Mariann812

UPDATE: All that worry was for nothing. I passed, and the cardiologist was beaming. He had told me 10 days ago he didn’t think I would pass. I laughed and told him: ‘I know I don’t look like a runner, but I used to run 7 miles a day, 5 days a week. I will do this.’ And, I did. IMHO, they go easy on you when you are over 60 (I’m 67). I did 2 thallium stress tests 18 and 15 years ago and THEY.WERE.DIFFICULT. I think that at my age, they just don’t want you to keel over. So, I worried for nothing basically. The techs at Cary Radiology were fabulous! They could not have been nicer! Everything was explained in great detail. They wanted my heart rate to get to 130 which I was fine with. A year ago, I could get to 138 running around a nearby lake. They were constantly asking how I was doing while on the treadmill. I was in for 5 minutes, they were hoping for 4.5 minutes. My bp was 220/140 when I told her I was finished. I knew to jump right onto the table so they could U/S while my heart rate was at peak. I found it interesting that I was fine on the treadmill one minute and almost instantly I knew I was finished. My post treadmill U/S pix were excellent. The cardiologist was very nice. He told me that bariatric surgery is going to be wonderful for lowering my blood pressure. He said I will likely always be on bp meds, but carrying less weight will make a huge difference in my life. He was very encouraging, and Now that the stress test is behind me, I am really excited to move forward.

Hi! I tried Premier but I didn’t care for those. Someone here suggested Fairlife, and I bought some from Amazon. I opened the first one literally 10 minutes ago, and it’s good…practically great! It does remind me of chocolate milk which is a good thing. I have 3 flavors to try, and the chocolate is definitely a YES!

Congratulations! So excited for you! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

YOU GOT THIS! April 7th will be here before you know it!

Good morning! Checked in for the ECHO STRESS Test. Listening to my running playlist to calm myself down. It’s not really working. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Fingers still crossed for an April 11-ish surgery. This s/b the last pre-procedure test.

Hi, Kimmy! You must be so excited! I’m organizing in my head, and after Tuesday’s stress test, I will begin to really focus. Right now, I spent the weekend trying to stay at 40 BMI. 🤦🏻‍♀️ So of course, I lost a lb and am 5 lbs away. I’m not concerned about it though. It will all work out I’m sure. Good luck to you!

I just read your update from 5/21, and it was so helpful…I read most of your posts. Thank you for taking the time to write so completely of your experience. I appreciate it so much. You are almost a yeSr out now, and I don’t know if you’ll see this, but I had to laugh at your liverwurst craving soon after your surgery. When I was of with my first, 43 yrs ago, I had a liverwurst sandwich every.single.day for lunch. 🤣 I haven’t had one since, but I ate it for 36 weeks. She, to this day, has an amazing memory. I’m convinced it’s the liverwurst sandwiches. Thank you again, and I hope you are well.

Thank you for sharing. I anticipate hernia repair and bypass mid April. I remember the need to walk after having c-sections and you have reminded me. I hope you are doing well, and thank you again.

Congrats and welcome. I am fairly certain I will have a RNY as I have a hiatal hernia that must be repaired. You are almost 2 months out from your bypass, right? How are you feeling? I’m hoping for 4/11 surgery date.

So…I’m going to get weighed before my echo stress which is this coming Tuesday, the 29th? I will see my surgeon after that since my pre-tests/qualification tests must be completed prior to meeting with him. I’m just going to keep eating. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I'm doing the same thing - I'm calling it my 'food bucket list' -- favorite foods, favorite restaurants. Here is CIGNA's criteria: Adults Bariatric surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity in an adult (age ≥ 18 years) using a covered procedure outlined below is considered medically necessary when ALL of the following criteria are met: • EITHER of the following:  BMI (Body Mass Index) ≥ 40 kg/m2 (BMI ≥ 37.5 kg/m2 in Asians- when ethnicity is confirmed by provider attestation)  BMI (Body Mass Index) 35–39.9 kg/m2 (BMI 32.5–37.4 kg/m2 in Asians- when ethnicity is confirmed by provider attestation) with at least one clinically significant obesity-related comorbidity, including but not limited to the following: mechanical arthropathy in a weight-bearing joint (symptomatic degenerative joint disease in a weight bearing joint) diabetes mellitus o poorly controlled hypertension (systolic blood pressure at least 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure 90 mm Hg or greater, despite optimal medical management) hyperlipidemia coronary artery disease lower extremity lymphatic or venous obstruction obstructive sleep apnea pulmonary hypertension evidence of fatty liver disease (i.e., nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]) gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refractory to medical therapy • A thorough multidisciplinary evaluation within the previous 12 months which includes ALL of the following:  a description of the proposed procedure(s)  documentation of failure of weight loss by medical management  unequivocal clearance for bariatric surgery by a mental health provider  a nutritional evaluation by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or registered dietician I meet the 40 BMI and at least 3 of the criteria for the lower BMI. Initially I was extremely confident I would be approved, but even with reaching all their milestones, I don't trust them.

It amazes me as well how different criteria is from one insurance company to another. My surgeon is at a Gold Medal Center for Excellence a designation given to it by my insurance company, and I meet all their criteria, and still I wonder if I will get turned down. Can they do that? Do they do that: turn you down even when you meet all their criteria? I'm curious.

Thank you.

Thank you --- this is extremely helpful. I am 67 so that explains the stress test. My dh is 56 and is having hernia surgery in 2 weeks and no stress test for him. I know that the cardiologist told me if I can't complete the regular treadmill stress test, he will do a thallium stress test ( which I've had in the past with the IV etc). Is a chemical stress test the same as a thallium stress test -- with the IV and all? Thanks again.

THIS ⬆️ Exactly my concern. Should I wait and not do the pre-op diet till insurance approves? I am trying to do the surgery April 11 or pretty much any day that week as it is spring break and i do not want to take time off from school. My surgeon and his admin know this.

This was going to be the topic of my next question. I intended to quote 3 posts but I may have double-quoted one of them by mistake. anyway, my question has to do with the marker BMI and losing weight. I hover between 39.1 and 40 BMI. CIGNA is a stickler about BMI with 35 being a cut off for benefits. I know that I will lose weight when I start the liver reduction diet next week. A good friend who was sleeved in October told me emphatically 'Do not lose any weight.' After the insurance company gives their blessing, is it okay then for me to stop worrying about losing weight. (Such an odd concept)

I’m using the App for this question so if it ends up in the wrong place, I’ll do it over in a bit. Odd question…but…I am probably having RNY (or sleeve) with Dr Pilati in Cary NC. Here’s the question…it’s convoluted and long. Sorry. The pre-procedure testing is extensive and I have only have the stress test to do on 3/29. I have a large hiatal hernia diagnosed a week ago. Half of my stomach is in my chest which explains the worsening shortness of breath I’ve been experiencing. EKG normal. I have all the markers for CIGNA to approve my surgery: BMI, HBP, high A1C, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, obstructive sleep apnea. We know the hernia will be repaired during surgery. We KNOW there will be a surgery at least to repair the hernia. WHY the stress test is my question? Does the diagnosis of the hernia preclude the need for a stress test? I will not be able to do 7 minutes on the treadmill at an increasing speed and incline because I cannot breathe enough with the hernia. I’ve done 2 stress tests about 20 and 15 years ago when I was 100 lbs lighter (I was a long distance runner). THEY were Duffy in top shape. I want to ask my surgeon we have to do it but don’t want him to think I’m being a pain in the butt. Opinions/experience on need for stress test in this scenario? Thanks in advance.

Thank you. We have a BJs near by. I'm going to start with a bottle or two from WalMart. Thanks again.

Thank you -- I will give one a try. I was actually looking at those.

In anticipation of and hoping for a 4/11-ish surgery date (week of Spring Break), i'm going to start the Liver Reduction Diet next Wednesday, 3/30...the day after my stress test. Can anyone recommend an approved Protein shake that doesn't taste disgusting? I cannot stand the taste of Premier Chocolate. Thanks in advance. PS: I am typically very easy going about how things taste, but I do not like the taste of Premier.

Congrats on having a surgery date. I have to do next week's stress test, and then hopefully I will have a date. Hoping for 4/11-ish. This entire process should count as one.big.stress.test! 🤒

Congrats on the surgery date. I understand what you mean....It is a long journey, and I'm just waiting for it to get here. I'm hoping for surgery on 4-11-ish.

Hi, Kimmy: Congrats on your date...and good luck! ☘️ I won't get a date until my stress test is complete. Stress test is next Tuesday 3/29. Just to make things 'interesting,' my husband is having hernia repair on 4/7...he injured himself lifting rocks in our yard. I'm hoping for a surgery date of 4/11 so he has 4 days to 'recover.' I'm going to start the liquid diet on Wednesday the 30th. Because of my hiatal hernia, I still don't know if I am sleeve or RNY. 🤷‍♀️

First I was RNY, then a friend had sleeve so I was Team-Sleeve. The hernia though is a game changer I’m sure. Fingers and everything else crossed for you. 😊

I’m 67 and the thought of anesthesia bothers me but that’s just one of my quirks. The cardiologist had no issue with it all so I’m chalking my nervousness up to me being me. Your surgeon wouldn’t do it if he didn’t think you were a great candidate. I totally understand where you are coming from though.