Douceur72

How exciting for you ~ this month will fly by! You can definitely do the 5 days of liquids… my only suggestion is to give yourself variety! I did a 10-day liquid and having something different every day was what got me thru. Glad your insurance worked out... I’ve heard so many stories of headaches and appeals etc…thankfully mine went very smoothly however I attribute that to a very experienced team at my surgeon’s office who do submissions every day and have the process down pat. All I had to do was show up when they told me for 6 months and Aetna approved.

I agree, what a great site, right?! I was just sleeved 4 days ago but cannot imagine going in without all of the support and just reading people’s experiences here. Every policy is different, but I got my approval the last part of May, met with surgeon June 1, and had surgery June 20. This was after 6 months of pre-op classes required by Aetna before I could even attempt to get approved. Good luck with everything and keep us posted.

I was you six months ago. I started the process with a BMI that barely qualified me (BMI 40, no comorbidities) and was terrified to lose any weight until I was approved. Because of this fear I overcompensated and gained about 10# over the six month weight loss program. Only to find out in retrospect that the weight submitted for approval approved was my very first visit in December…so I missed the opportunity to put a nice dent in my weight that entire six months. But no regrets…I was sleeved Monday and Aetna paid. If you have experienced folks at your surgeon’s office they should be able to tell you exactly which weight they submit. Good luck getting straight answers from any insurance company, for they will leave as many areas gray as possible.

How exciting! You are doing excellent with the pre-op…hell, I ate a hamburger during mine. All I took was my photo ID/insurance card, my phone (downloaded with Pandora), my pillow and a ponytail holder. The only thing I wished I’d brought was my wide-toothed comb b/c I can’t even get those little ones through my curly mop. Be sure to wear comfy, loose clothes…and no need for a change of clothes b/c you won’t wear them long after arrival, and they’ll be packed into a bag for the return home. Some people bring their own pajamas but to me, with the IV tubing and all it’s easier to wear the gown. For home I just made sure I had skim milk, Protein powders, G2 (Gatorade), yogurt, pudding, cream Soups, and ice made for Protein shakes. I wasn’t sure if I would have enough but now with 5 days left of liquids I know there was more than enough.

Congrats! you're doing great :bananapowerslide:

I only had the routine pre-op stuff the morning of surgery - chest xray, EKG and labs.

Nausea – zero. Pain – very minimal and only when I go from sit/lay to stand. Pre-op consisted of changing into the beautiful evening gown with ties in the back, lab work, EKG, chest Xray (the Xray technician said, ‘you don’t look like you even need WLS.’ I know she just trying to be nice but it’s kind of irritating when you’re actually smack dab in the middle of getting it done. I replied, ‘the BMI doesn’t lie! I’m morbidly obese!’ She didn’t say anything else). Still in pre-op, The nurse ran through all of the health history questions. I was visited by the surgeon as well as his PA, then the anesthesiologist. The nurse started my IV and gave me decadron and something to help me relax. About 2 hours after my arrival I was being wheeled in to the O.R. I was still pretty alert at this time, and eveyone in the room introduced themselves if I hadn’t met them already. They had me slide to the operating table. The anesthsiologist placed the mask over my face and that was my last memory of pre-sleeve life. I barely remember waking up in post-op. I’ve had several surgeries and always remember this to be my least favorite part. It’s frustrating to be so out of control of your own consciousness. I barely remember the transport to my room. For the next several hours I was very groggy. I was trying to text/call people who I promised I would, but as soon as I’d grab my phone and start typing, I’d be out. Can’t tell you how many attempts it took to get the first text out! About 12 hours after completion of my surgery, I woke up and felt truly alert for the first time. I could really look at the room, talk to my nurse, and the reality of the situation really hit. It was a great feeling knowing the surgery was over! I walked laps around the unit so many times beginning the night of surgery and throughout the next day. It felt good to get out of the room. The swallowing study Tuesday morning was a breeze. The radioloist sat right in front of the machine and watched the flow of barium after I drank it. There was a screen right next to me so I could watch too. It only took about 5 minutes. He said I was leak free and would let the surgeon know. When I got back to my room the nurse brought me some Water. Oh, sweet, sweet water how I had missed thee! I could only have 1 oz per hour for four hours, before progressing to 4 oz per hour. Painwise, it is very minimal. I’m 2 days out now and haven’t needed anything for pain since the discontinutation of the morphine pump right after the swallow study Tuesday morning. I didn't fill my prescription for the pain med on the way home, will wait and see how I feel after my On-Q is empty. I have to mention my happiness with the On-Q system. I asked my surgeon for it in pre-op (he normally only uses it for bypass patients) and he happily agreed to insert one for me. I think it’s played a big part in not needing pain meds. It consists of tiny tubes coiled under my abdominal skin that slowly over several days, release a numbing medicaion similar to novacaine. There was still quite a bit of the medication left in the delivery system, so when the PA released me today I asked if I could wear it home and remove it myself. The floor nurses had never heard of that, since they are normally only used on bypass patients who stay long enough that their supply depletes and it's removed before they are discharged. She agreed, and the nurse instructed me on removal – super easy, just taking off the tape and sliding the tiny 10” tubes out. I think it will be empty by tomorrow. No nausea whatsoever. The only meds I remember for nausea were the decadron pre-op, and a patch behind my ear which is still there because I keep forgetting to remove it. I'm guessing I got something in the O.R. too. I’ve been home now for 6 hours. Drinking is a slight issue, I just keep forgetting. I may have to download a stopwatch app to my phone to give myself 15 minute reminders. I remember Meggie saying she had a timer reminder that helped her remember. The only other issue is not being able to lift my poor geriatric dog onto his favorite sleeping spot, or up & down the two steps outside. No lifting over 30# for six weeks, and he is 55#. I hope he understands I am so happy to be sleeved and looking forward to progessing and learning exactly how it will work for me. And of couse looking forward to losing weight and becoming my healthiest self.

I will not have anybody physically there in the waiting room. I feel comfortable with that...but does anyone know if they will they go ahead with the procedure if nobody is there? My emergency contact will be on standby and reachable by phone….is that enough? This just occurred to me as I’m packing my bag. I didn’t think to ask in the pre-op class. I know folks that go to Mexico go it alone often, but I’m doing it here in the U.S.

I agree with Stacy, it's probably coming off of carbs that are making you feel like crap. It should pass within a few days. Hang in there ~ it'll be worth it! Also I wouldn't take Motrin unless cleared by the surgeon, for me it was a no-no.

Congrats on your approval! It's stressful to wait. I was expecting to fight for approval, but it actually went quickly and hit no snags whatsoever. I think my surgeon's office has the process perfected. Good luck and hope you get a date soon!

So surgery was Monday and I drove myself there. The surgeon asked in pre-op if there was anyone he should call after the operation, or if I preferred to do it myself. I told him no, I’d call folks when I woke up (of course my emergency contact was reachable but wasn’t needed). I spent the two days by myself, and honestly preferred that. My siblings are far away, and I didn’t want my anxiety-ridden mother there, or my friends to rearrange their schedules to come see me when I was fine, just bored. I had plenty of communication with the outside world via texting/phone calls. When discharge came I really didn’t know how they would respond to my request to drive myself home. Luckily since I hadn’t had any pain meds in over 24 hours, and had been walking so much, they didn’t have a problem with it. If I had pain meds in my system I certainly would have had to make arrangements pickup & someone to bring my car home. Which to me is perfectly reasonable due to liability.

Hi Mindy! This was a concern of mine as well since I had a DVT in 2009. In the initial seminar the doc talked about blood clots & said he had only seen them in males with a BMI >50 and who had RNY. If you can, check on this because you may not be in the high risk demographic. Not to say it can’t happen to anyone but it may give you peace of mind. When I met the doc in person we discussed my prior DVT & he said if I preferred he could insert a filter as an added precaution. I decided against it since my DVT was most likely a result of being on the pill, which I’d been off for 2 years, and knowing they use several measures to prevent clots including: 1) heparin pre-op and every 12 hours until discharge 2) sequential compression stockings, I had to wear whenever I was in bed, asleep or awake 3) walking as much as possible Good luck with everything!

Funny you mention that because one of catheters slid most of the way out last evening and got my shirt all wet too. I just taped it down and went to bed so the other catheter could continue to do its job. This morning the bulb was finally empty so I removed the whole thing. Not attached to anything now, what a great feeling.

Here is a link to the On-Q site for anyone who wants to know more: http://www.iflo.com/...onq_classic.php I think it mostly comes down to if your surgeon uses it or not. I only knew about it because in my pre-op class one week before surgery the coordinator mentioned my surgeon uses it for his bypass patients. I thought it sounded terrific so asked for it the day of surgery. Oddly though, his partner who also performs tons of WLS doesn't use it. Still feeling great, three days out now and essentially no pain, even when transitioning from sit to stand, I even slept on my tummy last night, gently rolled into position as to not disturb the steri-strips. I thought it would be weeks before I would be able to tummy sleep because that's how it was when I had other abdominal surgeries. Thanks all for the support!

I had surg Monday too, my paperwork says no vitamins until the first follow-up appt next week. If you don't have specific instructions I'd call the surgeons office & ask.

I have Aetna and it was exactly 7 days from submission to approval. good luck!

Lol! What a great way to put things in perspective. I am going to try plugging in a typical day during my food funeral....that should be a real eye opener!

Honestly, it’s not as bad as I expected. I have to do 10 days, and it’s full liquid meaning I can have cream Soup, yogurt, pudding etc. I bought a few Protein powders and have been trying different variations like adding PB2, instant coffee grounds, extracts, and discovered as long as I have variety, they are okay. So far I’ve used Isopure creamy vanilla, BSN Lean Dessert chocolate-coconut candy bar, and HMR chocolate. I also have 10 or 12 samples given to me in the pre-op class that I haven’t tapped in to yet. After 7 days I’m just starting to get tired of the sweetness. I had cream of chicken soup once and plan to get some unjury Chicken to mix with broth for extra protein after surgery. That being said…I did cheat once. Had a small hamburger without the bun. I was ravished from skipping lunch and found myself beckoned by my worst enemy – the after-work drive-thru. Although I’m confident it didn’t ruin anything, it was a wake up call…immediately realized how silly I was being and have behaved since. I was not really concerned for what it could have done to my liver size…in fact I’m not entirely convinced that pre-op diets are necessary, especially the more extreme ones…BUT I do respect my surgeon and his experience, and do want to comply with what he asks of me. That is what bothers me…I guess just the lack of planning and/or willpower that caused me to deviate. Surgery in 48 hours WoooHooooo!

Me too! So excited it's finally here! :Banane21:

Yeah I had a great psychologist for my psych eval, and am hoping to have a few visits with her post-op as well because I truly valued her insight. We didn’t get into the obsessive part of things but did talk about how important it is to find practices that are sustainable, whether it be habits or attitudes toward eating. I’m with you I don’t want to be a slave to counting, but in my past experience the counting is clearly what keeps me losing. I used MFP in the past and just re-installed it on my phone to track my pre-op diet…I’m having great progress but have started to feel that nagging obsessive feeling again…yuck.

Thanks for sharing! I'm just starting to shop for vitamins and realizing what a tedious process it is....this will really help

In my pre-op class I learned my surgeon uses this for RNY, and sometimes for sleeves. It sounds pretty cool…numbs the area with local anesthetic, lessening the need for IV analgesic. Thinking of asking him for one when I see him in pre-op Monday.

Very good! I can’t wait to be where you are... jeans loosening...growing a waistline...you've got to love it! I can relate to getting obsessive, had a similar experience last time I lost big…didn’t carry around the food scale, but was obsessed recording calories/carbs/fat etc on myfitnesspal and getting so down on myself when I went over. What sucks is I know I’ll need a tool like that post-op…am not sure yet how I’ll keep from obsessing. Congrats on your progress and thanks for the update, always enjoy your posts!

it was 7 days exactly for my Aetna approval. Good luck!!

What was the hardest habit for you to break? For me it will be eating while I drive. I have a long commute and have enjoyed many paper-bag meals over the years. Also the jaunts to the dollar store or Walgreens over lunch... i would usually go for makeup or toilet paper or something, and also walk our with chocolate I have no doubt I will kick these habits, but will miss them. What was the hardest habit for you to adopt? I'll be sleeved this month and am a little concerned that i haven't practiced chewing my food into oblivion (noticed at lunch today while scarfing down my food), and I haven't stopped drinking liquid during my meals. I just keep forgetting about it. Hopefully I can learn these new behaviors quickly!