lkcraig316

Congratulations on your successful surgery! Sounds like you are going to sail through. Lisa

I have absolutely no help for you whatsoever, but I did want to chime in and say, "Good for you!" I am a HUGE fan of the Nashville Rollergirls and I think it is awesome what those ladies can do. One of my goals once I get sleeved and have lost enough weight to get my balance back on track is to get back out on the rink. I am certainly not derby-worthy, but I used to love to skate when I was a teen. Watching the derby for the past couple of years has made me long to get back on the skates--and not those yukky roller blades. REAL four wheel roller skates. What team do you skate with? Lisa

You look FABULOUS! Congratulations!

I know EXACTLY what you mean! I have only done my consultation and seminar. I haven't even been able to schedule my first appt with the surgeon, nut, and exercise person until Monday because my insurance goes into effect tomorrow! My whole family was off this week and I have made it a week of celebrating my favorite things: Olive Garden, Mexican food, a double scoop cone at Baskin Robbins, krinkle fries at White Castle, chips and chili con queso and a big slice of chocolate cake and ice cream at Buffalo Wild Wings. Tomorrow my 5' 10", 126 pound daughter is going grocery shopping with me and we are going to load up the cart with nutritious foods. My husband has already started to eat more healthy so there won't be a fight about that. Paige, my daughter, has already sworn to force me to get out and move a little each day. Hopefully this will all get me primed and ready when the time does come. Oh, but I have forgotten to eat one last thing--a big Breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I may have to do that before I go back to work on Monday.

Another thing that goes along with the Pepsi addiction is that sweet, sweet burn as it goes down. I know that will be a feeling I DO NOT want to have post-surgery. But I do wonder how much I will miss swigging down a huge amount of Pepsi, tea, ice water, etc. When I'm really really thirsty, I just turn whatever I have up and drink it right down. Does anybody miss that? Do you ever get used to the sippage?

Great idea! I had bought some Truvia a while back and it is in my cabinet untouched. I wasn't sure how to make a gallon of tea with it. Or should I just make a glass at a time? I have to admit, I was putting almost a full cup of sugar in a gallon of tea. Does the Truvia/Stevia work equally or do I need to adjust the amounts?

Thanks for your responses! I got an Olive Garden gift card in my stocking from hubby and we went for lunch today. I savored every last bite! I know I will do a few splurges before I actually get set up for surgery. I have to have one last big Mexican meal and a double scoop Baskin Robbins cone. I'm not a big Soup person, but I have been looking at Soups at the grocery and on menus and I think I will start trying different ones. My husband loves soup, so he can give me some suggestions. Advice on Protein shakes/drinks to try? I'm not a big fake-fruit-flavored drink person. I think I will probably start with chocolate flavored ones. Thanks! I am SO GLAD I found this site. Just as a lurker I have learned so much. I feel like I will be going into this process with my eyes wide open. Lisa

Thanks, Cheryl! I do have a surgeon picked out and have gone to an assessment at the clinic. Since my insurance is not effective until 1/1, they are going to call me back the first week of January to set up appointments, etc. I will have a better idea then. I just don't want to leave out ANY of the steps and be delayed because of that!

Congratulations! I have an aquamarine ring (my birthstone) and I will be thrilled when I'm able to get it on a finger other than my pinkie. I think the biggest day for me will be the day I am able to walk into the regular ladies department and buy something that fits. I'm beginning the process January 1 and hoping to be approved for surgery by April or May. You guys continue to give me encouragement that I am making the right decision. Lisa

I'm glad you posted. I also have Aetna and knew I had to go through 3 months of meetings/appointments, etc., but I did not know about the documentation for the diet and exercise. I am beginning the 3 months on January 1 (my Aetna goes into effect then) so I will start immediately with the documentation. Keep me updated! Lisa

Hi, Mona! I'm new on here also. I just started the process with an assessment at the surgeon's office. I will begin my 3 month prep on January 1. Am hoping to be able to have surgery in May or June. I'm hypoglycemic too. It runs in my family. I was kind of wondering if I would have any problems with that afterward, being restricted from carbs and eating so much Protein. I have tried low-carb diets in the past and have been very discouraged because my body couldn't handle it. Please keep us updated on the process after surgery. I am at 243 pounds and am looking to lose down to between 130 and 140. Just getting below 200 would be a cause for celebration! Good luck on the 16th! I will be thinking about you. Oops! I didn't realize this was the GLBT board. Hope you don't mind that I crashed it.

Oopsseedaisy, I had the same issue. I was on my employer's plan but it doesn't cover any kind of WLS. So effective I will be on my hubby's and his does cover the four WLS types. Let's hope we both have smooth sailing. Mary, good luck with your approval. When I think about how long it may take, I just keep reminding myself how long it took me to get into this condition and it doesn't seem too bad.

Hi Keshia and Mary from AZ. I have also just started my journey. I had an assessment done on Monday, and their insurance specialist said I qualified and should be approved with no problem. I started out very very positively Sleeve, but in reading the packet I got at the doctor's office I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing. Here's what I'm thinking: Gastric Bypass--The weight would drop rapidly, but I really am scared of the dumping syndrome and I know I could stretch the stomach back out again Lapband--I don't like the fact that there would be a foreign object in me at all times and a port for adjustments. Sleeve--I like that it has fewer complications post-op, but I'm worried about feeling nauseous all the time After January 1, when they reassess my insurance, I will go to see the surgeon, have my meeting with the nutritionist and exercise physiologist and my psych eval. I also have to get a clearance from my cardiologist (I have a congenital bicuspid aortic valve) and a letter from my PCP validating my weight and co-morbidities. Another two months of meetings, support groups, appointments, and I should be ready to have my stuff submitted to the insurance company by April 1. Then I guess the waiting game starts. I'm both excited and terrified! But I am so sick of being this size and being limited by it. Good luck to both of you! Let's keep in touch as the process continues.