Back~To~Amy

First IV attempt......failed. At least I had a lidocaine shot first so it didn't hurt. Waiting for someone else to try again.

Thanks!

Thanks y'all. I'm finally back and dressed in the hospital garb. I'm waiting for my iv and whatever else they do. I imagine I will go back close to 6 am since I'm first on the list today.

Oops! Double post.

Good luck to everyone tomorrow!

I think we all dream of the future for several different reasons. I know I'm looking to all the physical and health benefits of losing weight and that makes me "look ahead". Also, looking ahead has helped me get through this preop diet....well 12 of 14 days of it. Best of luck to you in your journey!

So, I originally thought my insurance would pay 100% of my WLS since my sinus surgery on April 11th will cover my deductible and, I expect, all of my out of pocket for the year. Then, I was told it will only cover 50% after I meet my deductible and that there is no out of pocket maximum. I'm still waiting on final confirmation of this but I suspect this is the case. Oh, and if I go with insurance, I have to have it at a Center of Excellence. Only hospitals qualify as a Center of Excellence. My doctor does the majority of his surgeries at at "outpatient" surgery center where you can stay confined for up to two days to help cut costs. If I have to have it at a hospital, my fees would greatly go up. The office told me I'd be better off paying their cash price ($12,200.00) then to file insurance because my 50% would definitely exceed the cash price being that the hospital fees are quite hefty. I kinda got it in my head that I'd be paying cash for the procedure but was still holding out hope I had better benefits than having to pay 50% of the bill. Then today it happened. The lightbulb in my head turned on. I shouldn't have to pay 50% of the total bill. I should only have to pay 50% of the amount of approved charges by my insurance, right? Well, I called my surgeon's office and they were closed. Patience is not my strong point, so I decided to call another local doctor. The insurance girl there confirmed my thoughts. She told me my 50% of the physician's approved charges would only be around $500 to $600! OMG! That is great! Now, I know the hospital charges will be higher than the doctor's and thus a higher approved amount but it still shouldn't total their cash price of $11,900.00. The lady at the doctor's office didn't think so either but told me I'd need to call the hospital to verify. Unfortunately, they were closed for the weekend so the wait contines. One thing I do know though is insurance companies pay WAY under what doctors and hospitals bill. My sinus surgery physician's fee is over $11,000 but the approved amount is only a little over $2,000. It appears it will be that way with the WLS surgeon based on my conversation with a WLS office today. Therefore, I assume the hospital approved fees will be the same way. I can't wait to find out! So much so, I almost wish it was Monday now. See, I told you patience isn't my strong point. I'm just hoping I get to keep more of my money in my bank than I originally thought. Woo Hoo! (I hope)

I'm having surgery on June 5th. Once postop for the time you need me to be, I'd be happy to fill one out too.

It takes several days. I weaned using unsweet tea. Whenever I'd feel a headache coming on, I drink some. It was never equal to the amount of soda though. Within a few days, I was weaned.

The preop diet is the roughest the first few days. I finished my first week yesterday and today am starting my second week. Day two was the worst! I thought there was no way I could do it. I was just sure I was going to have to cancel my surgery. I just couldn't stand the artificial sweetner taste and it was giving me awful diarrhea. In just a few short days things have changed tremendously. After day 2, things just kept getting better. I began to tolerate the tast of the artificial sweetner and the diarrhea went away. And, even on Saturday (preop day 5) I thought "these shakes are actually tasting kinda good". I wish you luck in your journey.

Chocolate Premier Ready to Drink Shakes

I'm preop for the sleeve but had my gallbladder removed a few years back and I too had a suture work its way to the too and did as Lissa did to remove it. ~Amy

Oops! Double post deleted.

Yes, my doctor allows broth, sf jello and sf popsicles. I just haven't had any of that. ~Amy

I'm still preop but my doctors office has already filled out my paperwork. They put three weeks down and told me if I need more, they will extend it. ~Amy

I'm just completing day 5 of my preop diet and have already lost 8 pounds. I'm having a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch and 1 to 2 Protein Bars for Snacks. In the evenings, I eat 5 oz.of lean protein, 2 cups of non-starch veggies and 1 fat. Examples of fat are 1 serving of mayo, salad dressing, cheese, nuts, etc. ~Amy

Tastes are very individual. I'd suggest trying a bunch to see what you like. unjury tends to be a popular one and so do the Premier ready to drink Protein shakes. Good luck! ~Amy

At the top of the app there is an people icon. It's the 3rd one over. Click on that. Once you do, there will be a blue bar at the top of the page. Click on friends. Then at the bottom of the page there is a button that says add friends. ~Amy

I like the thread someone started about how we got our usernames because it is a kinda get to know you in a different sorta way. Then, I saw a poast where someone called their sleeve by name. So....that got me to thinking, what do you call your sleeve? I'm still preop and thus can't contribute but I'm interested to hear from those who have given their sleeve a name. ~Amy

They should also be able to give you some surgeon's that would be approved under your policy. I'd give them a call. It sounds like they are more than willing to assist you. Good luck as your begin your journey to a healthier and smaller you!

I've had nothing but a positive experience from their office. It seems like I've called them a gazillion times and they are always so nice and quick in returning calls should I need to leave a message. I too am having my surgery at Forest Park. I've actually become offline friends with kstalvey who I referred to in my prior post. She is from the Midland/Odessa area but coming here and having surgery the same day as me. We hope to buddy up and walk the halls together. It's nice to "meet" another person from the area. I'm living in Coppell currently but grew up in and currently work in Plano. Best of luck to you Eric in your journey to a new, lighter weight, healthier you!

By chance, is one of the requirements that you have to have surgery in a Center of Excellence? ~Amy

Wow! There are quite a few of us June sleevers! I'm on the list but you can add my surgeon, Dr. Nick Nicholson from Plano, by my name. Oh, and kstalvey is using him too. ~Amy