SassyTink

Good for you! I had my sleeve done in November 2013, at 60 years old and it has changed my life. It is a wonderful tool. Listen to your Dr.'s and stay the course. I feel and look twenty years younger and you will too. Sassy Tink!

I had a terrible reaction to Splenda. Be careful, it could cause heart palpitations and anxiety. I ended up in the Emergency Room thinking I was having a heart attack!!

All of us experience this. Stay the course, keeping your Protein high, carbs low and at least 64 oz of Water. You will get back to losing in a week or so. Patience!!

Nancy try to get a copy of your entire policy regarding Bariatric Surgery through you HR or through BCBS of NJ. I went through hell. If you want to read my story go up to the search box above and type in BCBS of Illinois, I can't believe it. My advise to you is knowledge is power......read your entire policy so you know what they cover. Sassy

My light bulb moment happened this week. I had my surgery on November 22 and have done pretty well. I have stayed the course and have not swayed from my list of acceptable Protein options prior to this mini vacation. This week I went to San Francisco to care for my aged father. When I arrived in SF I went to the market immediately and bought my Dannon light and fit yogurt, cottage cheese, Light Baby Bel cheese and turkey slices before I even went to my Dad's. I wanted to make sure I continue to make good choices when it came to food. Seven days later....... I am home and food wasn't an issue. For the first time in decades I took control of my eating habits when visiting the family in San Francisco. I said NO to a cannoli, NO to a Joe's hamburger, NO to a Tostada, NO to a crepe, etc.......my response was, "Can I meet you afterwards?" I always carried a Baby Bel Cheese in my purse and always felt satisfied. I came home 4 pounds lighter and the feeling........I GOT THIS!

When somebody says something to me about it being the easy way out I respond, "Would you be willing to cut off 75% of your stomach to make weight loss easy?" Easy is the incorrect word ....... brave is more like it!

Actually, if you did not have some sort of fear at having 75% of your stomach removed you wouldn't be normal. It is very scary and very permanent. Let me tell you, it is so worth it. I am a little over a month out from my surgery and I feel great. Your stomach feels as if you just finish eating at an all you can eat buffet, stuffed, but all you have consumed is a half cup of no fat cottage cheese. I seem to want to eat things that I need to fuel my body instead of what tastes and looks good. I love being in control of portions.......because my stomach makes me be in control. Good luck.........exciting.

Keep in mind that if you were on supervised weight loss prior to you surgery, like may of us, than it is going to be a little slower weight loss. I was on 1200 calories a day for 6 months and a week prior to surgery a liquid protein fast. Now, 500 calories a day. That is a deficit of 700 calories a day X's 7 days in a week= 4900 calories week deficit. Exercise will help my numbers but I am looking at 1 1/2 pounds loss a week. Slowly but surely I will win this battle. Stay the course and only weigh yourself once a week.

You are going to find that when you start with puree 1/2 cup will fill you up. Take that extra bite and you will feel so full you are uncomfortable. I felt the same when when I would drink my Trader Joe's Latin Bean Soup the first week. I could drink that cup straight down. You are just fine.

Ladyd728, I didn't tell my own father that I was having Bariatric Surgery! He is 89 years old, judgmental of my weight, so he was told I was having a hiatal hernia repaired. (Which I did). He didn't needed to be burdened with the information and I didn't need to be burdened with his comments. It has been a win win situation for all!

This really hit me: "Today is my 39th Birthday and I remember last year thinking it would be my last fat birthday." Last June, when I turned 60 I thought to myself, this will hopefully be my last fat birthday. You have made me believe that I too will be skinny on my next birthday. Thank you for your inspiration.

Those 25 pounds you lose will be the most difficult part of this entire journey. I am two weeks sleeved and had the same 6 month restrictions. Thank goodness I was on target with my weight loss and got the surgery. Now, although challenging, the weight is falling off! You have got to get through the next 3 months and lose those 13 pounds and you will never have these struggles again. It is a small price to play for a lifetime of great eating habits!

I am 9 days out and feel TERRIFIC! I have never had nausea, minor pains at stitch sight, was able to walk a few hours after I got out of recovery, had the energy to host Thanksgiving, and now loving my sleeve. Try not to worry about your surgery you have so much to look forward to.

I too, am hypothyroid and was not a huge eater. I would eat 1200 a day, walk a mile a day, not drink any alcohol and was only able to maintain being morbidly obese. If I went down to 500 calories a day, starving myself, I could lose weight. That is an unrealistic plan for anyone. My nickname was Olive Oyl as a little girl, so weight was never an issue until the last 10 years. This surgery has given me a chance to regain me. I am 9 days out, from surgery, and down 12.5 pounds. Does it work?? You betcha!!! Thyroid or not.

Do you mean November 8, 2013? I had mine on the 22 November and everything stays down. Small sips and no liquids while eating my yogurt and puree soups.

Wonderful! Now on to the next phase, the exciting part!

Right now I am so devastated I can barely type. My process began on March 20 2013, when I notified BCBS of Illinois concerning Bariatric Surgery. Below is a copy of the correspondence: 03/20/2013 18:44:00 -- Member Question: Hello Unfortunately, at this time I am looking into Bariatric Surgery at the recommendation of my internist. We have a Blue Distinction Bariatric Center in Portland. What are the different steps that Blue Cross requires, under my plan for this surgery. Response: Bariatric Surgery 03/21/2013 15:12:31 - HCSC Response: Hi Patrice, Surgical treatment of morbid obesity may be considered eligible for coverage when all of the physical, clinical and psychological indications are documented according to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois current medical policy. A letter of support and/or explanation is helpful but alone will not be considered sufficient documentation to make a medical necessity determination. We are not in a position to consider the request for surgical treatment of morbid obesity due to the lack of available medical documentation to determine medical necessity based on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois medical policy. The following documented clinical information is necessary for further review. For a member to be considered eligible for benefit coverage of bariatric surgery to treat morbid obesity, the member must meet the following two criteria: 1. Diagnosis of morbid obesity, defined as a: - Body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40 kg/meter (* see guidelines below for BMI calculation); OR - BMI equal to or greater than 35kg/meters with at least two (2) of the following comorbid conditions related to obesity that have not responded to maximum medical management and that are generally expected to be reversed or improved by bariatric treatment: o Hypertension, OR o Dyslipidemia, OR o Diabetes mellitus, OR o Coronary heart disease, OR o sleep apnea, OR o Osteoarthritis; AND 2. Documentation from the requesting surgical program that: - Growth is completed (generally, growth is considered completed by 18 years of age); AND - Documentation from the surgeon attesting that the patient has been educated in and understands the post-operative regimen, which should include ALL of the following components: 1. Nutrition program, which may include a very low calorie diet or a recognized commercial diet-based weight loss program; AND 2. Behavior modification or behavioral health interventions; AND 3. Counseling and instruction on exercise and increased physical activity; AND 4. Ongoing support for lifestyle changes to make and maintain appropriate choices that will reduce health risk factors and improve overall health; AND - Patient has completed an evaluation by a licensed professional counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist within the 12 months preceding the request for surgery. This evaluation should document: 1. The absence of significant psychopathology that would hinder the ability of an individual to understand the procedure and comply with medical/surgical recommendations, AND 2. The absence of any psychological comorbidity that could contribute to weight mismanagement or a diagnosed eating disorder, AND 3. The patient's willingness to comply with preoperative and postoperative treatment plans. The member and their physician(s) are urged to review the full text of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois (BCBSIL) medical policy on this subject on the BCBSIL Website at www.bcbsil.com. Choose the "provider" link at the top of the Website and select medical policies: Surgery for Morbid Obesity (search by policy title). If you any further questions or concerns, please contact our customer service department at the toll-free number on the back of your Blue Cross Blue Shield identification card or via the Message Center on Blue Access for Members. Sincerely, Cheryl M. Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois Customer Service Center For the last six months I have seen the Bariatric Centers Dr's, nutritionist, physical therapist, psychologist and 80% of every appointment was covered by my policy. I have pain my 1500.00 out of pocket expenses and ready to go. Today I found out that my insurance policy has an exemption on Bariatric Surgery. WHAT?????? The insurance company gave me the info above and paid all of the pre surgery visits. I assumed the Dr's office did their job, Submit an electronic Eligibility & Benefits Inquiry (ANSI 270 transaction) to BCBSIL through your preferred online vendor portal. Now I am left disappointed and totally depressed. I just can't understand how this happens.

Your smile says it all. You have a right to be so happy........you did it!

Thanks ProudGrammy! Right now all I want is to bit into a cheeseburger. This pre-op is so hard but I do have tons of energy. I guess a pure protein diet is what the body wants! 5 days to go......YIKES!

ABSOLUTELY amazing transformation!

Just what I needed to read tonight. I am having my surgery on the 22 November and getting really anxious. Your post reminded me of why I spent almost all of 2013 preparing for this.

More positive thoughts are going your way. Everyone says that they question their decision to have surgery on the first few days following the procedure. They also report that the doubts go away in a few days and you are ready to embrace your new life.

Rena Actually, BCBS was really quick on the reply......it was just a denial!!! They are normally pretty efficient. Are you sure the Dr. can't fit you in anytime before the 1st of the year? Psychologically it would be such a relief. Sassy

Rena Anticipating a positive appeal from the insurance I began the pre-op diet two weeks ago. (After a frustrating two days of splurging after the denial) My surgeon does not require fasting, just high protein and vegetables, low calorie. I have been doing 2 Unjury shakes a day and 3oz meat and tons of veggies for dinner. It is tough but I feel pretty good. Nothing was going to get in the way of this surgery!! Are you sleeved yet or awaiting your big day?