moondoggie1983

Also, you’re NOT dumb. Insurance is on a whole different planet. [emoji23] HW: 311 CW: 258 SW: We’ll see on May 10! First goal weight: 191 lbs Second goal weight: 159 lbs Goal weight: 142 lbs 5’6” 34 yo female in NC

The best thing to do is go to your health insurance provider’s website and email them requesting a copy of your plan’s requirements for an approval for WLS. They should email you a copy within a couple days. But odds are good that if your doctor is telling you it’s required, it’s required. I’ve worked in medical for a LONG time. If your a specialty medical provider, you’re going to be incredibly familiar with the requirements for every health plan you accept at your office. I never trust a basic representative from a customer service line when it comes to healthcare. They usually have no idea when it comes to anything other than regular pcp and rx care. Anything with a specialization and they tend to not know. HW: 311 CW: 258 SW: We’ll see on May 10! First goal weight: 191 lbs Second goal weight: 159 lbs Goal weight: 142 lbs 5’6” 34 yo female in NC

YES!!!! But I have dreams about everything in this process! I have dreams that I forget I’m on the Optifast diet and eat real food and then can’t have the surgery. I have dreams that involve going through the surgery (which is illogical since I’ll be knocked out but the brain is a weird place!). I have dreams about not being able to ever eat normal things again. About pain after surgery. I dream about it all! Mine is on the 10th and while I feel like it can’t come soon enough, the other 1/2 of me almost wishes it was further away thanks to the anxiety. But we’ll make it and we’ll be good! It’s the Losers Bench for both of us soon HW: 311 CW: 258 SW: We’ll see on May 10! First goal weight: 191 lbs Second goal weight: 159 lbs Goal weight: 142 lbs 5’6” 34 yo female in NC

Awesome! I’m dying at the licking of the pepperoni though! [emoji23] Lets see, I’m on day 6 now. You’re a lucky duck that you have so short a pre-op diet and I am jealous! I messed up on day four and had a tiny bit of shredded boiled chicken. Ugh! I thought that little bit would be ok since most people are doing a version of the keto diet. WRONG! I got soooo nauseous the whole next day! I guess after even just 3 days of all Optifast and jello solid “regular” food messed me up. But let me tell you, feeling like crap that whole next day sure made me not want to cheat EVER AGAIN! But, it also freaked me out because how am I going to feel on day 15 when I have some cream soup or pudding? Will everything normal make me feel gross? I was freaking out anyway because I’ve never had surgery and the anesthesia part is scary. Now I’m getting worried about all kinds of stuff! Eek! Tomorrow is my endoscopy so I guess I’ll get a taste of anesthesia then. How are you doing so far? What diet does your surgeon have you on? HW: 311 CW: 258 SW: We’ll see on May 10! First goal weight: 191 lbs Second goal weight: 159 lbs Goal weight: 142 lbs 5’6” 34 yo female in NC

Mine took almost 18 months, but I seem to be the oddball on here with such a long timeline. When I went for my initial consultation, it was December 2016. At that point, my insurance had no nutritional counseling requirements. I was set up for all my pre-op appointments in January 2017. Then wham! My insurance changed its policies and I needed a full year of monthly nutritional visits. Talk about getting screwed! So, my last one was December 31, 2017. Then I started all the appointments from scratch because all the tests I’d already done were too old. BUT, my prior with was submitted 4/26 and approved 4/27. I got my surgery date that same day for 5/10. So, once you get approved things run REALLY QUICKLY! HW: 311 CW: 259 SW: We’ll see on May 10! First goal weight: 191 lbs Second goal weight: 159 lbs Goal weight: 142 lbs 5’6” 34 yo female in NC

Oh! I’m sooo glad to hear you’re doing great after so little time! My sleeve is the 10th and I’ve been freaking out about how long it will take to feel better, the anesthesia, just the whole surgery thing in general. Can you just tell me what the whole thing consisted of? Of course my doctor and nurses have told me, but it’s not the same as hearing it from someone who had it so recently. HW: 311 CW: 259 SW: We’ll see on May 10! First goal weight: 191 lbs Second goal weight: 159 lbs Goal weight: 142 lbs 5’6” 34 yo female in NC

Hey! We’re surgery twins! Awesome! I swore I would never find another person having surgery on the 10th! Yay! HW: 311 CW: 259 SW: We’ll see on May 10! First goal weight: 191 lbs Second goal weight: 159 lbs Goal weight: 142 lbs 5’6” 34 yo female in NC

I’m right there with you! I HATE water! Thank god for crystal light! Lemonade, fruit punch and raspberry lemonade are my go to’s. HW: 311 CW: 259 SW: We’ll see on May 10! First goal weight: 191 lbs Second goal weight: 159 lbs Goal weight: 142 lbs 5’6” 34 yo female

I like to watch ClusieL on YouTube. She tells it like it is. And she’s funny. Day 1 WAS the worst for me! My head kept telling me I was hungry and I actually was physically hungry about 3 times. I’m on day 5 now and so far I’ve lost a little over 6 pounds. I know that doesn’t sound super amazing, but it feels amazing [emoji23]. By day 3 I had a bunch of energy, but I did start having a hard time lifting heavy things. I save my sugar free jello for dinner and it really feels like a decadent dessert! I’ve also been making sure I get around 92 oz of water a day. Honestly, I think it’s all the water that’s keeping me full. Just take your time. I had my Optifast soup and my jello last night and took 2 hours to eat that. I felt sooo full! You can do it! HW: 311 CW: 260 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

Glad I could help you feel better! I promise it will go well for you! Good luck and keep us posted! HW: 311 CW: 260 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

Ok, so I know it’s ridiculously early for me to ask this question since my surgery is May 10th. BUT, has anyone had plastics after surgery? If so, how long did you wait? What did you have? I have a big belly now, so I KNOW there’s going to be skin that has to get removed later. And I’ve heard lots of women talking about the need to have their breasts done. I’m a crazy planner (yes, I plan years ahead of time! Lol) so I’m just seeing what other people out there have done. HW: 311 CW: 260 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

Has anyone used Dr. Heider in NC? I’m scheduled for surgery on the 10, and I’m just wondering about how things went. I really like him and he has great reviews. Some of the medical staff in his office leave a bit to be desired to me, but I’ve worked in medical for so long that I know my expectations are probably way higher lol. Just wondering how your surgery went if you used him. HW: 311 CW: 260 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

What day is your surgery? I’m looking for a buddy. Mine is the 10. HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

I’m feeling great today. All the Optifast and 92 oz of water in! I went for my pre-op meeting this afternoon and I’ve lost 5 lbs in 4 days. Super happy about that! But I haven’t tried lifting anything heavy again lol HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

Yep! I’m in Concord. By way of IL in the early 90’s as a kid and then FL two years ago. I LOVE having seasons again! Thank you for the well wishes and yes! I am sooo happy that 18 months of hard work are finally paying off! Where did you live in NC? HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

This. So much this. I’m scheduled for May 10 and all of my close friends, family and coworkers know. They’re all super supportive. Maybe afterwards they’ll occasionally think to themselves “should she be eating that?” Or whatever. Maybe some of them thought that I was taking the easy way out. Ha! Well now I’ve started the Optifast and they see all the work that goes into this, they’re being amazing! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not broadcasting it all over social media, but I am proud! Also, I know people are going to DEFINITELY notice I’m losing A LOT of weight. I certainly didn’t want anyone to think I was sick or had an eating disorder or anything like that. But I am an open book person. I’ve had a bunch of really rough patches in my life, and I’m upfront about all of it. Heck! My doctor even gave me a medical alert card stating that I’ve had Bariatric surgery and to please let me order from the children’s or seniors menu when I go out! Very nice of them and I’m sure I’ll use the hell out of that! HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

You’ll be good. I just payed about this on another thread, but I had 4 appointments with the weight loss psych. Personally I have bipolar, anxiety, insomnia and I’m a recovered opiate addict. Just be honest with your doctor and if you’re currently being counseled for any of your issues you might want to have those records sent over. Once my weight loss psych saw that I’ve been drug free for 6 years and that I stay in constant contact with my regular psychiatrist (especially that I recognize when my moods start to swing) he was good with me getting the surgery. He was also impressed by the amount of research I had done regarding the surgery and hormonal changes that occur post-op. Basically, my story is to let people know that no matter what you’ve been through, no doctor is going to hold it against you if you’re dealing with it well. Just be 100 percent honest and I’m sure you’ll be just fine. HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

I was required to have 4 psych visits. Two to talk about previous and current issues and to determine if I really knew what I was getting myself into. The third was the 600 question test that most people on here seem to take and the fourth was just a follow up on that test. Please don’t get worried that because you have anxiety you won’t get surgery. I have bipolar, anxiety, insomnia and I’m a recovered opioid addict. If you’re honest and have documentation to show that you’re being cared for by a professional for any issues you may have, and that you DO understand how this is a full life change and what exactly happens when you have the surgery you’ll be fine. My psych approval took a few weeks longer than most since they needed my regular psychiatrist’s notes from the past year to evaluate if I was stable and recognized when I was changing from “normal” to manic to depression. Other than that, it was all good. HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

Day 4 went well. I had my 2 hour pre-op meeting and my H&P with my surgeon yesterday. After 18 months of waiting, the process is suddenly FLYING BY! I go in for my pre-surgery testing on Wednesday May 2nd at 9am and then the endoscopy is Friday May 4th at 7 a.m. Then surgery Thursday May 10th. I got all five Optifast products down plus 2 servings of jello and 96 oz of water. Not bad considering I was at the surgeon’s office practically all day. I’ve dropped 5 lbs in 4 days which is great! The only bad news is that I had my first cheat on Optifast. I had 5 Fritos. Not five SERVINGS, but 5 chips. And I felt AWFUL after. First was the guilt of cheating and second I just felt bad physically. That will be the LAST and ONLY time I cheat! Ugh! Now for the TMI portion of my day. Initially I had terrible diarrhea on the first 3 days of the Optifast. Now I’m entering the constipation phase it seems. I’m going out tomorrow to buy some benefiber. I’ve already ordered my flavorless Unjury protein powder as my nutritionist recommended using it with basically everything during the first 4 months after surgery. Handy that you can mix it in with basically anything. I haven’t been taking any vitamins since starting the Optifast since it provides 100% daily values of everything I need. But when I go back for my pre-op tests on Wednesday I’ll be picking up my Celebrate Hair, Skin and Nails formula, Optisource multi chewables and an extra 27 Optifast shakes. I’ve decided to continue with those shakes for convenience sake. I know I’m not going to want to be making shakes myself right after surgery. I guess that’s it. Not too nervous since I was kept so busy today, but definitely having weird dreams regarding the diet and surgery. Since what really gets me nervous is the anesthesia part, I think being put under for the endoscopy will help alleviate that. I hope so anyway. Oh! And I got all my orders from Amazon today! Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies, toddler plates, cups, bowls and silverware and a set of books to read while I’m in the hospital and also recouperating. I want to be up and walking as much as possible, but from what I’ve read on here, some people seem to be really worn out for a week or two after surgery and I honestly just can’t watch that much tv (although it’s been recommended by friends I binge on Stanger Things since I’m a loser who hasn’t watched it yet lol) Anyway, I hope everyone with May surgeries are doing well. I haven’t been able to find any twins date of surgery wise, but hopefully I’ll be able to get advice and encouragement from those who have already gone through this. HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

My goodness! You look soooo good! Very handsome! HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

That is awesome! I’m so glad you are feeling much better! Im super week today, but other than that I’m pretty good. Amazingly good job on the 6 pounds! Im losing about one a day, but I know I’ve got a LOT of water weight happening pushing as much water as I am! Keep me posted on how you feel HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

Day 3 of the Optifast and things are still good. I’m not hungry anymore physically, but I still get little bouts of head hungry here and there. Yesterday, day 2, I had a ridiculous amount of energy, but today I’m a little laggy. I don’t mind the laggy part, but the weakness is killing me. I went to buy more water today and it was SO HARD to pick up a 24 pack! I needed 4, and by the third one my arms were shaking. Usually I can carry two of those bad boys at the same time, but apparently not anymore! I’ve got my two week pre-op meeting in the morning tomorrow. I think I’ll get all my final appointments set then. The endoscopy and all that. But most importantly, I’ll have a chance to swap out the Optifast items I do NOT like (I’m looking at you tomato soup and apple cinnamon bars!) and get the ones I do like (sup chocolate shakes and chicken soup?) Now I’m starting to get nervous. I have terrible anxiety anyway and I’ve never had any surgeries or broken bones before (except in my face, which is a crazy story) so the anesthesia is what’s freaking me out the most. I’m going to take some before shots tomorrow even though I really really don’t want to look at them! But I’ve noticed there aren’t as many progress pictures on this app as I thought there would be. I understand why, but as a person who was trolling this thing HARD for over a year, I would have liked to have seen more. Well, I think I’m rambling at this point, so I’ll wrap it up with a deep breath to calm my nerves. HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

You’re right, Jello makes my day every day! [emoji23] HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

Oh awesome! Did he do a good job? Is there anything I should know? I’m supposed to go to my pre-op meeting tomorrow but no one told me the time. If you know what times they do that, it would be super helpful to me since I can’t get ahold of the office staff. Did they set up your appointments for the endoscopy and stuff at that meeting? Michelle hasn’t told me anything and I’m do for surgery the 10. I’m a wee bit put out about that and it’s making me reconsider having the surgery so quickly. HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

Oof. That’s awful. Maybe see if they let you do the Optifast? It has a lot of options taste wise. The chocolate protein drink is delicious! And it’s nice because everything is prepackaged. Like the drinks are like little juice boxes. I haven’t had any stomach upset so far and it’s just really convenient. I just really hope you feel better soon. The diet is hard enough without feeling sick all the time. HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!