Tanglesia

I started the whole process in Jan 2013. Finished all requirements that insurance and dr wanted so he turned the paper work in on July 3 on July 11 my insurance denied me because of weight gain during the 6 months of pcp diet. On wed July 16 Dr. Eibes of Iowa speciality Hospital called and did a peer to peer with the medical director of Aetna and convinced them that the sleeve is what I needed. Dr eibes said it was a long call and pretty tough but finally they approved my surgery. Got home and got a call from Medical coordinator and dietician and got my date. Went on my 1200 calorie diet on Thursday the 17th and dropped 11 pounds. Had to do liquid diet sat and sun and surgery was on Monday August the 4th. My surgery was done in Belmond, Iowa an amazing hospital with a staff that did everything to make you comfortable. I felt like every person working was part of my team. They encouraged me with every step I took. We live 4 hours away from Belmond so they let us come to the hospital and stay Sunday night. We walked into our room and it was a hospital suite, we had a kitchen with table and chairs. In the main room was a sofa bed and and recliner that turned into a bed and the hospital bed which was extremely comfortable. They showed use where everything was refreshments for my husband, Snacks and food vouchers so he could go done and eat for free in the cafeteria. We slept good and were up and ready by 6 and the nurse came in at 7 and took us down to the surgical unit. Once we were settled I got undressed (everything) and into my gown. Two nurses were in my room prepping me Iv, blood work, questions, anesthesia Dr came in asked questions and told me what he was going to do told me that at times he can give a fat lip ( he did but went away quickly). I asked him to just take care of me and make sure I wake up and he said he would. The or nurse came in and explained more the dr eibes came in and asked if I was ready I said yes gave brad a hug and walked into the surgical room. I said hi to everyone and then told me to lay on the bed they unsnapped my gown I layed down, they put 2 warmed blankets on me and strapped my arms down and they gave me the oxygen and something good cause the next thing I remember was being taken to my room. Surgery was at 9 and I was back in my room at 10:30. The have this hover blow up bed that transfers you from bed to bed got me into bed and vitals and all were taken then I just slept. I had a pain pump so I pressed the button whenever I needed it and just went back to sleep. My mouth was so dry they gave me ice chips to moisten my mouth. They were good but made my stomach seize a little. My new stomach was not crazy about cold. Likes room temp the best. I wanted to go to the bathroom at 12 got up it felt like I had done 100s of sit-ups but was fine. So decided to go for a walk so off we went and we went every hour. First time 4 laps 2nd time 10 then they told me 20 laps was a mile so I started to do a mile every time. I had no GAS PAIN AT ALL! And I give walking the credit. I could have stayed in bed and milked it but I wanted to be up and going. Night was not a sleeping night bp cuff kept going off it was no longer on my arm they kept forgetting to shut the machine off. Then my fluids ran out, then my pain meds ran out, then had to have vitals taken so was a short night. At 8 they came and got me for the leak test. Ok this was the most disgusting tasting stuff! They make you stand up and step up on this platform it was quite a step and drink this yellow stuff as the dr took photos. They lay you down and almost invert you to get all angles. I could have gagged but knew I had to do it so I got thru it. Back to my room and they brought me Isopure, beef broth, Jello, lemonade Needed to drink the isopure and could go home if I did. So I did. Brad took my prescriptions to the pharmacy to get filled lots of them. Pain, nausea, spasm, gallstone, acid, happy pill, and blood thinner I have to give myself two shots a day for two weeks. We took off on our 4 hour drive home. I had taken a pain pill just to take the edge off I held a pillow and slept for two hours stopped so brad could get supper. I just drank my Water. Then homeward. We got home and went thru everything and took a shower and went to bed. Woke up feeling like I could throw up but it passed in less than a min. So on wed brad went back to work and I just focused on drinking. Didn't quite get it all in 40 oz water and 60 gr of Protein. Thurs dr Jon called to check on me and said make your water a priority we will worry about protein later. Did better Thursday got 64 oz of water in and my 60 gr of protein also. Had 5 bites of cream of chicken Soup and 5 bites of applesauce. With a baby spoon. And I was done. Tummy told me enough. Friday has been good have been off all pain meds for 24 hours had been passing gas and had 2 bms. Walked outside and have this great app called waterlogged it rings every 15 minutes so that I drink I have consumed 60 oz so far and it's only 3:30. Will have another Protein shake tonight and more water. Stepped on the scale and in 2 weeks have lost 17.7 pounds. Love my sleeve so far.

Hi everyone I'm sleeved and doing really well. Had it done by dr eibes Iowa specialty hospital in Belmond, ia. Amazing experience. Such a beautiful facility it is only a 19 bed hospital. And every nurse and aid is a part of your care they wanted to make sure brad and I were takin care of. Surgery was at 9 we went down at 7 they ran blood work, set up Iv fluids and antibiotic. Dr eibes came in and chatted, the dr who put me to sleep and controls the boughie can in. And the or nurse came in. I walked in and layer down they put warm blankets on my and strapped my arms down and put a mask over my mouth and that was it. Woke in the recovery room kicking my blankets off. I hope I wasn't to embarrassing. To me to my room by 10:45. Pretty sleepy but was up walking by 12. And I continued to walk. The told me 20 laps was a mile so I ended up doing 4 miles. Tuesday morning was the a leak test had to drink the nastiest stuff. Could have gagged. But just made myself do it. It was ok so back it the room for a cup of broth, isopure, lemon aide, and jello. I got 70% down. Dr came in and said your doing fabulous you can go home if you want so we did. Took us 4 hrs. But was worth it. This am tried to organize the meds. Wow a lot. Have to do blood thinner shots for two weeks shots in my tummy. 3 pills for pain, nausea, and spasms. Also,have a ear patch on. Have a pill for acid, pill for gallstones, pill for depression blood pressure , thyroid, and allergy. Have a pill case to put them in. All but my vitamins. Flintstone complete b12, and calcium citrate.

Aug 4@9:00

What a roller coaster of emotions this whole journey has been. All my records were given to insurance on July 3. Denied on July 15 for gaining on my 6 month of dr visits. My surgeon Dr Todd Eibes of Iowa Speciality Hospital did a peer to peer with my insurance Aetna today and he got it changed to ACCEPTED. start my pro op diet tomorrow and surgery on Aug 4th. Wow is all I have to say. Prayers answered!,

I'm August 4

Aug 4 for me in Iowa.

Connect to support? I'm in Iowa surgery is at 9 on the 4th. Start 1200 calorie diet tomorrow. Physical on Tuesday, meet with surgeon on Wed for last minute questions. Check into hospital at 7 surgery at 9. Whoo hooooooo!

Add me tangles@mepotelco.net. My surgery isn't till July 28. But would love to see what your doing and what working.

All my records have been turned over to insurance. I keep calling and it's in the pending stage. Day 4. They told me it can take 5-10 days. Prayers for acceptance and any comments welcome. Not freaking out yet.

have been on this journey since December now my blood pressure is high and giving me meds. Hoping I can be off them within 6 weeks after surgery. Pray for the insurance people that they approve and approve it quick . So ready to be sleeved. Have a magical day everyone!!

Turning into insurance today! My blood pressure is to high so have to take meds. Hoping only for a short time. Pray for the insurance person that is approving my records. Hoping it will be fast and a YES. HAVE A MAGICAL DAY EVERYONE.

Has anyone had to complete six-month dr supervised diet and if they have how long did it actually take my doctors telling me it's seven appointments over 180 days

My insurance (Aetna) requires 6 months ( 7 appts) Went to informational meeting in jan, last dr appt July 29 surgeon appt aug 5. Hoping for surgery middle of aug.

Have you heard anything yet? Fingers crossed for you. So crazy that you have to lose, you've tried your whole life to lose why is this any different! You need a tool that the sleeve will give you.

The surgeon is trying to change my mind from the sleeve. he thinks I could have gerd because I have heartburn maybe 1-2x a month (due to what I ate) and a tums will cure it. I have my heart set on the sleeve, want the restriction and feel like too many people have failed and gained weight back with rny. What's your thoughts?

Home from consult and found out I have to wait 5 months. Have only been to the dr 1 time in the last 2 years. I can do this. Life goes by in a flash. Need to use this as a time of reflection and learning. But boy my heart hurts with disappointment.

Thanks Jersey, I'm in it to win it! . Not going to quit, I had to switch clinics because my dr left. So, truly it's a blessing if I would have stayed at unity point I would have been denied. So, now I have the facts and can use this time to gather more knowledge on the vsg. Good luck with your surgery and journey. Can't wait to hear your successes.

Found out that if your insurance requires 6 month pcp supervised diet it really means 7 months. So disappointing, I'm now looking at August for surgery.

I chose to let my circle of support know that this is the course I have chosen. My job is a very public, I see 20-30 different people a day. So when I decided this was the path I was taking I started to tell my friends that have seen me do every diet plan, exercise classes and boot camps. Allot of them did them with me. When I told them not a single negative comment, they are so excited for me for something to finally work, to have a tool that will give me results. My 2 close friends (husband and wife) was the most negative the comments they made have been with me since they were said. Husband said "so your arms are large what will they be like after". Really? The wife has struggled with weight her whole life and she has finally conquered it for the moment, but she is so negative and worried about every bite she puts in her mouth. She's angry if you eat something she can't have. So her comment was oh guess you will be a rail with your height". I make her feel better being fat she feels better about her self with me being overweight. I have 3 months let before surgery, my goal is to happy and take it with a thankful nature. I can't wait to have a tool to help me meet my goal. So I love taking about it, it makes me excited and has helped me get thru the insurance hoops. But remember ""it's your story to tell"" I would rather tell and have the facts then have the jealous rumor mill make up a story.

MY insurance requires 6 month medically supervised diet with 3 consistent So I have one done. So 5 months to go. Anyone on that journey with me. Hoping for end of June surgery. Have to meet my requirements then get approved by the panel then insurance. Hope it passes, kinda crazy to go thru it if you don't pass. Thought.

I finish my last dr diet supervised visits on June 4. So I'm hoping for June to July. Think we will be approved. I'm going to have every item done that checked. To be approved by the panel the insurance. The say the have a rate of approval.

Hane would be have. Sorry for not proofing it first.

Hi everyone. So went to my info meeting. Have consult, psych, and nut visit on the 23rd. I have been working with a trainer and exercising for 2 years 2-5x a week, and been with a chiropractor doing yoli diet since April 2013. Have Aetna insurance. Meet a criteria bmi and hopefully they will use the things I've been doing. Just wondering everyone's thoughts on how long it will take. Can't wait to get sleeved! Tanglesia

Hello, Like every overweight person we have tried everything. And each time I find the next best diet or exercise program, I am all in. This is going to be the ONE, I can see myself at the end of it thin and so proud that finally it worked for me. Each one has ended with the same result, disappointment that it didn't work, embarrassment that everyone that knew I was trying a new program will know I failed again. It's not the plan or the exercise it's the results. I have no issues working out. Even at 300 lbs I can keep up with the fit ones, I have done 78 Burpees in a hour plus a full workout. So surgery is my next destination. I'm excited, scared, nervous, about every emotion is there. I go to my first class tomorrow. So I am starting the process, willing to go the distance to get this done. This site has been a inspiration so I thought I would sign up and get started with my journey. Not sure which surgery, hoping my insurance approves me and that the surgery won't be to far away. Would love to hear any and all suggestions you would have. Thanks for supporting me on this and can't wait to share my story with all of you. And support all of you.

Congratulations, you look amazing. I'm going for the informational meeting tomorrow. What was the timing for you from first meeting to surgery. What you wish you would have known. Tips that could make others journey easier? Thanks and keep up the great work!