medmgr

B., I am scheduled the day after you. I am taking my crocs so I have some slip on shoes so I do not have to bend over when they want me to go on walks also taking loose fitting clothes so the I do not have to stay in the gown as long (I respect the world and it should not have to see my backside). I will also be taking a chronicles of Amber book that I got at half price book store and taking my iPhone w/ headphones for music and watching Netflix, I will also probably bring a toothbrush (I am not eating, but who knows what my breath will be like - and everything else is a no-no... As far as a hairbrush goes - I do not need one lol, but you might want one for your trip home. I think everyone's recovery period is different - my surgeon (and everything I have read on here) is the more you excercise and move before surgery the quicker your recovery will be. My doctor also told me it is not so much the pain per se that is the tough part of the recovery, it is the adjustment to the calorie restrictions - we will be very tired the first few weeks and then find we have more energy than we did prior to surgery once our bodies accomodate. I will pray for you on Monday that you have a succesful surgery and a recovery that surprises you in how easy it actually was!

Wow - this is a completely new one on me, I had my pre-op on Wednesday w/ surgery next Tuesday and I was upset about the fact they are inserting a foley catheter (yes I will be asleep ... but still, they will come take it out the next day when I am awakel!!!). I have had a colonoscopy before, and I had to drink citrate of magnesium AND a gallon jug of saline like Fluid 8 ozs at a time every 15 minutes - at about 2/3 the way through I felt like I was going to throw up every time I had to choke down another glass - but as far as the cramps and the restroom went, it really was not too bad. I hope it goes easy on your system. Good Luck :-)

I had to pay 523.36 for my 20% copayment to the surgeon - I also expect to get a bill for anesthesiologist later. This caught me off guard because my insurance plan says the surgery is 100% coverage when done at thier centers of excellence... Funny how 100% coverage isn't :-/

That is amazing - congratulations, and thanks - I get my sleeve on Tuesday and that makes me feel much more confident that I am doing the right thing.

Yes it is weird, and painfull. It would have been nice knowing it more than the day before I have to write the checks! Don't get me wrong, I am big time gratefull that it is covered at all. So many people on this forum have to pay 100% and then have to fly across or out of the country alone for thier surgery.

I agree with what has been said - it is illegal for them to ask. If pushed (and they always do) tell them you are really not comfortable discussing the matter as it is private - but make sure you are legally covered when you go on leave. Make sure that they know what dates you are planning to be out and find out if you limit your benefits by not contacting HR to let them know you are planning surgery. In my case, I will have to call the benefits line to let headquarters know I will be out of the office in case something goes wrong. I will be out “3” work days since my time off will include my my Friday off, the weekend and the July 4th holiday – but it is a total of 7 actual days, which is their threshold for requiring notification. I had originally planned to take vacation time – but if I did and there were complications, I could end not being covered on short term disability. My boss has already asked me a couple of times what the surgery is for - I am obstinate and will not tell. Even people I trust around the office (and I have been here for 22 years) I am only telling I am having surgery but not what. Like it or not, in the large corporate culture I work in, looks are a factor in promotion and there is a stigma that equates being fat to the same as being lazy. Getting bariatric surgery to help with weight loss is not respected, you are only supposed to get thin thru dieting and excercise. Which, the sleeve is just a tool in helping us do that.

Congratulations!

Leslie, I would think that is pretty normal. The scary part for me is not just the relationship we have with food but with other people & food (your friends taking you out for a "last meal"). My wife asked me the other day what meals and foods I wanted since she thought I would never be able to have them again and she seemed quite disappointed that I really did not want anything in particular. Food for her is comfort and love - she shows love by cooking and preparing food for others - and in a way, my getting sleeved will be harder on her than me (and I am a little scared about that - but more scared not to lose the weight). I have read quite a few of the success stories here, and I can tell you - those are the things I am concentrating on to get me thru my surgery at the end of this month and all diet stages after... So enjoy your time with your friends at the melting pot. Sample the food you want - eat slow, matter of fact - get a small plate and steal a little of everyone elses meal and be there with your friends because it really is not a funeral dinner - it is a celebration that your are taking a step on journey to a new you. Good Luck - and see you on the other side of surgery.

I know how you feel about your nutritionist, mine very much talks down to the very people she is employed by to help (who do you think pays the insurance premiums and co-pays?). I had to swallow my pride and deal with it since she was the only NUT in the practice (no that is not short for nutritionist in this case)…. What helped me through was I lost weight at every visit and she seemed to be happy with it and told me to keep doing what I am doing (even if she did not agree - because in her words "it seems to be working for you"). The last time I had to see her, I had beaten my pre-op weight goal by 10 lbs. I will probably have to see her after my surgery for permission to go thru each food stage - but if I have to make any co-pays, that will stop as soon as possible. Good luck, be patient - hold your tongue and remember that getting thin in SPITE of people like that is the best revenge!

The principle that is being discussed is the "conservation of energy". Very simply: If Energy In > Energy out … You will gain weight. If Energy In < Energy out … You will lose weight. From section 1.1 of Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach by Cengel & Boles. So quite simply, yes - to keep losing weight you must take in fewer calories than you expend (which includes your Basil Metabloic rate plus your activities). The problem is, not all calories are the same. Calories are measured by "burning" and do not take into consideration the form those calories are in. Our bodies will react differently to a calorie from Protein vs. a sugar carb calorie. We need all the different groups, and with VSG we will be restricted in what we can get in so it is important we prioritize to make sure we are getting the correct amounts. Ever seen the effects of electrolytes in the movie Idiot Nation? If you haven’t seen the movie, be warned – it is bad tacky…. So the short answer is, you are doing the correct thing in having a caloric deficit - but you need to check you’re your Nutritionist to make sure you are getting all the stuff you need in the right quantities. They may tell you to increase caloric intake if you are missing some the components you need, or they may just say “Awesome Job!!!” Which in my very non-medical opinion, is what you are doing.

Don't beat yourself up on it!!! You have come this far,get back on track - 17 days compared to the rest of our lives is a short periodof time. You can do it!! I was told I do not need to start a preop diet till about 7 days before surgery - so I think you have time. What my nutritionist told me is the more weight I have lost and the smaller myliver is prior to surgery, the easier the doctor will be able to operate. Iwant the best possible job from the doctor - since I will need to live with theresults of the surgery, I want to give him the best possible environment towork in. My intention is to stay away from the kitchen as much as possible. Ifit wasn't so hot I would be out riding more... Instead - I am playing on thecomputer. Did take the son for ride this morning, it was nice. BTW - I have my surgery June 28th date - I take it that is yours also? I willbe at Memorial Hermann in Houston TX with Dr. Eric Wilson....

Basically they want to find out if you are going into this with realistic expectations AND more importantly you are able to cope with the changes. If food is how you deal with stress - what will you use after surgery? What support groups do you have (i.e. active in church, attending WLS support groups, your a member of a close knit motorcycle club). What are you going to do when you take food out of the equation? I talked about the death of my father (morbidly obese, died from an enlarged heart) and the support our family received from our church and friends. I also talked about the fact that I am active in Scouts, Choir, love to ride my motorcycle and go camping - they want to make sure food is not your only outlet. Just remain upbeat, talk about your activities you love and how they will be improved by losing weight. Good Luck!

Good Luck!

Just got my approval letter last night - took about 10 days (Memorial Day Holiday may have slowed it down a little). I knew I was approved last week because Aetna has a nurse called me to answer any questions I had about the surgery. She was really nice and supportive and gave me her phone number if I have any other questions and also asked that I please call her when the real date has been set. She also wanted to re-assure that even though the letter states one day in the hospital, I am approved for whatever I need and not worry about it. Now if the surgeon's office would just call to set up a date, I am so ready to get started... Good Luck!