BeenThereWasThat

HELLOOO Kim! I am also in Des Moines and gettin sleeved July 13th @ Mercy with Dr. Cahalan. Well just wanted to say "Hi" we Iowans are few and far between... Hope you are staying dry and cool! :thumbup1:

I am pre-op and the smell of the Protein now makes me gag. Here are a couple of my tricks * Have someone else mix the drinks for you ( if possible) or make them a couple days before and stick them in the fridge (I try to make them the night before) to me the powder is worse than the drink * I really swear by the blender bottles it only had a smaller hole to drink out of and I don't really get a good smell and if you are making them the night before you can just give them a quick shake and they are ready to go What brands are you taking in and are they to be mixed with milk? I've heard that the chocolate, vanilla, & strawberry are just too sweet some times. It almost sounds like you are dumping like RNY patients. My surgeon said that some sleevers can dump.

I think it is OK for you to take protein shakes even for a snack... Just watch the calories and carbs. I use Nectar most have about 90 calories a scoop and no carbs. Just be careful with the proteins that you mix with milk. My mom had RNY 5 years ago and still has a Nectar Iced Tea every morning.

I didn't but I know other people who have UHC and they had to do the 6 mth diet before approval it really just depends on your policy. * First thing I had to do was call that number to get everything started they will then set up an appointment for you to meet with your nurse cordinator. Basically they want to make sure that you are serious and that you meet the qualifications (BMI & co-morbitities). * After you talk to the nurse cordinator she will refer you to UBH (United Behavioral Health) to set up your psych eval and she will verify the WLS that you want to use. They have to be in a "Center of Excellence" or they won't cover the surgery. * After you've had your psych eval and the surgeon has sent a letter of medical nessicity they will review you for approval * Once approved you can schedule surgery Start to finish for me was about 2 1/2 months.... In my opinion the process is kind of slow but it is only because my surgeon's office was really busy and they couldn't get me in any quicker. Insurance approval took 2 days once UHC had everything. I also scheduled my pych eval before I had approval because things were moving too slowly for me. Sorry for the spelling I am on my phone...

I have UHC choice plus and my sleeve is covered. I would say that if your policy covers bariatric surgery then your sleeve will be covered. My policy did not specifically state which surgeries were covered but when I got my pre-approval letter my policy covered the 4 major WLS. Honestly if you know your member # I would call 1-888-936-7246 it is the Bariatric Resource Services for UHC they will help you get the ball rolling. If you don't know your number you may be able to call them anyways and have them look it up for you. Please feel free to PM me and I'll be happy to let you know how the process was for me. I have been approved for about 3 weeks now and am getting sleeved July 13th.

How is everyone keeping from not going crazy?!?!?! This month might just kill me with the waiting!!! A.Walker Giving up Diet Coke was the hardest thing I had to do! Knowing that I gave it up in May seriously the sooner the better. I started by switching to Diet Coke caffeine free I knew that part of it was the caffeine addiction. After I kicked the caffeine dropping the Diet Coke wasn't so hard. I stocked up on crystal light and I am now in love with caffeine free iced tea with lemon.

Judy I was going to use the gall bladder excuse too but I am afraid I will have to have it taken out later. My biggest challenge is work right now.... We are having a 2nd quarter contest that includes a lunch out and half a day off. My boss knows I am having surgery but not what kind and the lunch out would be during my pre-op liquid diet.... I have no problem telling people after surgery but I just feel weird before. I just don't want to deal with all the judgement and opinions ( I get enough of that now). I just can't get my mom to stop telling people!

It took me 2 days for approval! Good Luck!

Are your shopping malls inside or outside? Mine are inside and I was planning on walking there since they will be air conditioned. They have lots of "husband" benches if you need to sit and take a break. Target or Walmart might even be a better because you can push around a cart for support. You can even go slow up and down the aisle and "pretend to be shopping" Good Luck! Sip sip sip!

I would double check with you nut/dr to make sure but here are the reasons my nut has her patients do it- * shrink liver * easy and quick way to loose weight the less you weigh before surgery the less risks for complications * help prepare you for diet after surgery * it also helps clean out digestive system... kwim Here is my opinion about it- If they tell me it will help I will do it. I am honestly dreading it but I feel like I can do any diet for 2 weeks ( I know it is technically longer with post op I just don't feel like I will want to eat pasta). I also know that I am addicted to carbs and sugar and that those 2 weeks will really help me kick the habbit.

I agree with what everyone else says it really depends on the employer. I have UHC and all WLS are covered. The approval process has been fairly painless for me and I was approved begining to end in about 2 months. A good place to start is health insurance companies and hospitals and educational institutions.

Hi everyone I am jumping into the July surgery group. I was supposed to have surgery June 29th but got bumped to July 13th. I will now be starting my liquid diet on June 29th. After struggling with infertility for 3 years my husband and I decided to put the baby business on the shelf. I am now getting to do surgery as something for myself!!! I look forward to hearing everyone's stories and getting to know everyone!

I believe I am booked for June 29th. I have to confirm that tomorrow when the nurse gets in but I am too excited to wait!!! Maybe they will be able to bump me up!!!

I think that the one think I have noticed that BC/BS is really different in each state. I believe that they are rolling out apporval to certain states as trials. I think that the other thing that is an issue for BC/BS is not as many US surgeons have exp doing VSGs. OK and trust the ins lady at the surgeons office. The surgeons really don't have much to do with the ins approval process....

My company as part of the policy purchased a very comprehensive WLS rider. I know that UHC has more than one because some people have to complete the 6mth diet. I did not have to complete the 6 mth diet. I really hope that other insurance companies come around and decide to cover VSG soon.

Hello all I got a call from my insurance company(UHC) that I am approved for VSG!!!! I can't believe after 2 mths of appointments and classes I was approved in 2 days!!! The WLS cordinator told me that my surgery is schedueled for June 29th!!! I haven't confimed that with the clinic but that day works perfectly for me (everyone left early for the holiday weekend). I am so excited 2 more weeks of normal eating before I start my 2 weeks of liquid diet!!! I honestly can't wait to start that because then I know that the surgery date will come up fast. WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!! :001_cool:

Hello 80s babies!!!! I am 27 and am tentatively scheduled for my sleeve June 29th! :thumbup:

Mine will pay 80% after my $750 deductible is met.... Not including my deductible I have a $2000 yearly out of pocket max. I will probably have to pay that before the end of the year.

I have no good advice... I know every surgeon is different but on liquids I am allowed to have one Protein bar per day to help with the lack of chewing. My mom had RNY 5 years ago and she said she is going to do the liquid diet too.... I believe it when I see it! LOL

I am pre- op but my surgeon told me 3 wks. I have heard of other people who had surgery on a Thursday and were back at work on Tuesday. I have a boring desk job but I have short term disability and I want to take the time to heal properly and get used to my new slim stomach so I will probably take 3-4 weeks off.

It typically depends on what you mental health coverage is. My company pays for a seperate mental health policy and my psych eval was covered I only had to pay the $25 co-pay for a in-network provider. If your company offers a mental health policy then I would think it is is safe to assume that your psych eval will be covered.

My surgeon told me I could use oral hormonal birth control but that I should really discuss it with my pcp... After 3 years of infertility I don't want to go back on the pill so DH and I are going to use condoms. If you have to use 2 forms of birth control for a year after surgery why even go on hormonal birth control?? I know from being on it in the past it messes with my weight and hunger.

I think your goals are great it sounds like you are on the right path. I do have to say that I am cracking up at the idea of you buzzing around the Costo and eating samples for lunch! :thumbup1: Your idea is brillant I just don't live/work close enough to one for it to work for me! Keep us update I am hoping for surgery the end of June! :biggrin0:

I agree with Timmy it does get better. I can't sleep without it. My friends want to go camping and I refuse unless we have a power hook up!! The other thing is call your sleep center don't wait. They want you to be successful and they will help you!