of nervous because as I mentioned in a previous post, the ultrasound revealed a cyst on my kidney, and I might need additional tests. I just hope they are able to tell me something definitive about the nature of the cyst so I can relax.. or start worrying .   I am also eager to go ahead and schedule my surgery if I can, so there is that, too! I want to start preparing, I have already kind of started. I have quit smoking, quit soda, cut back on caffeine. I bought some shakers at Sam's to make protein drinks in. I am also trying to be more mindful of my eating, though I am still overeating. I started off well this morning, but by lunch I was starving and went out for Mexican food with a coworker. Definitely ate too much, of course! I am so ready for this band and this lifestyle change.
 

Bloodwork Update

So I did not hear anything back about my ultrasound and upper GI today, but I did hear about my labwork. Turns out I have elevated cortisol levels. I was referred to an endocrinologist and my appointment is Thursday. I am having my ultrasound results forwarded there as well in case this has something to do with the possible cyst on my kidney. I am getting closer to getting some answers but I am also getting more worried.   In other news, my sleep study is scheduled for Thursday as well. Just hope I will be able to sleep, depending on what the endocrinologist says...
 

Bloodwork And Ekg

As the title suggests, got my bloodwork and EKG done today. I think they took about 8 vials of blood!!! But the good news is, they found a vein, and only had to prick me once! That is a true miracle, considering I usually get pricked about 3 times before they finally decide to take blood out of my hand (and with a baby needle!)   In other news, I FINALLY scheduled my psych testing!! What that means is, I finally found someone to call me back. The cost is going to be $250, which is very reasonable compared to the $450-700 I have been getting quoted. I was a little disappointed that I won't be seen until 7/19, but my sleep study isn't until 7/17, so its no big deal. Anyway, once I finish the sleep study and psych, then I will be ALL DONE with pre-op testing go, me!
 

Blahhh.

Update on my endocrinology appointment today. Because of my elevated cortisol, I have to collect 24 hours of pee starting on Sunday (gross!!) and come in Monday for more fasting bloodwork. I have to keep this pee jug in the fridge (did I mention we have a roommate??) Then in 2 weeks I have a follow up appointment and a thyroid ultrasound. yay.   The endocrinologist also told me some of the results from my RUQ ultrasound, that my case manager has not discussed with me yet. Turns out I have a cyst on my lower right kidney... they told me about the cyst at the ultrasound appt, but I was glad to hear it was not on my upper kidney near my adrenal gland (which produces cortisol). The endocrinologist said that it said on the report that they recommended a renal MRI. So I am going to contact my case manager at my surgeon's office to see if they are going to go ahead and refer me for that. Sigh..   I am really sad/upset/frustrated about all this additional testing that I have to have. Of course I am going to do it, but I am mad it is keeping me from scheduling my surgery date. I am also feeling preoccupied with all these health concerns and it is affecting my ability to concentrate at work.   My endocrinologist also told me that the RUQ ultrasound showed that I have fat deposits on my liver. At this point, I am not sure if this constitutes an actual fatty liver disease diagnosis or what. I'm hoping my surgeon/case manager can tell me more. But she told me I need to be following a low carb diet and should increase my exercise. So... yeeah I've heard that before... I am going to do my best but I am never able to keep any weight off which is why I need to get this surgery!! Of course all I wanted to do after this appointment was go get a GiGi's cupcake to console myself, but... I didn't.   Well, gonna have some dinner and get ready for my sleep study tonight. Hope everyone had a better day than me.
 

Back To The Gym...

Today will be my first day back at the gym in months. I hope to walk for 30-45 minutes. I am trying to get into a good pre-op workout routine that I will be able to maintain post-op. Also, the heat here in NC is insane today and to get a work out in, I will NEED to be indoors.   Side note: This morning I went to Buy Buy Baby to get a gift for a friend, normally a trip that would make me depressed for several reasons. But today, I was upbeat and excited to be there, because I now have hope that someday I will have the opportunity to have a healthy pregnancy. It makes me smile   Hope everyone is staying cool and having a relaxing Saturday!
 

Adventures In Medical Tests...

Today I went to the hospital for my big testing (upper GI, RUQ and gallbladder ultrasound, chest x-ray). Call me crazy, but I was kind of excited because its one more step towards getting banded?! But anyway.   They did the ultrasound first, which started out fine, I've had those before. But then she started pressing REALLY hard in the same areas over and over... and about by the 45 minute mark, I was like, what on earth is going on?? Does this person know what they are doing? So then she tells me she needs to go get the radiologist. He comes in, and they spend about 5 minutes looking at the screen, then the radiologist takes a go at me himself. By this time I'm really in pain because they just keep bearing down on one spot.   They're looking at the screen, and I hear the woman say, "Is that real?" At this point I have to say something, so I say... Um, what are you guys talking about? They looked at me like they I had forgotten I was in the room! Then they told me that I "might" have a cyst on my kidney and I "may" need a CT scan or MRI. How vague is that? They said that they would make a note on the test results to send back to my surgeon and that he would follow up with me. I was just like, okay, breathe, lets get the rest of this done.   So then they take me to the Upper GI test. Let me tell you...I am glad I didn't know what I was in for. Ya'll that have been through this know what I am talking about. First I had to take the crystals, then I chugged the solution (almost puked - by FAR the nastiest thing I have ever drank), then they have me on this contraption shouting orders at me... mostly "don't burp!!" Then I had to drink another solution while on my belly, through a straw. All the while this bastard radiologist is literally yelling at me, "faster! faster!" But I just did what he said because good lord, I didn't want to go through it all again.   Side note: One thing the radiologist kept saying during the test, which I thought very odd, was "just think of something really good to eat." I was just like, the LAST thing I am thinking of right now is eating!!!! (for once).   So that was my experience. Tomorrow I have bloodwork and EKG, hopefully it will be less eventful. And I am trying not to get too worried about this kidney cyst issue, until I have more information. But all in all, I feel good because I am one step closer
 

2 Blog Entries In 2 Days. Woohoo :)

Okay so this is the update. I have my consult scheduled for FRIDAY! Excited. Like I mentioned in previous thread post, I found out that my United Healthcare policy does not cover WLS of any kind. But with my employer, not at all surprised. Sigh...   Anyway, I will be talking to the case manager on Friday about self-pay options, but I still plan on getting my doctor to write a preauthorization letter just to see what happens.   For anyone interested, I have 36 BMI and relatively minor comorbidities (compared to some) including shortness of breath, thermoregulation issues, varicose veins, and depression. I would be interested to hear from anyone with similar "stats" that were able to get the procedure covered under insurance (especially if your insurance told you upfront that WLS was not covered).   I guess my main concern at this point is, I think I can do this financially if I have to self pay and be okay, but what if I have complications post op? If my insurance doesn't cover WLS then certainly they won't cover WLS related complications, right? This is one of the main reasons I want to push for insurance coverage.   Just trying to stay positive repeat...
 

1St Consult Tomorrow!

Excited. I go in at 8:30 am, hubby is coming with me. Tonight I will be working on my list of questions and my initial paperwork. I feel like I'm getting ready for the first day of school, or a test?!   Anyone have any questions I should ask, that maybe I wouldn't think of? Or something you wish you would have asked?
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