Hotmama@48

Christinamo7 I really enjoyed reading your post. I am scheduled for surgery on August 8th, and today I have started my pre-op diet. I too, love to cook, bake, and of course eat, lol:). As a matter of fact, I have a degree in Culinary Arts and I love to bake Desserts and thought about making a business of it someday, but I had doubts about that once I decided on surgery. I mean, how can WLS and baking go in the same sentence?? I know it sounds contradictory, but I believe that it can be possible. I read an article not too long ago about three sisters who were all obese and decided to have WLS- all three. One of them decided to go to school to become a pastry chef. After reading that, I said, more power to her! I love it. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

My surgery is scheduled for August 8th, and I started Day 1 of my 14 Day pre-op diet today....It sucks, but wasn't too bad. I can only have Protein shakes/bars for Breakfast and lunch and one meal of a lean protein and non-starchy vegetables for dinner with broth, sugar free Jello and Popsicles, and Crystal Light and Water in between. The Premeir Protein chocolate shakes weren't too bad, but....the Quest Protein Bars were nasty! I only managed to get half a bar down and put the n other half away for later....maybe, lol. I know we all can do this, we just have to study focused and encourage one another in our journeys. Best wishes to all! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I am using Dr. Nick Nicholson as my surgeon to perform my gastric sleeve. I was just curious if anyone who is in pre-op is using him as their surgeon as well? From what I have read in earlier posts from those that have already had surgery, he is awesome. So far from what I have experienced, he and his office staff have been great. I'm just curious....Thank you in advance. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I did see a psychologist, but it was only for a psych evaluation as it was required by my insurance. As a matter of fact, such evaluation is a requirement for pre-op for most insurance approvals. Are you insurance or self pay? Either way, in my honest opinion, seeing a therapist is a good idea...It also opens the door for therapy sessions that you may find yourself needing down the line after the surgery for additional support. So you may want to consider it, and it's nothing to be embarrassed about. Remember, embarking on this new journey of lifestyle will be rewarding, but also challenging....Get all the help and support that you can to help you to be successful in your journey. While my session was for a psych evaluation, my therapist did encourage me to come back and see her any time I felt that I needed to, and I will if I find that I need it. Best wishes to you:)

Yes you're right, it is a small world, lol!! Well, it is getting down to the wire for you....Are there any fears/apprehensions that you may have about this new journey you're about to embark on? For me, it's never being able to eat some of the foods I enjoy now, being nauseated, and not being able to tell when I have had enough to eat with my new sleeve. I'm sure these feelings are normal, but they do creep in from time to time and overwhelm me. But on the bright side, I'm going take it one day at a time and learn to embrace whatever obstacles that may come. Me, you and everyone else on this forum made the brave choice of being proactive by doing something that some may see as, a very drastic step none the less, to help improve the quality of our lives. I looked into taking this path about two years ago, and things financially didn't pan out, but then again I really didn't push and pursue it like I did this time around either. I have BCBS of TX and it was a covered benefit under my husband's insurance...So I decided to get real serious about it and made it a goal to get this surgery done. I have to admit the insurance approval was something I was real nervous about, but it came through with flying colors! While I still have a couple of weeks before starting the pre-op diet, I too, am getting nervous...er Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Good idea!...I will definitely look into getting one. I recall having my very first abdominal surgery many years ago, and wished that I had thought/known about this...I used a cough pillow that my nurse made for me, but it wasn't too effective...This sounds like it would be. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hmmm...I can imagine how difficult the liquid pre-op diet is/will be, as I have not yet started mine....Mine begins on 7/25/16, and will last for two weeks before my surgery date of 8/8. I know how painful it's going to be, BUT know that it's start of a positive journey in your life, and it it also a necessary step that your doctor has ordered for your safety...Shrinking the liver is necessary to avoid nicking it during the surgery which can be a very serious complication, but I'm sure you already know that, lol. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and pick back up on the pre-op diet where you left off and stay there. Worse case scenario if your liver is still too large to do the surgery safely by your surgery date, your WLS will be be cancelled and postponed for a later date. As for the poop and other, it should be working its way out at some time or another since solid food has now been added to the mix....After all, what goes in, eventually come out, lol. Hang in there...YOU GOT THIS!!! Best of luck to you:) Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Mine is scheduled for August 8th....I can't wait to get this new lifestyle started! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Dr. Veninga...I knew that name sounded familiar before, and that is because many years ago I used to work for a Urologist who had a practice at Baylor of Carrollton; however, back then the hospital was called Trinity Medical Center. Wow, small world! Dr. Nick, like Veninga, has been awesome thus far. I initially started the process with him on April 1st with my consultation, I had my psych evaluation and sleep study both completed by May 8th, paper work submitted to insurance on May 24th and received approval on June 3rd. I have my pre-op nutritional consult on July 15th, and pre-op labs/EKG scheduled within that following week. I start my two week pre-op diet on 7/25/16 and have surgery on 8/8/16. I live in McKinney btw. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Well, I finally got my surgery date scheduled...it will be August 8th. All that I have left to do before then is my pre-op nutritional counseling, pre-op blood work/EKG, and the two weeks pre-op diet. It's getting down to the wire....nervous but excited! How are things going for you? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm an August sleever, and I'm having mine done in the DFW area too! My date is scheduled for August 8th and it will be at Baylor of Plano with Dr. Nick Nicholson. If you don't mind me asking, who is your doctor? I'm excited and I am excited for you as well!!! We'll have to keep in touch on each other's progress....Good luck to you Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I too, have my date scheduled for August 8 as well! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Mine is August 8th, if the Lord willing! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm getting closer y'all...I just completed my EGD yesterday, and according to my patient advocate at my doctor's office, the step next on the agenda is to schedule an attentive appointment date...I'm thinking it will be sometime time in mid or late July or even maybe early August. Right now I'm trying to schedule some nutritional counseling with a bariatric nutritionist...Strangely enough, it is not a requirement on my particular insurance policy and I've already been approved for the sleeve procedure; however, it is something that I feel is important and vital for success in this new journey. So, I'm paying out of pocket for this service as my insurance will not cover out patient diet instruction, but I feel that it is so worth it. It's starting to feel more real now, but I am excited and ready to get this show on the road, LOL! I will say that I am in the Dallas, TX area, and my doctor is Nick Nicholson from the Nicholson Clinic...Is there anyone on here that is from Texas and is familiar with him? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm glad to hear that it all worked out for you. I have BCBS of TX, and I was told the same thing about having a diet waiting period whereas my doctor's office said that it was NOT a requirement on my policy. The funny thing about it, is that the insurance rep that I spoke to over the phone said that they do require a diet waiting period, and she also gave me the surgical procedure code under which all of the requirements for any WLS is listed, and low and behold, it states NOTHING about having to have a medically supervised diet regimen of any kind or for any time period! It just goes to show you that sometimes even the insurance personnel themselves don't know what's what. I reaffirmed this with my patient advocate, and she said that BCBS is one of the few insurances that does not require any diet waiting period; which I was very surprised to hear, especially since most of the people here have stated that it is a requirement for them. Hang in there!.I do not have a scheduled surgery date yet, but it will be happening very shortly. All that I have next to do is the endoscopy, and then the pre-op diet. I believe it will happen sometime in early July. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hello everyone! I'm quite new to this forum, and I came across this awesome website, and boy, am I so glad I did! It has been a real help as I am currently in the process of trying to get insurance approval for the Gastrectomy Sleeve. I currently have BCBS of TX PPO insurance, and I received my predetermination letter in the mail saying that the surgery is a covered benefit under my particular plan and would be covered provided that I have met all the requirements needed. So I suppose it's pretty much safe to say that I have been approved for the surgery. I haven't heard back yet from my case manager at my doctor's office, but according to my letter and the phone conversation with the insurance company, they too, would be receiving the same letter. My doctor's office submitted my paperwork to the insurance company on 5/24/16 and they came back with the aforementioned letter dated 5/27/16; so three days to respond. That was quick considering that my case manager said that they could take up to 2 weeks to 30 business days. Anyway I just wanted to share with anyone who may be curious about the approval requirements for BCBS of TX PPO. The requirements that I had to meet were the following: BMI > 40 or BMI > 35. (mine was 41 & I have HTN as well as sleep apnea)  Psychiatric Evaluation.  Sleep Study.  No diet waiting period! (I was surprised by this) So, it is possible that not all insurance policies require a diet requirement like many that do. My CM even said that BCBS is one of the few insurance companies that has this. Now I’m just waiting to here what the next step is....I’m getting excited!!!! Anyway I hope this little information may be of help to someone.