Go4itLori

You can still cook and eat dinner with your family. It will just be 'different' for a couple of months. Once a week, have your family enjoy soup or chili for dinner do that it will feel 'normal'.

Congrats! I just called BCBS today to check on my status. The paperwork is still pending. I need patience and prayers!

Never too late to join us. Next Sat. 10/11 at 10am - Perkins in St Louis Park.

I am also waiting for BCBS of MN to approve my surgery. My surgeon sent the letter and records on 10/1/14, now I wait, hope and pray for consent.

You are so inspiring. I am your same starting dress size 18-22w now. My surgery date is mid-November. I look forward to being a size 10/12 again. Just to be able to walk into any clothing store and find something fashionable rather than just a plus size section. And paying higher prices. Congrats to you and thank you for sharing your pictures. It made me so happy to see the potential of my WLS. - Lori from MN

Good day, TC B-Pals! We are planning to meet on Saturday, October 11th at 10:00am at the Perkins in Golden Valley/St. Louis Park (394 and Louisiana Ave - next to Menards). Reply to RSVP. - Lori

I'm in New Hope/Golden Valley. I want to join the chapter!

Can you share your B & A photos and what inspired you? What hurdles you had in your journey? I am scheduled in late October 2014 for my sleeve. Stories like yours are so wonderful and meaningful!

You've come a long way in a short time. My surgery will be scheduled in late October. Your success is really inspiring. Thanks for posting!

Good for you! I am having my surgery in October - starting at a 20/22. You are inspiring. I CANNOT wait to fit into a size 16 again - hopefully by Valentine's Day!

Re-sleeve? Do you mind me asking why you were sleeved a second time?

I think I would've jumped in the car and went for a long drive or to the movies until that pie was gone. Pie is my weakness!

I start my 6 months of nutrition appointment this Friday so I'm on the same track as you hoping to be done by September and I'm actually hoping to get my surgery done in October if everything goes as planned

I encourage you (and everyone on this journey) to take measurements every month so when the scale isn't where you (or the Dr) thinks it should be - the tape measure usually is reason to Celebrate. Your 50lbs is truly amazing. I congratulate you on your success and kudos on your workouts!

A friend of mine who had WLS last year said that missed "chewing" so much in the liquid stage that he would chew celery sticks and then spit them out. That made me laugh but it was a good idea.

Congrats! You must be thrilled. Attach some pictures!! I want to see what this Onderland place looks like! I hope to be sleeved in October so it will a year before arrive to that glorious place.

I've found some decent molded cup bras on Groupon. There were 6 for $32. They run a little small - so I need to shrink a couple sizes to fit into them. They are nice for the price.

My NUT told me to pour some soda in a Ziploc bag and seal it up. Then carry the bag around while you do your housework or go up and down the stairs a few times. The bag will start to expand and bloat because of the carbonation. This is the same reaction it will have on your sleeve. That image sticks with me when I think about having a Coke after I'm sleeved. I just won't take that chance.

I completed 6 months of WW and BCBS of MN wouldn't accept it because my doctor (PCP) didn't document my monthly visits in the medical records. My PCP wrote a letter but BCBS is picky. I am now starting another 6 months of scheduled nutritionist visits. I should be done in September. I was bummed out because I wanted to have surgery in June. Everything happens for a reason. Sooo... I plan to ENJOY my summer - steaks and burgers on the grill, fresh fruits/veggies from the farmers market and the last summer of Plus Size clothes!!

As part of my pre-approval process - I had an appointment with a physical therapist, an initial meeting with the nutritionist and getting my lab results from my bariatric doctor. All of these appointments were all in the same day and in the same hospital. I had to pay three separate co-pays. It was very frustrating.

My NUT told me I can continue to have coffee after my surgery - after clear liquid diet is finished. Thank God - I love my morning Starbucks fix.

I have completed all my preliminary tests - just need to meet with my nutritionist 6 months to meet the BCBS MN requirements. I plan to enjoy the summer and build up my muscle mass so I don't get too flabby when the weight falls off.

I am going to PNMC/Methodist. If all goes to plan, I will have my surgery in early June.

I am in the final stages of getting preapproved for the gastric sleeve. I work any Edina and live in New Hope. I am a member at the Y and would love to have a workout partner.

Did anyone go through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota insurance for their surgery? And if so how long did it take you to get approved once you did all the preliminary testing at PNMC?