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Hey girl, it's something you should take your time with. I just had my surgery on the 21st and was released from the hospital last night. I am doing fine. However, back to your topic. As everyone stated, insurance companies are all different. There will be some evaluations and clearances you will need to do, the question is with whom and how many. I had clearances for Pulminary; Heart; Psyc, (which was one visit); Nutritional Counseling, (at least three visits); Gastrology Clearance which included a endoscophy; attending of support groups, which I registered for for appropriate record of my attendance; and I could not miss any appointments with my surgeon. This entire process took about three months and my insurance company wouldnt even dare approve my surgery without a 3 month timeframe period. Heck my insurance company want to definitely make sure you are serious about the decision. LOL Yet the same time, my pulminary doctor recommended I have a sleep study done and the insurance company wouldnt pay for that...but that didnt preclude the surgery so it was all good. They just closely monitored my breathing while I was in recovery. With all this being done, it definitely FLEW by! Yeah I was always at the doctor's office, yeah I was kicking out co-pays; yeah it was alot to keep up with and felt overwhelming at times, but I believe it is better to be safe than sorry and also you'll feel more confident about your surgery knowing everything is all cleared. Best wishes to you sweetie!

Hey All! Thanks for the support, prayers and well-wishes! I did have to stay in the hospital an additional day due to my inability to keep anything down. I was in a serious state of nausea which depressed the heck out of me. I had other blessings however, like no pain, (until I vomitted), barum swallow test came out excellent, no leaks; and minimum gas pains. If it hadnt been for the nausea and incisions, I would have sworn I did not have surgery! LOL I am glad to be at my parents recouperating and relazing. I am trying to get Jello down, liquids but that part is difficult...but I stay on it. I took a brief walk out today with my sister. In am feeling alot better and on a full road to recovery. Thank you all again and luv, LOVE! GOD BLESS!!

How about that? Your surgery is a half hour before mine! LOL I will be thinking of you and praying for us! I feel the same way you do, ready to start the next book, not chapter but a whole new book in my life, full of exciting possibilities and amazing discoveries! We're both in GOD's hands as well as the surgery team. Get a great nights rest and GOD BLESS you. Let me know how you are doing...and keep in touch!!

I just took an acid pill tonight because I binged on two bowls of healthy options Campbell's Tomato Soup...I was so hungry today...havent been doing my protein enough so this weekend, I will resume strict liquids and get ready for my surgery in three days..

OMG so you guys really can't eat anything? Is that normal? In my support groups, everyone is able to eat everything and this is new for me...wow...I am praying that doesnt happen to me. Yes I want my cravings to reduce but I do still want to enjoy my fav foods in moderation down the road...maybe it will get better for you all...it's still very early for you both...

I LOVE concerts and found your tips really helpful. Do you also talk protein bars with you? My nutritionist advised me to always keep one or two with me, (when I am post op and able to eat...I am still pre op). Best of luck to you sweetie and enjoy the music and how good you look and feel going to these events. We always have to look at the bright side to get us through...and pray as well! LOL

Hey Gijane..girl I don't know how you will handle a cruise with all those fantastic desserts, entrees and drinks but just pray on it...you'll be fine...let me know how you did when you get back! Have a safe trip and GOD BLESS! Hey Peace36Love!! This pre-op diet is a trip! I am over the severe hunger but the mood swings are deep. Today, I went into depression, because I am sooooo used to eating on the weekends. For me, the weekends are for living life and I was living it with good food and wine! LOL Now, I have none of those things and I am feeling sorry for myself! Despite losing 14 ilbs in 6 days, and despite trying on a couple of dresses which hung in my closet today and one not only fit but is now too big, I later felt sorry for myself. I am now realizing that food is a crutch for me. I may not be an emotional eater...but I was using eating as a hobby and a friend. LORD help me!

Hello Sleevers or Pre-Sleevers: I started my liquid diet on Monday, August 6th, 2012. I am NOT gonna lie, the night before, I treated myself to some barbecue ribs. Since I couldnt eat them all Sunday evening, I called myself putting them in the freezer to keep them out of harms way. I didnt make it. Monday night, I was consuming those ribs like a wolf who hadnt eaten in weeks!! LOL I used the excuse that I really could not go to sleep with that tremendous hunger and headache I was suffering from as a result of withdrawal from food, so I had to eat the ribs. However, to be successful with this permanent life change, I really need to stick with this liquid program and beyond. Therefore, Tuesday forward, I have been on POINT!!! . I have to be honest though, the first three days are killah days. I really thought I was gonna lose it. Especially at night, that is my weakest time of the day. I was always in the mindset of treating myself to a good, fast and tasty dinner after working all day...regardless of the calories, fat grams or whatever. I would start getting excited about dinner at 3pm in the afternoon!! LOL Ironically, tonight when I was coming home from my Cardiologist appointment, I felt like celebrating because I was cleared for surgery and my heart is healthy and deemed very low risk. Out of habit I asked myself, "Girl, what's for dinner?" Then I realized dinner is nothing but Protein Shakes, Sugar Free Popsicles and Sugar-Free Jello. I actually felt sorry for myself. That's no way to celebrate! TRUE celebration includes feast and alcohol....PERIOD!! Then I checked my attitude and realized that I am on this journey for a reason...various reasons and it is do or die at this point. So I snapped out of that funk and stopped feeling sorry for myself! I looked at the big picture and became excited and positive again. One thing I could celebrate was the fact that my acid reflux has been under control since I began this liquid diet!! I had to look at the positive results already to squash the negative thoughts. The mood swings have been pretty bearable until yesterday, when I thought I was going to lose it at work. A co-worker suggested I reschedule a meeting, (which had already been rescheduled multiple times in the last couple of months), to meet a deadline for a task which I was told was completed weeks ago. The sense of urgency came out of nowhere regarding this task and it angered me. How dare someone disrupt my workflow, my schedule, because they need THEIR task completed, which was supposed to be done anyway? I used a tone with my co-worker I had not utilized in a while. Why? I was hungry; weak and exhausted. LOL He got the point and left me alone. He let me act crazy and unprofessional by myself. His calm demeanor helped me check myself faster. I still made them wait and conducted my meeting, I just shortened my meeting. LOL Today really was not so bad with the hunger. It seems to be true that the lquid diet gets better after the first three days. The point is, you MUST get through those initial days to come out on top! I wish you all success with your pre-op liquid diets. GOD BLESS!!

I have had a history of acid reflux for years and have been taking a variety of prescriptions way too long, (according to my doctor). These drugs are not good for you and your bones and I can understand why you have high hopes of getting off of them. I am afraid of having to take them for the rest of my life. However, I am pre-op stage, and since I have been doing the mandatory 2 week liquid diet before the procedure, I havent had to take the omepr. Only once did I take it and that was out of habit. This leads me to believe that my gastrologist was correct, that not eating the trigger foods does help! I can't eat anything at all, let alone acidic, for another week and truly notice the difference. I am praying you and I can both get off those horrible drugs. At any rate, learn your trigger foods, keep a food journal and track what flares it up and stop eating those trigger foods. Good luck!!

Congrats girl and praise GOD you are healing well and seem to be rolling back the clock! LOL You work it girl and enjoy it!! My surgery date is 8.21.2012 so pray for me! GOD BLESS!

Lookin at the positive always helps. You've lost 23 pounds already, that's awesome girl!! Think about how healthy and wonderful you will feel ....the new things in life you will be able to explore which you never did our of shame or whatever. I have never been an active person...so I dream of the day when I can get out there and do something out of the box for me, like run in a marathon or something! Keep dreaming baby!!

Hi all! My procedure is scheduled for 8.21.2012. I am pretty good with pain so I am not really worried about the pain and soreness. I think what I am most concerned about is my history of acid reflux...I am glad to see you didn't have an acid issue. I have been on the mandatory liquid diet which is two weeks prior to surgery, and have lost like 14 pounds since 8.6.12. Take it one day at a time and you will be fine...that's all we can do right?

I'm day five of my liquid diet...down 10 ilbs in five days!!!!!

I understand sweetie, but you are doing something about it now. Think of how much healthier and beautiful you will GOD BLESS you with your weight loss journey!

Oh GOD BLESS YOU! My SLEEVE date is the day after you...21st!!

Thanks so much for the advice. I am on day 4 of my liquid diet, so I need all the advice I can get pre-op..and post..thanks again!