Heller2u

Hi everyone! I got sleeved on Friday and I'm doing great today. Getting drain out and they will transfer me to a hotel after the leak test. I think I'm getting better care & attention from nurses then I get in US. I'll check in again when I get home. No regrets!

Congratulations to all on successful surgeries! I'm headed to the airport and will check in as soon as possible after surgery too.

I 100% know that you did not intend it, and I honestly am not offended at all. At first when I read it I though, huh why does she get to be "smallsteph" then I realized her name too. I honestly laughed out loud. You're wonderful to organize the October Sleevers !

Chris, (said with pouty spoiled rotten voice) I NEVER EVER EVER GET TO BE "SMALL" STEPHANIE!!! You just wait until I start rocking my sleeve! lol, totally joking. Good luck Stephanie, we're getting closer!!! Sincerely, Apparently not so small Stephanie (he he)

This reads like I typed it myself (except for the husband and son part). I have completely felt the same way over the last two weeks and I did the house cleaning last weekend and compared it to "nesting" when you're pregnant. I am scheduled to leave tomorrow morning and feel like I have been neglecting every part of my life until I leave. I can't even get into tv! I have made lists and now packed as much from those lists as possible. I wake up in the middle of the night and although I'm exhausted, I log into the computer & check VST. I am a strong independent woman who has raised my daughter (now almost 10) completely by myself from the day I found out I was pregnant, yet I have felt weaker in the last few weeks than ever. Take out food and the craziness begins. I am starving for something to CRUNCH on (and I don't mean ice chips). You've done the right thing, reaching out. I've been reaching out to my girl Kelly L (no shocker there, she beat me to the post) she's been very uplifting to me just by knowing what I'm going through and popping in at the moment I seem to need a boost the most. You're almost there! Stay strong and keep your eye on the prize!

I'm struggling right there with you! My surgery is the 14th. I even went out to dinner last night and really struggled looking at the menu (it was a mexican place and they put a basket of chips right in front of me, arrrg, my sister poured some salsa for me out of habit) I fought through it and ordered the Soup (but margaritas are liquid right)! Yay! Hang in there, good luck to you on your journey!

I think if you add in the weight of your Ex, you've lost a lot more than 1 lb! (not trying to be rude, just trying to lift you up) You're doing great! Get back on track & enjoy your success!

Hi October Sleevers! I just wanted to check in and tell you about some awesome support I just got from my family. Saturday 10/8 I will be turning 45 and I have made it perfectly clear to my family that I'm unable to go out to dinner or Celebrate with cake because of my pre op diet (surgery on 10/14 woo hoo). So instead of eating, my mom, my sister & I just went out & got celebratory mani - pedis! My sister gave me a Ninja blender and my mom gave me a digital scale for gifts...is that support or what?! It makes me so happy that with all of the secrecy because I'm telling very few people, these two are there for me 110%. Finally, I thought I'd mention that it's that time of year...wouldn't hurt to get yourself a flu shot! I know it sounds crazy but it couldn't hurt to prevent any possible illness since some of us will be traveling to Mexico and all of us will be in some type of medical facility with sickies why not get one, it couldn't hurt right! Well good luck to all & find those 1 or 2 people to lean on right now, even if it's another October Sleever (or a veteran sleever too if you're reading this KellyL you're an angel)!

Oh my, just noticed that both of our names are "Stephanie" too! October 14th will be a great day for Stephanies! woo hoo

I'm Oct 14th too! Operation Pre-op is on! I think its easier than other times I've dieted because I know it will be over soon and I'll have the assistance of my sleeve. Good Luck to you and I'll meet you on the losers bench!

Hi Monty! Hope you're feeling ok, when you feel up to it, tell us how it feels to be sitting on that losers bench...is it comfy? Save us some room, we'll be there shortly! Congratulations... and from what I've read, sip sip sip & walk walk walk.

I've been looking for this roster and now I've found it! woo hoo! I'm on the 14th! Getting closer! Good luck to all!

I'm going alone and I might be as crazy as you but I'm perfectly ok with it! My mom offered to go with me (I'm 45) but I'd be more worried about her wandering around Mexico cause she's crazier than both of us! Honestly and no joking, I plan on using this time for myself, having the surgery and doing some emotional healing through this process. I feel safe from all of the stories I've heard from the wisdom of those who have gone before us. When is your date? I'll keep in touch.

I suppose we should be grateful for technology, digital cameras and the fact that we don't have to torture some poor clerk at the photo center by making anyone have to develop those before pictures! I too will be taking before shots and keeping them all to myself for progress updates. Good luck to everyone on their journey!

I haven't been approved for the surgery yet, however it is my understanding that it is only a tool, the success is a credit to you! Congratulations to you! You're very inspiring.

I manage an office of 40 employees and I'm responsible for payroll & day to day operations. Not a lot of activity, just office work. I've heard different stories about returning to work, some as early as 5 days post surgery. I'm getting closer & I'm planning my time off for the surgery (not yet scheduled), I've allowed for 2 full weeks, but what are the chances I'll be able to return sooner?

Well, I just checked my mail and there it was, the news I had a feeling was coming. DENIED! The reason given appears that they don't have enough documentation of the 6 month PSWL. I'm trying not to panic and I think I can supply them with what they want (I have several weeks of food journals, the printed 1200 calories a day guidelines from my doctor, the exercise handout, but I think they're looking for it to be stated on the notes from the 6 visits and it's not there. Any help or words of wisdom?

I'm going to appeal with everything I have. I can't change any documentation (or lack of) from my PCP, but I can offer them several weeks of food journals and plans supplied to me by my PCP. I feel like my insurance coordinator hasn't been very informative to me, I have tried to keep in touch with her during the 6 months and I asked her what exactly I was supposed to be doing during the time, she didn't tell me to make sure my PCP was documenting certain things. oh well, can't change the past, just going to fight with all my might to get the insurance company to see things my way.

Thanks for asking the question Ellie I'm wondering the same myself...my insurance company just issued their first denial even though I qualify in BMI (45), co-morbidities, etc. they claim they don't have enough documentation from the 6 mo PSWL, one way or another I WILL HAVE THE SLEEVE! Would love to know how all made the decision of Mexico & which physician.

How many appeals am I allowed to have?

Hi! I know what you mean about the 6 month PSWL, during that process, I couldn't quite figure out what I was supposed to do...was I supposed to succeed and be told by the insurance company that I didn't need surgery because I could in fact follow a weight loss program from my physician? or was I to fail at the 6 month of dieting to be told by my surgeon that I would fail at the after surgery diet if I couldn't succeed on the physician guided diet. It was very confusing and now I sit in limbo somewhere between the 6 month diet (which I completed on 8/25), and insurance approval (submitted on 8/30 ) and no word yet...still a little confused, do I bug the insurance approval office to the point that they deny me because I'm a pest or wait patiently and get denied because I didn't push hard enough...ARRRRRGGGGG!! Can't wait until I hear something because I'm going insane waiting to know. I feel different every day, up because no news isn't a denial, yet down because no news isn't an approval either, arrrg!