hduckey

I had that problem too. I would just feel unsatisfied after a meal. I am only 1 week post-op, and I have had no problems getting in all of my fluids and all three meals. I do have a problem getting in all of the protein, because the protein shakes just fill me up way too much. But even after a meal, I would still find my stomach rumbling. Finally I tried just eating a tablespoon of natural peanut butter. My stomach stop grumbling, I felt satisfied, and haven't had any problems since. I don't know if this will help others, but it was on my food list from my doctor, so I gave it a go. Sometimes I wonder if we just aren't getting enough healthy fat in our diet because of the small portions and the fact that most of us are probably eating chicken and very low-fat meats and vegetables. Just my thought!

I called my insurance company everyday too. I have Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia. The first time that I called I just verified that they had received all of my paperwork. The next time I called I was told it was in review with a nurse case manager. I asked if they had made any notations in the case and if any additional paperwork was needed. I pretty much kept asking the same questions each day that I called. Finally, today, after a week of calling and annoying them to no end, they told me I was approved! They will be sending a letter to both me and my doctor. I have to wait for the doctor's office to actually receive the approval in writing before I can move forward. Some more waiting LOL. But at least it's through insurance! I would definitely recommend just calling, if not every day, at least a couple times a week until you get an answer. I work for a company that reviews medications for insurance. And if we need more information, a lot of times we just send out a letter or a fax. So it can take some time for the doctor to get the letter that says we need more information. Which then of course delays the processing of your case. So I figured if I called and checked whether or not additional information was needed, that I could relay it verbally to my doctor's office, if necessary, and it would save time.

Approved! I just called my insurance and they said I was approved. I'm so excited! They said they mailed a letter to my doctor. So, now I just have to wait for the doctor

SmileyGal12, I will take that advice too! I find myself checking my phone every 15 minutes at work to see if I missed a call. I almost feel stalker-ish LOL. It definitely is the most nervous I have been about anything in awhile. Good luck to you! I hope you hear something soon.

It's so nice to read about other people that are in the same boat that I'm in! The wait is just torture. I finished my 6 month supervised diet on July 6th. The surgeon's office took until July 12th to submit my paperwork to insurance. And at this point I am still waiting to hear back from insurance. I have called a couple of times and have been told that it is in review with the nurse case manager. Hoping I hear something soon! I have Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and have been told that they have up to 15 business days, but I'm hoping it doesn't take that long. Praying that I hear something tomorrow so that I don't have to go the whole weekend without knowing again.

Bri24, I'm glad everything worked out for you. What a nightmare! How are you doing since surgery? I am still waiting to hear from insurance. I have Anthem BCBS. I've read through all of their requirements and I meet all of them, so hopefully I won't have to deal with denials. But you never know... I am having the sleeve as well. Hopefully Dr. Inman won't be as busy and things will move a little more quickly. What did you think of St. Vincent's overall? I am just full of anxiety right now. I'm ready to get this done! The waiting is killing me lol.

Hello! I am also getting sleeved by Dr. Inman at St. Vincent. I just finished my 6 month supervised diet and psych eval and the surgeon's office submitted all of my paperwork to my insurance last Thursday, so I'm hoping I hear something soon. I have to go through all of the medical clearance tests and a pre-op class that supposedly takes a few hours. I hear a lot of people saying they do these steps first and then submit to insurance, but I guess St Vincent's is a little different. I am hoping it goes pretty quickly after the insurance approval! Bri24, how long did you end up having to wait for a surgery date?

Thank you for your responses! I don't mind going to the counselor. Sometimes it's nice to talk with someone about things in general. My concern is the time that it is taking. I work night shift in a very stressful position. I really want to change jobs, but I can't leave until after the surgery because of insurance. So, the longer I have to attend this counseling, the longer I have to stay in this job. It's like a vicious circle for me. Anxiety and stress = counseling; counseling = staying in current job. staying in current job = anxiety and stress. Oh the irony! Maybe she will clear me for surgery soon. I'm going to talk to her about WHY I need the counseling before the surgery next time. That is what no one has explained to me. Why does it matter if I have anxiety/stress in my life? How does that effect the surgery? Obviously others with anxiety disorders have made it through and have gotten cleared for the surgery, so I'm sure I will too. I just have to persevere in this job until they say I'm good to go. Hopefully sooner rather than later

I had my psych eval a while back and there was an error on the test that made them believe I had an eating disorder. I was made to go to a counselor so that they could verify that I didn't have one. Of course, she delved into every part of my life. So, now she feels that I have some anxiety and they are making me attend counseling for anxiety before they will approve me for surgery. I have never been on medication or been to counseling for any anxiety/depression issues before and have been through nursing school, many life changes, and other surgeries just fine. They kind of kept me in the dark until today. The counselor kept having me come back to see her and would never give me a straight answer about if I was cleared for surgery. The social worker at the weight loss center finally told me today that I have to continue with counseling until the counselor clears me for surgery. And I only received that answer after I called a few times and bothered her about what paper work she needed showing I didn't have any type of eating disorder (since that was the original issue). Not sure why no one shared the plan with me.... Has anyone else experienced this? Or can anyone tell me why they are making me do this? How does having mild anxiety effect my ability to have this surgery?

I agree. Time off is a great idea - especially in our line of work. I think I can work out about 3 weeks off of work at this point. How long are you all allowing yourself for recovery before returning to the floor? I have a few months before my paperwork should be sent through for insurance approval, so if I need to work out more time, I may be able to do so. I'm wondering if I can use short term disability benefits?? I haven't approached human resources with that question yet - I figured I would wait until I get my surgery date first.

Wow! You look great! I have just about as much to lose as you did. Same starting weight and I'm on a 5'3.5 frame - so almost identical. I pray mine turns out as well as yours. I'm still in the pre-op phase, so I have a while to go. But congrats to you for all of your success! I have the same question as the last poster. Did you work out alot? How did you keep the loose skin at bay?