raggmopp68

I haven't been on in while either, since surgery in March. The whole insurance game is a real drag! As for finding a doctor who takes medicare, seems they are all slowly shying away from it. Don't understand it, seems having medicare just doesn't pay sometimes. I wish you all the luck in this journey. Support from friends and family is soooo important to our success. Why are they not supportive of you in this endeavor? Seems a very selfish stance on their part, if you ask me. Proving them wrong may just be the way you will need to react to their negativity. Show everyone that you can be successful and happy and just fine with or without their support. Then when they need you support, be indifferent. Passive Aggressive, I know, but sometimes people just make me mad. It's easy for others to judge when it's not them that is going through the struggle. They just don't understand or don't want to. YOU ARE WORTH IT!!! Remember that. We have been living in a type of prison and we are ready to be free and enjoy life the best we can with the limitations of our illnesses. We no longer need the limitations of being overweight. I have only lost 40 pounds since March 28 and I admit I thought I could cheat the system a bit. I am now back on track and have lost 3 lbs in 3 days. Due to having MS and it's summer, I do not exercise like I'm supposed to, but as soon as it cools down, I have promised myself to get back into it. The hardest part of the whole thing for me. Just know that the only person that matters right now is YOU and forget about everyone else. You can do it!

Age 45 and Helen Ready is one of my faves. I am 3 mos post op and completely understand where you are coming from. Bravo to you for being conscious of what you SHOULD and SHOULDN'T put in your mouth. I am going to remember this as I struggle with a cheat now and again. Thank you!!

I'm 9 weeks post-op and have lost 28lbs. My clothes are looking sloppy and I'm feeling great about it. I have absolutely no regrets about this decision. I did start to fell like I could handle a few tortilla chips and a slice of bread here and there, not a smart decision. I researched the process of Ketosis that is happening to my body and decided if I wanted to take advantage of this small window of about 9 months to 1 year when the weight loss is most likely to happen, I had better get serious and stop eating simple carbohydrates. I have done that now and feel really good about it. I guess I was trying to test my sleeve or something. I will be diligent about what goes in my mouth knowing that "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels". Yea Me! Getting enough water has been the hardest part of this journey and I am so trying to get better with that. Like so many people have said, "I wish I had done this sooner", better late than never. When I have lost 50 lbs, I will share pictures. Thanks for reading.

No pre-op diet? It's supposed to help shrink your liver to make room for what they need to do inside there. It will also give you a head start on the weight loss. I was on a 2 week pre-op diet that consisted of 2 protein shakes a day and 1 meal of lean protein and some veggies. Plenty of water...48-64 oz suggested. Good luck to you.

So, with every bite of food or sip of water I get this pressure like pain when air is trying to to get out while I'm trying to get something in. What is this all about and will it stop?

Same thing happened to me two weeks ago. I was told as long I didn't have a fever or cough, they would go ahead with the surgery. It never did turn into anything serious. Because of being under anesthesia, it was important that my lungs were clear for breathing. Load up on Vitamin C and get as much rest as possible. Good luck!!

Applesauce, scrambled egg, refried beans, guacamole, cottage cheese, pureed chicken w/ gravy...oh, and protein drinks. This is getting very boring though. I have a problem eating pureed meat. If it weren't for the protein drinks, I would never get enough protein.

OK, thanks for your insight. I was just hoping it wasn't something wrong with the way I was sewn up or something. I'll just wait for it to pass and eat SLOWER!!! The hardest the thing to do.

Happy Birthday!!! This is the first day your new life. Good Luck!!!!

I do have pain at the incision sites, but the liquid hydrocodone makes me vomit. I want my IV drip back. Anyone else with this problem? Also, even the thought of eating or drinking makes me feel sick.Can't seem to get enough fluids down.

I agree, the waiting to finally get the surgery is hard. The day of was no big deal, the 24 hrs following, I felt pretty yucky. I'm 3 days post-op and feeling better each day. Am looking forward to full-liquids tomorrow. Broth just isn't palatable, but I'm thinking creamy chicken soup will be as well as the protein shakes, I really like them...as least I did before surgery. Good luck, and I just keep thinking "Nothing tastes as good as being thin and healthy feels"

ok, what about that gas? When does that go away. Seems I'm constantly burping and it's not terribly comfortable. Got hiccupps today, that was fun....

Thank you. I needed that. Feeling better now that I vomited and the thought of any other than water doesn't sound as bad as yesterday. Got a lot of sleep last night, maybe that helped. Thanks again.

Well, here goes!! Still fighting a cold, praying for a clear chest x-ray at hospital. They say it's still on for 1:45 today. I am soooo ready for this. Just want to get on with the beginning of the rest of my life as a thin person, an active person, a happy person. See you on the other side

I can't wait to look like that!!! Good work.

Happy losing to you all!!!

Has this happened to anyone? Will they still do the surgery or will I have to reschedule?

Has this happened to anyone else? Will they make me reschedule?

Thank you so much. I feel better already.

Insurance approved on the first try...YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3rd day on 2-week liver shrinking diet. Not so bad, but only 3rd day. Surgery date March 28. I cannot wait...very excited. The butterflies have not shown up quite yet.

It sounds like you're losing inches, so the numbers on the scale won't reflect that. The way clothes fit should be your indicator at this point. Several pant sizes is great!

Congrats!! Feels awesome, right? When is your surgery scheduled?

I have BCBS of AZ and they approved it 1 week to the day after it was sent in. They told me they had 30 days to review it. If all of your papers were in order, they'll approve it. I was freaking out because my surgery is scheduled for March 28th and the papers were sent in on March 1st approved March 8th. Good luck to you!!

Younger and HOT!! Congrats

My name is Nicole, 45 yrs old, 250 lbs. My heaviest ever. I've struggled with my weight since my early 20's. I was diagnosed with MS in 2004 and since then have put on weight consistently. I kept telling myself "by my next birthday..." Well, many birthdays have come and gone. I started thinking about surgery a year and a half ago and my insurance would have paid for it, but the criteria was near to impossible to meet. I have since gained a terrific job with 'Cadillac' insurance that will cover it easily. The final straw was that my knees are shot, my mobility is like an 80 year old at times, I now have sleep apnea and have to use a CPAP. Portion control has always been my enemy. My friends ask, "Why can't you just do the diet portion of the surgery without doing the surgery it self?" Because I obviously do not have that kind of will power. Knowing that if I overeat with the sleeve, 'dumping', 'pouch stretching', or any number of unpleasant things can happen will keep me in check. I have tried many diets...many times and I feel the sleeve is my last hope. My father is obese with diabetes, my grandmother was obese with diabetes and I'm built just like them both. I need to get a handle on this weight so that I can enjoy the second half of my life. I have wasted a lot of mine and my families time with being unable to do things like hiking (knee pain), Disneyland (too much walking), and going to the beach (not about to put on a suit). I have a 12 year old daughter who I know is not happy about my being tired all the time and unable to do the things her friend's mom's do with them. I have finally decided that it's time to get real about my weight and do something about it. The sleeve is for me and reading all of your stories has really helped solidify this decision. I'm 2 months away from surgery and can't wait to begin working on the new me.