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Hi Rachael- My husband & I both had sleeve surgery at Legacy Good Sam with Valerie Halpin. We moved to MD 2 years ago but are moving back to Beaverton mid-November. Stay in touch & I'd love to meet you & share our experiences. My husband lost over 100 pounds & I lost 70 pounds & we are maintaining our goal weights & are so glad we had the surgery. Take care, Jan

I had sleeve surgery Oct 2011 & am 58 yrs old & 5' tall. Went from 192 to 117 pounds. This is the 1st time as an adult that I enjoy all foods & have a desire to make healthy choices. I have been on 100's of diets but no longer need this mentality. I don't tell people about my surgery b/c I eat normally & no one notices I eat smaller portions. You can do this. Give yourself the best gift you can & have the sleeve operation. My best to you.

You'll get below 200 very soon though it seems like forever:) I was glad to read your post b/c it helped so much to know you & others are experiencing the same issues. Take care, Jan

I was approved (after a few small fights) with a BMI of 37 & only 2 comorbidities-sleep apnea & high cholesterol. Good luck to you & hope you get your approval soon. Jan

I was denied 3x with BCBSIL. I just kept calling & asking what they needed to get approved. If they hadn't approved after the 3rd time, I was having my doctor get involved with the insurance company before we filed an appeal. Happily, I was approved & had my surgery 10-12. Good luck to you. Don't give up b/c the sleeve is the best gift you can give yourself. Jan

Hi STB, 1st I want to say hi from OR but I'm a native Houstonian with family still in Houston, once a Texan always a Texan! I have also stalled for a week. The clothes are getting looser but the scale hasn't budged. I'm even walking 2.5-3 miles/day most days & eating 725-900 calories/day. Sure is frustrating but I've heard people say that when you exercise, muscle can weigh more than fat. I do feel great & feel very confident that the sleeve is helping me eat right. Hope both of us have a weight loss on the scale soon. Take care, Jan

Hi GeLu, I was sleeved 3 weeks ago 10-12. I was so sick of dieting & at age 55 was ready to make peace with food. I have more energy than I have had in years after the operation & I have no desire for sweets which I used to love. This is a gift I wish I'd given myself years ago. You will love being sleeved. Jan

Hi Monisue- You are doing great!! I was sleeved 10-12 & I am also so happy I had this operation. We will reach our weight goals & can put excess weight behind us. Yeah!!!! Jan

Sweety 93, You are there for us & we stand by you, our friend. What a great Christmas gift you are giving yourself. You will always remember 12-11. Need to figure out how to add each other as friends so we can keep up with each other & not have to meet in the insurance blog! Take care, Jan

I've got the date on my calendar!! I know Dec 1 can't come quick enough. You have been there for all of us & now it's your turn. Congrats!! Jan

Glenna- Your doctor is smart. You'll lose weight before surgery & after surgery without having to make choices. I lost a few pounds on Weight Watchers during the 6 mos before surgery but I gained it back eating "my last meal" for weeks before I was sleeved. The soups I enjoyed are both made my Pacific Natural Foods (my store carries in organic section). I like roasted red pepper & tomato (usually don't like tomato) & curried red lentil (thai flavor). They along with Fage greek yogurt helped me get through the liquid phase. What product does your doctor use? Jan

Glenna, What do you eat/drink on your pre-op diet? Can you drink pureed soups b/c I have 2 to recommend. I bought vanilla & chocolate Extreme Smoothies which are ready to drink protein in cans. They have 35 grams of protein in each 11oz can & were easy to take with me b/c they tasted ok at room temp. Jan

Glenna, I feel like I've been given a 2nd chance at life. I had gotten to where I never exercised b/c of back pain & now I walk 45 min/day. I did not go through the puree stage & am eating between 650-850 calories/day so I am ok with not losing as quickly as others. I never had a problem with eating slowly & chewing well..I was a constant snacker which I no longer have the desire to do. My 1st 12 days I had protein drinks, yogurt & soup & then I slowly started eating my favorite healthy foods but in small portions. I have lost 17 lbs since surgery & will be happy if I lose 5-8 lbs/month (more would be great). I am 5 feet tall & started at 194 lbs & now I'm at 177. I'm already out of + sizes & wearing size large & xl petites. I'm very happy with my progress & look forward to seeing the dietician 11-14. Let me know if I can answer any questions. I know you will love your sleeve. Take care, Jan

Glenna, So glad to see you got your surgery date when it is convenient for you to be off work. Everything is falling into place nicely:) Jan

That is the best news!!! I know you will love your sleeve. This the 1st Halloween that I didn't have to buy more candy b/c I ate it all before 10/31. I am doing better than I dreamed & know you will too. Keep us posted on your surgery date. Take care, Jan

I used to drive my son to Rock Creek campus 3x weekly & shop at Albertson's. I come to Beaverton at least once a month b/c I have good friends there. Hopefully we'll meet soon. Take care & keep me updated on your surgery. Jan

I moved to McMinnville a year ago. We used to be neighbors...I lived near the Burgerville at Walker & 185th in an apartment for 2 years after we sold our house.

I just feel great. My doctor prescribed 90 pain pills & I only needed one the night I got home. It's only been one week since surgery & I have the energy to walk every day 30 mins/day. I was a wreck before the surgery. I had gained so much weight & was so out of shape. No more!! Look forward to meeting you. I actually live in McMinnville so I don't get to Portland too often but I will be attending support meetings. Take care, Jan

Dr Patterson's office is next door to Dr Halpin's in Bldg 2. I will be going to monthly support groups at Good Sam starting in January. If you are interested, find out if you can attend those & we can see each other monthly. My husband is considering getting sleeved but he's not ready to make the commitment yet. Jan

Where are you having your surgery? I had mine at Legacy Good Sam 10/12. Doing great & know I gave myself the greatest gift of health. Jan

So glad to hear you're home. I hope you feel your best soon. You are right that everyday gets easier. Keep us updated. Jan

Glenna, What great news! I am so happy for you. Next is to get scheduled when it is convenient for you in November! You will love your sleeve. I have already lost 10 lbs since surgery & feel great. I'm smiling as I know you are. Jan

My good luck was due to all the good vibes from my sleeve friends:)

Several times they told me a Dr was reviewing my case. It is a good thing that a Dr is reviewing the documents but they still denied me 3x. I am doing great. I had surgery on Wednesday, came home Thursday & was already walking with my husband at the park on Saturday. I was lucky not to have nausea or vomiting & had very little pain. Only took 1 of the 90 pain pills prescribed for me. I still sleep with a pillow over my abdomen but other than that you would never know I had surgery. The sleeve has definitely helped me eat slowly. I want you to be sleeved too & don't want BCBSIL to make you waste time. Keep hounding them. You have done what you were supposed to & know they need to cover the surgery. Take care, Jan

BCBSIL told me it could take up to a week for a decision but I kept calling. One rep got me so discouraged b/c she said I was denied while another rep went to bat for me & called medical review to find out exactly what the hold-up was. I know you are stressed but keep thinking positive thoughts. I am praying for you. I went through a similar experience with the same insurance & want you to finally get the approval for the surgery that will help you beat obesity. Did you ever try & reach Troy? Call them several times a day if it makes you feel better. I did a few times! Jan