thbrown223

How are you feeling?

Hey, I see there are some tentative dates for October. I just received my date for October 12th. I'd love to join in this forum; although I'm not from NC. However, I attended Bennett College and went to many parties at A&T. Many, many year ago LOL! I was originally going to have the sleeve done, but after my EGD, my surgeon suggested that I have the bypass. I have reflux and gastritis. Therefore, he thought that since most patients develop reflux with the sleeve, that would not be the best choice for me. I have completed my EGD, psych evaluation, weight history is submitted. I have Aetna which included a 3 month supervised diet. I have one more dietician visit, which is in September. I do have a phone visit, this month. So far, no weight gain. ???? I've been reading and researching everything I can, trying to pass the time buy because I'm so excited. I can't wait to start losing weight.

I have Aetna as well, my surgeon's office says they're to quote that it's a 2 week turn around for approval, but it often takes less than the 2 weeks for approval. Most people receive their notice in a week. My paperwork will be submitted at the end of September. I pray that all goes well. I have a date for October 12th. Yaaaay! ????

Oh wow...how were you able to do that? I've read so many people can't set it lower than 1200 cal? ThanksUp under goals you can change it. Thank you for letting me know. I'm definitely going to use it. I've been feeling so nervous because I don't have to lose weight for my surgery, but I can't gain at all! It definitely makes you waaaay more conscious of what your eating.

Oh wow...how were you able to do that? I've read so many people can't set it lower than 1200 cal? Thanks

Has anyone used the Magic Bullet or NutriBullet for the puree or mushy/soft foods phase? I was thinking of purchasing one. However, I'm not sure how much use I'll get out of it. I can't really have smoothies as I'm allergic to raw veggies and fresh fruit. I'd love to hear your thoughts or ideas on how you use it/them. Thanks

Not sure how it's works for you, but when using the app on my phone and I want to reply to someone's post, I hit their post to highlight it, then I hit the message icon at the top. It'll provide the person's quote/post, then I text my post. If I just want to reply to the entire post, I just hit the quick reply at the bottom. Hope that helps. I don't normally use my computer to post, so I'm not so sure how that part works.

ToniMarie05, I completed understand! You're definitely not alone. I mentioned in a previous post that a pic was my reality check. I couldn't believe it. I realized what I'd done to myself. WELL NO MORE! Yes I truly want to be healthy, but I also want to feel sexy again. I want to wear something that cute, not because it's black and comfortable. I'm getting married next year, I refuse to walk down the aisle like this. So you see we all want to be healthy, but yes deep down we have reasons for vanity as well. I was once told, you need 2 things in life happiness and your health. With this surgery, you can have both. ????

Good luck today!

Thank you so much! Thank you so much!

I can't try chicken soup unjury it has soy Protein and I'm allergicMy daughter is allergic to soy protein, it's so very difficult because she can't eat many places, only 2 restaurants she can eat to be exact. I have to cook everything for her. Is that the same for you?. Pretty much ... But some places will change things up to accommodate ... My husband and I love sushi so when we order it we tell them we have allergies ( me soy both of us fish) and they will start with fresh tools and make us veggie sushi .... But yes for the most part I have to cook from scratch ( good thing my momma taught me well) I haven't been able to experience most places being able to accommodate. She's so very sensitive to soy, her body can detect even a trace of soy. I've been told by everyone how lucky my daughter because I do love to cook and she loves it. If only I ate like her, I wouldn't require this surgery. She has the best diet ever. She doesn't like red meat, her dad and I chose not to give her pork, she only eats turkey, fish, chicken. She eats fruits and veggies, more than the settings a day, and no dairy. I haven't told her about my surgery yet. She'll worry way too much. I haven't figured out exactly what I'll say to her or when to tell her. Thank you for sharing! ????

Amazing how you here so much different information. I was told that I could not gain any weight because I would be denied. I don't have to lose weight during my pre op phase, I just have to maintain and not gain.

Really? Aetna sent me a form when I began to inquire about the coverage for the surgery, this was in late April/early May. The form listed that a 2 year weight history is required. My initial surgeon appt was in late May and the patient coordinator asked for it.

Congratulations! Mommyhood is one THE best things in this entire world. Please enjoy every single second, it goes by so very quickly. ????

I think your story probably resonates with everyone on here. It certainly does with me. I was always the chubby kid, then the overweight teen, then overweight in my 20's and so on and I have gone up and down so many times. Worked my @$$ off but the weight always came back. I am going to be 45 this year, I am a divorced single mom of a 10 year old boy who is my reason and my motivation. He is my "why". My family history blows, they are all dead (parents) my mom had a heart attack, stroke and diabetes (morbid obsese) by the time I was 24 she was in a nursing home and my "mom" was gone, my dad had a heart attack and then another that killed him by the time I was 25. Grandmother (overweight) died of a massive heart attack by the time I was 4. So the odds ain't in my favor. Like I told my surgeon, I don't have any co-morbidities "yet", but if I stay this way I will. I'd like to see my son graduate and be around for a lot more of his life than my parents were. You are not alone in this. I have felt for forever that my outside doesn't match my insides. When I see photos of myself I almost don't connect that the person in the picture is me. I wish you well in your journey, stick with us, you'll be just fine. You're making the best decision for you and your son. You're making sure that you're going to be there for your child. You want live on and be healthy and happy. I'm glad you could relate to my story.

Welcome... your story is similar too mine. Obese all my life even as a child... 116 at 7 year old... my highest weight was 304... managed to get too 285 in two years and maintained at 275 for the last 3 years... but when you see pictures of you... it is real. Pictures speak a thousand words.... I'm looking at a early September sleeve... That picture was a true dose of reality....it was just what I needed.

I can't try chicken soup unjury it has soy Protein and I'm allergic My daughter is allergic to soy protein, it's so very difficult because she can't eat many places, only 2 restaurants she can eat to be exact. I have to cook everything for her. Is that the same for you?

I was thinking the same thing! ????

I'm another potential sleever for the end of September. It would have been great to have it done in August. I'm a teacher so August would have been perfect. I wouldn't have to take off any days from school/work. I began my process in late May. Thus far, I've completed my initial appt with the surgeon, psych eval, endoscopy, and completed 1 out of 3 NUT appts. My surgeon told me I don't have to lose weight prior to surgery, I just need to maintain. It was great, but I'm so very conscious of what I'm eating because I don't want to gain. I will also only have a 3 day pre op liquid diet. That was shocking. I have a BMI a lil over 40. I was hoping with having sleep apnea and fibromyalgia as co-morbidities, it would bypass the 3 month supervised diet. It didn't! I just know that I'll do whatever it takes to ensure that I'm approved. It is soooo time for a change. I began picking up weight in my mid to late 20s. I've been over weight my entire 30s, and I'll be 41 this year. I refuse to be over weight on my 40s. I wish I did this sooner. However, as we all know we've tried every diet known, how many Mondays have you started something new? My fiancé and I were hanging out with some friends and they took a pic of us and she text me the pic the next day. I was mortified! I couldn't believe that was me. I was the big girl in the corner (thinking I was being social) NOPE! I shook my head at myself. That picture made me say to self "no more, this is it!" I have a beautiful 8 year old daughter I want to be around for. I don't have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, BUT it's knocking at my door, it's just a matter of time. Not to mention I don't want to walk down the aisle on my wedding day this way. This will be my second marriage, but first wedding. I met a wonderful and extremely support man. He's been right by my side for each step. So as I see it, it is definitely time to change. I only have told 2 friends, my fiancé and his mother. My mother will not know until the week prior to surgery. She'd do everything to talk me out of it! She's very nervous of anything medical. For me this is life changing. Thank you for sharing your ideas and experiences, I'm reading all the posts to learn anything new.

Which protein powder did you use, it sounds like a great one to try?

I'm with Aetna as well. From my understanding you have to provide a 2 year weight history as well as follow a doctor's supervised diet program for 3 months. I'm unsure if you're able to follow a program that's not your surgeon. During the 3 months, there can be no weight gain or you'll be denied. Not sure if this info is helpful.

Hey it's 3 hours later, I'm sure you'll be just fine. I haven't been sleeved yet. I'm in the 90 day supervised diet phase. They're looking at a September date. However, you were reading and researching....so I'm sure you know the basics, remember to walk, take small sips, and take your pain meds if needed. I hope all goes well with your surgery. Oh! Congrats to you!

I just started the process as well. My consultation with Dr. Fitzer. So far he's pretty amazing. I have to follow a 3 month plan per my insurance's requirement. I meet with my dietician this week.

I was reading intently hoping you were approved. Congratulations! I have Aetna as well. I'm in the very beginning stages of this process. I can only pray that I'm approved.