Melissal

Hello everyone. My name is Melissa and I am in the very beginning stages of deciding whether or not to attempt getting bariatric surgery. Right now, I have no insurance, but my husband just got a new job and will be getting insurance in a couple of months. I have no idea if they will approve me for the surgery or not, but I am going to do all the research I can up until he gets it so that I'm prepared. My BMI is about 36, but I also have sleep apnea and high blood pressure. I spoke to my dr yesterday and he's all for the surgery. I was thinking lap band at first, but he suggested the sleeve, which I started leaning towards the last few days anyway. The only thing is that I have Questions galore and I'm hoping to get as many responses as possible to help me with my decisions. First of all, I have a daughter who will be two in May. To mothers who have had the surgery, how long was it after the fact that you were able to lift your child/children again? I worry about the recovery time and lifting restrictions. Also, I'm worried about the psych evaluation. I am bipolar and I don't know what kind of questions they will ask, and if I will pass this section. And I guess the most important question is to everyone....Would you do it again?? Thanks to everyone for any input. I hope you're all doing well, and I'm glad to have found this site to help with some of my questions!! Melissa Oh, and one more question (for now anyway) has anyone had the surgery at Lehigh Valley Hospital in PA? If so, could you tell me about your experience? Thanks again!!

Hello. I'm wondering about Aetna's insurance coverage for the sleeve. I have read the posts about Aetna, but here is my dilemma. I don't have insurance yet. My husband will be getting insurance through his work, but that won't be until June 1st. I wonder if I can call them and ask about our plan before it starts. No problem in trying I suppose. But what I'm really wondering is if I can start the three month pre-approval process before they even cover us? It's about 3 months until our coverage starts, so I was thinking during this time, I can get a jump on the process, by seeing a nut, doing exercises, logging my food, etc. I guess I just have to call them to find out all of this stuff.

Hello. I am considering VSG and of course I'm doing the wrong thing in reading all the posts in here. LOL. I love reading the success story posts, but the ones in this section scare me. Are there any updates from those who were suffering, or not losing, to tell us how you are doing today? Do you still regret getting the sleeve? Thanks everyone! Melissa

Hey Cheryl. Best of luck with getting approved! I know when I submit my paperwork, I will be just like you, waiting anxiously!! Let us know how you make out with Aetna. Thanks!

Thank you so much Camille! I will try to slow down. And you're right. I am trying to write things down as I think of them to research more and ask the surgeon when I finally do get to my first appointment. Thanks so much! Melissa

I attended my first WLS seminar last evening at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA. Dr. Harrison was the surgeon who did the presentation. I have to say that I didn't really get any "new" information from the seminar. I think I've done so much research on all of the surgery choices, that I was not surprised with any thing that was said. Of course, that's a good thing. It reinforces everything that I've read so far, and only makes me more confident in my choice to do this. Oh, and I did learn about the hospital's program for the dietician, nutrition, etc that I would need to go through to have the surgery. I thought Dr Harrison was very professional. Seems like a nice guy. Has a sense of humor that occassionally shines through, but mostly he's no nonsense. At least that was my first impression of him. All good. I go to my second WLS seminar next week at another hospital - Hazleton General Hospital in Hazleton, PA. The surgeon there will be Dr. Bono. I'm interested in seeing how that one goes. I'd like to see if they have a program like Lehigh Valley for the dietician, etc. It would be nice to get it all in one spot if possible. I have heard not so great things about Hazleton's General Hospital, and wonderful things about Lehigh Valley Hospital, BUT, I've heard good things about Dr. Harrison, and WONDERFUL things about Dr Bono, so I'm not sure yet which way I will go. Should I base my decision on the hospital itself, or on the surgeon?? I just don't know yet. I'll just have to go to the second seminar and then see what king of impression I get from them and continue to do my homework.

Good question. sorry that I can't answer it as I have not had surgery yet, but I'm definitely interested in knowing the answer too!

Today is my third day of not smoking. The patch seems to be working pretty well for me. I get "waves" of cravings, but they do pass. I just try to keep occupied and try not to think about it too much. So far so good! Best of luck to all of us!

Hello NewNatalie. Wanted to first say that I'm sorry for the loss of your aunt. That must have been really tough. But on the other hand, I am so proud of you for realizing this about yourself. Now you can take control. In another note, I wanted to add that you are a terrific writer. I just read this, then had to go back and read your other blogs because this one was so well written. I was happy to find that the other ones were as well. Very interesting. I wish you all the success in your journey and please continue to keep us posted. Yes, you are an inspiration!

I quit smoking today. It's hard, but I'm dealing with it. Last cigarette was around 11:30 PM last night. Barely slept a wink because of the nicotine withdrawal I guess. Either that, or the patch kept me up. At least I have the patch to help with the waves of cravings that I get. I just have to keep my mind on the prize. A newer, healthier me. Someone that my little daughter can look up to, in so many different ways. Hopefully, since she's not quite two yet, she will never remember that her mother was once a smoker. Today is the first time that I have quit, that I am actually excited about it. I've quit before, then started, over and over (kind of like my dieting). But today I feel like my reasons for doing it are so much more important than they ever were. To be skinny again....that's a gift I can't make little of, so I will quit smoking for it. And of course, my dear daughter. I have to do this for her as well. Wish me luck!!

I asked the same question a couple of weeks ago. I got some good responses (most said between 1-3 weeks to lift her - but mine is heavier than your heaviest), but I am going to my first seminar tomorrow and I am going to ask there as well. I'll let you know what they say.

Wow, thank you so much for blogging all of this. You are doing so great! I hope that once I get my surgery I will be as focused and organized as you are. You are very motivating and inspirational! Thanks again! Melissa

Thank you both! I appreciate the information!

Hello. I am wondering if I should bring my list of questions with me to the first seminar I am going to on Tuesday, or if I should save them for the first meeting I have with the surgeon. I have a ton of questions already, but does anyone have any suggestions for what I should definitely ask, in case I forgot some? Thanks!!

Hello. Just wondering how long it took for folks to be approved once everything was submitted to the insurance companies. And then, how long was it before your surgery date? Thanks!! Melissa

Happy Birthday! What a wonderful gift for yourself!!

Aw, I'm so sorry that you are so upset. I'm sure that everything will work out fine. I have not had the surgery myself yet, but from what I've read on here and other forums, this is totally normal to feel this way. Hang in there and go in optimistically. You will do great. Just think of all the reasons you are doing this. You'll be in my prayers. Melissa

Beautiful!! Congrats!!

I will be attending my first seminar next Tuesday, and I'm sure I'll learn about it then, but my curiousity is killing me in the mean time. What is the drain? What's it for? How long is it in? When is it used, since some patients said they didn't need it? Thanks!! Melissa

I was going to put a pic on my profile, but I'm too disgusted by all my pics to even show my face. I can't wait until June when I have insurance to see if they approve me for this surgery!!

Best of luck to you! Keep us posted!!

Aw, thanks you guys. What the heck. I'll put one up. LOL. Thanks!

Awww. That's so sweet. Congrats to you. Keep up the good work!