UTGal99

Awesome job! Keep up the great work. Off insulin and meds; life must be so wonderful!

Aren't stomachs just stomachs? Is there a difference between a man's stomach and a woman's???

What does using the endoscope rather than a bougie do? I think my surgeon does that too and I was curious if that will result in a more positive result. Anyone know???

I find it all so interesting that they are much nicer when we were dating their sons, but once you are a permanent fixture and have been for 13 years....it is now time to give up the b**ch! I seriously dislike mine so much I have now gone 3 years and 5 months without ever speaking a word to her. Thank God she lives in another state and I don't have to see her.

Mother-in-Laws suck - I can't stand mine too!

Holy cow!!! SCARY!!!!! I don't know I would even go back on the 30th out of fear - WOW!!!!

Meet with a nutrionist for 6 months? Or meet with your PCP? I read the Cigna guidelines as meeting with your PCP for the 3 months consecutively not a nutrionist. I see the only requirement for a nutrionist is medical clearance and one meeting by a dietician/nutrionist.

One last question: What happens if your weight goes up by a 1-2 lbs during your 3 months of documentation? Also, I meet with my PCP in May, June and July. Does that count as 3? Or does May count as the baseline and you need June, July and August? Do you know???

I am with Cigna too and am hoping to get approved soon too. The requirements for them are only as follows, right? 1) 3 months of doctor visits 2) Bariatric surgeon clearance 3) PCP clearance and letter of medical necessity 4) Meet once with a nutrionist 5) Clearance from a pyschiatrist 6) Meet BMI requirement Anything else I should be aware of?

I have heard this from numerous people when I tell them I am having a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. "So if you know you will only be able to eat half a hamburger for the rest of your life, why don't you do just that?" How do you respond to this question???? I know that I probably only should eat the half of the hamburger but it never stops me from eating the whole thing. What are your responses to people who are so very skeptical of the procedure and try to convince you it isn't the right thing to do? Need some advice... Thanks!

What is the biotene mouth spray for?

I would like to know what are the options available for this type of garment? I know there are Spanx but not sure of other options for this type of situation... I would love to hear others recommendations.

Pretty funny! Mother or not I still think that is a great response. Even my mother should know better...

Actually, yes - she does have a weight problem - it is my mother! She states she hates to see me go through this procedure to come out the other side regretting the decision and not being able to eat and enjoy life. Hilarious, I know.... She just doesn't get it....

Great feeling, I am sure...congrats! I look forward to that day.

Your husband and my husband must be brothers b/c I have the SAME EXACT experience with my in-laws. I agree that the in-laws make us the convenient excuse b/c it is easier to blame someone else then to look at themselves as the problem. It has taken me years but I have accepted that we will not have a relationship with his family and it is their choice not to. I'm here anytime you want to vent about that - boy, oh boy do I REALLY understand. In-laws suck!

Thanks for the response - the UT stands for University of Tennessee - sorry! I will still be your friend though...

Great for you! I am a mother and totally sympathize with this. I feel like I don't really care how I look anymore too. I seriously have 5 of the same charcoal gray t-shirts that I wear EVERYDAY with a pair of stretch yoga pants. I am pre-op and hoping that after surgery things will turnaround for me too! I look forward to adding color back into my wardrobe! While I am thinking about it...being 2.5 months out what do you wish you knew going into this procedure, what is most shocking about life after the sleeve and what do you wish you could change? Looking forward to your response. Take care and keep up the fabulous work!

Woot woot!

How is your overall cholesterol? I find it hard to believe you don't have some type of hyperlipidemia. Btw, tell them your joints hurt really bad - arthritis and joint pain due to excessive weight can be considered a co-morbitity by some insurances. Good Luck and keep us posted!

Been there, done that...hang in there!

Eat! Just kidding.... In all seriousness, can you try weaning yourself off and go to nicotine lozenges, and then hard candy. I don't smoke so unfortunately I am not much assistance in this area. Whatever mechanism you choose you will do it! Good Luck!

Keep up the great work!

What I loved about South Beach is after the first 2-3 days I was no longer hungry. Just wish I could stick with it forever, unfortunately, I need the restriction of the sleeve to help get me where I need to be in life. Also, South Beach has approved foods you can buy in the grocery store for convenience but there are no special foods to buy.

Pictures? Did the surgeon take pics for you? Super cool!