robinagogo88

I'm also on January 14. My doc is John Feng and my surgery is at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, CA. I have Medifast to eat starting on 1/1 and then Clear liquids start 48 hours prior. I've lost 10 lbs. since my 1st appt with Dr. Feng in March of this year. I just hope my liver shrinks enough so he doesn't push my date back. I'm really nervous about that. I also like the Premiere Protein shakes so that's what I'm sticking with. Also, I have had a cold for about a week now. I hope that doesn't set me back too. I'm looking forward to this journey! My kids are scared so they ask lots of questions. Bless their little hearts. I keep telling myself that it will be hard but it will be worth it.

Does everyone have to get one of these before surgery? (Vena Cava Filter) A board I follow on FB for Stanford has a bunch of people getting these. Confused & a little freaked out (frankly). Thanks.

You are the only one who can decide if you have the time to do this or not. Sure you're going to have to learn to take 20 minutes to eat one scrambled egg, but you are the only one who can figure out how to make your sleeve fit into your lifestyle. No one else. My PCP said that a few of the nurses in her department have had bariatric surgery. So it's not like they turn down all health care professionals becuase of their busy schedules. Here's what I would do if I were you: 1) Call the surgeon's office and make an appointment to see him/her, specifically to discuss the nutritionist's comments and your tight schedule. 2) Take a support person with you to that appointment (and the rest of your appointments) so they can also hear what they have to say. A second set of ears can't hurt. If you don't have a support person, buy a digital recorder so you can go back over the conversation word for word. 3) Call your insurance and find out your options for the location of the surgery. Maybe there is another affiliated hospital you can look in to. 4) Go see that [horrible] nutritionist again (with your support person or digital recorder) and talk to her again about why she isn't approving you. Maybe she was having a bad day and maybe you misunderstood her because you were upset. It wouldn't hurt to follow up with her. I can tell by reading your posts how upset you are, which you have every right to be. But this isn't the end for you. Be persistant, annoy the crap out of them until they give you an answer or agree to meet with you again. If it were me, I would have filed a complaint with the hospital so quick it would have made that stick-figure nutritionist's head spin. You don't have to let them treat you this way. It's possible you have legal recourse for the fees that you've paid thus far if they deny you the surgery, especially because you are employed by the hospital. Perhaps a phonecall to HR wouldn't hurt either. Hang in there. You don't have to take no for an answer.

What about a different NUT? I'm appalled at how you were treated. People with a BMI over 50 get sleeved all the time. Perhaps your surgeon's RN can help you out? I'm so sorry you're going through this. Keep going! You're so close!

I'm 41, will have surgery in Mt. View, CA. Dr. John Feng.

Thanks you guys. Feel better & more informed now!

January 14th!! Can't wait!!

DVT???

OK! So I did the 6-month medically supervised diet, and I got my psych and Nut clearance in a week. Then my surgeon's office called me to tell me I was approved and we set the date--Jan 14th. So far so good. Then she said I didn't lose the 30 lbs. that my doctor said I should lose. This makes sense, exept he never told me I needed to lose weight, just that I'd do a 2 week liquid diet right before surgery. But now there's a number attached! Urgh! I've been on Weight Watchers since Sept 1st and am down 4 lbs. from when I saw the surgeon in March. Now I have this number I feel like I have to achieve. I understand it will make surgery easier and it's a step in the right direction. I'm worried I won't get where he wants me to be. I'm planning to start Mefifast on 11/1, then start the liquids on 1/1. Will it work? What protein does everyone use and like? Ugh! So many things to consider now that I'm approved! I just want to get it right, you know? Thanks for listening!

Alovio, Did they have you on cpap in the hospital? In recovery? If so, did you bring your machine or did they provide it? One of a gazillion questions!! Congrats!! Thanks.

What about Ovation Hair Therapy? I've never tried it. I wonder is anyone else had success with it?

Hi Everyone, This is my first post, so sorry if I don't get the lingo right. I am going through the process to get VSG for the 2nd time. Last year, I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes 3 months after being diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. So...I started to look into getting a band. I went to one orientation, saw the surgeon (Dr. Feng from Palo Alto Medical Foundation), attended 2 nutrition appointments. I also took a couple of classes for the pre-diabetes. Once I started doing the cutting back that I needed for the pre-diabetes, I dropped 40 lbs. and I stopped the surgery process. I figured I could do it on my own and I didn't like the idea of a foreign object in my body. So things happened (marriage drama, work changes, etc.) and I gained 20 lbs. back. Yay! (I am 5' 10 1/2" and 319 lbs--yowza, I've never told anyone that). So now, I'm a year older, I am no longer pre-diabetic, but I don't want to have these problems anymore. I hate that I have to hold on to two things to stand up out of a restaurant booth or getting up off the floor. Now that my kids are getting older I'm so worried that their friends are going to make fun of me and be mean to them because I'm fat. So, I met with the surgeon again and we decided together to do VSG. Then I went to my second orientation, saw the nutritionist and had all my tests done (including the swallow test--that was fun). Now, I'm going back to the nutritionist next week and I'm worried that I've gained weight. I keep eating bad things (comforting things) even though I know I'm supposed to be losing weight. I don't know where to start. I need to walk and I can't find (make) the time. I have two kids and a dog, but I can't peel myself out of bed in the morning to go for a walk. I have had a cold the past 3 weeks so that's made it easy to lie in bed and veg, but I just don't know how to get motivated. I want to do this so badly. I know I have several months to go because my insurance requries six months of nutrition (cumulative, 3 must be consecutive). How do I do this? How do I get my head in the right place? Sorry to go on & on. I'm just frustrated. Thanks to all of you for your advise. I love reading these boards. They're so helpful. Everyone is so inspiring and I know I'm making the right decision, I just need to motivate. Thanks!

Can someone please explain the difference between the 3-month track and 6-month track for Aetna? I have Aetna *** (California) and I was told it was a a 6-month medically supervised diet. Does it vary from state to state? How do I get on the 3-month track? Thanks and good luck to all of you!

There's a bariatric surgery cookbook for dummies (the yellow one). I had it on my Nook. Please post if you find any more! Good luck!