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Hello everyone....I am preparing for a wonderful 4th of July, and have a July 6th surgery with Dr. Paul Cirangle scheduled and anixiously I am awaiting MY DAY!!! Last year I met with Dr. Cirangle to discuss my options...gastric bypass scared me due to the re routing and the lack of Vitamins with mal absorbtion...after a challenging year I went in 3 weeks ago we chatted about new options...and after a 4 day pre approval with Anthem Blue Cross we are scheduled and going forward!! I am 43 years old 5'7" and currently at my heaviest at 268....we shall see where this journey takes me:~) I am a little freaked out about liquids only for 2 weeks, than soft foods for the next...but it is better than this weight in my way! I look forward to hearing from all of you and I will get some better pics up soon!!

So how are all the July sleevers doing??? Can you believe the amazing CHANGES:~)

Oh ladies...I have been married for 21 years....when my husband and I met I was 135 pounds....oh yea that all changed when our second son was born and I went thru hormonal hell....I reached 268...and my husband loves me for ME...not my rock hard body, loose or flabby skin....But that all sounds great until we look at our self...I am 5 months post op and 81 pounds off. The stomach is not so sexy nor are the breasts...I love my body for the amazing journey it has allowed me to travel. HOWEVER I just went to Dr. Steven Garner here in Santa Cruz CA and scheduled a breast lift and tummy tuck...FOR ME not for my husband or my friends! I just want to hug you for sharing your body image challenges and tell you sister friend LOVE YOURSELF FIRST...the rest will come naturally. Hang in there and keep me posted on how your next surgery goes!!

Any updates on your appeal?? From a standpoint of the insurance it is imperative that all looking for approval first and foremost find out what the guidelines of that said policy is. Vertical Sleeve is fairly new to insurance companies and they must see a benefit OR your medical office must have great people in place. You as the insured have rights and are protected and may appeal anything however INSURANCE IS DESIGNED AS A TOOL TO HELP DEFER YOUR OUT OF POCKET PORTION. INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE IN THE BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY! Make sure your appeal outlines the facts, take your emotions out of the picture..it is similar to law! Of course because this involves you, your future, your life, your health it is very challenging to remove those emotions. Your bariatric surgeon should have people in place to deal with the insurance company contracted with your plan or not. This is a full time job for a truly dedicated individual. As an anesthesia coordinator I deal with insurance, patients, and emotions everyday...so I must be very frank when I treatment plan, and when dealing with insurance there is no emotions just straight facts. How you FEEL or what your going thru has nothing to do with the situation. Your BMI History of family health issues directly related to morbid obestiy Psychological evaluation Past attempts that have failed Health benefits to having surgery Your true dedication and proven track record! Hope this helps...you are welcome to inbox me and I will try my best to help you navigate your surgery...with regard to your comment about purchasing a plan from Aetna that has nothing to do with the politics your experiencing. You must read the fine print perhaps your individual plan does not cover bariatric surgery. If your near San Francisco you may try Paul Cirangle MD he has the right people in place to expedite your insurance delays...and is a very strict to the point amazing surgeon! Cheers Carrie

Good Morning...just following up since I am not on here much...I have to say THANK YOU Rainsong your going to be amazing and rock the losers bench soon!! I was just reading Brian's post and must say first my condolences to you and your family. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. I love what Brian said it is not a secret it is so freeing....If I may without going on and on about my surgery and history which lead me up to the choice of having surgery tell you and all others considering weight loss surgery. Your choices in this World are just that YOURS, nobody feels your pains, lives with your guilt, and gets the looks we have all gotten when we choose to eat ice cream or sweet treats! I started this journey 07/06/2011 at 268 pounds today I am at 190 with a goal set by my surgeon of 145 my goal was anything under 200! I guess my attitude is simply people can think and talk all they want about me, but I know for a fact that weight loss surgery is NOT the easy way out, it is quite the opposite. It is a life changing choice we all made/make for our own personal reasons. We teach people how to treat us, and are always our own worst enemy. PLEASE hold your head up and be proud of who you are and the choices you make. I do not advertise that I had weight loss surgery but if somebody says, "Wow what is your secret..." I tell them I was tired of the struggle and fight with weight I had VS! Generally they will ask about the surgery and most want to know the process and who did it! And of course the insurance battles which I had none of! Ok I will get off my soap box...for now!

If you have a PPO and a great Bariatric Surgeon they can get the pre auth without any PCP. It is all in the packaging and your surgery should be approved if your BMI is off as well. I had my surgery completed and authorized in 4 days! Don't be upset grab the bull by the horns and welcome the new change!!

That is the spirit it is all about learning what works for you!! Sometimes when we are out to dinner...I get so anxious I eat a few bites and want to go...why sit and look at the food!! Tune into your body...

I love that you shared this story...I think many of us have much of this in common!! I have to say that I have not told anybody but my very close friends. It is sooo funny how people say, "Wow you look great, you have always been beautiful but you look just amazing!" I find it humorous that people feel the need to quantify a compliment. I am down 74 pounds since surgery 07/06/2011. Nobody really knows what to say, my family is very supportive and glad I did the surgery for ME!...I like you Rainsong have always been into boxing and later in life started kickboxing. That is my passion...so on top of having lost some extra weight...I have the energy and confidence to get back in the ring!! As far as telling your students in order to protect them from the anixiety that is the best and most protective thought any teacher could ever have!! I look back at pictures and cannot believe it...you will tell all and be so proud to help others!! Keep up the great outlook on life, and the love of your students!! Keep us posted!! Your friend that will be helping you sounds as amazing as you!!! The surgery for me was a breeze..it was the work at getting the right amount of protein which is still work!!

Ah yes....I am 4 months post op and just getting back to some of the protein drinks. I have to drink unflavored Unjury with my coffee and tea 2 to 3 times a day. I like you cannot stand the sweets ick. I really like Unjury and Nectar unflavored, avail at Amazon. Best of luck!!

Take your time....if you don't you will toss up your intake!! I am 4 months post op and I have never been one to eat slow, or toss my food...sadly if I eat too much too fast or something that doesn't agree here it comes...TMI I am sure. I start with protein and fiber in my coffee every am, than my vitamins, I take celery, and high protein as well as yogurt to snack on during the day at work. It is WORK just to eat....so I have two or three nibbles, and move on to something else. READ...or relax this is a transitional life change...YOU CAN DO IT!! Sometimes I am so frustrated in my decision but when I am cleaning out my closet it makes me smile!!!

I love to read all the posts this has been quite a journey...my surgeon is strict as heck..I started out 268 07/06/2011 and am at 220 09/12/2011 but he would like for me to be at 210...eating enough protein is challenging for me...the super sweet Nectar did not work...so I love the unflavored Unjury...mix with my yogurt, or in milk to get my liquid...watch the milk intake as it can make you constipated:~( The one Nectar that I really love is the Caribbean Cooler great in water and avail on Amazon for the best price I have seen:~) Keep up all the great work!!

Way to go girl...I had surgery 07/06...but had many complications totally unrelated to VSG...I was walking after 2 weeks, as a former boxer...I had to get back into it...I was boxing again after 3 weeks....hang in there make sure to get your Protein in that REALLY helps the weight!!

Wow I did not have to have liquids only at all....I was asked to drop 10-20 pounds than liquid only for 2 days prior to surgery but due to the 4th of July holiday I opted to do the Magnesium Citrate liquid YUCK at about 1pm the day prior to surgery....I am 5 days post op I did have some complications totally NOT related and had to stay in the hospital 2 days:~( However I am not liking any of the Protein shakes or buillions, or drinks they have a very fake taste I am counting the days where I can have some cottage cheese:~) I continue to have great support and write down my h20 consumption as well as my protein...I really think that each and every office and hospital must have a person who has done this and has walked this walk....NOTHING tastes as good as skinny feels so I am buckling down and I will do this:~) Cheers to you and thanks for venting I would be rather perplexed and challenged at those wishes my self!

Howdy all...surgery almost didn't go I had personal doubts...than recovery was rough...WCB count high so I stayed in the hospital 2 days only to find at my CT to rule out any infection and or leak that my large fibroid cyst from y hysterectomy 09/2010 was huge and causing some issues!! OH JOY well I am home now, resting and enjoying the protein and liquid WE CAN DO IT!!!

Howdy all...I am also a fellow July Sleever...going in TOMORROW 07/06/2011 0800 check in and 1030 am surgery SOOO nervous but excited.....Hope all of you are wonderful!!