SusanB55

Hi, I think all insurance companies have requirements for conversion surgery. I just had my band converted to a sleeve 6 days ago. I'm so glad it is gone, but the whole process is an ordeal. So many hoops to jump through and then the surgery itself was rough for me. I have BCBS Fed. If you call member services on your insurance card or look in your patient benefit book, it should outline the requirements. @@Felisha602

Hi there, my husband and I have BCBS Fed and we were both approved. Hubby had bmi at 38 with diabetes and other comorbidities and I had bmi of 38 with only sleep apnea. Hubby is a newbie....but i, like you, was a revision. The band was problematic for 10 years but finally decided to jump thru all the hoops. We actually switched from another insurance during open season because the insurance gal in the office said bcbs was the best for approvals of bariatric. Good luck!

You look FABULOUS!!!!!

I was converted on may 11. I am sore and kinda grumpy. I am having a lot of trouble meeting my protein goal, and this is only day 1.

I am supposed to have my band removed tomorrow also; sleeve to be done only if it is safe. I hope I wake up sleeved! How are you feeling otherwise?

OK, so my husband has jumped through all the hoops and has received approval for the sleeve. His date is May 2! Yay for him! Now, I was just submitted yesterday for a band-to-sleeve revision. I am praying I am approved too. Assuming I AM approved and the doctor's office doesn't drop any more last minute surprises at me (that's another story!), do you think our surgeries spaced out 2-3 weeks apart is a good amount of time? Will hubby feel up to taking care of me by then? Time is of the essence right now. My daughter is getting married in August and I have to buy a dress and travel out of state! I need to start losing weight ASAP lol!

@@dallas23 thank you! My husband was sleeved one week ago today and is doing well, down 10 lbs. I am gowing this Wednesday, so 9 days apart. I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack. I'm so so so scared!

1. Exactly HOW bad do the Lovenox injections hurt? My surgeon says we have to inject ourselves for a week post op. Ugggh. 2. Do I really need a blender for pureeing foods in the 2nd week+? If I can get by without one, I'd like to save the money. Thanks

I have been soooo nervous about whether or not I would be approved for my revision, but I called BCBS yesterday and was approved! So grateful, yet extremely worried and nervous. My husband is being sleeved this Monday, May 2. This was the original plan. We both get sleeved and he goes first to start tackling his diabetes! But now that it's so close, I am pretty much a nervous wreck. We aren't youngsters like so many others out there in Bariatric Pal Land, lol. I hope we can withstand the pain/discomfort and carb withdrawal! I know I'm not saying anything new!!

Do you still feel like backing out? I'm so scared and keep thinking of it too.

My husband will be sleeved this time tomorrow. My stomach is in knots, to say the very least. Asking for your prayers and good thoughts for my darling hubby Frank! Then 9 days later, I will be next. Getting a band-to-sleeve revision on the 11th, hoping surgeon will do both in one session. Dear God, I am so nervous for us both. Be well and happy Sunday ~Susan

Surgery started about 45 minutes late so that was beyond nerve-wracking. But surgeon just came out and said it went like clock work and was stabIle throughout. So relieved and thankful but i know the next few weeks are going to be hard for him. I'm not sure if should have mine done in just 9 days now. I'll see how he is doing the next couple of days.

Best wishes!!

@@SusanB55, we have some things in common. I will be 56 in June, my surgery date is May10th (but I am having bypass) and I am also 5'5". Good luck to you! @@Gaylene Davison - my surgeon told me he had a 74yo woman who was very healthy and she had the surgery with no complications at all. I don't know if she had sleeve or RNY but he said she was an exception and he would not as a rule perform WLS on someone that age. It just depends on their health and motivation. How are you feeling as your surgery date gets closer? Honestly, I am scared to death and at times, I feel like backing out. We are leaving for hubby's surgery is 10 minutes. I feel nauseous.

Thank you! Your words really uplifted me! So you were a revision also? Did your surgeon do both procedures in same surgery? Leaving in 30 minutes to take my husband. Anxious!

I think I speak for many after reading your post, how are you doing? I haven't seen any replies from you. Hope you are ok. This post has kinda freaked me out as my hubby is being sleeved tomorrow and then me on the 11th. UGH.

@@1959JimmyJames thank you!

My husband too! May 2 in the morning in Tucson. Good luck to you!

The surgeon prescribes it for all his patients to prevent blood clots, that's all I know. Owie.

I know. I know words don't help much. I know you are feeling alone in your misery. I know you feel tired. I know your energy loss seems overwhelming. I know you feel like you're your own worst enemy. I know you feel like you've made a mistake having your surgery. I know you are feeling that you have "failed one more time". I know you want to wail at yourself--or just anyone and everyone. I know you're hurting inside and out, upside down and right side up I know. I also know: You can't "undo" the sleeve. I know you will have to reach deep down within yourself and find your determination and inner strength. I know you have to write down all of the reasons you had WLS to begin with. I know you have to read that to yourself many many times during the day--out loud. I know that prayer can't hurt. I know that at one time you wanted to see yourself in the mirror as you see yourself in your heart. I know that crying --even wailing loudly helps. I know that walking/exercising in whatever manner you can to the point when you can think of nothing except trying to breath helps to get the endorphins flowing. I know that sometimes a new hobby to concentrate on and keep your hands and mind busy helps. I know because I've been there. At times--still am. I finally know that if you can do this WLS , then so can I. Shall we-- together? Prayers going up for the both of us. I love your posts!! Can we be best friends?

We like Body Fortress chocolate whey non-isolate. We mix it with 1% milk, PB2 and maybe a tad of banana. So yummy. About $18 at Walmart.

Where in az are you? My husband is getting sleeved tomorrow morning and I'm scheduled for a band to sleeve revision (hopefully in same surgery) on may 11th. I agree with you; time has dragged for us too!

My husband just turned 65 and he is being sleeved. ..TOMORROW! ! AAGH! He had to jump through a lot more hoops than I had to (my sleeve date is May 11!!) because I am "only" 56. He's excited and optimistic and looks forward to putting his diabetes is remission. Good luck!

@@Mburk72 have you gotten an approval yet?

So these would count towards the water quota if used occasionally in the immediate post op days? I wonder about the caffeine as well.