Sleeve1stFitNext

Congrats !!!!

Your last visit should be March. I am sure you will be approved. Positive thoughts. It will work out. I know it seems so far but it is next and time is flying by.

How long have you been you trying to get approval?

No, I am not scheduled to have my surgery until March 26th. I am very excited about it. I will post as I go.

Greetings, I know many of you are just starting out on this journey and may want to know what to do after approval ?. Here are some tips that are helping me: 1) Stock up on your Protein shakes. During your visits to the doctor, you should have been trying to find a shake that you like. For me, it was difficult since I am lactose intolerant. Even a small amount of lactose makes my stomach hurt. I spent 3 months testing Protein Shakes. The following two are great for me: Premier Shakes Orgain Shakes You can get these from target, Vitamin Shoppe and Premier is sold at BJ's. 2) Stock up on your vitamins. If you're like me and cannot take pills, try this brand sold a Target called Olly. This brand comes in a chewable form and consist of the following you will need: Calcium (Bones) Multivitamin (Men and Women) B12 (Energy) Vitamin D (Sunshine) 3) Find a food Processor (Not a chopper. They look similar but are different apparently) 4) You can purchase glass baby jars (??) for your puréed stage or you can purchase condiment holders. They both will work with holding your puréed food and helping you measure it out. 5) Gatorade will help with the electrolytes loss. Make sure it is sugar free. It may taste nasty but hey sugar is what got us to where we are now. 6) I created a Pre-op diet schedule and Post-op diet schedule. For those whom need to have an idea of when to eat based on their schedules, this can help. 7) Practice your eating and drinking schedule?. Don't drink 30 minutes before and wait 30 minutes after eating to drink. Slip slowly. Chew your food slowly. There is an App which can help you time yourself. 8) Incorporate more vegetables. Limit your fruit intake because that is still sugar. 9) Continue reading and learning. 10) If you are surrounded by people whom are not supportive, try to not discuss this process with them as they will not be understanding of it. This will stress you out and you may have second thoughts. 11) If you are surrounded by people whom are supportive, try not to overwhelm them. It's a catch 22...I know but show them what you are doing or going to be doing. They may not understand the process but they will see how important it is to you. Try not to talk too much about it, when they have questions, they will ask. As a reminder, this is not a medical opinion but tips that I use to help with the process. There are days in which I want my comfort foods. Sometimes I indulge but most times I ignore the cravings. We are not only changing our bodies but we are also changing our minds. Use this time wisely. Be prepared. Good luck and you can succeed. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am a slow loser as well. Mines come from having severe Endometriosis in which I take hormone blocking medication. I explained all of this to my surgeon and he made sure to add it to the reasons why the surgery would be needed. My suggestion is to call UHC. Have a list of questions available and start drilling them on what are the requirements, what happens if you cannot reach the weight lose requirement but come close. It is important to keep a track of whom you spoke with. Call multiple times to confirm the answers. UHC was pretty consistent when it came to me. Also read up on your plan. The better you understand your plan, the easier it is to deal with the insurance company. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You will discuss this during your Pre-Op appointment. My surgeon just gave me my information when I got approved. You will most likely be given a packet. It will break down the 6 - 8 week Pre-Op and Post-Op diet. Have the vitamins you will need to take. How to eat and drink. What is acceptable and what is not. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It is based on the amount of fat around your liver mostly. If you have fatty liver disease, it can cause the liver to get in the way and prevent surgery. The goal is to make the liver smaller. This is mainly offered to persons whom carry fat in their midsection. I have fatty liver disease so I will have a 2 week liquid diet. Some people have to do 3 weeks and others only need 1 week. It all depends on your body. In addition, surgeons also can decide what is safe for the patients. A liquid diet may cause more damage than good. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My date is March 26th. I am stocking up on my Orgain Protein Shakes, Premier Protein Shakes, My Olly Vitamins, I am looking for a food processor and I am buying baby food glass jars for the puréed stage. I am not playing. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgery date is 3/26/2017. I am sooo excited and nervous. Good luck everyone!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My chest X-Ray was required after approval for surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am getting my sleeve done March 26th. I am 25 years old. I weighed 280lbs at my heaviest (2014). I am currently 256lbs. I start my liquid diet March 12th. I wish you the best of luck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App