ozzy22

I still don't understand why they tell us you're not allowed to have chewing gum post-op. I am 5 days post-op and would REALLY love a piece but I'm not sure what it will do. I mean obviously I won't swallow it or anything. I just want to chew it. Anyone post-op that chews gum??

I wanted to create this thread to help people understand what you need to do that have Aetna. I know every insurance policy is different, but with Aenta you generally do the same thing. I know when I started on my weight loss journey I was SO confused on EXACTLY what I needed. I was just approved this morning and I am beyond excited. This is what I did for the 90 day multi-disciplinary program - You need documents showing you have had a BMI of 40+ for the last two consecutive years (or a BMI 35+ with co-morbidities) I went to my PCP and asked for these records myself and faxed them to the surgeon's office. - You need to see a nutritionist once a month for three consecutive months (for example I saw my NUT once in November, once in December, and once in January.) You need to make sure your NUT faxes your information to your surgeon's office. - You need to do some sort of exercise regimen through a qualified professional. My friend is an exercise therapist and we did Water aerobics every Tuesday and she filled out paper work telling what I did. Again, you need to do this for three months! I'm sure you could either get a personal trainer, go to yoga classes, go to water aerobic classes, go to the gym at the hospital. Just make sure someone describes what you did and signs it. - You need to log your food for 90 days (that is for the behavorial modification portion of what they're wanting). Also my surgeon's office said Aetna likes to see that you attened some support groups for behavorial modification. I attended two support groups. - Also ask your surgeon's office if they have a pre-made template titled WLS MD Monitored program. You need to get that sheet of paper filled out at every doctor's appointment. It will have your current weight, blood pressure, and temperature. Then the doctor will just fill out what you talked about diet wise and behavior modification wise. I still have the template in my email address so if you want it please send me a message. My surgeon's office said this template wasn't absolutely necessary, it just makes Aetna approve you faster with a greater advantage of getting approved. My information was submitted to Aetna on a Thursday and I was approved by Tuesday. That is all I did for Aetna alone. Of course your surgeon's office will have you do many other little appointments and all that good stuff. Hope this helps some people out with any questions about Aetna!

I am looking to get a breat augmentation and tummy tuck. Does anyone know of any good doctors in Georgia?

Okay so I am looking to have my surgery at the beginning of February 2011. I have my weight records of a BMI over 40 for 2009 and 2010. I have seen the nutritionist for the month of November and I have my December appointment scheduled. I am currently seeing an exercise therapist once a week and also logging my daily walking at home. I guess my questions is does Aetna want to see that you're LOSING weight during these months. Like am I supposed to get getting monthly weigh ins or anything? Also do you think Aetna will be satisifed with me seeing an exercise therapist only one day a week? I have just done SOOOO much stuff and I am freaking out that this won't get approved.

What symptons did you have with your leak?

I had my surgery done in Marietta, GA (which is very close to ATL). I am 99% sure it's considered an institute of quality. My mother and I had our surgeries done by Dr. Dennis C. Smith who is absolutely AMAZING. That man knows his stuff and he is so serious about everything. He's really good though. I had my surgery done at Kennestone Hospital.

I am one week post-op and I am just curious to see what others have eaten around this time period and how much. Right now I am getting in 60oz of Water, only about 30g of Protein but steadily climbing, one can of veggie Soup liquified and spead through out the day, and one sugar free popsicle thats only 100cals. Sound pretty normal?

I am one week post-op and was wondering when we can try more acidic foods such as tomato soup, sugar free lemon popsicle, and stuff like that??

Oh wow, yeah I'm only allowed to have pure liquified stuff so that's why I put my veggie soup in a blender. I am supposed to do liquids for 3 weeks and then move on to mushies.

I'm only a week post-op but if you puke a couple days after surgery it will HURT!

I am currently one week post-op and I feel like I might be eating too much but I'm not sure. I put a can of vegetable Soup in the blender and blend it up until it's extremely runny almost like broth. I can eat about half a can in one sitting. I mean it takes me about 30min to eat/drink it. Normally I only have one full can of soup per day. Does this sound pretty normal to you guys?

Yeah my surgeon was the same way and would cancel surgery if you gained any weight at all. He took it as a "you're not serious" thing. I actually gained 12lbs during Thanksgiving and Christmas and was freaking out that my srgery would be canceled. But I put my butt into high gear and lost it within 3 weeks. But seriosuly though, if I were you do the Magnesium Citrate. Any thing extra will help. Also when you go for your weigh-in wear your lightest clothes and be sure to take your shoes off!

Now that you're so far out do you drink sodas or eat any spicy food? If so, when did you start? Congrats on your progress!

Hey girl I had this EXACT same problem and had to drop a quick 5lbs in a week time. I cut out all carbs and drank protein shakes and TONS of water. I walked 30min a day. Also, if you want to go this far and lose some pounds by clearing your bowels go to the store and purchase Magnesium Citrate which is in the laxative section. My surgeon made me drink that stuff the night before surgery to clear my bowels and OMG that stuff works so mak sure you drink it early and you're near a bathroom. That is just one way to kind of trick the scales if necessary.

lol congratulations! At least you have underpants! I only had a purple paper gown and yellow socks. It made me look like Barney.

Girl I had this EXACT same problem with my surgery. I had gained some weight around Christmas time and my surgeon cancels surgeries if you gain weight. My advice to you is eat REALLY good and drink lots of water. Do not drink soda! Also if you want to go this far, purchase Magnesium Citrate in the laxative section at the store. It's a NASTY drink but it will completely clear your bowels. I had to drink this the day before surgery. Make sure you drink it early in the day and be near a bathroom because that stuff works!!!! Also exercise just 30 min or more a day.

Hi there! I do not have hypertension but I am sure that is a good cause to get you approval.

I am two days post-op. I'm still in a good amount of pain. I am having an extremely hard time getting all my liquids in and protein. How much water & protein did yall get in just two days out??

I have Aetna and my information was submitted on a Thursday and i was approved by Tuesday morning! Then my surgery was the following week.

Hi there! Congratulations on your new sleeve! I had my surgery a day before you on Feb 17th. I was just wondeing how much water and protein you're getting in daily. Right now I'm averaging aroun 30oz of water and maybe 10oz of protein. Beign so fresh from surgery it is just SO hard to get anything in so I was just wondering where you are with things.

My urine is actually pretty light right now so I think I might be doing okay. I am now 3 days post-op and getting in about 30oz of water and like 10ish oz of protein shake. Last night I had about two table spoons of chicken broth.

I am just wondering if anyone had to do a bowel prep prior to surgery? I am supposed to drink Magnesium Citrate which is basically a liquid laxative. Sorry for TMI, I am just wondering if anyone else had to do the same thing.

So did you really not eat anythin until you got your 60oz of water in? I taken a couple sips of my protein shake today, not much though. I'd say today so far I've only gotten like 5oz of protein in, I've had one 16.9 oz bottled water and I think I should be able to get one more down before I go to sleep. Does it seem normal thatt I'm really not wanting to eat any "food"

Hi! I am just wondering if anyone has had a PICC line the day before surgery? It's basically an IV inserted into your bicep area and that is for when you get your medications after surgery. The reason they do it the day before is because you have to use an X-ray machine and put a tube in it. Anyways, I just got my PICC a couple hours ago and it's bleeding a little bit at the insertion site. It's under the plastic so it's not subject to any bacteria or anything. But has anyone else had this happen to them?