ByeFelicia

Has anyone had the sleeve or any other type of bariatric surgery at UAB in Birmingham? Thoughts, opinions, process?

Did anyone talk to their surgeon about B-12 shots post-op? If so, what did he/she say?

I have Fed Blue too, and my surgeon submitted that they're doing an umbilical hernia repair along with the sleeve. Once I was approved, I called Fed BCBS and they said the hernia is covered 100% along with the sleeve (minus the co-pay for the hospital stay and surgeon's fee). So this makes me a little concerned.

Amazon has the premier protein, but for some reason it's more expensive than getting it at Sam's Club.

I'm scheduled for surgery on June 7th and I just got a call from the hospital about pre-registration. They asked me how long I'll be in the hospital and asked me to pre-pay. I told her that I have no idea how long I'll be in the hospital, and asked why I couldn't be billed or pay when I'm checking out. My insurance is covering the surgery, but my insurance has a nightly co-pay for any stays under 5 days (if it's over 5 days then my insurance will pay 100% of the hospital stay). Has anyone else had to pre-pay?

Premier protein isn't thick. It's about the consistency of skim milk.

We should be surgery buddies!! What's going to be tough is saying no to food, especially since I work in an office that LOVES to eat. I'm excited for this process and ready to get it going. We're in this together and we got this!!

I'm scheduled for June 7th as well, and start my liquid diet on May 24th as well!! It's a big change, but you're taking the first step. It'll hopefully get easier. Good luck!

I've been trying to slowly do the same thing you do. The protein shake isn't filling me up, so I'm drinking A LOT of water to try to help myself feel full. I start my liquid diet in less than 10 days and I'm getting nervous because I'm in the same boat.

I was in the same boat, but was already seeing a Hematologist BEFORE I decided on the VSG. My Hematologist and Surgeon are actually in close contact and ordering labs (I see the Hematologist every other month). I'm anemic and have low Vitamin D, which are both concerns for the surgery. Part of my surgical approval was that I had to be cleared by the Hematologist (surgeon's requirement). Ask your surgeon to give you a referral to see if the Hematologist can get you in earlier, since they're requiring you to see one. As far as the birth control, I went and got the IUD so I don't have to worry about it (personal choice because I can't remember to take the pill and I know 4 women who have gotten pregnant while on the Depo shot. If your OB can't get you in early, have your surgeon do a referral and the OB will get you in quickly. I know in Alabama too, some family doctors can prescribe birth control. Good luck with everything!

My Sam's Club carries the cookies and cream, peach, caramel, and chocolate flavors. There are a few Sam's Clubs here in our area, but if you go online and search "in-club" for premier protein it'll show you what flavors are in stock at the store. Hope this helps!

Anyone in Alabama getting their VSG done in June?

You have to be on a doctor monitored diet that doesn't work. Make 6 monthly appointments with your primary care or family doctor and they put you on a diet (my insurance wouldn't take Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc.), and the diet doesn't work. You lose a "little" weight but not enough to make an impact.

That stinks. Do you have to pay for a portion of the surgery (80/20 or 90/10)? I'm just glad that your new insurance will cover it. Does it have the same pre-op requirements as the previous insurance? 29 days and counting for me. I'm getting excited and nervous at the same time. Good luck to you!!

Congrats, Kate! There's a couple of us on here that are scheduled for June 7th. 30 days from now!! Hopefully the rest of May will FLY by!

Sam's club has a 12 pack of premier protein for $16

I was at Sam's Club earlier in the week, and they have 24 slimfast shakes for $8.99 (3-8packs) next to the premier protein shakes. So if they're recommending Slimfast that'd be a good place to go for them, because that's at least 4 days worth of shakes for under $10.

COE's know how and what to do to help get you approved. Your fear is valid and legit, because everyone who is going through and has been through the process has the same fear. But just think of how worth it, it will all be. I feel bad for the person dealing with insurance too!! Mine was so sweet, that I sent her an edible arrangement because while you're waiting for approval and a surgery date you'll feel like you are bugging that person non-stop; but I think they're so used to it that it doesn't really phase them. Good luck!!

Thankfully, my insurance company had the requirements listed in their benefits handbook. But the surgeon's office had a list of the difference insurance companies and their requirements, so the scheduler knew exactly what my insurance required and she said they usually added extra items the insurance didn't ask for. Also, because the hospital I'm using is a Bariatric Center of Excellence also helped as far as insurance approval went. I'm pretty sure that the surgeon's office knows what they're doing since they should specifically have someone that does nothing but deal with insurance companies. Hopefully everything goes smoothly for you!

I meet with mine on the 21st to do a second pre-op physical, redo blood work, and then go over my medications as to what to stop and what I can take post-op. It'll be here before we know it! I feel like a weirdo, because I'm not nervous at all. I'm just ready to do it.

I have Fed Blue, but my approval letter and everything came from BCBS of Alabama and they're paying 100% of surgical costs. All I had to pay out of pocket were the co-pays for dr. visits.

That's awesome Annie!! So glad that your husband is being super supportive, and like you said that's a big weight off your shoulders, especially when you're int he recovery phase. The shakes are ok, and they're kinda gross so I'm just trying to adjust. Good luck!!

I have an IUD, and it's a love/hate relationship. I love the fact that it's a type of birth control that I don't really have to think about and it's good for 5 years. The downside, in 2 months I've had to have 3 IUD's put in because yes, your uterus can expell them. Each time they were inserted they did an ultrasound to check for positioning and they were fine. My uterus is just angry and doesn't like them. If you get one in, make sure you take some type of pain reliever, because it does hurt going in. TMI they do the speculum, then clean your uterus and vagina, and then they insert it. It feels weird for a little bit, but after a day or two you get used to it. The other downside is you either bleed/spot for a few days and you're done. Or you can be like me and bleed for 60 days (my gyno said the bleeding can last for up to 6 months). I don't get my period anymore, but I do get random cramps like my period is coming but it doesn't show up. So it has its good and bad, it's all dependent on you. Have you thought about the Depo shot? A shot in your arm that you get every month?

I'm with you in trying to get into the routine of eating better. I know I'm going to struggle with the liquid diet pre- and post-op so I'm trying to prep myself now by doing a protein shake for breakfast and lunch, at least 40 ounces of water, and then eating an actual meal for dinner (baby steps). I've been CRAVING soda big time, but I started putting crystal light and crush packets into my bottled water when I get the sugar craving. When I'm craving a snack, I just kind of ignore that craving and drink water. Which probably isn't a good habit, but I'm trying to practice my self control plus I know dehydration is a big issue after surgery. You could try meal prepping the night before or meal prepping for the week, and maybe get your family in on it. Doing crock pot meals, or starting on creamy broths and soups. The nutritionist gave me a list of proteins and vegetables that I should start eating. Hope this helps and good luck!! Food Meal Options VEGETABLE VEGETABLE Per Serving: 25 calories, 5 g carbs, 2 g protein Eat More Often Serving Size Artichoke 1 medium Asparagus ½ cup Bean sprouts 1 cup Beets ½ cup or 1 medium Broccoli 1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked Brussels sprouts ½ cup Cabbage 1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked Carrots 1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked Cauliflower 1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked Celery 6 sticks Cucumber 1 Eggplant ½ cup Greens, Collards, Turnips, Mustard, Kale ½ cup cooked Green beans ½ cup Leeks ½ cup Mushrooms 1 cup Okra 6 pods or ½ cup cooked Onions ½ cup Pepper, bell 1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked Radishes 10 Rutabagas ½ cup cooked Salad greens/lettuce 1 cup raw Scallions ½ cup Spinach 1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked Squash Spaghetti squash ½ cup cooked Yellow/Summer squash ¾ cup cooked Tomatoes 1 small Water chestnuts ½ cup Zucchini ¾ cup cooked Eat Less Often Serving Size Spaghetti sauce ½ cup Tomato juice, 100% juice ½ cup Vegetable juice, 100% juice ½ cup PROTEIN Per Serving: 110-160 calories, 14-21 g protein, 0-6 g fat Eat More Often Serving Size Beans, lentils ¾ cup cooked Edamame ¾ cup Egg whites 4 large Egg substitute, plain ¾ cup Egg 2 whole Fish, fresh or frozen 3 ounces Fish, canned Salmon 2 ounces Sardines 4 medium Tuna, in water 3 ounces Tuna, in oil 2 ounces Shellfish Clams 15 Crab, lobster, scallops 3 ounces Oysters 12 medium Shrimp 15 medium Game, wild, no skin 3 ounces Pheasant, venison, rabbit 3 ounces Poultry (no skin) Chicken, turkey, white meat 3 ounces Cornish hen 3 ounces Chicken, turkey, dark meat 2 ounces Duck or goose 2 ounces Ground turkey breast 3 ounces Tofu ½ cup Eat Less Often Serving Size Beef, lean cuts trimmed of fat - round, sirloin, flank, tenderloin, 93%-97% lean 2 ounces Deli meat, all natural 3 ounces Lamb, roast, chop, leg 2 ounces Pork, lean - tenderloin, center cut chop, Canadian bacon, ham 2 ounces Veal, chop, roast 2 ounces

Congrats Jenpa!! Are you excited? The countdown is on, and hopefully the month of May flies by! Are you stocking up for your liquid diet?