Lanette

Congrats!!!

I've been amazed at how many comments I have gotten since losing a little weight on my 6 months with my pcp like "seeee, you CAN do it. You don't need that surgery after all!". Makes me want to scream! Mine are trying to be supportive, but when you have a tiny sister like mine that has always been the little one, I do think it makes them a little freaked out by it. Mine was okay w/ everything and then when I showed her some B&A pics on here, you could see the "OH man....you may really get smaller than me..." wheels turning in her head.

I have this uncontrollable urge to bake all of my favorite things! I make this 12 layer coconut cake that takes two days to make. It is hands down the most challenging thng I make, but worth every ounce of effort. I normally make it every Easter but am making it this weekend instead. Surgery scheduled for March 28 and low carb diet starts the 14th. I keep thinking I'm never going to want to cook/bake after surgery so I'm making all my fav's now. I know I can bake and give it away, but it's just not the same.

Hubby just had spine surgery a few weeks ago. After tube was out I was able to go back to recovery. His Oxygen levels kept dropping (alarms going off) b/c he kept dozing off and not breathing. VERY scary to me and he doesn't even remember it. I think they could have kept his tube in a bit longer. I will tell ya that when the nurse started talking about the fact that he couldn't have anymore pain meds until he was more alert.....he started trying to perk up.

Is there a spot for those who get sleeved in the same month to connect and keep up with each other? If not.....I guess I'm making one for March.

Can you buy it anywhere or do you have to order it online? Went to GNC today and picked up some Isopure...just trying to figure out what else to stock up on.

I'm scheduled for March 28th with Dr. Goodnight!

Thanks, guys! I had looked but couldn't find it. I'll chime in there....

I'm March 28th as well!! Congrats!!

I am 2 hours from my doc and I think I am going to get a hotel the night I get released. Probably only one night though. I'm scheduled for 3/28....so we'll be March buddies.

I am scheduled for March 28 and am new to VST as well. Can't wait to track our progress together!

My insurance requires that they submit the approval for a specific date. If you want to change dates you have to request a revision to the approval.

I am March 28th!! Can't wait to track our progress together!

Mine sent me a copy of the report that he submitted to the surgeon. It was kind of funny to me. He did mention how I came dressed for the evaluation (clean, well groomed, dressed appropriately), how my voice was steady and clear and can communicate my thoughts effectively. I thought it was funny that he mentioned "of average intelligence" but that makes more sense after hearing the IQ comments above. Of course we got into weight related stuff as well but I specifically asked him what they look for (after itwas over). He said that they want to make sure we can handle it, know what we're getting into and not doing it for the wrong reasons (spouse pressure, etc). He gave me the example of someone who was bi-polar wanting surgery while on a manic....they would hopefully catch that.

I have to fly for work ALL the time. Like GreenEyedMamma, I "borrowed" an extender years ago and hope to return it next month. I am 270 and 5'6". I do have trouble not encroaching into the space o the person next to me (mainly my hips edging underneath the arm rests and pushing them up.) I still fit, but it's vet uncomfortable. I will say that occasionally the front ow seats have the hard wall divider arm rests instead of the moveable kind. I always have a huge sigh of relief when I get those seats because which. May be uncomfortable, I can squeeze myself into it and not worry about leaning the entire flight to get away from my neighbor. Not sure that this is any help, but I have seen people a lot bigger than me flying. My guess would be that you will be fine, but if you can afford it I'm sure it would ease your mind and make your flight much more enjoyable and less cramped. If you do not get the extra seat.....get to the gate early!! I AWAYS ASK the gate attendant if it is a full flight. I tell them that I am recovering from a cold and that I would love to sit alone if they can move me.....don't want to get anyone sick. if you are one of the first ones to ask (and there is room....) it almost always works. Good luck!!

Surgeon's office just called.......and I'm APPROVED! Took less than 24 hours!! They said that it almost ALWAYS takes the full two weeks to get the approvals! SO, they said that if we want we can try to do the surgery THIS MONDAY 2/28 instead of waiting until 3/28! So glad I started the pre-op diet in the off chance something like this happened!! This just shows that the power of prayer works! I prayed yesterday before they sent the submission and again last night that the nurse would review it quickly b/c she has been out on vacation. I'm SO EXCITED!! Now to just try to get caught up on work and housework in time to actually have surgery on Monday! Yikes!

Well, not really from the beginning because that would take us back to about 12 years old. I have wanted to have WLS for years and have never been able to afford it. Since starting with my current employer (2/1/10) I learned that our insurance policy will cover it. One of the requirements is to be employed for one year, so here I am a year later starting my journey. I used last year to fulfill my 6 month w/ PCP requirement so that I would be all set on 2/1/11. I am going to keep up with a timeline on this blog and try to track my entire process. I am not announcing it to the world, but I am being honest if someone asks me about surgery. I hope to be able to help others through transparency in my process. I can honestly say that so far, my dietition consult has been the most enlightening and helpful. While we did talk about food and nutrition, she actually did a great job of making me think about some of the emotional pieces of this puzzle. I have come to realize that I am ready to do this for ME. I need to be able to put myself first for a change so that I can be the fit wife/mother that I am in my heart. I have lots of dreams of jogging on the bike trail with my kids, running a 5k, fitting in the swings at the amusement park (not being afraid to take that Disney trip out of fear of not fitting in the seats), having pool parties in my back yard and actually getting IN the pool, etc. My main fears with the surgery revolve around whether or not it will be sucessful and a fear that I won't be able to keep the weight off. I know this is because of the lifetime of yo-yo dieting, but I'm just trying to be honest with myself. I am concerned (not really a fear, but concerned) about not being able to drink with meals and drinking liquids in general. After my surgery consultation, I realized very quickly that I am a "gulper". Never really thought about it before, but am very aware of it now. I know that this is going to be a very difficult transition and I hope that my friends and family will see the work that it takes and realize that it is not the "easy way out". I want this tool for the better chances of long term success. While I am VERY nervous...I am mainly excited and so ready to start seeing results. I'm hopeful that with a 3/28 surgery date that I will see some good "summer" results. Bring on swimsuit season. Weight Tracker: 290 - Highest Weight (before 6 month PCP visits) Size 24 270 - Current weight before surgery (BMI of 43.6) Size 20/22 Timeline: 2/1/10 - Clock ticking on one year employment requirement 6/1/10 - 12/1/10 - 6 monthly visits w/ PCP to document non-surgical weight loss 2/1/11 - One year employment anniversary 2/14/11 - Consult with Surgeon 2/19/11 - Psych Consult 2/22/11 - Dietition Consult 2/23/11 - Pre-Certification Packet submitted to insurance w/ scheduled date of 3/28/11

Margaret- I have BCBC. I think it is technically BCBS of FL b/c the company I work for is based there. However all my cards, etc just say BCBS.

Thanks!!

I was about to respond to this and tell you that you should make the drive to meet Dr. Goodnight and then noticed his post! I am scheduled for 3/28 with him. I am driving 2 hours to get there, but I have heard EXCELLENT things about him and felt VERY comfortable after my consultation. I work with physicians for a living and another surgeon that does not perform VSG actually recommend him to me. While it may be a newer program, I know that someone is always going to be in that first 100, 200, 500.....whatever the comfort level is. I look not only at their experience in VSG, but as a surgeon as a whole. If they are already very experienced in complex laparoscopic surgeries, I feel a lot more comfortable.