wondering1

Hey!!!! Congratulations!!! I'm really excited for you.

Thanks for the great replies. I have my second study tonight and I'm supposed to sleep with the mask on all night. Not to mention the billions of other wires that keep you tethered to the bed. I'm still pretty pissed off about having to do this again. I hate spending the night away from my family. I know I'll get over it though. And if I get better sleep I GUESS I'll be alright:). Hope I'm not too bitchy tonight. Does anyone know how much these CPAP machines cost? I may have to pay 20% of it. Escape Pod - sending prayers your way for tomorrow! I know you'll do great!

Nancy, Where do you teach that you have to go back August 1st?

Thanks everyone. I needed to calm down. And you guys are right, there's a better chance of me getting approved if I do have it. So I'll JUMP.

Hi Kelly, I haven't had my surgery yet, I'm scheduled for 8/9/11, but I plan on taking 2 weeks off to just be home and lay around recovering. My return to work date is 8/25/11 because that's when school starts. (I'm a teacher). I've seen on this forum where folks go back to work after 10 days and some wait longer than 2 weeks. I guess it depends on your job, how quickly your body recovers, and how much time you can really be off work. Hope this helps.

Hi Genny, Congratulations on your choice and your upcoming surgery date. Mine is scheduled for August 9th. I'm curious, do you already have insurance approval?

I've been trying to make the changes needed to be successful with this surgery even though my surgery date is not until 8/9/11. So anyway... I bought a Magic Bullet which I love and the GNC Gold Standard Whey Powder in French Vanilla. I mix it with a banana, lactose free milk and ice. Totally loving these shakes. I've also tried to increase my protein in other areas such as eating lean meats and cottage cheese. Now here's my problem.... I HAVEN'T POOPED IN 3 DAYS!!! What in the world is going on here? I know you guys are the experts on this stuff and I need some help. What am I doing wrong? I really want to poop.

Pete, Congratulations!!! I'm excited for you!!!!

Nancy, I just had mine done yesterday and the worst part was not having anything to eat or drink before it. My procedure was scheduled for 2:00pm and I wasn't allowed to even drink Water all day. When I got to the hospital, I checked in and was taken to a room to remove my clothing from the waist up and put on a gown. They also had me remove my shoes and wear hospital booties and put my hair in a cap. I was sitting in a big chair most of the time. The nurse came in and gave me an IV with saline solution. I started to feel better after that because I think I was dehydrated. The anastesiologist came in and told me exactly what he was going to give me in the procedure room. Then another nurse came and got me and walked me into the procedure room. When I got in there I laid down on the table and a make nurse put this bite block in my mouth that had a hole in it. And tubes in my nose to breathe oxygen through. Then they both told me to relax and breathe normally. Next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery. The doc had come in and inserted that long scope into my stomach while I was out. He came to the recovery room and told me I did great and he didn't see any ulcers or hernias. My throat was a little scratchy today but not too bad. I hope this helps. I think you'll do fine. Let me know how it goes. Hugs and smiles!!!

Thanks for the advice everyone. I still haven't "gone" today but I'm hoping I will have to "go"soon. @Penpen - I've had all these crazy doctor's appts that I can't have caffeine for. Believe me, I really want to have some coffee. Hopefuly soon I had 2 servings of Fiber One cereal last night before bed and I plan on getting some Benefiber today. Ugh. This is not a good feeling. lol.

Carrierae, Congratulations on beginning your journey! Your list of questions looks great. I would also ask if you are required to see a cardiologist and a pulmonologist. These are appointments you would have to make on your own. Some places require clearance from them and some do not. So your first appointment was today. How did it go? In my experience, you should begin your nutrition program as soon as possible. This is the thing that insurance companies can use to hold up your surgery date. Keep us posted, and congrats

lovePINK, I've been eating fruit because I thought it had fiber in it. Is there anything I can take? Or any food that will work quickly?

Hi Joe, I totally understand what you mean about "going under". Have you had an EGD yet? I had mine today and had to be under general anesthesia for it. I acutally cried when the nurse put the IV in. I was really scared. When I was laying in the OR I remember the anesthesiologist saying hello..... then I had a nurse waking me in recovery. I was soooo happy that it was so easy. I know you'll do great. Keep me updated on when you have your EGD (or even if you have to have one). I'd also like to know how you are coming on getting that sleeve date. I have about 10 more appts and hurdles to jump through before I can get my surgeon to send the approval request to my insurance. Anyway, keep us updated.

Glad to hear you're doing great! Please continue to keep us all posted. And when you're up to it share those " before" pics. Just think, the next time you use the camera you will be beginning to see a difference. Exciting!!!!!

Bryn, I'm so glad to hear your situation has turned around. I was off the grid for a couple of days or you would've heard from me sooner. I know you have all your pre-op stuff on Monday so I'll be thinking of you. I have my psyche exam on Monday and my Fitness Evaluation. Then Monday night I have a sleep study. Ugh. So now you know someone will be going through crap the same day as you Please keep us posted. I KNOW you'll have surgery on 7/12. I feel it in my bones.

So once again I'm feeling like waiting for my surgery date is going to take forever... oh, and get this: I have 15 more doctor's (and other) appointments before I get there. I have an appt today with my pcp, a pulmonary function test tomorrow, echocardiogram on Thursday. Then next week it's meet with the Nurse Practioner, the Psychologist and the Exercise Physiologist on Monday. sleep study Monday night to make sure I don't have sleep apnea. Tuesday is my EGD procedure which I am totally not looking forward to. Then Wednesday and Thursday back to the cardiologist for stress tests. June 29th I should finally get my ok from the cardiologist. July 1st is my last meeting with the Pulmonologist. Then throughout July I have 4 more nutrition classes. I meet with the Endocrinologist August 2nd and then my surgery is scheduled for August 9th. And OMG just typing this made me tired!!!!! Did anyone else with Aetna insurance have to go through all of this nonsense???? I keep thinking they're going to miss some weird requirement and my surgery will be postponed. ugh. Can anyone share their outrageous experience with the pre-op stuff? I'm sure it will lift my spirits. - and thank you

Waiting to have my PFT. I hope I don't get queezy or light-headed.

EJ, we will be waiting to hear from you tomorrow. Hope you're doing fantastic!

Rachel, Glad to hear you're going to be getting a date. What is BIDMC?

Mr. Sharp, Congratulations on getting your date! And so soon. I'm oober jealous. I think being so young your skin is going to look awesome. Please keep us updated

Insurance companies pay, but there's always co-pays. Some people even have to pay 20% because they have an 80/20 type of insurance. I'm just saying that since my neighbor CHOOSES not to work, why should my tax dollars cover her surgery 100%? And she would be the first to tell you that she doesn't work because she doesn't want to. So yeah, I do feel bad for all the self pays out there.

Isn't it funny how some people who have insurance that doesn't cover WLS have to be a self pay but people who are on Medicaid get the surgery for free? I've worked all my life and have to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket but my neighbor who chooses not to work had hers for free. Sometimes I hate these government programs. Ugh!

Let us know how it went.

Tamz, Thanks for the update. So glad you're doing well!

Ok I love coffee and I crave the taste. Does all this mean that DEcaffinated coffee is ok or do we need to stay off all coffee and hot drinks?