BetterOffRed

Hello, My insurance does not cover WLS. I'm interested in having the Sleeve done and cannot afford any more monthly payments at this time, so I'm looking to take a Medical Hardship Withdrawal from my 401k. I've confirmed with my plan administrator that they allow for this and just turned my paperwork in. Has anyone else done this? How long does it normally take to hear back from them whether you're approved or denied? Please let me know how this process worked for you... Thank you!!

I'm not sure when you had surgery, but I can tell you that it's normal to not lose right away (or even to gain at first). I had surgery on going in to surgery I was 9 lbs down (due to the low carb diet). When I got home from surgery I had gained that entire 9 lbs back due to Water weight, etc.. They pump you full of liquids and your body is working to heal & adjust. Don't fret, the weight will start coming off. Don't worry about the scale right now, just worry about getting your Protein & fluids in and getting good meal habits/routines in place. The weight will come off. I'm three weeks out from surgery now and down 23 lbs. It will happen.

Good for you!! I think the first two weeks (all that liquid & soup) was the hardest part. It's nice to get back to eating 'normally'... I'm a little over three weeks out and trying to focus on getting into a good meal routine with good habits & learning my "full" feeling... it's so different than it was before. Congrats to you & keep the updates coming!!

I’m only a week out from surgery (surgery date 10/4/16) and already SO glad that I did this. We all have our “last straw” things that really helped us make the decision to change our health for the better. Mine was knee surgery in April of this year. Full tear of the ACL and bucket handle tear of the meniscus… surgery was tough and recovery/PT wasn’t easy either. Even with PT I was still having a hard time getting around (lots of muscle stiffness/limping). It made me realize that my knees can’t take my obesity anymore and I needed to do something about it. Well, the blood clot cuff squeezy thing they put on you during/after surgery did something to help relieve my muscle stiffness in my calf and the walking I had to do the day/night of surgery was the easiest walking I’ve done in MONTHS! I’m one week out, about 13 lbs down and walking around is so much easier already!! I can’t wait to get back to walking the track during my son’s Lacrosse practice and doing 5ks!

Not too bad... I've been doing 2 Protein drinks a day a Greek yogurt and a creamed Soup. I've been sip, sip, sipping my Water, but I'm sure I could be getting more in! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using the BariatricPal App

How've you been doing??

I was anxious before the surgery, but more about the pain & recovery. You'll do fine with the sipping... it's much easier than I anticipated. The broth counts towards your liquids and I just keep Water with me all the time. I was worried that I would have buyer's remorse afterward, but I'm so glad that I did this. I'm anxious now to move on to the pureed & soft foods stage... kinda done with the liquids now... LOL, but other than that it's going really well! You'll do great! Good luck to you!!

I had both Emend and the patch and have had NO nausea at all. It's expensive for one pill, but I felt it was worth it. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using the BariatricPal App

I had my sleeve done on the 4th too! I've been walking and lots of sipping... so excited for this next healthier chapter in my life!! Good luck to you for a continued speedy recovery!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using the BariatricPal App

Hi everyone, My surgery date is 10/4 and I'll need to start my pre-op diet on 9/20. My surgeon wants me to do a low carb diet (under 40g per day). What is everyone else needing to do? Is anyone else nervous about this? I've never done a low carb diet (did WW back in the day...never Atkins)... I've researched and know what I need to do, but I'm nervous that I won't lose the weight or shrink my liver as much as they want. If I follow the surgeon's instructions I should be fine right?

Thank you!! Good luck with the surgery. Hope all goes well and for a speedy recovery Sent from my LG-H830 using the BariatricPal App

I check in at 9am tomorrow for my surgery! I didn't have to do any bowel prep or antibiotics, but every surgeon is different. I've seen SO many different regimens talked about on here. Good luck to you!! We'll have to touch base in a week or two to report how we're doing!

I would ask the surgeon for an estimate that provides the total cost along with the amount that he expects your insurance to cover. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using the BariatricPal App

Thanks @@JamieLogical! I have been feeling a tad run down, but no headaches yet. I'm trying to stay hydrated, so hopefully that will help! Thanks for the encouragement!!

Just wanted to report that I'm doing great on the low carb diet so far! Having lost of eggs, meat, cheeses, lower carb veggies and even altered my morning coffee to have cream & equal in it for only 2 carbs! Day three and I'm down a little over 3 lbs!! Yay! I was so worried that I wouldn't do well on it or see the needed results and all the worry seems to have been for nothing! I'm so excited to have started down my journey and can't wait for the healthier me that doesn't get out of breath going up the stairs!! Had my pre-op appointment with my surgeon yesterday and that went really well. I'm ready for 10/4 to get here now!!

Wow... that would be so nerve-wracking JamieLogical! It's crazy to me how all the different surgeons have different instructions for us as far as pre-op diets go!

Just wanted to update.... I was approved for my hardship withdrawal and received my funds within a week of being approved! So excited to become a healthier version of myself!! My surgery is set for 10/4, wish me luck!!

Just got my surgery date of October 4th! I'm excited and nervous... but mostly excited! I've been working to cut down on carbs and just start being more aware of what I currently eat and how I should be modifying that choice in the future. My goals between now & surgery (other than the 2 week pre-op diet) are to work on eating more slowly (this will be challenging), to switch from sugary to sugar free, and to work on upping my Water intake.

Great, thanks so much for the info & responses! Does anyone know how often people are denied? I have a letter of necessity from my doctor, so I'm hoping that helps my case, but I'm nervous they'll say no for some reason... just wondering if anyone had issues getting denied when trying a hardship withdrawal...