KatieD6982

I will be having Petrick or Gabrielson at Danville for my surgery. I should be getting my date soon!

Thank you all so much!!

Yes. I plan on following the program to the letter. The thought of nutritional deficiencies is scary to me.

I'm in Central PA, around State College.

I will be going through this in just a couple of weeks, I feel for you! I think the waiting for insurance approval will be the hardest part!!!

Hi ladies, I think I'm getting CLOSE to getting my date!!! I had my ultrasound, surgery class, meeting with the Director of the Hospital Bariatric program, and a metabolic breathing test yesterday. According to my checklist I have to do my psych clearance-which is next Tues, one more lab test (stool sample...ugh) and my last appt which is now scheduled for Feb 11th! So, they will submit to insurance after that appt! I'm excited but I have to admit the nerves are REALLY kicking in. I'm praying for favor with the insurance company. I have struggled with the losing weight during the program, I go down, then up, down then up. I hope they don't deny me for that reason, I've done everything they require. So, also-can I ask for some advice? I was sort of thrown a little curve ball yesterday. This whole process I have been trying to work towards having the sleeve. I met with the BIG WIG of the Bariatric Program of my hospital yesterday. He told me that after reviewing my charts, progress, etc. that he recommends that I have the full bypass. He said that he has personally seen quite a few patients who don't succeed with the sleeve and eventually go on to have it revised to the bypass. I think I looked like a dear in headlights!!! Thankfully the surgery class was right afterwards so I got some questions answered about things I was worried about. FOR EXAMPLE-the malabsorption thing. It was explained to me like this. The malabsorption component means that my body would absorb less of the fats and sugars out of the foods I eat, thus resulting in better weight loss. It's not like it's going to cause HARM, it's a good thing...an extra bit of help. If I would eat, let's say, an oreo-full of sugar. I would have the dumping syndrome and probably bring it back up. It's an extra level of feedback that my body would have stating NOPE YOU CANT EAT THAT! Trust me, it won't take me long to not try to eat sugars and bad things if I'm throwing them up!! So even though it's a more complicated surgery, because of what the doctor reccomends, do I try for the sleeve or go-ahead with the full bypass? (Cross-posted)

Hi ladies, I think I'm getting CLOSE to getting my date!!! I had my ultrasound, surgery class, meeting with the Director of the Hospital Bariatric program, and a metabolic breathing test yesterday. According to my checklist I have to do my psych clearance-which is next Tues, one more lab test (stool sample...ugh) and my last appt which is now scheduled for Feb 11th! So, they will submit to insurance after that appt! I'm excited but I have to admit the nerves are REALLY kicking in. I'm praying for favor with the insurance company. I have struggled with the losing weight during the program, I go down, then up, down then up. I hope they don't deny me for that reason, I've done everything they require. So, also-can I ask for some advice? I was sort of thrown a little curve ball yesterday. This whole process I have been trying to work towards having the sleeve. I met with the BIG WIG of the Bariatric Program of my hospital yesterday. He told me that after reviewing my charts, progress, etc. that he recommends that I have the full bypass. He said that he has personally seen quite a few patients who don't succeed with the sleeve and eventually go on to have it revised to the bypass. I think I looked like a dear in headlights!!! Thankfully the surgery class was right afterwards so I got some questions answered about things I was worried about. FOR EXAMPLE-the malabsorption thing. It was explained to me like this. The malabsorption component means that my body would absorb less of the fats and sugars out of the foods I eat, thus resulting in better weight loss. It's not like it's going to cause HARM, it's a good thing...an extra bit of help. If I would eat, let's say, an oreo-full of sugar. I would have the dumping syndrome and probably bring it back up. It's an extra level of feedback that my body would have stating NOPE YOU CANT EAT THAT! Trust me, it won't take me long to not try to eat sugars and bad things if I'm throwing them up!! So even though it's a more complicated surgery, because of what the doctor reccomends, do I try for the sleeve or go-ahead with the full bypass?

I'm looking for advice on what questions to ask my surgeon when we meet. I am planning on asking which size "bougie" he plans to use and if it really matters. I also plan on asking what he does for patients who usually get sick (vomit) after surgery. When I had my kids (c-section) they had to give me heavy anti-nausea drugs so I wouldn't throw up. What else should I ask?

I'm looking for advice on what questions to ask my surgeon when we meet. I am planning on asking which size "bougie" he plans to use and if it really matters. I also plan on asking what he does for patients who usually get sick (vomit) after surgery. When I had my kids (c-section) they had to give me heavy anti-nausea drugs so I wouldn't throw up. What else should I ask? TIA!

ACK!!! Why did this post THREE times? Sorry everyone!!!

I'm looking for advice on what questions to ask my surgeon when we meet. I am planning on asking which size "bougie" he plans to use and if it really matters. I also plan on asking what he does for patients who usually get sick (vomit) after surgery. When I had my kids (c-section) they had to give me heavy anti-nausea drugs so I wouldn't throw up. What else should I ask?

I go this week for my surgery class, more labs, and an ultrasound... I'm hoping the next visit will be it and I'll get my date! Come onnnn early March! This waiting for an approval and a surgery date is the worst!!

My final month is Feb, so I'm hoping late Feb or early March.

Just saying, I'm so jealous of you who have your surgery dates!!!

I guess I should get on the ball and decide which protein shakes I'm using.....eek! QUESTION: For those of you who got your surgery date, WHEN did you get it? I'm asking because I have to do a six month program for my doctor's office-not necessarily for my insurance co and I'm wondering when you actually learn of your surgery date?? I'm in month 5 of 6 and go on January 22nd for my surgery class, meeting with a doctor, an ultrasound and more labs. After that my psych eval is January 27th. I should be learning of my date soon right?

I have my Surgery Class, Meeting with Director of Bariatric Program at Hospital, Ultrasound and labs on January 22nd and then my psych eval on January 29th here at my local clinic. I think that counts as my FIFTH month so February would be my sixth month....so now I'm thinking I probably won't have surgery until March. But, here's hoping!!!

I believe she said the stool sample is for h-pylori? (sp?) It tests for bacteria.

Just an update: I had my LONG fourth month appointment this morning. I had to meet with my PA, the Bariatric doc, the Dietitian, and have lots of blood drawn. I got the Green Light from Nutrition! According to my checklist, I need to schedule and get the green light from Psych, submit a stool sample, pay the Bariatric program fee, schedule any last labs/ultrasounds, attend a surgery class and then I'll be ready to submit to insurance!!! I'm crossing my fingers for a Feb surgery date!!!

Thanks for your reply! I went in at 250, went to 249, back to 250, 246, 250..... I'm really nervous on what my nutritionist is going to say about it. I have labs and pre-testing in two days and then I'll meet with her. She said last appointment that I'm "right on track" so...here's hoping! Thankfully my insurance doesn't state that I HAVE to lose weight either.

I know I'm the odd one out but I am terrified that I will be denied because I haven't lost ANY weight on the supervised diet! Anyone else?

I will be sleeved the end of Feb or early March! (PRAYING I get approved!)

I believe I will be late Feb or early March. I go on the 10th for my 4th month visit-blood work, a bunch of tests, and meeting with my provider.

Welcome! My program is a six month program and I've just completed month 3.

I am so excited for you girl!!! Hopefully, I'll get a Feb/March date!!