della street

No, you're not the only one ) Hubby is getting mildly irritated (bored?) when I'm reading the forums and start to mention something like "hey, this person did this or that" or "hey, this person lost xxx lbs in xx months!" I'm trying to not make it my only obsessive point of conversation (I'm pre-op, paperwork submitted, orientation/psych test this week...) - but we're all trying to learn so much from what type of surgery would work best, what to eat/not eat, what's a tasty Protein shake (something I never thought I'd say, lol -- ), to serious complication issues, all about carbs/proteins -- it's a lot -- so I try to keep it as subtle as I can and come here to get my "obsessiveness" jones on, or is that out? )

I'm just starting the journey -- what kinds of protein do you veterans eat? Thanks!

@@JennsinCA What I do is periodically go to our local Sonic and order 12 large cups of ice, with lids, in drink carriers. A lot of strange looks, and they often will say 'don't you want a bag of ice?" -- and I don't, because that's a hassle. So I take my 12 cups home and put in freezer. Every morning take out a couple and they melt to a nice soft consistency. Costs me about $4 every time I go, but I figure that's WAY less than I used to spend on fast food, so it still leaves me ahead money-wise -- and definitely calorie-wise! So yes, I'm that strange lady who pulls up and orders '12 large cups of ice please', lol

I much on ice ALL the time! Dentist not so happy, but if it's really soft (crushed ice from Sonic is my fave!), it really takes the muchies away, and gets in fluid ) A huge cup of ice is approx 40 cents at our Sonic - and I'll bet if your gas station/QT Mart/whatever, has soft crushed ice and you take your own cup in, it w/could likely be free -- check it out, works for me, too!

@Big_MamaGreat questions! I meet w/surgeon next week and I, too, have wondered about the pre-op diet -- seems like many require, sometimes for 2 weeks (ugh), and some do not -- also, does anyone know if a bowel prep is required before surgery? Thanks!

@@onmywaytoonederland, I just burst out laughing (not at you!) but at your comment about injecting lizard spit -- and I thought I'd tried/heard everything about weight loss! lol -- Really? or am I taking you too literally? And I thought my experience with electro-shock therapy while eating "bad foods" with your mouth open and watching yourself chew disgusting stuff in the a mirror was strange -- (and yes, I actually did that -- as you'd chew McD's fries, for example, the person-in-a-white-lab-coat-who-I'm-quite-sure-wasn't-a-medical-professional would say disgusting things like "doesn't that look like worms crawling in your mouth" all while zapping me with electric shocks. Needless to say, it didn't work - the only difference it made in my behavior was that instead of a large order of fries on my way home from their torture chamber, I'd get a burrito... )

I'm in Phoenix -- using Dr Swain at Scottsdale Healthcare, also a Center of Excellence -- they also have a webinar online -- great surgeons, staff, etc --

Oh dear, don't worry -- easy for me to say, I know -- first, and I'm sure you've done/doing this, call your doctor -- second, I'm no doctor, but I wouldn't think that would stop surgery -- it's the reason you take the meds - because you have this issue - which they know about already. Next, I *hate* getting results like that in the mail! They should explain it to you, not just mail you a piece of paper! I once got an 'abnormal' mammogram result letter -- on a Friday afternoon -- had to wait till Monday to talk to anyone -- so I feel for you -- anyway, good vibes your way -- call doctor and insist on a call-back/to speak w/someone about it so you don't go the weekend in this worried state -- hang in there!

I'm over 50, haven't had surgery yet -- surgeon appt on Nov 12th - )

Yea!! So glad to hear it went well -- if I can ask, what state are you in? I'm in AZ --

Good vibes your way!! Can't wait till it's my turn )

Got my date for orientation -- which includes a 1.5 to 2-hour psych eval, including a written test and an interview -- a little freaky, wondering what in the world they might ask on a test or in an interview -- what would 'disqualify' you? If anyone hasn't passed, what did they say about why not? I can't imagine anything that would disqualify me, lol, but a little (okay, a LOT...) stressful, just thinking about it and not having a clue what it will be like -- thoughts, experiences? thanks!!

Best of luck! Even w/o other issues, the weight itself is considered an issue, so I would imagine your PCP will provide the letter you need. Just explain what else you've tried, that the weight is causing 'xyz' health issues, you're worried about potential health issues, etc. My surgeon's office provides a sample PCP 'letter of medical necessity', which I'd imagine most surgeons offer, and your PCP's office might very well have a sample they've used for other patients as well. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

That's very beautifully written! And most of us (all of us, probably... ) know *exactly* how you fee/what you mean -- I'm a step or two ahead of you -- not much -- I've been to the info seminar and w/be meeting w/surgeon, dietitian, psychologist, etc., next week. I'm older than you (59, eek!, lol), but have also been thru the sames ups and downs (no pun intended...) in terms of weight loss -- I'm 5'10" and at about 340 now, geez, unbelievable - ( -- But we're on our way, so pats on the back to us )

Agree, it sounds like maybe that's the surgeon's preference -- just went to my seminar and the surgeon was very open to either sleeve or bypass, depending on patient's needs/medical issues, etc. It wasn't one is way better than the other -- definitely get a second opinion!

The surgeon's office might require it even if your insurance doesn't -- the benefits coordinator might be able to clear that up -- hope that's helpful, good luck!

Any others for Scottsdale Healthcare?

Me too -- this is an old forum, but wondering same thing - anyone? thanks!

...or there was the time a skinny-minny completely clueless new OB-GYN I was sent to for a biopsy kept shaking her head about 'how she didn't know if she could do the biopsy since when you're big on the outside, you're big on the inside too...' -- saying this while her gloved hand is inside me feeling for my ovaries - obviously already a pretty vulnerable position, both physically and emotionally -- then she started going on about how she might have to call in "a special team" to help her "because I was so big" -- but I just bore-down, gritted my teeth and did what I could physically to help her get what she needed (sorry if TMI...) -- then after getting my biopsy results (thank God was fine...), I NEVER went back to her -- she gave me some serious PTSD about OB-GYN visits, that's for sure... sooooo glad we're all on our way to a better life in so many ways ---

Leepers, I totally understand -- feel shame every time I fly and ask for an extender -- and last time we took a trip, I bought two seats -- luckily, we had frequent flier miles, but every leg of the trip, I had to explain to the gate agent, and then to flight attendants, that the seat next to me was not empty, I bought two tickets -- and oh yes, can I please have an extender. UGH. Can't wait for surgery - orientation in a few days -- so at least I'm heading in the right direction...

Thanks @@finediva - we've all experienced millions of humiliations like these, from BP cuffs to seat belts to everything in between. Here's one -- Toyota would only sell you a seatbelt extender if they measured you in your car to make sure you needed it and it fit right. On the one hand, I can see their liability concerns - on the other, NOT GONNA HAPPEN. I was able to order one online for my son's Ford, so when I drove it, I could buckle the belt. When I (rarely, thank goodness...) drive daughter's Toyota, I don't buckle up --- because I can't --- and I was NOT going to go the dealer and have some service tech MEASURE me -- yea right...

Oh boy, do we all know how you feel -- the BP cuff; the large-size gowns that they have to go hunt for because they're not kept in each exam room; the one-size-fits-all (ha!) paper gowns that you need two of and that keep tearing as you try to fit into/cover yourself. My PCP once sent me to get a baseline bone-density scan - I arrived; signed in; woman called me back; first stop was the scale. I was actually pleased because I'd lost 9 lbs on my own (still was over 300 however). So I'm kind of happy to myself about my weight loss, then she took me into an exam room, I assumed to get into a gown or something to get ready for the scan. She chatted a couple minutes, and I began to think it was a little strange/just was getting weird vibes, I don't know how else to explain it - then she told me that their machine only goes up to 300 pounds, so they can't do my test and I'll have to go to the "special" scan place that has larger equipment. I found myself with a frozen smile on my face and profusely apologized for wasting her time (ie, apologizing for being too fat), and managed to practically run out the door to my car, where I promptly broke down sobbing. So, we do *get* it, so rant away --

Have orientation in a few days -- anyone used Scottsdale Healthcare?

There's lots of great info here -- it does vary state by state as to whether WLS is mandated to be included in ACA policies. However, as with non-ACA policies, just because it's not mandated, some companies still cover it -- and some won't -- and some will specifically exclude it. But it's good info to know: http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/obamacare-weight-loss-surgery.html

My birthday is the 30th of this month - my last fat bday also!!