Kimmysil

I'm 10 days till Sleeve surgery, Oct 11th is the big day. Happy right now, kind of feel sad about not eating some of my fav foods but I need to get healthy. Wondering how bad the first week will be? Anyone want to share?' Kim

Amazing!!! You look AWESOME!!!

Hi Everyone, My sleeve surgery is Oct 11th. I'm very excited and I can't wait to be on the loser's side of this journey. I was going to do the lapband until I found this site and saw all of the people who were having such a hard time with them. I do feel like I have to eat everything prior to surgery but I know I had to stop it next week by Thursday because my surgery is the following Monday. I guess it's normal. Good luck to all my Oct. surgery friends. Kim:thumbup:

How long can you not drive for after the surgery? How long were you on pain medication for? How long did you stay in the hospital? Any advice on what Protein drinks are worth getting for after surgery? Was your stomach swollen, if so for how long? I've read that many did not eat due to pain during the first week? Meeting with surgeon next Wednesday - all preop has been completed. Kim

Hi Carrie, OMG, I'm sorry you are having alot of issues with the band. I've been on the obesity help boards and I've read the stories that people have had with the band and that totally changed my mind about getting it. So you want to convert to sleeve but now you have to deal with the insurance, I mean can't they see from tests or documentations that you've had problems with the band. I hope things work out for you and thank you very much!!!

Hello Everyone, I'm Kim, everyone calls me Kimmi so feel free to join that bandwagon. I am on the sleeve bandwagon and I have had multiple tests so far. I've seen the cardiologist, had the Echo Doppler and the Nuclear Stress test - all results given were good. Saw the Pulmonary Dr. - he was awesome, did the APG blood test for him because I have sleep apnea and the chest xray he required. Had my Upper GI and the abdomen ultrasound and met with GI Dr. He is going to do an Endoscopy on me on Aug 31st, I do have GERD and Gallstones so I think they just want to double check a few things out. Did one psych evaul and she denied me because I currently suffer from Panic Attacks and she thought that I was not stable to have the surgery. Oh well, have another psych eval this Sat and then on 8-20-10 I have my final meeting with the nutritionist. All of my tests have come back good which is a blessing. IT's so nice to know that things inside your body are normal. I have the support of my Mom, Dad and Husband to go through the surgery and I'm pushing forward. I've seen the progress of some of our sleeved friends and they look and feel unbelievalbe and all say that it was the best thing they have ever done. I'm 42 years old, married for 15 years. When I got married I was 127 lbs.....now I'm almost double that. I have 3 beautiful chidlren, 2 boys and 1 girl. Man oh man....these puberty years are not nice.... I have to be stronger and healthy just to be able to be on top of them. I am so anxious, I just want all my testing done and a surgery date. I dont know how long I will stay out of work, I'd like everyone to share their view on that. I dont really know the whole food process yet but I do not want to come back to work while I'm eating liquids or soft foods. I'm upset with myself that I got to be 240 lbs, but I am ready for this change to a new life so the next 42 years will be the best they will be. I am looking forward to next summer and wearing summer dresses, not being tired just walking onto the beach and having a hard time getting up off the beach chair. I have to do this because I also have medical issues - high blood pressure, the sleep apnea, my sugar is probably high so I'm sure this will help. I am so inspired by all of you who have had the surgery and are changing your life around. I can't wait to be one of the 'sleeved' . Thanks again!! Kim

Hi Yolanda, Where are you in this long process? Have you met with the surgeon or anything yet. 6 weeks does sound like a good time to be out. I'm short so I just look totally round...haha (not funny really) Stay in touch with me, I'd love to have someone to go through this with and if I can be of any help, please feel free to let me know. I can't wait for you to start your pre-op stuff....once that gets started you feel like your actually doing something. Best of luck!!!

Few weeks ago I went to my bariatric eval for surgery and the psych hardly asked me any questions relating to wls at all. She focused more on my childhood, etc, by the time I got to my car I was in tears because of course bringing up my childhood memories made me cry, parents broke up when i was 5, visitation, etc. I do and have been suffering from panic attacks from 2008, I do work, I take care of my house, my kids, etc. I live every day, I dont stay in bed, rest, curl up in a ball, etc. Well she sent a message to the office that I am not mentally stable for surgery. That pissed me off completely because I was the one who said the reason I want the surgery is this and that and this, etc. Never once did she ask me any question about WLS or why, who, etc. Now I have to go for another evaluation. I'm afraid to list down that i take medication for anxiety/depression because I'm afraid I will get turned down again. When I told my therapist this she got angry because she was so shocked at someone who met me for 30 minutes can say I'm not stable for surgery. What do you all think? Should I tell it to the new Dr? Should I not mention it at all? My husband thinks I shouldn't mention it at all. Please help soooo confused :thumbup1:

I go to a Psych and a Psychologist so I dont know if they would accept a Psychologist, my own Psych wanted to charge me 350.00 to do my own evaluation and she's another one who only sees me for 15 minutes at a time. My therapist is the one who sees me and knows me better than the both of them. I did send an email to the Dr's assistant about a letter from my therapist...I'll let you know what it says. I also asked her to ask the Dr what's the connection if u have anxiety and what does that have to do with wls? Maybe there are some underlying factors that I do not know about. Thanks everyone, I appreciate your help.

OMG!! I am so sorry you are feeling like this now. I am on the other end of the spectrum and I'm taking anxiety medication and seeing a psychiatrist and psychologist for my anxiety which started back in 08. Take your time, try to relax, I listen to my ipod when I'm having an episode. And I think the nurse was right, find a friend to help you and dont read so much into those who have had horror stories. You've survived and your on your way to a new and happy life...the rest of your life you will be healthy because you made a choice to lose this weight. Try to feel good about yourself. You're worth it. In my case, I can't get any psychiatrists to say I'm ok for surgery because of my panic attacks so u could be on my side of the spectrum. Kim :-)

how long is the liquids part after surgery, what is the next step you move onto to.

HI Everyone, OMG....all of these doctor's appts and testings are really running me crazy. So far I have see all the Dr's now I"m doing the testing that they are requiring. Need to do a chest xray and blood work for the Pulmonary, the GI Dr has to do an Endoscopy on Aug 31st. Still have 2 more visits with the nutritionist. I figure by the time all of the results go through I'm looking into an Oct/ Nov surgery. Just found on friday that I have gallstones from the GI. OH and I forgot I have to get a new psych eval because the one I went said she wouldn't recommend me until my panic attacks are under control so I have to do that too......My own Physc wanted to charge me 350.00 for the eval. Isn't that crazy.

How long after your initial visits and all through your other pre-op stuff did you meet with your surgeon to make you final appointment.

I was just curious because I'm going thru all the testing required by the surgeon and I didn't know if they submitted your request for surgery aftrr you had all of yje testing done. I have a few more to see so I'm anxious to get it done.

I have insurance and the names they referred me too for the psych evalulation take my insurance but they said that they still have to charge me at minimum 175.00 for the evaul and report. Did this happen to anyone else. Thanks, Kim

HI All, I'm so pissed. i have my bariatric eval with the Psych on Tuesday, she was more focused on my panic attacks then why I want the surgery. AND she told me that she's not going to recommend me for surgery until my panic attacks are under control. I've had these since 2008 and I see my own therapist and psychologist so I'm hoping this doesn't affect with the Dr will do. I was wondering if I should call the office and speak with him or the bariatric coordinator. What do you think!! Kim :mad0:

Well, I got lucky, I called the Insurance Girl at the office and she gave me another psychologist and I only have to pay my copay of $35.00. This woman at this doctor office asked me for my mental health number on the back of the card and called them to see if it was covered so I dont even need a referral or anything. NOw I can call and cancell the other appt. Sounds like alot of people have to pay for the nutritionist, as of right now I dont have to pay anything for the 3 visits prior to surgery. Thanks everyone!!!!

Hi Everyone, On my way making my appts for the Dr's I need to see. I'm throwing this out there. Did anyone have to pay for their psychiatrist evaluation. I go to one and her office told me it's not covered by insurance and it would be $350.00 OMG