kmorri

Congrats on the weight loss! My guess would be hormonal. Hormones are stored in your fat cells and they've been stirred up!!!......I don't think you sweat when you're dehydrated....but I am not a doctor!!! You may want to give your doctor a call on Monday, but in the meantime make sure you're getting all your Water in.....and check out the color of your urine....it should be clear to pale yellow.....darker color means dehydration.

This is funny you got me good!!......I saw the title early this morning and just skipped over it at the time hoping someone else would be better at offering the support you would need...hahaha I honestly didn't know what to tell you.

So as part of my pre-op testing I just had a chest x-ray and a swallow test.....I have a hiatal hernia I didn't know anything about....I also have narrowing of my esophagus.....I had neck surgery years ago where they fused 3 veribra.....ever since that surgery things get stuck in my throat.....I know hernia repair during sleeve surgery is very common.....how about fixing the narrowing of my esophagus? Has anyone had that done during sleeve surgery. The Radiologist seemed to think the surgeon would fix both during my surgery..... I of course will be talking with my surgeon about it when I see him next but I was just wondering if anyone else had the same issue and if there was much discomfort caused by it .....makes my throat hurt to think about it!!! haha

@@FrankiesGirl Thanks! I will be discussing with my surgeon for sure! Thanks for the info!

Hi everyone, I'm looking to connect with anyone who is pre or post surgery with Dr. Uchal in Jacksonville, Florida. I am pre-surgery and am in the process with an expected May surgery date. So far I love him! I'd be very interested to hear from any of his patients regarding any of his pre-surgery requirements....I know insurance requirements are different, but wondering about his pre-surgery diet requirements.....I have another appointment on April 6th where I think I'll be finding this out but just wondering what everyone's experience has been with him in the past. So far here's what I know and am scheduled for: chest x-ray 4/1 swallow test 4/1 psych visit and patient advocate 4/6 2 hour bariatric education class 4/25 My patient advocate has told me that after the 2 hour class they will submit my insurance pre-auth request and set a date but she expects it to be in May. I am more than ready! I hate all the waiting but thankfully the month of April will be very busy for me with all these appointments and in addition I have two business trips that month as well... Any insights would be helpful!

Wow! I thought May was too far out...Thankfully my insurance doesn't require the supervised diet.....I'll be glad when I get an actual date, but they say it will be in May. I can't wait!!!

Good morning and lucky you! I haven't had surgery but I'll be happy to be your sounding (typing) board!

Good post! I'm still waiting to be scheduled for surgery but it's supposed to be in May.....But I've had a question regarding early post op and taking synthroid.....can you take the pill whole or do you have to crush it?....I'll be asking my surgeon of course but thought I'd ask the experienced. Thanks in advance

I forgot to mention that I had recently had some blood work and an EKG done at my PCP so they just used those results rather than repeating the same tests.

Make sure they keep an eye on your potassium...... I'm glad you're feeling better!

I think it depends on what your doc orders.....I'm having a chest x-ray and swallow test....that's it so far.

@@susanh14 I think we've determined it's something to talk over with your surgical team....most of the literature says no caffeine but as you can see with the responses in this thread.....it's up for discussion. So talk it over with them I think is the best advice.

@PaulDaniel....try standing on your head and drink Water while holding your breath.....hahaha just kidding! don't try that, just trying to make you smile! feel better soon!

@@PaulDaniel I hope the extra day helps you feel better! hang in there!

@@Justin Edwards Hi! "predetermination" is just the name of the department that looks over the medical documentation so they can make a "determination prior" to your surgery. I don't think she meant to make you think it was sent somewhere else or different....just that it's where it needs to be and it's being processed...... If it's been submitted for more than 2 weeks you can always call the number on your card and tell them you would like to check the status of your authorization for surgery....30 days is just so you don't get too worried if it takes a long time....but at 2 weeks there's nothing wrong with calling the insurance to check..........I retired from BCBS of Florida and I'm pretty sure most all the Blue plans work very similar. Good luck!!!

I would call and ask for the office manager.......and very politely let the manager know what you've been through with all the visits and all in preparation for this surgery.....and now you're finally finished and all that needs to happen is your records need to be sent to your surgeon.....let the manager know how many times you've called and left messages and how no one is calling you back..............That would be my next step....now be prepared, they will probably transfer you to the office managers voicemail...hahaha....So before you make the call I would suggest writing out what you want to tell her just like you were writing a letter and don't forget to include your phone number.....and when you get the voicemail, read your letter! .....I'm sorry you're having this problem. Good luck!!!

@@lolarose13 You're very welcome! Lots of times the doctors offices are confused because to them it looks like they are only dealing with the home plan but they don't see what goes on after they file the claim......Your doctor's office will also file your approval request with the AZ plan.....but AZ will ask CA to make the determination.....that's the part the doctor's office won't see. So it was an honest mistake by your doctor's office. The process for getting this surgery is complicated enough without having to deal with insurance surprises......Good luck to you!!! Feel free to reach out to me anytime. I'm going though this now as well my surgery should be in May but I don't have a date yet.

Please make sure to call your Blue plan and ask them....call the phone number on your card and ask, because the information you were given is incorrect. I retired from BCBS of Florida....the way all the Blue plans work is where ever the service takes place that plan actually processes the claim.....but they process it using the "home" plan's guidelines...The home plan is the plan on your card. So in your situation....AZ will process the claim but they will process it using the CA plan's guidelines..When your AZ doctor files the claim with AZ Blue, they will communicate with the CA plan and ask them if the procedure is approved.....If CA says yes, the AZ plan pays the doctor based on his AZ Blue Cross contract...I know that sounds complicated....but it goes pretty smoothly ....but call your plan to verify. You don't want to have any surprises.

Im in laughlin, NV, where are you at? Im having my surgery done with dr. Ariel Ortiz in Mexico. Good luck with all your stuff! Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

Oh this is exciting! I'm glad we got this group going....May will be here before we know it!!!

@@Hannahb3997 congrats to you! I think pre-op as well as post op is basically the same for both procedures so welcome to the May team!!!

yeah I didn't ask for approval.....mine was more....."so I've been researching and I feel this is the right thing for me and I'm going to start moving through the process...blahblahblah"......Only you know how to deal with your hubby.....but if it were me, rather than waiting for him to make up his mind, I'd tell him that I've done lots of research and this is what I want to do and want his support.....if he has questions let him attend appointments with you so he can ask away..............But again, big disclaimer here, only you know what will work with your hubby. :-) As far as not feeling like cooking foods I can't eat...........I'm the luckiest woman in the world there! My hubby does most of the cooking anyway! It's just the two of us so I won't have any issues there....... I totally agree with your thoughts around being overweight out weighing the risk for the surgery.......

I sure hope 47 isn't too old, because I'm 56 and will be having surgery in May! hahaha Let your doctor guide you to which surgery will be best for your condition....try not to stress too much.

@@leahhindi I'm lucky that my hubby is supportive.....well as much as he can be...haha... He doesn't talk much and if I started telling him I was nervous about getting the surgery done he would probably respond with " so don't do it then"....so I enjoy coming here and chatting with folks going through the same thing I am. I wish you all the luck in the world and hope we'll both get a date quickly!!!