Gusso5

Well, Red Velvet Gang...I got a phone call today that I could not have ever dreamed of. 2 days before surgery and they call to tell me my insurance doesn't cover the sleeve! I cannot tell you what that moment was like for me. For a minute, I kept waiting for her to say "just kidding", that it was some sick joke. Well, guess the joke was on me! I can't tell you the level of heartbreak I experienced at that moment. About 5 min into the converstaion, after who knows how many I'm sorry's, she tells me I CAN have the band or the bypass. The catch..I have one hour to decide. I told her I needed a moment and hung up. Called my hubby , he came running. So after another call to Dr's office, I ask if I can let them know Mon when I get to the hospital...NOPE, had to tell them right now! So then I ask to talk to the Dr, so I can ask him some questions..he is out of town! ARE YOU KIDDNG ME??????? So we hang up and talk some more, then my hubby calls back to ask how much for self pay. $20,000!!!! He asks how much up front, she says ALL OF IT! more tears! Then she says that she got a hold of Dr on his cell and he is calling me. He talked to me for 20 mins, weighed my options, talked me through the decision..and we decided on the Bypass. My BMI is awful high for a band (53) and I live quiet a ways a way, so not convenient if I have trouble and need saline removed. So I guess the Insurance God's say Bypass is the one for me. I need this for my health, so I will do what I must. I wish all of you much love and success!! I know you will do the RVG proud! I am now going to go submerse myself in the Bypass Forum and try to learn in one day what took me 6 months of research on the Sleeve. ~SIGH~ "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!" (and as my pastor said...Even this, Bonnie, Even this!)

May 9th for me!!!!!!!!! And yep, the nerves are definitely setting in....and the urge to eat anything and everything I can get my hands on! This surgery has always been SOOOOO far out of reach for so long, that I am having a hard time believe that this is even real! Whatever you do, DO NOT WAKE ME UP!!!!

YEAH!!! My surgery is on May 9th!! Check out our May 9th thread and join our "gang'!

Isn't it crazy how things vary so much depending on where you go????

Everyone, lets share what things we are planning to take with us to the hospital..... So far, my must haves are: Chapstick (hospitals are SO dry!) My Nook....( I live to read! Got a new library stocked for surgery and after!) My Laptop ( I will be staying a few days longer due to previous health issues) Halls Refresh for dry mouth SF Lemon Drops ( my surgeon suggested, also for dry mouth) SF Gum ( again, right from my surgeon ) My Cell Phone and Charger! ( gonna miss my babies! ) Pillows ( i like my own!) Comfy pj's ( actually sweat pant capris and t shirts! ) My bathroom stuff and the most important thing I am bringing.... MY AMAZING HUBBY!!

I would look into that further, my surgeon suggested I bring gum to the hospital to help with dry mouth! Sugar-free of course!! Also, SF Lemon Drops he said were good, as they stimulate the saliva glands!!

OK Red Velvets.....I have to share my new YUMMY find! ARIZONA DIET PEACH TEE!!!! It is AMAZING! Its making giving up my 8-a-day diet coke addiction much easier. My surgeon was ok with any no calorie non carbonated drink, but my PC really wants me to try to stay away from Aspertame as much as possible and look for Splenda. Let me tell ya, that is no easy task! JEESH! Another one I have found is PROPEL ZERO! Its okay, I like the tea much much much better!! So far, I can only find it at WalGreens where I live...it was just on sale 2/$1 for the big 23oz cans...Limit of 4. They were out and so I asked if they would order me a case...and she says..."Limit of 4". So I say, No problem, I have a big family and we can each get 4! So she gives me the raincheck! YEAH!!! Picked it up today!! ( and they let me buy them all by myself, didn't have to wait and bring the kids with! )

YAHOOOOO!!! Congratulations!! I am under 2 weeks now and yep, its a bit scary!! But sooooo exciting too!

awww man, I feel terrible for you! My surgeon does not require a single Protein drink...NOT ONE! So it can be done!! I am on pureed for the first couple of weeks and then weeks 3 & 4, I get to start on my Stage 3 diet, which includes scrambled eggs, Peanut Butter, refried Beans, lean ground meats...YUMMY STUFF! I feel very blessed to have the surgeon I do!!

Hang in there Melinda!! I cannot imagine how hard it would be to have to be on liquids and cook my family meals! UGH! I am very lucky to not have a liquid diet until the day before, and then only from noon on, so will enjoy a Mother's Day Brunch with my family! LOVE the RED VELVET GANG! My heart stopped yesterday!!! My phone rings and the caller ID shows the surgeon's office. YIKES! When I was in for my last appt, they said "See you at the hospital, we are done on this end." Amazing how many things ran through my head before I answered. I thought FOR SURE they were calling to tell me things were called off. So I answer, and she says, "This is Julie from Dr. Strands office...First let me say, Surgery is still on"! I laughed and told her she made my heart about stop, she laughed and said that is why she says that first thing!! She was calling to tell me my HPYLOR test was positive. So I have to be one a Prev Pac for 10 days. Good thing they know what they are doing and leave time for that after the test! Guess thats why they make the big bucks!! LOL! Hey Red Velvet Gang..where is everyone from and where are you having surgery?? I am from Yankton, SD and am having my surgery in Sioux Falls, SD with Dr. Strand.

Yikes! What is it with May 9th and Red Velvet? ALSO my very very favorite!!! So excited to have others that are the same time. Had my last surgeon appointment, and then my pre-op with my PC. He says it would be good to try and loose 10lbs before surgery, but not required. Only liquid diet is the day before! Big ol bottle of Mag Citrate the night before....YUMMO! I am going to let myself have whatever I want yet this week, gotta enjoy the Easter dinner! Then the week before, I am going to start my pre-op. Bought myself a Magic Bullet and some stuff to try smoothie recipes. I absolutely HATE HATE HATE dairy products, so have to try to find a way to get some yogurt down. Got some fruits to blend with it...hope it works! My 2 Snacks a day need to be dairy. UGH! How long has your doc said you have to stay in the hospital? I am looking at around 3 nights, but I have some other health issues that need monitoring. As long as things look okay, I will have it done laproscopic, but yet, I signed the waiver to say if needed, it can be an open procedure. I thing that is just standard. Heck, I want them to do the best job possible! 2 weeks from Monday???? AACCCKKKKK!!!!! Also, I have started to tell a few more people...still being selective, just do NOT want to be under the magnifying glass! One person already said they can't wait to see me when I get back to work...after 3 weeks. I told them not to expect much, it still takes time to lose weight! As if our surgeons just used their magic wands and "POOF", we are skinny!

I am having a hard time believing that I finally have a date! I have waited SOOOO long and jumped through so many hoops. I am wondering when it is going to sink in. I have my final consultant with my surgeon in the morning, so maybe that will finally get it to sink in. One of my biggest problems, I have been eating everything I can get my hands on the last couple of days. I am sure tomorrow he will tell me when to start on my pre-op diet....think I need to start sooner than later! AACCCKKKKK....3 weeks from right now I will be post-op! YOWZA!

My surgeon has done less than 5!! It makes me a little nervous, yet, I trust him completely. He comes very highly recommended by my friends in the medical community. I guess I feel if he is worth his weight as a surgeon, he can do this. He has been doing gastric surgeries for over 15 years. Also, with my insurance, it is this surgeon or NONE! I am hoping for a call to schedule the surgery this week! My questions so far have pertained to: How long til I can work? Will I still be able to golf? What are the main complications to watch for and how will I know? Why should I do this? (you should have seen his face when I asked him this!) and my final question..... How soon can we do this?