dwbrown1978

Congratulations! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Cheers!

That is FANTASTIC. I cannot begin to imagine what it would feel like to lose 50 pounds in 2 months... You are an inspiration. Keep up the good work. I am assuming the inches are all over? Are you doing any particular exercises to get those inches off, or is it just the weightloss? I hope to schedule my surgery in the next 2 weeks. Congrats!

Woooo Hooooo!!!! My surgeon's office submitted all the required paperwork to insurance for approval yesterday. Hopefully I should hear back in a few days. I was technically already pre-approved by them prior to getting my testing done and meeting with the NUT and having the Psych eval done. BUT now - it is almost time!!! Yea!

Had my psych eval yesterday and it went great. Only about 45 minutes. She (the counselor) and I chatted about my history, my family, etc. She had already gotten my chart from my doctors, so she already knew my situation. She ended the session by letting me know she was approving me for the surgery and sending her notes to my surgeon that same afternoon. It was a really easy evaluation. No test of any kind, no hoops to jump through, etc. Just a consultation with a counselor. I couldn't be happier. My surgeon is on vacation this week, then I am on vacation next week, but I am scheduled to see him again on 10/09 when I get back. I have everything done that I needed to do prior to scheduling my surgery date, so I am confident I will be able to schedule at that appointment. I need 7-day pre-op liquid fast and then surgery. Yea!

I would love to be your buddy... I'm not scheduled for surgery yet, but I was aiming for the 18th!!! I am also 5'4 and weigh 265 (as of this morning). Started last month at 275 (dr. office visit). I am located in the Bay Area, CA but I could definitely help support you on the boards. Do you have a pre-op diet? Mine will be a 7 day liquid fast prior to surgery, so don't have to start yet, just doing low carb as encouraged. I am 34 BTW in case you want to know.

Weighed myself this morning. Down 7 pounds. 264. Out of the 270's again. Have completed first week (plus 2 days) of 1 protein shake, plus 2 low carb meals per day. I feel pretty good. Day three I had major headache from carb withdrawl, but I definitely knew what to do. I am so focused. I am keeping up the diet until after I come back from vacation and can schedule my surgery date on 10/09. I only have a 7 day pre-op diet, so I am hoping to have my surgery the last 2 weeks in October. I have already made arrangements with my work and that time would fit perfectly into my schedule. I ordered my liquid and chewable vitamins, have my protein powders already, and have my grocery list ready and waiting for my post-op diet. I am actually having my surgery at the hospital I work at (it has a bariatric center of excellence) so I feel like I am extremely blessed. Plus it helps that my boss and co-workers are all so so supportive of my decision.

Just blogging to keep up the habit. Don't want to start missing blogging and then suddenly weeks go by with no posts. Trying to blog every few days. I'm currently drinking one protein shake for breakfast and then 2 low-carb meals (0 carbs other than veggies) for lunch and dinner. Today I had a chicken ceasar salad. YUM! Dinner will be left over steak bites and some sauteed cabbage. Already entered into FitDay. Under 1200 calories and only 16 carbs (5 in protein shake). Making my portions smaller in prepping for my 7 day liquid pre-op diet. Still a couple of weeks away, but definitely confident I can do this. I go on vacation October 1st through October 7th. I may not have access to internet. If I do though, I will try to blog while I am gone. I can easily follow my diet on vacation. I can stock up on ready to drink protein shakes and keep them in a little fridge in my hotel and pack a cooler with ice packs. I have lots of food I can prepare and bring with me on the road. I have done "low-carb" so many times I can pretty much do it blind folded now. However - this time is different, because I know I am eating this way in order to make my surgery successful. After surgery it will become a way of life permanently, but for now, it is simply something I have to do in order to progress my journey. Really, really ready for vacation.

Sorry to hear about your delay... I say delay because it looks like your surgeon is going to go to bat for you to make this happen. So I am visualizing a happy outcome for you. Sending you positive thoughts and wishes for the best possible outcome. Good luck to you.

What a beautiful post... You are so encouraging to those of us just starting out and an inspiration to those who may be struggling... Your pictures are beautiful. Congratulations.

Wow... that's awesome! Keep going... You're on your way to onederland.

Good luck to you.... Wishing you a relatively easy and speedy recovery.

Ha... now I have that song stuck in my head. I am referring to one more medical appointment down and only 1 more to go before I can schedule my surgery!!! Woot woot!. Met with the NUT today and it was totally different than the scenario I had pictured in my head. First off, she was a lovely woman. Really friendly and nice. Very much like my surgeon. So supportive of my decision and my choice. She went over the diet with me and seemed really surprised about how much I already knew and was doing ahead of time to prepare. (A big thank you to you folks here on the board with all your advice and tips on pre-op dieting and such). She gave me lots of little samples of different proteins, calcium chews, chewable and liquid vitamins, etc. I got a little bag with me. We talked for about 40 minutes and then she ended the visit by letting me know she was sending her approval for surgery over to my surgeon. Once my surgery date is set, I need to schedule one more pre-op visit with her, just to go over the information again (probably only 20-30min) and that's it! No 3 month or 6 month supervised diet, no 6-8 series of visits, etc. like I was envisioning. I really thought I was going to be derailed and have a major crash and burn, but no... it was just really positive. So I'm happy. Happy, happy, happy. I called to schedule my follow-up visit with my surgeon to schedule my surgery date, but unfortunately, he is on vacation next week. Which means he was fully booked this week. Then I am on vacation the following week (10/01 - 10/08). But I got an appointment right when I get back on 10/09. I will have my psych eval on 09/24 (next monday) so he should have everything he needs by 10/09. I really want to schedule this surgery in October. Fingers crossed! And another one gone, and another one gone... another one bites the dust.

And it was fantastic. She was super supportive. She gave me samples of Proteins, Calcium chews and Vitamins, etc. She talked with me for about 40 minutes and she ended the appointment by send her approval to my surgeon. I don't need to do anything further. I will meet with her one more time for a pre-op appt. to basically go over everything one more time, but she said that's all I have to do. Once I schedule my surgery date, I just count backwards 7 days for my liquid pre-op diet and I am good to go! I was so nervous. I thought maybe she would try to place me on a 3-month or 6-month diet or something, but I am all clear. Woot woot! I only have my psych eval left to do (next Monday), and then I can schedule my surgery. I am so excited!

Congratulations on getting your date!!!!

So I was hungry at lunch time and had to run some errands so I went to my fave chinese lunch place to get an order to go. I ordered their chicken salad lunch which also comes with 3 potstickers. The salad is big so I usually end up eating only about 1/2 and saving the rest for dinner or the next day. The chicken is also shredded white meat so it's not breaded and fried and the dressing is really light. Overall it's not bad at all and heck - Lord knows I could do worse. So I order it to go and they put my order inside a container inside a bag tied up so that it doesn't spill. Anyway - I get back to work and I open it and ta da... it is some oily stir fried noodle dish with beef. A huge container of it. I took about 3 bites (literally) and gave the rest to a co-worker. No potstickers either. Sigh. I took it as a sign not to deviate from my diet! Ha! On a positive note, I called the restaurant and they refunded my purchase (turned out they swapped my order with another customer). The downside is I have no lunch. Maybe the GVS gods are trying to tell me something... STAY ON TRACK For the first time, I feel antsy today. I feel so close, but still things left to do before I can schedule my surgery date. Next Monday I have my first NUT appt. and the following Monday I have my psych eval. I keep telling myself I did get the first available appt. when I called. And it was only 3 weeks later (now 2 weeks away) so things are still moving really fast. I will have done everything necessary start to finish within only 30 days. BUT - it's hard not to be anxious. I want this so badly. I hate hurry up and wait mode. 14 days until I can schedule my 2nd appt. with the surgeon to get my surgery date.

This is my first blog entry. I will be using this blog as a place to log my journey. I will post updates, future appointment dates, my surgery date and so forth. After my operation, I will use this as a tool to post about successes, set backs, and my day-to-day well being. A quick update on my progress thus far: 1. Met with my PCP to get a referral to the BS Department (8/24/12) 2. Attended mandatory orientation for gastric sleeve (8/26/12) 3. Met with Surgeon for GSV (8/31/12) 4. Had EKG, Upper GI X-Ray, Ultrasound, and necessary lab work (9/4/12) Still TO DO: 5. Meet with NUT (Mandatory for clearance) 9/17/12 6. Have Psych/Mental Health Eval (Mandatory for clearance) 9/24/12 7. SCHEDULE SURGERY DATE (TBD) I am almost there. Luckily I have already been pre-approved by my health insurance, so this process has been running like a well oiled machine (knock on wood & fingers crossed). I hope to have my surgery date scheduled sometime in October. I am very pro-active in my care, so I made sure to contact my insurance company first, prior to starting the process, to see what I would need to get this done. I also went ahead and scheduled all my appointments directly, rather than waiting for the various departments to contact me, which I have past experienced in the past, could be delayed up to 2 weeks, before someone finally gets around to contacting me. By being proactive, I am making sure all my t's are crossed and i's are dotted so to speak. I am nervous, as I am sure everyone is. BUT - I am also ready. SO ready. I am prepared, mentally, emotionally and physically for this. I have my own reasons for this surgery, as I am sure everyone has. This could literally help save my life and make the time I do have better. It's about quality of life for me at this point. And I am prepared to do whatever it takes.

I haven't had my surgery date scheduled yet, but I have my psych eval on the 24th and after that I can schedule my date. I need to do a liquid pre-op diet 4-7 days prior to surgery, the last day Clear liquids only. However... I began eating better last week. I cut way back on sugar (limited), diet soda (never drank much anyway) and coffee (again rarely if ever). I rarely ate sweets/sugar before, so it's not a biggie to cut those out. BUT I do love starchy/carby foods. Pasta, potatoes (mashed or baked - my faves), fresh baked bread, etc. And I know my portions are way too big. I have upped my Protein and vegetables and am slimming down my carbs. I figure if I can eat that way at least 70-80% of the time, then it wouldn't be the end of everything if I have an extra piece of bread or crackers here or there along the way. Starting next week I will transition 1 meal a day into a Protein shake and 2 regular meals and see how I do for that. 2 weeks prior to my pre-op I will transition 2 meals a day into protein shake and 1 regular meal and then move onto the pre-op diet. I haven't really had the "food freakout" that others here have experienced... yet. But maybe it is because I don't have an official surgery date on the calendar. I'll probably be more anxious once that is set. However - it does seem as if every time I turn on my T.V., I see a commerical for Red Lobster. OMG. Coconut shrimp and Cheddar Bay Biscuits!!!! Hang in there! I know you will be successful.

I have my first visit scheduled with the nutritionist on Monday, September 17th. Does anyone know how this will differ from all of the diet and nutritional guides I have already been given? I spent a few days reading and re-reading everything the surgeon gave to me about pre-op and post-op diets, along with lifetime nutrition guidelines, etc. but I am still required to meet with a nutritionist before they can schedule my surgery date. Basically, I went ahead and started (re-started again I guess I should say) the South Beach diet on Tuesday, 9/4 (after Labor Day) and am using FitDay on my computer to log all my food. I am planning on printing out the daily logs and putting them into a binder to bring with me to my first visit. I also hope to have lost maybe 5 or so pounds to show that I am serious about this lifestyle change. But I am still a little nervous. I guess my question is if anyone has met with the nutritionist and they determined that you weren't eligible for the surgery??? I have already been pre-approved by my insurance and have a team of doctors supporting me. I can't see the nutritionist being any different, it just seems like that's is an awful lot of power for one person to have. If for whatever reason she wants me to do some crazy diet or something for the next 6 months or so, is there anyone I can appeal to or will she have the final say? I have already had bloodwork, upper GI x-rays, EKG and Ultrasound done. Those were the last of the tests I needed to be cleared. I have a psych eval in two weeks, but that'll be no problem. Thank you for any advice anyone can offer. It is much appreciated.

I agree with sassygirl too. Every hospital will accept test results (labs, x-rays, etc.) from other hospitals as long as you sign a consent form to release the records and you can even bring them with you in person. I work in a hospital and I have done this myself so I know it can be done. I would schedule a consultation with the new surgeon and bring everything with you to the consultation. I know it must be frustrating right now, but I have a feeling that once you are able to meet with the doctors, they will be willing to work with you to get this accomplished as fast and as hassle free as you want too. Good luck to you.

Good luck to you! That sounds extraordinary. I wish you all the best and much success in all your endeavors.

Thank you for the very nice replies. A quick update.... Met with the surgeon on Friday 8/31. He said I was about 75% there already which was nice, but there were still a few things I needed to do before he could schedule my surgery date. I needed a x-ray of my chest, some blood work and schedule at least one appt. with a nutritionist, and have a psch/mental health eval done. Since yesterday was a holiday, I had to wait until this morning, but I have everything scheduled for this week and next week. Also my doctor called this morning and asked me to get a ultrasound. I was able to schedule that too. Whew! The pre-op diet consists of 7 day liquid Protein fast, which doesn't seem so bad. I have certainly done those in the past, so I don't think I will have too hard a time with that. Keep on keeping on.....

Hello All - I am just starting this journey to getting sleeved. I met with my PCP last Thursday, she sent a referral which got approved by my insurance to the bariatric surgery department. I attended a mandatory orientation last night, and the bariatric surgery department contact me this morning and I am scheduled for my 1:1 consultation with the surgeon this Friday! This seems to be moving so very quickly for me. Has anyone else had this experience? A little about me - I am 34, 5'4" and weigh 270 pounds (BMI of 46) (boo). In 2009 I was diagnosed with Melanoma and have since had 5 surgeries, 9 months of experimental chemo and a host of other medical problems. I have been in a wheelchair several times (for 3-6 weeks at a time), then progressed to crutches, a walker and then a cane. I have also gained a little over 100 pounds in two years due to surgeries, chemo, medications, inability to walk (let alone exercise) etc. But I have made it through... It was actually my oncologist who recommended this surgery to me. I thought I wouldn't be eligible, but he seems to think I can have the gastric sleeve with the fewest complications. At this point we are both looking at quality of life type options, and this might help to save mine. I also have been diagnosed with sleep apena, siatica and degenerative disc diesase all within the past year or so. I have a lot of lower back pain. I also have mild lymphodema from where my lymphnodes were removed due to cancer and my leg and foot swell. Anyway - those are just some of the reasons I am having this surgery. There seems to be a sense of urgency within my team of doctors so maybe that's why it's moving so fast? I don't know. I have had therapy and nutrition classess, more MRIs and CT scans than I can count, blood work & labs every three weeks and countless other medical visits over the past three years. Maybe I have enough documentation to "push this through"??? I found this website last friday and am reading it religiously. I find all your stories comforting. Thank you for reading.

Good luck to you! I will keep you in my thoughts.

Oops... sorry (blushing)... :wub: I didn't see there were additional pages in this post... Looks like you already got your surgery and are home recovering. Congratulations on getting approved so quickly. And wishing you a very speedy recovery

Hello, I was wondering the same thing too! I actually called to get the whole process started only last week but it seems to be moving pretty fast for me (I think). I talked at length with 2 surgery coordinators who explained that I would have to start with my PCP to get a referral to see them first. I called my PCP and she fit me right in the very next day. I do have to go to an orientation first, but that just happens to be the third Tuesday of every month, which is TODAY so they fit me in as well. In 2010 I was diagnosed with a rare cancer and since then, I have had over 6 surgeries, almost an entire year of chemo and various complications. I also have sleep apena, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, damaged liver (thank you chemo), bone metasis, as well as being obese with a BMI of over 45. (I have gained over 70 pounds in under two years thanks to constant surgeries, medications that make me gain like crazy, being completely unable to exercise, etc.) Anyway, I called my insurance company and they have everything (literally everything) documented. They told me the surgery would absolutely be covered. This will literally help me save my life. My fingers are crossed for you that it happens quickly for you too.