ItsFinallyMyTime

My doc said if it fits thru your strainer - its liquid. I had a strainer with a pretty open grid... LOL so I had slightly thicker stuff then some- but never had issues - and I did run everything thru my tea strainer- the kind you hold over the cup as you pour. I blended everything and added liquid til it did fit thru that strainer! LOL

Im FINALLY SET! May 22nd Forest Park Hosp Plano Area TX. I am using Dr Nick.... anyone else out there gonna be in there with me?

OK, I am a little over a month out. I am struggling getting in my protein (aren't we all). So today I was determine to get at least 60g in my body. I had it all figured out.... so I thought. I had a can of tuna - which is on 3 oz of meat. I figured if I took an hour to eat it I could fit it all in and make that protein mark! Nope.... I was feeling what I believe if my new "full" ( I am still learning) but there was just one more bite left. I did it... I ate the one more bite... OOOOOOOPS...... Wont be doing that again! I thought it went down... but it just kind of sat there almost in my tummy. then that one last bite came back out! I didnt loose my whole lunch - just that one last bite - but... ugh what a horrible feeling and apin just before it came back out! Lesson Learned!!! DONT EAT THAT ONE LAST BITE! I am going to measure things out from now on too. 1/4 and no more!

Wow! coffee is apassionate topic - LOL I love coffee! I grew up on a coffee farm and roasted my own (Hawaii). I cant stand decaf. My docs list says decaf coffee only. Well, some things I have chosen to research and make my own decisions on. Keep in mind I am 4 weeks out and have had absolutly no complications and had no co-morbidities prior to surgery. I never got heart-burn or acid reflux. However - I do know that coffee has quite a list of possible bad side effects (and good ones too). It can cause heartburn, it is acidic, it does suppress the apetite but it also causes an increased hunger when the suppression wears off - thus you get the rollercoaster effect. Caffeine causes dehydration, and is a diuretic, and can also cause loose bowels in some and others the exact opposite. Not to mention that the caffeine can cause malabsorption of Calcium. I have not had side effects from coffee prior to surgery, and now post op - I am taking so many Vitamins and calcium, and drinking far more Water than i ever did before, I have chosen to go ahead and enjoy my one (half) cup a day, but I make sure I have a full bottle of water prior to or just after. I am a coffee purist - lol..... dont want my coffee meesed up with Protein powder or flavors. So far my new tummy doesnt mind a 1/2 cup of coffee - I drink it very slowly tho.... make it last at least an hour

I am certainly not suggesting you change your plans, but Dr NIck has personally been at three of my meetings at the Dr office, and he was very friendly and funny, and put me at ease each time. He said he would consult with me just before I go out and check with me when its over. I am set for Monday... so we will see. But I am very secure and happy in my choice

My date is May 22nd too! I am sure your approval will come and all will be well. The waiting was the hardest part of the whole ordeal. Now I am 6 days in to the pre-op diet and the days are flying by - your will be too!

Two dear friends from work have used him. They loved him and his staff and had great experience. I am using Dr Nick

How long does Aetna take to reply (approve) once everything is submitted? I have Aetna Chioce POS II. Anyone been approved witht his insurance - if so how long was the turn around?

Aetna has two choices that will qualify you for surgery. One is the path I choose, and the other is the 6 months of Dieting. You can find Aetna's guidelines on their website by doing a search once you are in the website for bariatric surgery. It details all the requirements for your plan. But whatever you have to do... stay on them cause you are your best advocate!

@College_Chick, My weight situation is very similar. Is it right at BMI 40 ish... but had yoyo success over past few years and am pretty healthy so no real medical documentation except when I was at a low point of weight. I got a letter from my doctor in which he listed.the highest weights I have been for the past 6 years (information I had to tell him because I have only been seeing him for 3 yrs) He wrote my basic info... years and high weight for each year on his letter head and that is what we submitted and got approved... It bypassed the low weights and just listed the high weights of each year... It may be worth a try... AETNA accepted it.

OK update... I completed the intro visit at Dr Nicks, 90 days of Nutritional counseling ( 4 visits total), the Psyche Eval (1 visit), the Sleep study (1 overnight visit), second visit to Dr Nick, gathered 2 yr weight history ( by the way if you don't have adequate documented weight history - your primary doc can just write a note on letterhead stating your weights). My case was submitted to Aetna on April 23rd and was approved May 7th. This was a 14 day turn around, but I did stay on Aetna and the ins negotiator at my DR office almost daily... the file on top will get the attention . This Journey began with first visit with DR Nick on Dec 20th 2012 and was approved May 7th (138 days, or 19.7 weeks for the process) Surgery is scheduled for May 22nd. I am now in 2 week pre-op diet and SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!

I started my pre-op diet yesterday as well. My pre-op is 4-5 protein meal replacements ( 3 shakes and 2 bars if needed) and a lean 4 oz meat and 1 cup of steamed veggies for dinner. However, I have done a ton of reading and research on all aspects of this before I began. There is a company called Unjury and they make a protein packed chicken broth (soup) meal replacer for any liquid phase of this whole thing. It taste great and totally helps with that savory warm craving that I get in the evenings. I am not a sweet person either. They also make a cheese flavored protein powder that you can add to anything - including chicken broth or tomato soup - or just mix with warm water for a cheese sauce. It is made for bariatric patients and I bet your NUT will approve The nutrition in the chicken soup is equal to or better than the carnation replacer. And easy on the liver - which is the whole reason for this pre-op diet.

I am in the same situation. I have submitted for approval but fearing a denial because my weights in 2011 were only 38 and 39 BMI because I had gone thru a divorce and was living alone and had a short success at a new diet, but ultimately I ALWAYS gain it all back and am now once again 41 and 42 BMI. Have been my whole life except on the tail end of a ahrd diet and then the slow rise back up...I have Aetna POS CHoice II I did get a letter from my doctor listing higher weights prior to 2011 - but they are not documented on anything but his letterhead. I did not have insurance before 2010 as I have been self employed and healthy- almost never going to a doctor - Im very homeopathic.. I still have hope and am praying the letter does it!!! I hope you find a remedy too.... It is awful to feel like we are punished for having temporary success on a diet!!!!!

Thanks LonghornNiner, I did get a list of things to do prior to surgery. I have done them all and will complete the list on April 17th. It included the 90 day Nutritional counseling, 2 yr weight history, psyche eval, sleep study, plus two visits to actual DR doing surgery. They (the Nicholson Clinic) told me once all that was submitted they would send to Aetna for approval and schedule surgery as soon as they get approval. I am just trying to figure out how quick Aetna is at approving once everything is submitted