atkinsoncl

I will have to check the FB page out as well! Sounds great to look into. Carly, April 1 is just right around the corner . That's so exciting!!! Did you need to do a preop diet?

I just got approved!! Woohoo!! I'm so excited!!! April 4 is the big day . . . can't wait to start this journey!! Many of you have become such an inspiration to me that it just makes this journey so much more exciting!!

This is so exciting!! Definately need company and support during this endeavor. I start my two week low-fat atkins diet tomorrow. Friday I go for my preadmissions testing, then I have my final PCP and surgeon appts. next week. April is almost here. It's going to go really fast. I live in Pennsylvania (outskirts of Allentown). How about everyone else?

Hi! I'm Courtney. Just got the phone call that I'm approved. April 4 is my big day. I start preop diet tomorrow. Can't wait for this to come!! Good luck to everyone and can't wait to hear about your changed postop.

Hi! Congrats!! I just got my phone call that I'm approved and my surgery is scheduled for April 4. I start my preop diet tomorrow. I have never been so excited about a diet before.

Thank you so much!

The nutrionist told me that at the beginning, I would probably only be taking in 600 calories. But when all is healed and feeling good, I will should stick between 1000-1200 calories a day.

How exciting!! Best of luck!! Keep us posted post-op.

Hi! I completed my three month program on 2/29 and on 3/1 my surgeon's office sent a letter to me stating that they will be sending in all the paperwork to insurance. Today I called my insurance company, but they haven't received it yet. I then called the bariatric center and they said they probably just haven't received it yet. Does anybody know approximately how long the process from the surgeon's office to insurance takes. I thought for sure they would have had it a week later, but I'm not sure of all of the leg work that has to get done either. Any help would be greatly apprecited!! Thanks!!

That is awesome!! That is going to be one of my milestones as well . . . weighing less than my husband. Good for you!! Yes, it is daylight savings time. I'm longer forward to longer day light

I can't wait to experience that!! My problem is the opposite. I cannot fit into any clothes from last spring, they are all too tight. With this gorgeous weather we are having, I wanted to wear something "springy." Nope, not going to happen since I can't button anything. Thankfully, I am keeping my range of clothing sizes so I have stuff for when I'm postop.

Good luck to you too, Steve! Thanks for the pointers!

The waiting game can be intense for all of us . Yesterday was the one week waiting period for me. I'm the same way with the phone ringing. I get so excited when I hear it ring or if I'm gone, see that I have a phone message and hope that it's the surgeons office. I just really want to hear the words that I'm approved. Keeping my fingers crossed that we all get the approval we so desperately need.

I know, it is so hard to wait! Keeping my fingers crossed and praying that evrything happens quickly for you. 7-10 days for insurance is great! Mine can take up to 6 weeks, ugh!! I may not even know before I start my preop diet. I'm not sure if this will help you, but this is how I quit. They are putting graphic pictures on packs of cigerettes (sp) in September. They are very graphic and not nice to look at. When I heard about the packing, I quit cold turkey. I did not want my kids seeing the pictures of what could happen to their mom. It just all becomes too real with the pictures. Even though they were not on the packs yet, it still gave me good motivitation. Then when I had the urge, I would go on the computer and looked at the pictures. It helped me a lot. Did you need to attend any preop classes? I attended two and they were great, very informative.

Hi Sherri, My name is Courtney and I live in Pennsylvania. I have a boy, 4, and a girl, 8. I am waiting for my insurance approval now that can take up to 6 weeks. I went through a 3 month program which included 2 nut appts, 1 psych appt, 2 preop classes, 2 postop classes, 2 appts with a bariatric RN. The bariatric review board approved my surgery, so now it's all on the insurance. I am tentatively scheduled for my sleeve surgery on April 9. I also quit smoking last June 2011. Just did it one day cold turkey and I can't imagine going back to it. I have no cravings or anything. It was hard the first few days, but then got so much easier. It's nice not smelling like it and coughing, etc. Good luck!! You can do it! The first day is always the hardest. I am not scared to have surgery at all. At this point, I just want it done so bad!! I have complete faith in my surgeon, so that helps with my nerves. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I will be nervous, but I don't know if I will get scared or not. I've heard to get popsicles, sugarfree Jello, broth, and crystal lite mixes for the first week. My first week is all Clear liquids. You will also need to find a Protein drink you will like for the full liquid stage, which is my second week. My preop diet will consist of a low-fat atkins diet for two weeks. I'm glad I do not need to do a liquid diet and am able to eat. Hope this helps! Good luck to you!

Yes, I agree with beautifulnewme2012. You are probably only 2-3 pounds away from that anyway. Insurance can be tough sometimes, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Good luck!

I am scheduled for surgery on April 4. I had a required three month session, which included 2 small pre-op classes, 2 large group post-op sesssions, 2 with nutrionist, 1 psychologist, 2 registered nurse visits, pcp visit, 1 surgeon visit, bloodwork, and an ultra sound. All of my requirements have been met the end of Feb. I have surgery scheduled, but am waiting for the "go ahead" from insurance that can take 4-6 weeks. It was not bad at all. You really learn a lot from the sessions and I looked forward to them. I would not be as prepared today without them. Good luck to you!!

I will be allowed two caffinated beverages a day. I just bought Folger's coffee 1/2 caff. and 1/2 decaf. It's already premixed and ready to go. I am not used to Folger's coffee, so I bought it to get used the taste. I have to admit, it isn't bad.

Will you be following up with any doctors in the states? I've heard lots of people going to Mexico and being very happy they went there for the surgery. Best of luck to you on your new journey!

Did you go to any classes before you had your surgery to be prepared and know what to do after your surgery. I just completed my three month program and am well informed with how it is going to be after my surgery. At 40 days, I will still be on soft foods. When you start your regular foods, you should introduce one at a time because of intolerances. You cannot tolerate certain foods any more. You probably started the regular foods to early...try going back to soft for a little while. Sorry that you feel the surgery is stupid, maybe you weren't ready for such a drastic change.

My insurance did not cover the sleeve, but I decided to go on with my three month required session anyway. Although I wanted the sleeve, I was going to get the lap band for insurance reasons. I started my process late November and in January, the sleeve was now an option for surgery. I was so happy when the surgeon told me the news. More and more insurance companies are approving the sleeve now. Hopefully, your's will not be too far along.

Hi All, Quick question for those with/getting the sleeve. Are you required to take the B12 Vitamin? I am not required to take B12, but I'm wondering if I should add to my preop vitamin regiment.

My surgeon requires a two week low-fat atkins diet to shrink my liver. I do not need to do the liquid diet, but cannot have any carbs. Hope this helps. Each surgeon is different with their requirements, but I believe that trying to shrink your liver is standard with all surgeons. You should check with your surgeon's office to find out what he requires you to do. Hope this helps!! Good luck!

Sorry!! I know how hard it is to wait when you want something and you want it now. My last appt was February 29, but I still had to wait until April 4 to schedule my surgery date because of insurance approval, which takes 4-6 weeks. Hang in there!! I know this isn't going to make you feel any better, but it will be here before you know it. Sometimes things happen for a reason and maybe this is one of them. Hope you feel better soon!! Sometimes I know you can just feel better by venting a little bit . . . it always helps me. Hugs!!

I do not have that insurance, but if you call they should be able to give you the specifics. They might not be able to give you an answer until you get the insurance, but it doesn't hurt to try now. Good Luck!!