kczar

I would recommend checking out this thread: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/1267-places-to-get-liquid-protein-samples/ It contains a lot of links to various sites where you can order sample packets. There are at least two websites that let you order a variety pack of the nectar powders to try. One of them lets you pick the flavors. I personally didn't care of the fruit flavored ones and plan on sticking to Isopure, even though it tastes kind of disgusting. I couldn't get past the milky color of the Nectar products. I plan on either adding some Mio drops to the Isopure or watering it down a bit and drinking it over Sonic ice. Good luck!

I've seen a few people on the board mention that they had to do this to prevent blood clots after surgery. I have no idea if it's standard practice for some surgeons or if they only do it if the patient has had an issue with clots in the past.

Good luck! You'll do great.

I'm not sure what insurance you have, but for me, they needed six forms to complete the six month diet plan my insurance required. If in doubt, I would recommend calling your insurance company. Ultimately, they're going to be the ones to decide what they need and I would hate for you to be disappointed. On my first appointment, the nutritionist weighed me, asked when I ate my three meals a day, what I typically ate as well as any Snacks. She then went over a suggested meal plan and set my caloric intake for the remaining visits (1600 calories). She also went through portion sizes and how many servings of each food group I could have. She also asked about any exercising I was doing. She filled out a form that detailed what we discussed and set goals for the next visit (eliminate soft drinks, stop drinking during meals, practice chewing, etc.) More than likely you'll need to make sure your visits are no closer than 30 days apart to count so be careful about that. Good luck!

bb85, you're welcome. This insurance has been a Godsend to me as I've been without insurance for 10 years. Here's how I did the process. I initially got the insurance because I needed to get my gallbladder removed and surprise, surprise, no insurance company would cover me. I started with PCIP on 1/1/12 and had my first physical in a decade that month. My PCP (whom I've used for years) mentioned the sleeve as a possibility for me (he had been sleeved the year before.) I then contacted PCIP to find out if there was a surgeon in my area that was in network. Went to an information session and then started seeing his NUT. Halfway through I realized I could use my PCP. I asked if he would fill out one of the forms using the date of my physical back in January and he agreed. So I was able to finish up a month before I originally thought. My surgeon's insurance coordinator wouldn't fax in any paperwork for approval until I had completed those six months. He also required an endoscopy and a psych eval (neither are required by PCIP), which I did earlier. They faxed in my paperwork on the 29th and it's being reviewed now. I called Monday and they said to call back in a week as they should have an answer by then. I've seen about three other people on this board that went through PCIP and they got approved the first time around. *Fingers crossed* it's the same with me. But yes, get all your requirements done, make sure you selected a surgeon that's in network and operates out of a center for excellence and you should be golden. I haven't had them turn down anything yet, including surgery to correct my deviated septum.

Congratulations on your approval! You might try talking to a supervisor about your down payment. When I had my gallbladder removed, the hospital called me the day before and wanted something like $1300. Then the wanted $650. I got them down to $500 down with the promise to set up a payment schedule after I got the bill. And I didn't get that for three months!

You don't have to go to both a NUT and your PCP. PCIP will accept either to count for your supervised diet. I switched over because my surgeon's NUT left on maternity leave. Plus my insurance didn't cover the cost for the NUT but did cover my doc. Regarding the details, my surgeon's insurance coordinator said they want that kind of info. She said a summary letter wouldn't cut it. Do you need all of the info? I can't say for sure. But I know they use this form all the time so I trust that it gets the job done.

Mrs.E, are you going to use the nutritionist at your surgeon's office? If so, they should have a form that will be sufficient. If you're going through your PCP, they're going to need to give fairly detailed information for each visit. The ones mine used included: My name Date of visit Current weight Approximate times when I ate Breakfast, lunch and dinner Examples of what I ate at each meal Exercise - How often, how long, what kinds of exercise Vitamins/supplements taken Was I avoiding fats, fried foods and sugar? Was I complying with the diet plan? Doctor's signature and date I switched from my surgeon's nutritionist to my PCP midway through the process and he just used the same forms. I called PCIP today and they have all the paperwork and I will hopefully have an answer by next week. I've seen several people on the board that have gotten approval first time around with PCIP, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck to you!

Unfortunately, if you read through the threads, hair loss happens at three months. Its probably caused by the shock your system is going through. From what I've seen, there's no way to stop it. All you can do is try to stimulate new growth as much as possible. And it is temporary. I'm scared of it too, but its the price we pay

You have to order Unjury online. Whole Foods may carry unflavored protein powder or you can try a GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. Nice thing about buying it there is if you don't like it, you can return it for a refund. Make sure you read the instructions. food has to be below a certain temperature or the powder will clump. Good luck!

I found a great app on Google Play called Body Monitor. It lets you track your height, weight, body fat and body measurements. It stores all the ones you mentioned, including extra ones for your legs and arms. I like it because as soon as you enter your measurements, it shows you how much you've lost. It has a calendar interface so you can scroll back and see where you started very easily. If you're comfortable with tech, you might want to check it out.

Rebecca, I'm glad to hear that you were approved. My paperwork was sent of last Friday. How long did it take for you to hear? I know that I spoke to my surgeon's insurance coordinator and she said she spoke with the person reviewing the request because they didn't think they had all the forms for the six month diet visits (they did have them.) I know someone else here was approved through PCIP so I'm pretty sure I'll get it. Just don't know how long they take to give the okay!

I can understand being freaked out by that blog. And some of the stuff she writes is true. We will have to do some work to maintain our loss. We still need to eat right and exercise. But notice that in her blog as well as her replies to posts, she speaks in the same vague generalities. She keeps saying WLS patients could drink milkshakes and regain weight. She gives only one quote from one doctor over and over (which I agree with.) She says there are no long term reports (10-20 years) regarding the sleeve. Well duh, it hasn't been done as a stand alone procedure for weight loss for that long. Even when someone posted that they were seven years out, she basically told the person that they weren't far enough along and challenged her to come back and post after she failed. But then you'll notice that she's crowing about her own weight loss through a strict diet. Guess what? She's only a year out on her weight loss. Really not enough time to bragging, right? When she regains the weight, will she post about that? Looking at her other blog entries, she has a negative slant on everything. And, like most blogs, she's mainly stating her opinion, not fact. I think it's a great idea to search for all kinds of WLS stories. It's vitally important that you now about all the risks and rewards possible. But take everything you read with a grain of salt. Look for blogs and vlogs by people who've actually had your surgery, not for someone who has an axe to grind. Good luck! I know it's scary but you'll make the right decision for you.

I had mine last night and I'm exhausted! I didn't know they were going to stick these probe things up my nose and I really had to work through that in order to calm down enough to go to sleep. I'm reading getting the results and having to get a CPAP. I have such bad claustrophobia. I hope they give me the version that just goes up your nose like oxygen in the hospital. However mentioned the hot oil treatment, thank you! It got all that nasty junk out of my hair. They really should include that tip in the paperwork they give you in prep for the study. And it's the most inaccurately named medical test ever - sleep study. Ha!

That's correct. The diet may be 4-5 shakes a day plus broth and sugar-free drinks or 2 shakes plus one meal consisting of protein and non-starchy veggies. The idea is to shrink your liver in preparation for the surgery. They have to move the liver out of the way to perform the sleeve and it reduces the risk of them nicking it. From what I've read here (I have about a month before I'll be at this stage), the first 3-4 days are the worse. Good luck!

Ashkaymom, look at it this way. You're having this surgery to improve your health so that you can be there for your daughter long term. Its one of the reasons I'm getting sleeved. My daughter was diagnosed with MS and although she's doing well now, I want to be around as long as possible in case she needs me.

So the surgical center closed? What about the surgeon associated with the center? Did he or she set up practice somewhere else? If nothing else, you should be able to contact your insurance company and get some names of surgeons that are in your plan. Good luck!

Thanks! It's getting real now. If everything goes right, I'll have a date mid August.

Yay! I had my final appointment for the six month supervised diet requirement. That was all my insurance requires other than a minimum BMI (and boy, do I have that!) I've done the psych evaluation my surgeon requires and the insurance coordinator has faxed off all my paperwork. Now I just have to be patient and wait for an answer!

I would definitely double check and/or insist on the test. If its positive, you have a chance of developing ulcers. Imagine getting an ulcer with 15% of a regular stomach. Its better to find out now and resolve it, even if it means postponing your surgery. Good luck!

Yeah, it seems to be a game that insurance companies play to make sure we don't take the "easy way out." My surgeon's nutritionist had a form she used to track all this stuff, including exercise. And she asked me about specifics on what kind of exercising I was doing, how long and how often. I mean, I don't know what it proves because I can tell them anything I want.

Hmmm, good question. I think they have to be at least 28 days apart, but I'm sure it varies from insurance to insurance. I've got my last appointment tomorrow and then my surgeon's office should submit the paperwork. If I find out before you, I'll let you know.

I'd recommend checking with your NUT or surgeon. Everybody is different so you want to make sure they're okay with it. Alcohol can be tough on the stomach.

I had a hair appointment today. Since I will hopefully be sleeved mid August so I anticipate my hair loss sometime in November. I let my stylist know so he could start putting layers in to hopefully hide the loss. I know this isn't earthshaking but to me its another milestone on this journey!

PB2 powder is also great to get that peanut butter taste without all the fat. The chocolate flavored one is amazing!