flmama

My PCP wrote about them.in his last newsletter. He said they contain caffeine and basically suck Water out through the skin and it is temporary (results last a few days) and unless you keep using the results do not last. Regardless of what anyone says. Temporary. Basically a waste of money unless you need a quick fix for a reunion or something superficial.

Did anyone have their pre-op tests the day before surgery? I am asking my coordinator if this is possible, so I don't have to make two 9hr roundtrip drives within a couple of weeks of each other if possible. And I think the pre-op tests and final consult will start really early and take up all day, so I would have to stay the night as well, which makes it difficult with two babies and no local family. It's no biggie if they can't or won't...but I've asked. And was just wondering if anyone else was able to do their pre-ops really close to the surgery. FWIW, other than being morbidly obese, I'm incredibly healthy. I have asthma and PCOS, but no other comorbidities. My required tests are an EGD, EKG, labwork and chest/abdomen xray.

I can't use hormonal b/c either. We use condoms and spermicide. We've also used a diaphragm and spermicide in the past. Condoms are just faster and disposable, so I prefer them.

You can also take a small cooler into Disney (at least you can at Disneyworld). It needs to be one in a softside case with a strap. We always take a large one that will hold 12-16 bottles of Water and pack sandwiches and Snacks in the zippered lid. You could easily pre -measure and package your meals and take them that way. I don't think the food at Disney is all that awesome to waste calories (or $$) on it (outside of the Dole pineapple whip...yum!). We refill the water bottles as we consume them at water fountains throughout the park. Universal and Seaworld do not allow coolers. - signed, a season pass holder

Yes and I'm the long distance driver in our family! My hubs rarely does any of the driving!

PCP finally got labs and referral to surgeon today...I asked the coordinator to let me know when she submits to insurance. Of course my mom now wants all of us to come for Easter (the 31st) which is a 14hr drive for us with all the stops we have to make. So maybe its best to have it in April.

Just be careful...chewing and spitting can cause stomach ulcers. See links in my sig. Its a slippery slope.

Oh no, girl! That stinks!!!

Mine says 5 before and 30 afterward.

Mine was also intensive. I also cried during the interview portion and it was fine. They are just trying to make sure you are crazy enough for it to interfere with your compliance afterward or to not understand what you are undertaking. They don't expect perfection. I am diagnosed with obsessive compulsive personality disorder and general anxiety disorder and I am fine. The ocpd probably actually helps with my compliance bc it makes me a very black and white rule following type of person.

We are telling her that the doctor is fixing my tummy to make it work like it should...trying to make it be something positive rather than telling her I'm sick or whatever. She's pretty matter of fact about it at this point and takes it all in stride. She's mostly excited her Nannie and beloved Auntie are coming to stay at her house for a couple of weeks. Forget Mama!

I'm going to miss picking them up for 6 long weeks! My surgeon is very strict about lifting post-surgery. But I know it's for the best! I have a boy and a girl, in May they will be 1 year and 3.5 years! They are totally my motivation for getting healthy. I want to be the best me I can be for myself, for my husband, and for my kiddos...and to keep up with them!

Me! Waiting for insurance submission...my darn PCP is holding up (or the people in his office). It's looking like I'll be in April now instead of May. I'm spending my time nesting, doing cardio to build up my lung capacity and spending lots of time with my babies.

I think I'm going to be an April sleever. I was originally told March, but as my Pcp hasn't gotten all of the records to the surgeon to submit to insurance yet...I am assuming March won't happen.

Hehehe. You always make me laugh! And yes, definitely not the same thing! It's the people who want something so badly (crunch, sweet, carbs, whatever...) who intentionally chew and spit something to taste it, but not actually eat it.

I think that's a LOT different than what people here are saying they do. They are eating something forbidden intentionally and spitting it all out. Not taking one bite and spitting it out b/c they can't tolerate it. I also assume (and it sounds like your NUT does too) that if you spit something out b/c you discover you won't be able to stomach it, that you're going to follow it up with something you can.

Please don't "chew and spit." It's true that chewing starts the digestive process. Even if you spit a food out, your saliva has already begun to break down the sugars. People who chew and spit out food can end up with dental problems, including cavities and gum disease. Chewing food also signals stomach acids to kick in, ready to do their job of digesting food. But without the actual food to digest, this may cause stomach problems. Some calories in the food you chew will be absorbed into your body — how many depends on the type of food, how long the food is in your mouth, and how much you might swallow. What's interesting is that many people who chew and spit food end up gaining, not losing, weight. Why? Experts don't know for sure, but it's likely that people who try too hard to restrict calories or certain foods end up compensating by overeating later. And, depending on how often you chew and spit, your body may not be getting the nutrients it needs. Chewing and spitting out food is a sign of disordered eating. A habit like this may not sound serious, but chewing and spitting out food can be the start of unhealthy attitudes toward food and may be part of a more serious eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. It's best not to think of certain foods as "forbidden." Instead, eat a food in moderation rather than eating lots of it but spitting it out. There's nothing wrong with treating yourself to the occasional indulgence — especially because you are so active and a healthy eater in general. Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD Date reviewed: April 2010

I thought my case had already been submitted to insurance, but I found out from my surgeon's coordinator today that they are still waiting on the letter of recommendation and TSH results from my PCP. I called my PCP's office and they said the letter is ready to go (surgeon's office wrote it, PCP just had to sign it) on my chart, but that their medical records lady says that the request is in her queue. When I pressed about this and said it's holding up my insurance submission and surgery scheduling, Miss Medical Records says that she has 30 days to respond and that's considered 'reasonable' by law. What??? I'm so tempted just to have my surgeon write a script for TSH and run down to my local lab to have it done, but that doesn't get the letter into their hands any sooner. This is ridiculous no? Or are my expectations too high?

See, every doc is different...and I also think it depends on your insurance. Mine doesn't even submit to insurance for surgery authorization until after your first surgical consult and in-house NUT visit. They verified benefits ahead of time, but don't submit for approval until then. My process after that is to wait for the approval and then they will schedule all of my pre-ops and my final pre-op surgical consult in one day - I will have an EGD, chest/abdominal x-ray, EKG, and a boatload of labs done that day. I did my psych eval and PCP visit (for referral and TSH labs) on my own prior to the consult, so they requested those afterward.

I'm glad I'm not the only 4 hour crazy person!

I think it's possible if you don't see people and choose not to tell them. Of course, if you have complications, you'll have to explain why you're in the hospital for 1+ month. I was also not fat my entire life. It's only started putting on weight 8 years ago, severely in the last 5-6 years. I would strongly encourage you to seek counseling to explore your feelings about food and why you turn to it for comfort. I've actually been in therapy for 2 years now and just feel like I am in a place where I can have this surgery and remain compliant and not "eat my feelings." I think therapy is much more important component than diets or programs, as the sleeve is just a tool. We only have a short amount of time (6-18 months) to learn portion control and what to eat, so that we can maintain our weightloss forever. Best of luck to you!