Jen - a work in progress

[quote name="fosho1976" post="3594953" timestamp="1410013505" I don't think a random smoke of a cigar / or even a black would pop a positive though ... That would depend on 'how' random the use was. Now that I can't have them, and the closer get to surgery, the more I think about having one... or two... or four... On a regular basis. My mind is trying to fail me. Kind of like my increase desire for sugar... Smh. Lol I hope the Chantix works for you. I know smoking hinders the body's healing process and how important yet difficult it can be to stop. Best wishes and prayers to you. You can do it!!

Hi everyone! I'm looking forward to getting to know some of you and reading thru the wealth of information in your posts as I embark on my weight loss journey. A little bit about myself... I'm 33 yrs old single mom of 2 boys (8 & 9 yrs old... My body had no break lol) my heaviest was 256lbs I currently weigh 238 lbs (which is what I used to weigh when I was 9 months pregnant) My goal is 120 - 130lbs. Originally it was 150 but I think I can be less and still feel good about myself. I lost the first 20 lbs when I ended my relationship and moved = major reduction in stress and more sleep, I was only sleeping like 2-3 hours a night if I was lucky due to school and work. I attended the mandatory orientation for my bariatric surgery program on June 18th. I had my initial consultation with my surgeon on June 23rd. I met with the dietician on July 24th. I will met with the psychiatrist on Aug 13th. After the required psych visit I can submit to insurance for approval. Once approved, I'm looking to have the surgery about 2 months later so I can get coverage for work, but have the procedure before the end of the year. I know there is a lot of work involved! I'm ready to do whatever it takes, but I'm only human and it helps to have support from those who really know what ur going thru. I'm lucky to have a few coworkers that had the Roux Y gastric bypass and are around18 months out or more. Although the sleeve is different, they are a great resource for me. I will do my best to keep everyone informed about my progress but preop and especially postop. I am open to any advice or recommendations and suggestions that you may have. If I ever say I'm about to do something that you know is a big mistake, please do not hesitate to speak up! I welcome constructive criticism!

I was approved for surgery and chose Oct 23rd for my date. I just have to do the pre-op class and the Pre-admission testing and work at doing the 2 wk preop diet.

I randomly smoke a cigar or Black n Mild from time to time. I even go months without one. My biggest fear is absent mindedly FORGETTING I can't smoke and failing my blood test.

I'm in a similar situation. BMI at about 38 depending on the day. Other than some sore knees at times and asthma in extreme cold weather or with allergies, I am overall pretty darn healthy. Never had issues with blood pressure or cholesterol. At one point I felt kind of bad because I was the smallest person in my bariatric orientation. It was almost like I didn't belong there. I would be happy with a 50-60 lb weight loss. My dietician said we should aim for a weight of 120-130, I said 150-160 was good enough for me, she wasn't buying it so we'll see what happens lol. I go Oct 23rd and the closer I get the more nervous I get. I wonder about excess skin and how my body will look afterwards. It's hard to find people close to my starting point to see where this can potentially take me.

I'm going October 23rd. My preop diet will start 2 weeks prior but it isn't a liquid diet. My post-op diet isn't a protein shake diet but rather a puree diet with yogurts, cottage cheese, applesauce, etc.

Same here. My 2 week preop diet is all normal foods just of the healthier mix. Chicken, turkey fish, salads, fruits, veggies.... The program I'm in doesn't like the protein shake diets. Even in the 2 week postop they don't recommend protein shakes. They rather you puree your foods and eat greek or low fat yogurts and broths with added powdered milk for extra protein.

My date October 23rd. The closer it gets the more nervous I get. All I have left to do now is the Pre-admission testing with anesthesia consult, a pre-op class, and get all my LOA and disability paperwork taken care of at work. I think the most challenging part for me postop will be the 2 week puree diet and actually logging my intake. I suck at food logs lol.

I'm October 23rd.Good luck everybody!

Hi, my surgeon is Dr. James Wallace and my surgery will be at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, WI.

Ok, so here's the brief summary of what's gone on so far Bariatric orientation.............. June 18 Initial consultation................ June 23 Upper GI study...................... June 27 Dietician meeting................... July 24 Psych Evaluation.................... August 13 Called to submit to insurance... August 14 Surgery approved (YAYYYY!!!!) August 29 I will most likely schedule my surgery for mid October. I need time to submit FMLA paperwork and get coverage at work or I could go sooner. I wasn't nervous at all in the beginning, but now as things are getting closer to actual surgery I'm feeling a bit nervous. I think I am more worried about the changes my body will go thru and what I'll looo like in the end than I am about the surgery itself. My HW 256lbs, CW 238, GW 130. I'm 5'6. Praying things continue to progress smoothly and quickly....

Awesome!! Congrats!

I finally scheduled my surgery for October 23rd! Yay!

Every insurance company is different. Some insurance companies will deny you if you so much as gain 1lb from your weigh in at the initial consultation. It all depends. I know with my insurance I have no 6 month waiting period. I attended the mandatory orientation mid June and then had my initial consultation with my surgeon June 23rd. I only need to do my dietician and psych visits before they submit to insurance for approval. The soonest I could get in with the dietician was Jul 24th, and for the psych eval is Aug 13th. After my psych eval I call up my surgeon and tell them I'm ready to submit and we go from there.

Typically, they don't want you to gain weight because it shows a lack of commitment to weight loss and insurance companies don't want to pay for something if you're not serious about it. On the reverse side, if you start losing a ton of weight from dieting alone, they figure they don't have to pay for the surgery because you have been successful with dieting and should continue trying that. The need for surgery is because all other options have failed you. I was told not to gain weight, but it was ok to lose some. Disclaimer: I am insured thru the hospital I work for, so my requirements are very different from the norm since it's the hospital's self-funded insurance that is paying for my health needs (and my own with premiums, copays, and deductibles).