SusinMichigan

Thank you so much Eric and Bufferflybefree! I was very worried and you both have alleviated much of my concern! Thank you again!

I just realized I never put my date on here ... it's on another post somewhere. I'm July 1st with pre-op June 17. I have had this date since late April! It's been a long time coming, but the sitting and waiting with nothing to do but think has not been good for me. Good luck all!

I have a close friend who had RNY about 8 years ago. She was 325 at the start, lost about 80 pounds, had skin removal surgery (although the surgeon recommended losing more weight) and proceeded to drink rum and cokes daily until she gained back all the weight and has a whole new set of physical problems. The problems that happen as we start to hit that 55-60 age range. Once she had the surgery, it was as if she couldn't fail. Ate mashed potatoes on the way home from the hospital, hard candies with the week ... While she's the one I compare myself to, my brother also had RNY, left 340 to 185 and has settled in there for about the last 3 years or so. He's rooting for me, close friend isn't even mentioning surgery.

Sweet ... and Congratulations! That's a heck of an accomplishment!

Oh boy, I have been crying for the last 3 months. Today, after reading all the postings on the topic "What do you miss most after weight loss surgery" ... I came to a peaceful spot and as I was telling my husband about it, I didn't cry. I asked if he noticed I wasn't crying and he said he did and wondered if I was ok! I think I'm going to be fine and you will too. Just a lot of changes and different things going on. Good luck on your surgery. BTW, I'm scheduled for surgery on July 1, so I'm pre-op too!

... and I know a few who have failed with RNY ... it's a tool, if you expect it to do the job for you, I don't know. I don't think it'll work without you working it. If you do what you are supposed to it should work (I'm still pre-op). This isn't an easy fix, but rather one that has to be worked on daily for the rest of your life. You can't just decide this summer I'm not going to watch what goes into my mouth and I'll watch after the holidays. I hope this doesn't sound harsh, that's not how it's intended. I just mean to use it for the designed purpose and listen to the surgeon/staff. Good luck.

Mine is going to end up to be 22 weeks (mid Feb. to July 1). No supervised diet necessary for my insurance. Took 11 weeks to get all the cardiac, sleep study, psych evaluation, etc. then almost 11 weeks of waiting for the first available date my doctor had. It's almost here now though.

Oh dear, we have no children, and 21 years ago, my husband took a job in Buffalo NY from Hamtramck (Detroit) Michigan. We knew no one ... hubby knew a few people from work, but I was dying day by day. I did get some therapy after a bout with shingles, and it helped. We lived there for 20 years. It became my new home and soon the monthly or bi monthly trips to MI stopped and I made Buffalo home. It doesn't happen overnight though. But one day, you will wake up and realize you are home. One of the things I did was become very community involved. Did a lot of volunteering in community gardening, block club, Good Neighbor Planning Alliance, got involved with supporting my favorite politicians ... you get where I'm going ... you have to be out for people to even know you are there. Go make a difference in where you live and you can make the changes YOU want. Things like a park for your child, etc. If there is anything I can do to help, just let know. By the way, a year ago we moved back to Michigan ... we both still miss the place I called home, although family is here. Good luck!

Got my clearance from the cardiologist yesterday and today surgery was scheduled for July 1. It's been 11 weeks since I started this process and looking at about 10 more. This doesn't make me happy when I quickly scheduled every single thing I had to do sometimes two appointments in one day! My insurance approved surgery in mid March and I sure never thought it would be July before surgery would happen. Anyone else getting such late dates? Now wondering why I gave up so many of my favorite things to eat in February when I still had 20 weeks to do whatever I wanted. Ooooh, I guess this has gotten really whinny, but who else but you guys can I whine to? Thanks for listening.

Congratulations! May you both be very happy!

There are always appeal processes with insurance companies. If they are currently paying for treatments for high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, etc. you can pull more of a return on investment "defense". You will require less hospitalization, no sleep apnea effects or supplies, less medications. Do your homework instead of being devastated and angry (which you definitely have the right to feel) ... be logical and methodical! Good luck!

Congratulations, I have a July 1st date!

I have BCBS of Michigan too, I had nothing to meet for them. They have been paying for sleep apnea supplies for the last 8 years, lots of heart tests last year, BMI of 60. The surgeon's office submitted before I even had the tests done by the cardiologists, new sleep study, etc. and it was approved while I was still waiting for the appointments. They are very happy ... I was costing them a lot of money a year, they can pay for this and hopefully all the problems will melt away thus return on investment is very nice! BTW, they approved me in March the only reason I'm waiting for my datiwas my surgeon was booked up with the earliest date of July 1.

There is a January thread that is entitled Is popcorn dangerous after WLS. Do a search for it. There are some interesting thoughts there.

The moment I knew ... when the cardiologist told me if I didn't quit smoking and lose about 150 pounds, and start to walk a minimum of 90 minutes a day (his personal recommendation was 3 hours a day) that I would be dead within 8 years. I was 57 at the time. It still took me 7 months to quit smoking and another 4 months to see my surgeon. I knew I wanted to grow old with my husband and 65 is not old in my mind. By the way, the cardiologist also added that he had a few patients that had lost that amount of weight, but never one that was able to keep it off. He did not recommend WLS, nor did he even offer it as an option.

Amazing! Congratulations!

We also had the starving children in China thing. Although I never did figure out how my eating things I didn't like would save the Chinese children. Worse yet though ... I'd have to sit and look at my plate with food from 5:00 until bedtime. And I wonder why I have eating problems? Hmmmm.

Oh boy, do I know what you are feeling. Hubby and I had this conversation this morning. I am an avid reader of these boards, trying to get every bit of information I can. I am discovering it has me doing a lot of second guessing too. Things like, will I be able to do the pre-op diet after reading how so many "cheat". I have yet to figure out if they cheat because it's impossible to do, (which some others have done it so it's not totally impossible) or is it just easier to say that it's too hard and give up. I have never done that as a part of my life, so does that mean I will just pull myself up by my bootstraps and keep going without failure? Like you, I have not taken pictures to amount to a whole hill of Beans in the past 25 years or so. I came to this board knowing I could do whatever I was asked by the surgeon or team to do. Now I have doubts. Am I really strong enough, what if I fail ... my cardiologist already said he and his staff will not recognize me next year for my visit. What if they do? What if I don't lose enough weight to yield the optimum results on my knee surgeries? I have bundled up my winter clothing, but have yet to get rid of them, what if I need them this coming winter? The tears seem to flow at the drop of the hat anymore and half the time, I'm not even sure why. I just feel like a fish out of water so much of the time. July 1st (surgery) can't come soon enough for me. Hubby is talking about buying and installing an electric stove in the pole barn so I don't have to smell the food he is going to have to cook while I'm on the pre-op and subsequent post op programs I'll have to follow (thoughtful as hell)! After the first cardiologist I saw a year ago told me I'd be dead within 8 years if I didn't stop smoking, lose a minimum of 150 pounds and start walking 90 to 180 minutes a day, every day ... I figure he was telling me the facts even though the new cardiologist is more diplomatic! The cardiologist is 100% supporting WLS. I just want to scream from the rooftop ... CAN I DO THIS???? Okay, freak out over ... is this what you are feeling Mentalistfan?

It took 10 weeks for all the tests to be run, and all the reports turned in. The next 10 weeks I have been waiting for my surgery date. My surgeon's office doesn't schedule surgery until all the requirements are met and he's in demand, so 20 weeks was what it took.

I would have considered it a high consumption day if I drank enough to just get my pill down. A 16 oz. bottle of Water would last me a week. LOL. When I first read about the water consumption requirements post surgery, I started to pull out 4 bottles of water a day and made a major effort to drink them. I knew it would be a later requirement, so may as well get working on it. I now drink a MINIMUM of 70 oz. a day, some days near 90 or more ... I don't know how I didn't drink all those years, but am making up for it now. Just hope I can keep it up after July 1 surgery date.

That is so wonderful Denise! I'm so looking forward to no more medications, easing knee pain ... the weight loss will be such an added bonus! This is the start of a whole new life. Congratulations! You're doing fabulous!

Each doctor is different. My surgery was scheduled after I met all the criteria and all the results of all the tests were in the surgeon's hands. That took 10 weeks. I was approved before the criteria was even met. Started my journey in February and was insurance approved early March. I didn't get my surgery date until the end of April and am scheduled for July 1 (adding another 10 weeks). That was the surgeon's first available date.

I'm scheduled for surgery July 1, with all the pre-op stuff on June 17. I know one of the most common things said is to stay off the scale. I weigh every single morning because I can gain 8 or so pounds in one day. I have a Lasix to take for those days and it'll help get the Water weight under control. I have to know what my weight was so I know what it is when I start to puff up and how much I have gained. How is this going to affect things after surgery? Anyone else go through this? Or will I just not puff up anymore (feet swelling, leg swelling, etc.)? Anyone? Thanks so much!

Wow ... that's amazing! I would not look that gift horse in the mouth, take it as it comes (off) and just do what you are supposed to do!

What an inspiration ... congratulations!