abuckeyeleaf

Hey all, I was wondering if anyone in the Atlanta area has any recommendations for a therapist specializing in post-op therapy? Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi everyone! I just got approved today! I'm scheduled for surgery 7/13! I'm in Atlanta and surgery is with Dr. Macik! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm scheduled to be sleeved 7/13. I've been getting random bouts of nerves/panic. For example, I was just at costco looking at Protein powder, shakes, etc planning what to buy and that seemed to set it off. Is this normal? It's not about the actual surgery, I think it's just knowing that my life will never be the same and not knowing what to expect. I feel like no matter how much I prepare and research there's no way to be 100% prepared for what post-op will be like until I'm going through it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I figures out how to make it but I need to add a friend add me on fb nicki delk Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App The add a friend button is greyed out on your page so I can't add you, but try adding me! Lea Fishbaugh Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Anyone know how to make a Facebook group? We need one! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks, y'all. It's been so so hard. He was the BEST dog and I just feel so guilty that I wasn't there, that he was alone, and I guess all the typical could've would've should'ves. My other dog, Beanie, he seems to be doing ok. Anxious and excited look the same on him so it's hard to say though. He's gotten lots of toys and treats and snuggles, he even got a thunder shirt to help with the anxiety while we figure things out (he's sporting it below). I'm just so nervous to leave him for a few days, he's like my security blanket at this point. The friend that's watching him will treat him like he's her own, I know he'll be loved while I'm gone but it doesn't make going on this trip any easier. At least my mom will be here soon for my surgery and i know "grandma" will take care of him during my overnight stay. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Honestly I'm not even nervous about surgery anymore, it seems like the least nerve racking thing in my life right now. This weekend is my last hurrah of sorts, I turn 30, and my friend is taking my on my first cruise, I start the pre-op diet when I get back. But this past Friday, a week before my birthday, I came home and found my dog had passed away. Without going into details it was pretty gruesome and traumatizing and I'm honestly just numb about everything right now. I had my pre-op check in over the phone with the hospital today and I just felt nothing. No excitement, no nerves. Just nothing. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I hated the idea of the diet at first, but the six months taught me to change my relationship with food. Plus you have to realize - you CAN stretch your pouch out post-op. It's not a miracle cure its a tool so you have to learn the discipline, Eat to live, don't live to eat. Better to do it now than post-op. What really helped me was doing a high protein, low carb diet. Focused more on the low carb than fat intake, so that made things like bacon (in moderation!) a lifesaver and it really took the weight off.

that's great! I know two people who were sleeved by Dr. Macik, nobody has had anything bad to say yet. I recently reconnected with a friend who actually was sleeved in Mexico a month ago so it's really nice to have someone local whose surgery is so close to mine.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I guess the good news is, I've had such a shitty week that I'm no longer nervous and just ready to get this show on the road.

Can you elaborate on the dating part? I've been curious about post-op dating and I'd love to hear your experiences. It seems like now that I'm less than a month out, I've got men chasing me like never before! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't think you'll need that many, assuming you don't have a physically strenuous job. I have friends who are post-op who say a week was more than enough. One actually was sleeved in Tijuana last month and went sightseeing when she left the hospital. The only thing to keep in mind is how long it'll be before you can drive again. Some have said as long as 7-10 days after surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

July 1st, Dr. Macik as well! Sent from my SM-G928T using the BariatricPal App Yay! That's my birthday! They offered me a June 29 surgery date, but I had a last hurrah vacation planned. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I'm really excited! Sent from my SM-G928T using the BariatricPal App Me too! If Honestly if I could do it without ruining a friendship, I'd skip the birthday cruise and take the 6/29 date in a heartbeat. Have you been told anything about the pre-op diet? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

July 1st, Dr. Macik as well! Sent from my SM-G928T using the BariatricPal App Yay! That's my birthday! They offered me a June 29 surgery date, but I had a last hurrah vacation planned. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Laura, my names Laura also! Any insight on the pre-surgery diet? All Tifany told me so far was no carb two weeks prior Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm July 13! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey guys! I just got approved and my surgery date is 7/13. My friend who had wls in November recommended I go ahead and stock up on some yoga pants/comfy clothes in smaller sizes to prepare, and also to Celebrate a little. I'm not sure how small to go so was wondering what everyone's experience was pre-op, in the first couple of months how fast did you drop sizes, etc? I know the comfy stuff that fits now will get me started (although it's starting to get loose from doing low carb high Protein during my six month diet) and I'm not sure if I should buy anything a size smaller or just start looking for things 2-3 sizes smaller. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was just going to buy a couple of things since there's a sale running! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Baked fajitas! The best part - your hair doesn't smell like them when you bake them vs sauté them in a pan! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My friend who had wls in November just shipped me all of her "leftovers" for my upcoming surgery. She swore by unflavored and chicken Soup flavored unjury, liquid Vitamins, gas-x strips, stool softener, sugar free drink mixes (crystal light and some Protein ones). She also swore by oikos triple zero Greek yogurt and the premier Protein shakes. I've been watching prices on those at SAMs and costco, and saw the EAS AdvantEdge shakes were on sale and cheaper but she said they had such a bad aftertaste she has to toss them. I also splurged on a yeti rambler to help get my Water in. I'm a chugger now which won't work post-op and the lid on the yeti slows me down quite a bit but still keeps my drink chilled while I nurse it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I just got approval today, ALSO scheduled for 6/13!

Hey y'all, I have UHC choice plus, but my plan requires that I go through Optimum Health for approval. I was just wondering if anyone else has experience dealing with them? They sent me a lot of different forms and requirements, all seem to be pretty much in line with what my surgeon had me do - letter of medical necessity from my md, psych eval, etc. I'm hoping someone who dealt with them can advise me on what exactly they're looking for as far as the medically supervised diet. The form says I can use weight watchers and submit proof of participation, but also have to see my doctor at least twice during. The form for my doctor to fill out just has lines for them to date, put down my weight and sign. Is that all that I have to submit, in addition to proof of weight watchers participation? Also, does anyone have experience using weight watchers for their supervised diet? What all did you have to submit as proof?

Hey yall, I've been lurking for a while (and even have the iphone app) and finally decided to join up and make myself known. So hi, I'm Lea. My application packet was submitted to UHC about 2 weeks ago and I'm already sensing trouble. I got a call from Optimum Health today, apparently they are contracted by UHC to handle all things bariatric, at least for my plan (choice plus). I returned the call and they didn't seem very organized, they asked if I was calling for benefit information...no, I'm returning your call. They proceeded to ask me all of the questions I had answered and were part of my application packet. We also discussed the requirements, which were COMPLETELY different from what UHC told me when I called initially - first, no supervised diet was required but a psych eval was, but now no psych eval required but a supervised diet IS. And guess which I don't have. The kicker - a nurse will review the information provided and call me in a MONTH. head, meet desk. I guess I'm hoping for a miracle at this point and that they'll let me slide. Unlikely, I know. But a girl can hope. I submitted a partial food diary from the daily plate, but the 8 months I tracked food/exercise/weight/BMI has mysteriously disappeared since the daily plate and livestrong merged. I also didn't save my weight watcher documents from when I participated in college. My PCP won't do a supervised diet for me because she knows what it's for, she also refused to write a letter of medical necessity because she has a personal bias against WLS. She told me the only supervised diet she would do for this would be to make me eat the post-surgery diet and portions for six months which I'm not sure I could live like that with a normal sized stomach. Sorry to vent in my very first post! I'm just already feeling the looming frustration and discouragement. I first saw my surgeon in late 2011, but do do job changes, subsequent layoffs and no insurance for a while, had to postpone everything. I've had a lot of negative things happen recently and am just ready for some positive. Pessimism aside, glad to meet you all! Lea

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I did see on the Optimum Health website that they accept weight watchers as a supervised plan. Although I didn't retain my WW documentation from college, my work has a discounted program starting next week....15 weeks for under $7 per week. While I hope that the documentation i provided will suffice for UHC, if not, at least I'm on the way.

I didn't do a seminar I just went directly to the surgeon. I've had my bloodwork done, psych eval, and my obgyn wrote a letter of medical necessity. I'm just discouraged about having to postpone for another six months, I have knee injuries and I hurt. I've tried everything and I'm frustrated with the possibility of having to go through six months of formalities.