MellyB

I'm on day 3 of a 10 day pre op diet. 7 days of low cal/low carb eating and the last 3 days are all liquid. I've lost 5.5 lbs so far, but I'm not sure how much of that is from the diet and how much of it is because of the time of the month, kwim? Either way, I don't care. I have a carnation instant breakfast, 4 oz of 100% fruit juice 2 hrs later. 1oz of meat with salad and crackers or on a piece of whole wheat bread for lunch. 4 oz of juice 2 hrs later, and then 4 oz of lean meat (chicken) with salad and steamed veggies for dinner. I'm allowed another CIB after dinner but I never seem to need it. I just go to sleep. After I read somewhere that by shrinking the liver the surgery goes faster and there is less gas put into the belly, I decided that I would make sure my liver is the size of a friggin pea by the time I go in next week!

I was denied twice. Both times it was because all of the info wasn't sent in. Finally on the 3rd try I sent it in myself, very explicitly explaining how and why I met the criteria. I got my approval within 2 weeks, and that was only because the person handling my appeal was on vacation the first week. Don't give up. Take every test they want you to take, do everything that you are able to do to make it happen. Write the insurance company a letter, a personal letter explaining to them why this is so important. Go to your primary care physician and get a letter from them. Back up you claims with written proof. Send in things that they aren't even asking for, anything that could possibly help your cause. Good luck to you!

HI! I'm in Oklahoma too, I'm having surgery next week (11/20) in OKC and I'm ready to get it done!

I have started a blog for this journey. I wanted to share the website here because so many of you have been there or are going there. It's going to be a very honest, at times heartbreaking, but mostly funny account of the second half of my life and how this whole process affects not only me, but other people in my life. And I have some wacky people in my life. I have never, ever in my life actually told anyone my weight except for my husband. I know that's weird, but he's that kinda guy. I'm scared to death to give access to that information. But I must in order to get stronger and better. I'm done with lying to myself, it's time to be real. Thanks! Mel Here is the link: The Second Half of My Life

Honestly this is my biggest concern about the surgery. I can handle the pre-op diet, and I can handle the pain, the liquids, everything. But not being able to drink as much water as I want at one time is going to be hard. Yesterday I was shopping and I told my friend that I could literally stick my head in a pool of water and drink my way out. Then I went and got a big unsweetened tea (a Rt. 44 at Sonic) and I drank it down in no time. It was soooo good. I guess like everything else, I'll adjust.

I got my pre-op packet today, and at the bottom of the first page, in bold italics it says "if you use a cpac bring it with you, you will be staying overnight". I don't have one btw, but I didn't think I was going to be spending the night, I thought I'd be home by the time my son got home from school. I'm just wondering how many spent the night.

It took me 3 years to come to the decision to do this, and once I did I was ready to do it. Now I'm 2 weeks away, and I'm actually doing this! I had my upper GI yesterday, they gave me some ID stickers for my surgery (whoa) and I have already bought some sample protein drinks to see which one I like the best. I'm not nervous, or scared, and I certainly don't have any doubts about what I'm doing, but I have got serious butterflies in my tummy everytime I think about it. I guess it's more excitement than anything. I feel like the life I always wanted is about to begin, and I just hope that I'm able to be strong and do what I need to do to make this work.

I'm scheduled for Nov. 20th. After 2 denials (because my surgeons coordinator didn't send everything they asked for twice, finally I did it myself and was approved within 2 weeks). I can't wait.

Apparently my doc only requires that you stay overnight if you have sleep apnea, which I don't. So I should be home by early afternoon. Now after reading all this I wish I was spending the night. lol

Hi, my name is Melisa and I'm scheduled for Nov. 20th. I start my pre-op diet on Nov. 10th and it could not come soon enough. I started the process in June of this year, and after 2 denials I finally sent the information in myself and got approved within 2 weeks. Go figure. I'm so beyond ready for this, I pretty much started thinking about it 2 years ago, but never voiced it. Then earlier this year I sent off for info, but didn't open it until May. I'm a weirdo. By the time I made the decision, I was fully good to go. I'm not scared at all, I'm very anxious though, I feel like my life is on hold and I'm through feeling that way. So that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Aw, mom's do that. My mom bawled before I went in for my c/sections and not because she was happy, she was just worried about me. My mom is worried too, and I'm sure she'll cry, but she knows how much I've fought with this my entire life and is just greatful for the procedure. She'll be ok.

I'm not looking forward to the pre-op diet, but it's a small short term sacrifice for a long term benefit. I get mean as a rattlesnake when I get hungry and I'm insulin resistant so I'm hoping that I don't have any problems. My diet says I can have all the steamed veggies I want, so I'll be steaming up the house.

I considered keeping it a secret, but then I decided that part of this whole process is owning my problem and acknowledging that I need help for it. Also, I have a very supportive family, and I figure I need all the support I can get. I suppose if I didn't have this support system, I might be tempted to keep it to myself. Also, if I worked I'm not sure what I would do. I find myself telling anyone who will listen because I'm proud of taking that step towards a healthier me. Also, I can't keep a secret to save my life. Not even my own.