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Congratulations favordone! I know how good it feels. My sleeve will be done 12/14. Can hardly wait! Lissa- I noticed your beautiful new profile pic, congrats to you too!

That is an awesome nsv! I was just looking at my cords today and feeling sad because I've rubbed them smooth just like you said. I'm so glad to be getting sleeved next week.

I think you should try a ppi. You don't need a prescription, try it for a couple weeks and if it doesn't change anything then you know your Dr was right. If it does help then problem fixed. either way it's a win/win.

Has your husband had a chance to speak to your surgeon? Maybe being able to ask questions and hearing the answers directly from the Dr could help ease some of his fears.

I was much more afraid of insurance approval than the surgery too. Like you say, as long as you have everything in order there shoudln't be a problem. Mine was approved in two days and now I'm just waiting till the 14th for my sleeve! Good luck!

I'm having my surgery on 12/14 at the U of M with Dr Ikramuddin.

I have medica too. The insurance coordinator at my dr's office assured me that it's the first weight that medica looks at. My BMI is "only" 43, but they approved me because I also have crohn's. I was approved two days after submitting my paper work so over all I've been quite happy with medica. Hope your journey goes as well! Good luck!

I think the whole starvation mode idea is a myth. If you're not hungry, you're not hungry. But with that being said I also think sassygirl has a good point. The whole point of this surgery is about health. At 300-500 calories how long do you think your body will stay healthy? Two foodlike protein drinks and some ham? Probably not a good idea for long term health. Keep experimenting until you figure something out that you're happy with. Good luck!

I can sure relate to the getting mad and feeling sorry for myself. Scripture says to give thanks in ALL circumstances. It's a lesson I'm continually learning. On my path to being sleeved I learned that my insurance company won't approve the sleeve if my BMI is under 50 UNLESS there are certain other conditions. Well guess what, one of the conditions is crohn's disease. I was diagnosed with crohns 15 years ago and I NEVER would have thought that I would ever say thank you God for crohns. You're right, I do believe that things happen for a reason and what a comfort knowing that God is watching over us even in our darkest moments.

That's awesome news. I felt the same way when I got my approval. My surgery will be on 12/14! See you on the other side!

Could it have been the sugar alcohol? We're not suppposed to absorb it so it it doesn't officially count in the carb count. Hence the "sugar free", but I know it's always affected my gut even without the sleeve so I avoid the stuff.

My papers were submitted on 11/16 and surgery was approved on 11/18. I didn't get the letter until 11/22 though. No phone call, they made me wait. I agree with previous posters the waiting really sucks!!

But there is that little voice that says 'If you are willing to do something so permanent and drastic, it sure better pay off!' Of course, the same voice often tells me that it's impossible, that I'll be the one person that the sleeve doesn't work for, that I would lose weight if I would just try harder, etc. (So I'm working to ignor the little voice, which is continually so negative!) That little voice has been talking to me too! I'm terrified that I'm going to go through this surgery and my sleeve will be too big. My Dr says he's going to use a 38fr bougie and I'm scared it won't give me enough restriction. I only have one shot at this...Aaahhhh..I wish the voice would just stop already!

Thank you for your prayer Makingchanges!

Wow, you're beating yourself up over cheating and munching on celery sticks? I wish my cheats were celery sticks. Unfortunately they tend to be more like hersey bars. At least celery is low carb! You're doing great, just keep moving forward.

I scheduled my surgery date about a month before submitting my info to the insurance co. It seems like every Dr is different, not to mention insurance, so it looks like there are huge variations in time frames. I just set a goal and by the grace of god I got everything insurance needed done in the nick of time. It added a lot of stress though. If you can be a little more patient than I am you can save yourself some headaches. Good luck!

From start to finish it will be three months. It feels like it's been a whirl wind of appointments trying to get everything done in this time frame. It's worth it though. I figure why wait to start living. When is your anticipated date for surgery?

I finally have my pre op teaching class tomorrow! I feel like a kid again, this count down to Dec 14th is worse than any Christmas count down. I'm so excited I can't sleep and I still have two weeks to go! I need to get a grip!

What are slimes? I have heard this term a few times since I started reading this board and I figure there are really only two options. Or is it like dumping syndrome that the bypass people get?

Congratulations! I'm just about to start my journey, but I wanted to say that I love your attitude. For me this surgery is about regaining my life and feeling good about myself. I don't know what my ideal weight will be because I've been overweight since childhood, but I certainly don't want to choose an arbitrary number and always feel like a failure if I don't reach "goal". If I feel good about myself then I'll know I've reached the weight I should be.

I don't think you're alone. I've been reading a few posts by people who have been gaining weight pre-op. My surgeon requires that I loose 10 lbs pre op or he'll reschedule and it's been hell. Nothing like having a gun to your head, so to speak, to motivate you to lose. If it weren't for his requirement I'm sure I'd be gaining too though.

I've been getting ready for my post op diet as well. I've made beef and turkey broth. I also pureed turkey breast and put one oz portions in my mini muffin tins to freeze and then I can store them till I get to the puree stage. I'm also going to portion the leftover gravy so I have something to moisten the meat. I'm not sure what other high protein ideas there are. I'd sure like to hear more ideas though!

What about docusate? It's a mild stool softener you can buy over the counter.

Wonderful story. It makes me cry thinking this can be me in six months! Thank you God for the sleeve!

Yahoo! It's official now! I got my approval letter from my insurance company today. It's all systems go for Dec 14 at the University of Minnesota with Dr Ikramuddin.