GrannyGoes4it

I recently joined the website. I met with my surgeon yesterday, see the nutritionist and psychologist on the 19th, classes in Januray and if all goes well, surgery in April. My surgeon is Dr. Uchal

Hi, Where are all the March sleevers, I've seen a few but not any post recently. I am almost finished with all my the required medical approvals and classes but don't have an exact date yet.

Hi, I am almost done with all the approvals I was required to do for the surgery. I did the pulmonary function test yesterday, have my c-pap machine now, have cardiac approval, had blood work done this morning, have finished two of the required nutritional classes. Medicare requires 1 class per month for 3 months, psyc eval done, next Wed, going for gp letter of necessity. My last class is March 1, pre op class March 4 and then hopefully I will get a date set. Anymore waiting and jumping through the hoops?

I have severe back pain from scoliosis surgery and arthritis in my left knee. I go to a pain clinic for the cronic pain and I take Celebrex. I was not aware of topical nsaids, I am going to ask about that. I am concerned with the Celebrex but it helps along with the pain meds. I am sure the weight is causing a lot of the pain too. I don't fight severe depression but when I had to stop water aerobics because of my knee, I got down, felt like that was my last chance to lose on my own and thus the gastric sleeve. I know I am an emotional eater so I am sure I have hidden depression for lack of a better word. I do have my faith which helps me a lot in many areas of my life but does not seem to help me with my weight loss. I hope you will get the approval you want, sounds like you have a great surgeon with concern for you personally and you are not just another case. Good luck.

I jumped through my last hoop yesterday as far as the docs approvals are concerned. Now a March 1st and 4th class and then see the surgeon for his go-ahead and the date will be set. Now the task of getting my head on straight with this way of eating until the surgery. I have ordered some Unjury to try, got one bottle of Isopure, gnc dude said the fruit punch was the best, some others not so good and a small bag of Cellucor, or something like that. I am not going to worry so much on the clear protein drinks cause my doc progresses you pretty quick to the full liquids. I am getting rid of some of the things in the freezer I don't want to eat or eating things I can't have for the two weeks before the surgery and I am keeping track of the food. Looking forward to the day us March sleevers cross over to the Post Op posts.

So glad to see all you March sleevers. I will not be able to get an actual date until after March 4th. But the chances of me going in March are good. Where is everyone from, I am from Florida.

Hi, Do any of you have a WW exercise monitor. The only problem with the one I have is that you have to pay for the WW e-tools plus 5 bucks to use it. It is awesome and you can even use it in the pool. I do water exercise because of my back and so since I have to pay for the tools I am just going to keep track of what I eat on the site before and after the surgery. The good news, I am a lifetime member and when I get back to goal weight the tools will be free and then the monitor will only cost me 5.00. I feel more comfortable keeping track of what I eat. My dietition said you don't need to but she is a twig and does not have a clue. Ya know. I want to be sure I get in the things I need to so I will be healty. Wasn't sure where to post this. I might try putting it under exercise too. Thanks.

I would use a different tool, but I have to pay for the WW site to use the exercise monitor so I'll just do it on that site. The monitor is awesome, I really enjoyed it till I blew my knee out and could not even do my water exercise. That started me on the sleeve journey. My knee doc recommended it to me.

I can't say enough about water exercise. Those who try it will find it really is good for firming as well as weight loss and it takes all your pain away while you are in the water. I had 8 vertebrae fused in my spine and I don't think I would be walking without that type of exercise. I have a monitor I purchased at WW last year, you can actually use it in the water. I plan to use it after the surgery although I have to pay for the e-tools in order to use it, but when I reach goal weight the tools will be free because I am an old lifetime member. So instead of 20 ish it will only be 5.00. Good luck to all of you who try water exercise.

Glad to see everyone, I am looking forward to getting to know all of you as we wait for March.

That is great, I will let everyone know as soon as I have a date. What kind of pre-op diet are you doing?

What other plans have you tried before seeking surgery. Have you lost only to gain again? Myself, I have lost and regained lots of times. I overeat sometimes, choose the wrong foods too. If you are choosing the wrong foods all the time and gaining, you may be an emotional eater. Usually choose creamy or sweets and carby foods. Doesn't have to be overeating exactly. But if during the day you are taking in losts of sweets and carbs it is going to add up. My understanding is that for many this surgery cuts the hunger and carb cravings. I am praying that is the case. Bottom line is it has to be your choice. I wish you luck in making the right decision.

I still don't have an exact date for surgery. Yesterday I went for the pulmonary fuction test, got approval. Next week I go to GP, I wanted all my other approvals 1st, don't think I will have a problem getting her approval. I the required blood work this morning. My doc checks for everything under the sun. I think they took 3 vials, I don't look but felt her changing tubes. Once I see GP everything is done except the required last nutruitional class and pre-op class, I tried to do the pre-op class this month with a friend, but they said medicare requires it be last and the classes have to be stretched out over 3 months. My pre-op diet is low fat now, 2 weeks before the actual surgery date very strict low fat, the shakes are optional, but I do want to try a few so I know what I like. I bought one bottle of Isopure, fruit punch, the GNC guy said it wasn't bad, I ordered an Unjury sample pack, and got another protein at GNC, can't remember the name. I'll post what I like after I taste them. Anyone else have a favorite yet? My friend went to the pre-op class and we get progressed to full liquids pretty quick so I am not going to worry as much about having to use the clear protein, unless I put it in food. For those who don't know too, the Unjury sample pack comes with a food thermometer and a shaker. You can add it to food, but it clumps if food is to hot, so having the thermometer will be nice. I think with shipping, it was around 28 dollars.

Hi, I just read a topic about Medicare approval being different across the country. I am in the process of getting all the medical approvals and this was not mentioned. Is there anyone living in Florida age 65 and over that has been approved for the sleeve? I will call my doc as soon as they open, but thought I might find someone who has been approved. Thanks.

I did find out that there is not a problem in Florida, I hope everyone finds out good news if they are having the sleeve through Medicare.

So glad you are doing well.

So happy you are doing great!!!

Hi, I checked with my Dr. office, in Florida, they have not had problems with approval. They said they would check it out but had not heard of any problems due to regions. So not sure? Where do you live that you were refused and what states are doing this?

I live in Florida, do you know if I will be covered, I will call my doc as soon as they open, I am 65, will be 66 in June, all I had heard was after 65 there might be a problem. I am almost done with my medical clearances, going for pulmonary function test today, then blood work and appt with GP and I will be done and ready for surgery after my last class March 1st and pre op class March 4, this is upsetting. I sure hope Florida is covered.

Sorry you have had such a bad experience. Just like when you are on a diet, there are always people who say things and do things to throw you off. Many different reasons, the thin ones don't get it, the overweight ones want company being overweight. I have been fortunate, most I have told have seen my struggles and support me. Some are afraid for me but understand. I just tell those that I am facing two knee replacements if this weight continues, much worse than laproscopic sleeve surgery. I am disabled, and I have tried and tried on my own. I am 65 and have to use a walker and frankly I just don't care what people think about the surgery, it is for me and my health. It is harder when you are younger. Those that might oppose me, I just feel like Satan is trying through them to stop me from being more able to help with my ministry for God. I was happy to see in your last post you have come to realize those people do care but it still hurts. Good for you and good luck on your surgery.

Hi Nana, glad to see another Granny. My doc does not actually require me to do the shakes before surgery, just kind of taste them. Strict low fat diet 2 weeks before surgery and clear liquids right before. I am kind of glad because didn't want to get burned out on them before I get started. I also found out the normal progression he does after surgery, each doc is different. In hospital and a couple of days after you go home is clear liquids, then he goes up to full and clear, for a week or so and then full and within about a month to the soft. I don't have the exact progression in front of me, I have not been but a friend who has same doc just went, so that helped a lot on planning what things to have on hand and I don't have to worry so much about the clear protein because I can have the choc and vanilla etc. fairly quickly. Love following all the posts, I wish I had more time, sometimes I don't get on everyday. Busy weekend so won't be on much the next two days. Byeee for now.

Hi, I am not sure if I will be the middle of March or 1st of April. I am in the process of getting everything done and the last classes that are require will be at the very 1st of March. Once I get all the medical requirements finished I will try to get them to set an actually date. Enjoyed reading all your comments.

I haven't had my sleeve yet, sometime middle of March or 1st of April, but I have been trying the vitamins the want me to have and they are kind of large. I read someones article to put them in applesauce, tried that and it works well, I also use a pill organizer to help me remember to take all the meds I take, that might help. Just a thought and good luck. Everyone is such a help getting me ready for this.

I have not been sleeved yet, but I do know about the gas in the shoulder area, it is from the gas they put in your abdominal area so they can see what they are doing, used in laproscopic procedures. They draw as much out as they can, but sometimes you get the gas in the abdomen and pain in the shoulder area from the gas.

Hi Everyone, nice to meet all of you. I and a friend I met at Dr. Uchal's office are in the process of getting everything done to qualify for the surgery, she will probably be ready in February, the earliest I will be ready will be middle of March. I almost went to Dr. Webb, I know him but did not realize that he was now doing the sleeve, I have another friend who will be sleeved this month (Januray) and she is going to Dr. Webb, I told her she would love him. I worked with him many years ago and he was one of our best general surgeons. He took my gall bladder out. I have also heard good things about Dr. Uchal, he is top choice at St. Vincents is my understanding. I don't know if I will doing the post op support groups because they are at night and with my back pain I don't like to go out in the evening. Maybe that will change after the surgery. I go to my first of three classes tomorrow at 11:00 at St. Vincent's in Riverside. I have my sleep study for titration on the 15th and I have an appointment with my cardiologist on the 17th of this month. So things are moving right along. I know it will be here before I know it. I am looking forward to all the help I can get, especially after the surgery. I am starting the pre-op diet but I am thinking I won't do a lot of the shakes because it looks like I'll be doing a lot of those after the surgery and maybe I won't get so tired of them so fast if I don't do a lot of them before surgery. I do want to try them though so I can see what they are like and what recipes I like etc. Do most of you get the shakes from your doctor or do you get them somewhere else. I heard you can get shakes that are approved at Walmart, the commissary and at health food stores. Any thoughts on this and the flavors?