Happymouse13

I am SOOOO happy! It has been a long journey, since March, & I got the call this morning...APPROVED! I am set for NOV 5th for gastric sleeve surgery. My PREOP is Oct 14th, so I'm assuming that is when I start liquid diet. I had heard stories with my insurance, since it is medicaid, on how long & tough it is to get approved. I was right on the borde,r 40 bmi, but I also was diagnosed with sleep apnea & diabetic, now in prediabetes. So what should I do now? Take pictures of before for after? FOr the people that have already had surgery, do you have any tips or "I wish I would have done this before surgery" type of suggestions?

Hello everyone, I just get the news that my sleeve will take place on Nov 5th! I'm sooo excited, but have a question to ask people in or out of recovery. I house/dog sit & was wondering how long I would need to request off of my calendar. These dogs don't do walks, but i will need to bend over to feed the pups. I literally just chill w/ them on the couch & do studying on my laptop. So, how many days should I take off of my availability from house sitting?

Hello everyone, I was sleeved 11/5/21 & noticed that Benadryl doesn't make me tired anymore. In my IV, it knocked me out, but now at home -nothing. 1 sm pink capsule use to put me out in 30 min & now 2 won't even work. Both w/ regular Benadryl & tylenol pm. Any suggestions?

I was sleeved 11/5/21 & I'm feeling great! I had no major gas pains & just tender where incisions were glued. My nurse said my doc does a really good job of expelling gas at end of surgery. I didn't know this was an option? My pain from gallbladder lapro was way worse. So my question is-how can I tell if I'm full? My stomach feels the same soreness after eating as it does all day...even before drinking/eating. I am able to get a little more than 64oz of water per day & 3 shakes. I have even added 1 Liquacel protein goo per day. When I take too big of a sip- it feels like my esophagus closes off. *feels like filling a tank of gas too far** I have not had the vomit impulse or gag. I just feel pain in mid torso to back.

Thank you for this...I'm in the same boat.

Hello from 2 days post op. I just wanted to make a small list of things that helped me while in hospital. 1) lip ointment ( Aquaphor or anything thick & goopy) lips were really chapped. 2) Dry mouth swish...(I used Biotene) just make sure to spit it out! 3) Neck pillow 4) Ear buds & phone charger 5) Sleep mask 6) Air freshener 7) Hair tie 😎 Face wash & lotion helped too. I was very dry coming out of surgery. ***I also wore very loose, high waisted thin yoga type pants w/ oversize shirt. I almost wore a large maxi dress, but realized that they would need to lift the full dress up to check my wounds.

Surgery @ 8:30am yesterday. Woke up @ 5am today & feeling OK. Walked hall 2x, urinated 3x since surgery.

Fry's in the "Asian" section of store. It comes w/ 3 packets, dehydrated.

Congrats! Have you tried miso soup?

Tomorrow! Nov 5th is my surgery @ 8:30am (be there @ 6:30am)! I am getting gastric sleeve and staying overnight (per insurance). I just bought about $40 in soups & sugar free drinks & had miso soup w/out the tofu & seaweed for dinner. So excited, it's been a year long process!

Nursesunshine: Is that for all insurances? The 12 + months?

Hello everyone, So I'm getting nervous now! I have Ahcccs w/ AZ Complete Health Plan) & I have been doing all the requirements from my Bariatric Surgeon. 6 months supervised diet w/ chart all chart notes & visit summary (lost 6 lbs, never gained), endoscopy, cardiac clearance (pet scan, echo & EKG), pulmonary clearance (chest x-ray), sleep study, psych eval & clearance, nutritionist, & letter of recommendation from Primary Care doc. I made sure to get copies of everything & sent them to my surgery coordinator in the doctor's portal. FINALLY FINISHED! My surgeon's office is submitting everything next week & I'm nervous! I'm worried if I will be approved or not. Has anyone been in same situation? I am hoping to get VGS. 5'3" 229.5 (1st weigh in) 225lb. (current weight) obstructive sleep apnea hypothyroidism high cholesterol type 2 diabetic ( I was type 2 diabetic, but last blood test reads lower levels to pre-diabetic. I am still on Metformin)

Did you ever get an answer to this? My BMI is 40 now, but 2 years ago it was 31. I'm nervous that I will get denied too!

Hi everyone, I have an upcoming Psych eval ( over Zoom) for WLS. What would disqualify me or not clear me for surgery? I have heard a few people say that they didn't pass their Psych exam, why?

Hello everyone, I live in Tucson & my insurance is Arizona Complete Health (medicaid in AZ) & requires 6 months diet plan w/ Primary doc, Cardiologist (EKG), Pulmonologist (chest x-ray), sleep study, nutritionist, psych eval, endoscopy, & letter of rec from primary care doc. It is a lot, but you got to do what you got to do! Does anyone have recommendations for a Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, & sleep study doc or place in Tucson? Thank you!

With my insurance, I need to get all referrals through my primary, Dr. Brenda Wells. BUT, she needs the names of the docs I would like. She is not tooo supportive w/ me doing WLS because she says I'm not morbidly obese. I am 5' 2.5" & 229lb. This last year I was diagnosed w/ type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, & hypothyroidism. She lost a lot of weight on her own & thinks I can do it too. Unfortunately, she has gained some of the weight back, so I wasn't convinced. I have been trying my whole life, I have made my mind up. I see that we were around the same size starting (height & weight)

That's great! I just saw Dr. Patrick Chiasson @ Northwest. His name was given to me by a few people on Bariatric Pal.

I was wondering how everyone did their initial weight in (clothed or gown)? I think I will need the extra few pounds of clothes & shoes to qualify. What was your experience?

I am in Tucson

Thanks everyone for replying! I had my 1st weigh in & was fully clothed w/ shoes on. I just made 40bmi but have 6 months of diet plans & weigh ins ahead. My insurance is Arizona Complete Health (medicaid in AZ) & requires 6 months diet plan w/ Primary doc, Cardiologist (EKG), Pulmonologist (chest x-ray), sleep study, nutritionist, psych eval, endoscopy, & letter of rec from primary care doc. It is a lot, but you got to do what you got to do! If anybody has suggestions for me or doc recommendations, please let me know!

I finally have my 1st appt for bariatric surgery but it is w/ a nurse practitioner instead of surgeon...anyone else have this? What type of questions should I ask since it is not w/ the surgeon.

That's funny, but I'm in the same boat. I weigh enough with my shoes & jacket on...but a few pounds short without items.

Hello, I just contacted a surgeon's office & they casually mentioned that my insurance will not approve me if I get below 40 BMI. I am at 40 right now & I actually had to gain 5 lbs to get to 40. I do have high cholesterol, but I'm not on meds yet. My insurance requires a 40BMI or 35-40BMI w/ 1 comorbidity. I'm just nervous I would qualify at first weigh in, but loose a few pounds during the 6 months...especially if I am seeing a nutritionist. Anybody else have similar experience? What did you do? Insurance is Medicaid (Arizona Complete Health)

Does anyone recommend a doctor in Tucson?

Thank you. I was looking at Chiasson, Monash or the Wliaz ( Dr. DeBarros or Dr. Orris)...still reading how their office staff is too. I will be using insurance, so I will need someone who will fight for me if denied. Does anyone know if your initial "weigh in" is on your 1st visit?