SherriRN

Hi, there, Keystone28. Dr.Gersin at CWM is my surgeon. It's good to hear that others have had a good experience with CWM. I am sure you are excited that your surgery will be soon. My case was submitted to Cigna for insurance approval a month ago. Still waiting. I call Cigna everyday. Today they said they should have an answer by Friday. Frustrating, as I need to make arrangements in advance to take time off from work. Praying for approval soon. Keep us posted on how your surgery goes. :-)

Hi, I am from the Charlotte area. I am over half way through my 6 month physician supervised diet program through Carolina's Weight Management. Nervous about the approval process for the sleeve through Cigna. My surgeon will be Dr. Gersin. Anyone else gone through CWM? What was your experience like?

I have had a rough time making the numbers I wanted after surgery. During the all liquids phase I did excellent with my weightloss but it slowed drasticly after I started foods again. I had trouble making it to 64 ounces of Water and meeting the protien recomendations. a little overa week ago I was desperate when I gained 4 lbs in my fourth month so I decided to consume 120+ ounces of water and go over my daily recomended Protein requirments. I lost 11lbs this week!!! I was really affraid I wouldn't lose any more weight but my hope is renewed =) Just wanted to share and encourage anyone who isn't drinking enough water or getting enough protein!

Count me in. I will be sleeved Monday morning 3/18, also. I can't believe the day is almost here.

Had my surgery 7:30 Monday morning. Discharged yesterday evening. Had a pretty rough first night at home with nausea and dry heaving. My abdomen is very, very sore from that. :-(( Trying to get my fluids in this morning and walking as much as possible. Praying it does get easier with each day that passes. Hope all if the other March 18 people are doing well!

Had mine on March 4th!Went very smoothly! If you are nervous dont worry! The folks at Mercy hospital are awesome!

Well, I'm in the Raleigh area but I'm a March 18th sleever too! Considering how awesomely global this forum is, we're practically neighbors!

My sleeve is finally scheduled for March 13. I was supposed to have it Feb 20, so I went on my pre-surg diet, but then I came down with an upper respiratory bug everyone seems to have, so the Dr. delayed me til Feb 27. By that time, I was feeling better but had such bad congestion they further delayed me (and of course, I had to STAY ON THE PRESURG DIET since FEB 8Th), so today I weighed myself for the first time since Feb 27. I LOST 17 LBS. I am thrilled. I have also gone through the pre-surg list of things they say I need to have (or have ready) before going in the hospital and I finally feel pretty comfortable with what I have put together. I have made most of my purchases online from Walmart (which ships free to my home) and then if I couldn't get it at Walmart, I bought through Amazon. Here's some extra things I have purchased to make things easier along the way.
OPTIONAL THINGS I BOUGHT
Cuisinart Immersion Blender to liquify foods so I can freeze small amounts in ice cube trays and not buy tasteless baby food
(though any blender will do)

OXO Tot 12 Piece Baby Block Set Use to make tiny portions of frozen mashed Beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, apples, mashed potatoes, etc. They have 2 & 4 oz. containers on freezer trays, also can be put in microwave frozen to warm them up – Amazon.com
OXO Good Grips 4-Piece Mini Measuring Beaker Set – makes measuring so easy - Amazon.com
Gas-X Thin Extra Strength Strips With Cinnamon Flavor – helps w/gas
and bloating Post op in the hospital – melts on your tongue so you don't have to drag along a whole bottle of Gas-X liquid – Walmart.com
HoMedics OT-TRVL Ortho + Therapy Memory Foam Travel Pillow with Carry Case, 15" x 11" x 4.5"- hospital pillows are horrid. Use 1 for your head & 1 to hold your tummy on your post surg walks at hospital – Amazon.com
BlenderBottle Classic 28 oz.Comes w/ wire mixer ball makes mixing Unjury Protein Powder easy to mix (get a 2 pack at SamsClub)
PB2 Regular & chocolate Powdered Peanut Butter- 85% Less Fat and Calories - 6.5 Oz Each - 2 Pack – great in Protein Drinks or spread on apple or banana slices when you can eat those things, plus delicious in homemade Protein Shakes - or put some in your Premier Protein 11 oz. Protein Drink - Amazon.com
Pill Crusher -Pill Pulverizer in case you have a hard time taking pills - Walmart.com
Listerine PocketPaks Coolmint, 24ct Breath Strips to keep breathe fresh
at the hospital - Walmart.com
Kitrics Perfect Portions Digital scale with Nutrition Facts Display - counts everything you eat, gives calories based on weight, Proteins, carbs, fats, etc. Amazon.com
Jokari Healthy Steps Portion Control Diet / Weight Loss 10pc Utensil Kitchen Tool Set - for easy portion control once your food regimen normalizes down the road - Amazon.com
Mr. coffee Mug Warmer for home – keeps your soft mashed foods warm
while you are eating them in the beginning because it takes you a while to
eat them and they can easily get cold.
Large heavily feathered colorful Mardi Gras mask - The Dr. takes a photo of patient in undies on the last Dr appointment before surgery. With todays internet, one of these days that sucker could end up there by hacking or some sort of accident. At my support group, they wear interesting masks when they get their photo taken on that day. One of my friends actually wore a HUGE lifelike HORSES HEAD from a costume shop. I'm just going for the feathered look that will obscure most of my
face.
Here's my HOSPITAL DAY List of things I am taking to the hospital.

Clothes
Sleep Mask & Earplugs for hospital
Robe w/ snaps
Loose under garments
Warm socks w/ grippers (some hospitals give‘em to you)

Easy slip off/on Slippers (optional)
Loose fitting clothes to wear there & on way home
Personal Items
My Tablet
My Cell Phone
Chargers/Cords
1 book or a few magazines – nothing heavy
Glasses cleaner
2 small pillows (1 for head, 1 for tummy when you take walks)
Body pillow (optional)
Camera
Nose spray if you need it
Prescriptions
Toothbrush / Paste / Very basic simple makeup
Shampoo / Conditioner / Travel brush/comb
Blow Dryer (if you must)
Sugar free Vita C Throat Lozenges (Check with your Surgeon)
Tinted Lip Balm - Burts Bees has many colors and flavors, very soothing
Gas X Strips for post surgical gas/bloating -(Cinnamon/peppermint)
Astringent & facial cleanser
5 Facial makeup remover wipes
Heating Pad for pain relief post surgical to use with your pillow in bed
My Glasses
Immonium
Listerine mouth strips for fresh breath
Sugar Free Ricola drops as you could have a sore throat
Deodorant
Disposable Wipes I can use instead of taking a shower the 1st day or 2
Tweezers & mirror
Comfy Sports bra for post surgical comfort so boobs don't irritate any
incision areas
My own Puffs tissue
2 Light weight soft fleecy full size throws as hospital blankets are horrid.
Try to take as many travel size items as possible. Use a small rolling overnight case. Mine has a pop up telescoping handle.
Hope this helps somebody. I've been able to get alot of great information from this forum. So happy it's here.

I got this book called The Gastric Sleeve by Dr. Alvarez you should get it read. Its very informative and helpful.

So excited! After a long wait and many hoops jumped through, I finally found out I was approved this afternoon when I gave Cigna that daily call that I've become accustomed to making. Now to get my surgery scheduled. :-))

You "can" tell them anything you want. However if you worked for me, I would figure it out when you miraculously started dropping weight. I would consider the fact that you lied to me to be an integrity issue, and it would definitely affect my decision when it came time for your next evaluation or advancement.
Sorry to say it, but, I don't trust people who can't bring themselves to trust other people.

I'm praying for all the March sleevers.
Let us know how you are doing as soon as you can.

All right fellow sleevers, I'm headed to the hospital in 10 minutes.... stomach is in knots lol but still excited! Good luck and prayers will be sent to my fellow 1st.

I'm the 18th, also. So excited, but nervous too. :-)

Just got a surgery date of March 18!! Wow! Much sooner than I had planned, but so excited! Good luck to all of the other March sleevers!

Just got a surgery date of March 18!! Wow! Much sooner than I had planned, but so excited! Good luck to all of the other March sleevers!

Just got a surgery date of March 18!! Wow! Much sooner than I had planned, but so excited! Good luck to all of the other March sleevers!

Yay Sherri!

Approved today!!!! So excited! Hope I can get my surgery date scheduled when I call my surgeon's office tomorrow.

A big congrats to you Sherri!!!
MRSBRYANT

Congrats to you.... I'm scheduled for March 25th with Dr. Gersin, I am SOOOO..excited I can't stand it......

Approved today!!!! So excited! Hope I can get my surgery date scheduled when I call my surgeon's office tomorrow.

Woohoo! Losers bench here you come!

Sherri, I know soooo many people who've gone through CWM, and not one of them has had a discouraging word! Who is your Doctor? Mine is Dr. Kuwada.