Mel1071

Congrats! I agree with each surgeon is different. I've had none of the pre-op bloodwork, EKG, etc, but my doc just wants me doing a 2 day liquid diet. Other people with a different surgeon in the same practice have to do 2 weeks. Sometimes there's no method to the madness

Ah, another example of insurance screwing things up. While part of me hates that my insurance company won't cover anything related to WLS, part of me is glad to not have to deal with the BS. To give you an idea of just how screwed up insurance is - you're being asked to pay ~3K of the 6K anesthesia cost. My self pay rate for anesthesia is $1500 total.

Keep up the great work! You have definitely been rocking your sleeve!

As of right now I'm scheduled or December 16 @ 8am - only a 2 day pre-op diet. After meeting with the surgeon here in town and feel very confident I am in very good hands. Love him and his office manager.

Looking through the materials I got at my consult, i see that the post op diet in the weeks past the soft/pureed stages looks a lot like what I've see people post - 60-80 g protein, 64 oz of water. But what did strike me as odd was the calorie range. It's 400-600 until 75% of excess weight is lost. That seems a little low to me but maybe that's just my pre-op mind and eating habits being shocked

Nope, no physical limitations. This manual goes to every patient getting a sleeve. It appears they expect us to stay at 400-600 calories for a year based on the info I see. I just think that's a bit excessive. I could see that for the first few months - but an entire year? Here's the page:

Also, after talking with me, my surgeon waived my psych consult requirement. As far as other things like nutritional counseling - I was given a super thorough "owner's manual" and also set up with a pre-op class with the nutritionist about 3 weeks before surgery. I asked him about losing weight ahead of time and he said he wasn't so much concerned about losing weight ahead of time but that at about six weeks prior I should really be thinking of trying to focus on not gaining anything and that any loss would just be a bonus. Who are you going with?

I am self pay and had my consult on Tuesday at 10am. By 11:30 my surgery and pre-op work dates and times had been scheduled. I requested a surgery date in December but I was told I pretty much could get in whenever I wanted. I guess that's the only advantage of going self pay

Was the heart condition something that wouldn't be picked up in the pre-op work that's done in Mexico? Or do they not do the same pre-op work that is typically done here? I will say I was brutally honest on my paperwork to my doc. I figure now is not the time to hold anything back. Might just be since I've never had surgery and the unknown scares me.

I was looking at the BJs Bariatrics site and saw this: http://www.bjsbariatrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=bjb&Product_Code=prtDevRom100TabChewable&Category_Code=new And I was hoping this wasn't associated with the sleeve

Thanks guys. Yesterday was not easy - yes, I left the office feeling pretty darned elated. I mean, I not only have a surgery date (12/16), I already have a time (8am). And overall the process of getting to that point was pretty painless But man, when I got home, I was thinking WTH did I just do? Can't I just try to lose weight on my own again? But then I realized, uh, we'll. that hasn't exactly worked out considering I've never lost more than 42 pounds - didn't keep that off either. And what's to say I won't just keep putting on weight? So then I had a good cry snuggled up with my pups, and then had another one when hubby got home. Slept like crap last night. Woke up today feeling still a bit worn out but overall I am feeling a little better about my decision. I imagine the next few months are going to be a crazy roller coaster of emotions. In one way I wish I could schedule the surgery earlier and not obsess about it for months. But in another way I'm kind of glad I have time to process everything and start gearing up for my new lifestyle. Weight loss surgery right before Christmas - what kind of a masochist am I? Lol

So as of Monday I was torn between 2 doctors and really wasn't sure if I was going to stay close to home or travel to Dallas to save some $$$. And no answer was imminent as I didn't have my surgical consult with the local doc until Sept. 9. Well, late Monday I got a call from the local doc saying there was a cancellation and could I come in Tuesday so of course I jumped on it. Fast forward to now. I am officially excited/overwhelmed/scared. The consult went great. Love my surgeon and his office manager. I am having surgery on December 16 @ 8am, my pre-op stuff has been scheduled, I've attended a support group meeting already...I mean yesterday was a crazy busy day! Of course right now I'm having a heckuva time sleeping. Every emotion possible is going through my head. I can't even imagine how things will be closer to my surgery date. I'm sure I will have more to add but I just wanted to get this out there. And also say thanks to so many folks who have been so welcoming here. This is a huge decision and it's so good to talk to folks who are where I am now and also where I want to be.

Here's a great thread and downloadable checklist: http://www.verticals...surgery-thread/ Good luck to you! Hope you have a speedy recovery!

Love it!!!

Last week after attending an informational seminar, I decided to go ahead an set up a consult with the surgeon. Earliest I could get in to see him was September 9 - which today it hits me, dang, that's 4 weeks away! So I called his office today to see if any cancellations come up. They said none had, but they would call me if any did. Lo and behold - they called me a few minutes ago - a cancellation came in and I can see him at 10 tomorrow! Must sit down and write out all the questions I thought I had plenty of time to do! Must also remember to breathe

I've been on contact with a few folks who have used this doctor. They were great about answering questions. Love the support on this board! Only one negative - not sure if my hubby is going to be able to make the appointment on this short of a notice And of course, now I've forgotten everything I wanted to ask lol But I know everything will work out for the best

I am in the process of debating the pros and cons of two surgeons - Dr. Nicholson in Dallas and Dr. Houston in Nashville. I live just outside of Nashville so it seems like the logical choice would be to go with Dr. Houston. But, since I'm going the self-pay route, I have to factor price in my decision. Here's my pros and cons list thus far: Nicholson Pros Great reputation, including bedside manner Price $12,200 Pretty much guaranteed I could get in for surgery in December Cons Won't get to meet him or have pre-op work done until day before surgery Have to travel almost 11 hours - kinda worried about that on the ride home If post-op complications pop up, I am on my own - and insurance may very well not cover any of that care Only aftercare will be phone calls to his office Houston Pros Great reputation 90 days of post-op complications covered Office 25 minutes from my house Plenty of support pre and post op Cons Probably $18,800 when all is said and done Not sure if I could have surgery in December with him. Two reasons - not sure if I will have enough $$$ saved by then and he's out of the office for 2 weeks in December. Will know more after my consult with him. I'm torn - now that I've made up my mind to have the surgery, I want it done ASAP. December would be great because I teach and my classes end December 11 and don't restart until January, uh, 19th maybe? Plus my husband has off 2 weeks in December and can take care of me. If I don't have surgery in December, the earliest I could have surgery would be the end of the Spring semester - some time in May. I could save more $$$ but I'm like, man, that's 6 months from December. If I had surgery in December, I could be down some significant poundage in six months. I think I am leaning toward going with Houston. I think I'm just worried if something goes wrong, for peace of mind and wallet, staying close to home just makes more sense than traveling anywhere. Plus with Houston, I get access to their nutritionist, exercise physiologist, support groups, etc. I know a lot of folks here have traveled to get the surgery - do you feel like you missed having the aftercare? Thanks for letting me think this issue "out loud." Melissa

I, too, have insurance that have WLS as an exclusion. I talked to my surgeon's office to see if there was any hope of getting it approved despite the exclusion. The woman I talked to said the only way they have had any success is if the insurance policy is "self-funded." So find out from your HR folks if it's a self-funded policy and see if you have any luck that way. Mine was, alas, not self funded .

Hi Shauna, Still in the pre-op stage myself. I see you are a fellow TN gal I understand what you're going through. I go from thinking, man, this is the best decision ever to what the heck am I thinking? lol I'm looking at going to Centennial - insurance won't cover it so I have to go self pay. I have my consult on Sept 9 so I'll be asking about possible surgery dates and the first time I would look at is December (and that's if I can come up with a good chunk of the $$$ before then). Let me know if you need someone to talk to or just to obsess over things with lol Melissa

At my center the info session is free. The consult with the surgeon is $205 and not covered in the self pay fees. Not sure how it works if your insurance is covering everything.

Personal chef and culinary arts instructor.

Well, I was leanly heavily toward going to Dallas and have Dr. Nicholson do it. But I went to a seminar at a local place (I live in TN) and am rethinking leaving home to have it done. I just need to see if it's worth almost 6K more to stay close to home (12,200 vs 18,000-something). As I'm trying to limit the amount I finance, if I go to Dr. Nick I can have it done this year - staying close to home I may have to wait until next year.

13g of protein is about 1.5 cups of milk. I am not a Starbucks drinker but I am guessing a triple grande latte could contain that much milk.

Good luck! Here's to a smooth process

I went to a seminar tonight too - probably not the same one unless you are in TN. Best advice I have is talk to the folks at the doctor's office - especially their insurance specialist and have that person guide you. Good luck!