Beth Pets

How about making some nice organic Sun Tea. Take a gallon of spring Water and poke a few organic green tea (or other uncafinated) tea bags through the top and submerge in the water. Put it on a sunny windowsill for 24 hours or so and then refrigerate. It's mild and naturally sweet. You can squeeze in a little fresh lemon or orange juice and even muddle in some fresh raspberries or strawberries.

Whenever I have to focus and achieve an important goal for myself I notice that I need to become the "Star" of my own life. It seems a little selfish to most women. We are so used to putting everyone else's needs if front of our own. My attitude is, this is the biggest thing in my life right now and it's a good time for everyone who cares about me to get on board and help me prepare myself and accomplish my goals. Sure I'm into it. That seems ok to me.

I have been telling everyone I meet for the past 3 months! I just saw my gardener and he gave me a shout out on my countdown to Sept 16th and offered to take care of my garbage and pick up groceries until I can drive and pick things up. All of my clients know because I have to close down my business for two weeks. My entire extended family is on board and I have a Facebook thread where 67 friends & Family "liked" my surgery announcement and then offered all kinds of support. What is amazing to me is that folks seem really encouraging and truly interested in the whole deal. I am like a fun science experiment for my social circle!

Except for my 3 dogs I will be all alone after my sleeve surgery. My cousin and my good friend are picking me up but after they get me settled in I am on my own. Is this realistic? I have a client who recently had the surgery and he was fine with it so I planned accordingly but now I am starting to worry a little. I have plenty of friends on call and I am good friends with everyone on my block but the first night is my biggest worry. Has anyone here done this alone? Any input about this? I really prefer to be sick in private.

The really good news is that after you have your surgery you will reach your goal in no time. What better exercise is there than finally being able to run around after your 3 active kids? Good luck.

I have a big fenced in yard for my little dog so I don't have to walk them. I can have a neighbor feed them the first day or two. I really hope I can get right out a be walking right away. Lisa N...how the heck did you come to be home 4 hours after surgery!!! You must be made of steel!

Go You!!!!!

I am actually excited for you! Your whole life is going to change! Good luck and I hope you have an uneventful and painless week.

If you are a diabetic don't forget your glucometer and plenty of test strips when you pack your meds.

There is an entire thread devoted to this with great ideas http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/181994-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-gastric-sleeve-surgery-thread/

Good luck! It only took BCBSNJ 4 business days to approve mine. I hope you beat me and make it in 3!

This may have nothing to do with your situation but this happened to me when my blood sugar levels where out of control before my diabetes was diagnosed. It's pretty scary but I'll bet the answer will be in your blood tests. Ask them to check your blood glucose levels just in case.

I paid for private insurance from BCBS for 20 years and they never covered even a portion of WLS. I switched over to an Obamacare policy at BCBS in January and they are paying 100%. And this with a minimum of hoops to jump through. No wait or medically supervised pre-diet. To anyone who has insurance that won't pay for surgery or just denies coverage, try going on the exchange and calling the 1-800 number. Ask for help finding an affordable policy that will cover you. You just might find it.

A month from now you'll be telling us how well you are doing and how much weight you lost. You friends and family will be noticing a new you emerging and you will have put surgery and recovery behind you! Count backwards from 100...99...98....

How about a reminder app like AIDAreminder on your Iphone? You can set up voice and even photo reminders on your smart phone. It's free and I use it for everything.

I had a health crisis 5 years ago and not only did I lose handfuls of hair, but it and my nails stopped growing for months. It was so weird not to have to file my fingernails. Like you, I have fine hair so it was pretty shocking. Especially since it was unexpected. It took almost 6 months for my system to "start up" again and a while longer for my hair to get back to normal. I'm not looking forward to it happening again but at least I'm prepared and I know it will grow back.

Not only are you healthier and happier but you honestly look 20 years younger. I don't even know you and I'm proud of you!

I like your husband. He sounds like a nice guy and a smart fella!

I also have BCBS and am having mine done at HUMC which is a BCBS center of excellence. There are four bariatric surgeons in my doctors practice. They are all highly experienced and highly rated. I know several of their patients who have had excellent results. Why don't you look up Advanced Laparoscopic in Paramus. Hackensack isn't far, it's a teaching hospital and it is within driving distance from you.

Hi, I'm in Bergen County and I just received approval from insurance today...Yeah! My sleeve surgery is scheduled for September 16th at HUMC by Dr. Doug Ewing from Advanced Laparoscopic in Paramus. He sleeved two of my clients in the past year and they were very happy with the whole set up so I decided to finally take the plunge. I'm still not nervous about the actual surgery but I'm stressing about the recovery time. I hate to be away from work for so long and I am hoping that 2 weeks will surfice. I live alone in my own house but I have a ton of support from my friends and clients. Still, it's really nice to have a support group to turn to during moments of complete panic! It's good to have people who can tell you that it's just gas...not certain death! I'm pretty excited and ready to get this started!

You need to get an OK from your doctor. Really...just call and ask him.