karpouzian

This is the month I have to wait for my insurance, wait for my testing, and Amit for my surgery to be scheduled! Time can't go by fast enough

But the best part is, after the psych OKs me, they submit to my insurance, and I start the 'big battery of tests', and then they schedule my surgery!

The subject says it all. It tastes like drinking a sip of orange juice with a crushed multivitamin

Me too , thank you.

Today my wife and I went to the surgeon consultation/nutritionist appointment. First of all, my provider's website emailed me a message that I had an appointment at 2 with the nurse practitioner... Odd, I thought, the letter I got in the mail said 1pm. Well, I called to clarify, and the nutritionist was at one, and the LNP was at 2. So, we were told to arrive 15 minutes early per the instructions received. When we arrived, we were told that the office is at lunch from 12-1, and so it would be A few minutes before I was helped... Well, that is perfectly understandable, but then why was I asked to come 15 minutes early? So we sit in the waiting room, waiting for the siesta to end. About 5 till, another patient/SO walk in, and up to the window... They took all of his information, and assisted him... Yet we were there, sitting, waiting for lunch to end Ok, so we were then helped, and went in to the nutritionist.. (That was one of my few complaints, otherwise I was very happy with the whole event, and all things considered, it was very minor). Especially since we went into the nutritionist basically right on time. The four of us, myself, my wife, and the other couple went in to the nutritionist, and this woman, in the 56 minutes she saw us did not stop talking for breath once. She went over, in plenty of detail, the Protein we're expected to take, the different supplements that the different surgeries require, and then went into detail on portion sizes, the Importance of staying hydrated, the pre-packaged foods/utensils common to a weight loss surgery patient, and then the five different phases of the diet, pre and post surgery. The 2 weeks pre-op is Clear liquids with the exception of orange juice, tomato juice, and Protein shakes. After the surgery, 2 more weeks of clear liquids. Whole liquids/soft foods for a month, puréed/soft foods for a number of months, then normal foods after that. She was quite knowledgable, and as I mentioned before, a very fast talker (I'm grateful I read all of her handouts-they were online) before I went, otherwise I would be lost... We then went to speak to 'the insurance lady' one of the surgeon's staff who handles the maze of insurance for the patients... She knew I had Cigna... She admitted she didn't deal with them often, but she had just worked with a patient who had them, and offered to look through her file to see what hoops (if any) they had to jump through... She asked me if I knew cigna's requirements, and I handed her their requirements. She told me I would need a PCP supervised diet for three months, I let her know I had completed that, she told me they would make an appointment for the psychiatrist, I let her know I had an appointment set up a month ago to take place next Wednesday. She then looked at me, told me that I had pretty much everything well in hand (sincerely, not sarcastically), and that she would submit to insurance after the psych eval. She said it typically takes 7-10 days for approval after that, and then we would get all of the testing scheduled. She gets them all taken care of on one day, then the test results go right to the dr. If there are any serious conditions that would prevent the surgery, they would get taken care of, then the surgery will scheduled, otherwise after the tests results came back, a surgery would date would be set. We asked how long in advance a date for surgery would be scheduled after approval and test results are back, and she made it sound like less than a week or two if the patient wants. She did ask if I was using my Cpap machine, and I was honest she stated the importance it played, and I contacted my pcp by email when I got out of her office, and asked if I could get a script for a Cpap machine based on earlier test results/titration. Then, because I had the insurance issues 'well in hand' (that meeting usually takes more than ten minutes I hear), I guess my OCD paid off in this case Well, the office was trying to be efficient by having the other couple in with the LPN, while we were doing insurance stuff, but since we were through with that pretty quickly, we had to wait a while in the waiting room. Then we met with the LNP, and she was great. She went over my medical history, reiterated about the Cpap machine, and then asked about my medical history... She found out that I had a dvt and asked some questions about it. She admitted she was not a hemotologist, but she was going to add a hemotologist to my staff. She said that the hematologist would either have a more extensive test done to see if this (DVTs) are something I have a genetic predisposition for, or if they would just 'put me on lovenox shots for a while after the surgery. I HATE Lovenox! It does awful things to me, but I'd rather jump through their hoops. If it comes down to it, I'll ask for an alternative treatment method. If none exists, I'll suck it up and take Lovenox shots. She asked what surgery I was leaning towards, and I said barring any advice she had, I was looking at the sleeve, Nd went into details on why. She was very impressed I had actually done my homework (much like 'insurance lady'). We talked about commitment to the surgery, and to the program, and if I wasn't on board 100%, I should just not do it-wasting my time and theirs. She said it much more respectfully than that, but I respect their program much more because she said it. My wife and the LNP shed a few tears when they were discussing my support system, and she commented on the hand squeezes, or Arm around the shoulder we wold occasionally give each other, which showed her I have a great support system-she was 1000% correct I'm very lucky. That was my day, any questions?

Though YMMV (your mileage may vary), my nutritionist told me 1 Centrum chewable a day, 1 Vitamin B1 (100mg) a day, 1 b12 (500 mcg) a day, 1 vitamin d3 (1000 iu a day), calcium citrate w/ Vitamin D (1000mg a day/1500 for women), Vitamin C - 250mg a day - note, these need to be chewable, sublingual, or liquid.

Mu nutritionist said the waxy coating on the gummies keep them from being absorbed as well, no matter how well they are chewed.

Well, I can't answer post-surgery, but I have to shower 2 (or more) times a day, because I'm always a sweaty mess, and I'm ALWAYS too hot... I hope it helps!

Do you think it would be a valuable resource for members if I were to review each protein drink/product I tried during my liquid diet?

Awesome! And good luck!

Aque, may I ask what you did or didn't do to get denied the first time?

It went well. I'll post a longer 'review' in a bit.

My initial consult is today. Here goes... Everything!

Ashlie, don't feel bad... I'm on meds for anxiety and depression, and I don't think that will rule me out. They just want to make sure you are ready for life changes, ya know?

/sigh and samples are freaking expensive... Mu NUT suggests: • GNC Pro Performance 100% whey Protein powder • ON 100% Whey Gold Standard Powder • Body Fortress 100% Whey Protein Powder • EAS 100% Whey Protein Powder • Beneprotein Powder • Super Whey Protein Shot or Pro Balance Protein Shot • ProMod liquid Predigested Protein • GNC Pro Performance Liquid Protein • Nature’s Best Perfect Isopure Zero Carb • Proteinex Liquid Predigested Protein • Gatorade Recovery 3 (not shakes or smoothies) • Special K2 O Protein Water or Stick To Go • Bariatric Advantage ProGo Protein Elixir/Shot • Pro Source No Carb Liquid Predigested Protein So not much help weeding out my choices...

Once they know they will get their money, how long is it usually before the surgery is actually scheduled?

There is a 200 program fee in waterloo, ia, and that covers random stuff like a newsletter, and who knows what else... No personal training, though. Program Fee We at the Midwest Institute of Advanced Laparoscopic SurgeryTM are dedicated to your success. Education is a vital component in reaching your goals. The education process begins with the information seminar, in person or on-line, and is continued through the evaluation, pre-operative work-up, hospitalization and during your lifetime follow-up. Our multidisciplinary program provides the following to meet this important element: • Monthly support groups • Nutritional guidelines • Vitamin supplement requirements • Quarterly newsletters • Dietary modifications • On-going communication with your primary care physician The program fee of $200 can be paid with cash, cashier’s check or credit card. The first half of the payment is due at the time of your consultation appointment and the remaining $100 is due at your final pre-operative appointment. This fee is not covered by insurance and is non-refundable.

This is great to hear about Cigna and fast approvals... I've done my 3 months, my consultation is this coming Wednesday, psych consult the next Wednesday, my pcp is totally on board, and in the same network as my surgeon... Hopefully this will be a relatively quick process...

I'm really interested in how long it takes you... As i have cigna also... May I be so bold to ask your BMW and co-morbidites? Gosh, I must be getting rude, am kind of (in a very round about way) asking someone their weight!

I'm afraid I'll have gone through all of this, and they'll tell me I can't have the surgery I'm afraid insurance won't cover it (they will). I'm afraid my surgery date will be a hundred billion years from now. I'm afraid of the liquid diet pre-op I'm afraid of not 'being able' to eat slowly or 'sip' my drinks I'm afraid not drinking before or after eating will suck (is that word acceptable?) /sigh I know these are for the most part unfounded fears, but I'm being honest here, right? The one thing I'm not afraid of is the surgery itself. Ironic, eh?

I want to get the sleeve based on the research I've done, (removes the hunger creating chemical producer from your body), your stomach can still be scoped, less surgery time, less recovery time, etc. but I also hear good things about the bypass... My consult is on Wednesday, and I'm going to ask the nurse practitioner which she recommends for my specific case, but ultimately I think it will be my decision. Convince me that I'm making the correct one.

I know I can do the liquid diet, I just feel really bad for my family, co-workers, friends, strangers, people on the Internet, etc. because I'm going to be IRRITABLE!!!!!