LAN2k

I'm not sure but I think Aetna may cover the sleeve, but since it's through your employer I'm not sure since I think the employer has its own policies. Hope you get what you want.

What about Aetna? I am wondering if you have that advantage plan in your state? I think they may approve if "medically necessary"...but if available you will need to check. I'm sorry that you are in this predicament. I know because I too was thinking of having the RNY if I couldn't get approved for the sleeve. I hope you find a way to get what you want.

I could not use the machine so I packed it up, called the sleep study doctor and told him to please allow the company to pick up their equipment. I have a cat that sleeps with me and curls up under my neck. That mask and hose made things very difficult for me to get enough sleep. After a month they finally came by and picked up the whole set up. I have lost alot of weight and am hoping my sleep apnea has resolved. I also had to go for the two sleep studies and had that same panic encounter during the second study when I had to sleep with the mask. I awoke in a panic and pulled the mask off. The girl who observed me said that happened when she increased the air flow. She was awesome and sweet as can be and lowered it so I could go back to sleep. I hope you can get your surgery and lose the sleep apnea for good.

I had straight medicare while I consulted with my surgeon and went through all the required pre-op testing. At that time Medicare would not pay for the VSG because it was considered "investigational". Before having my surgeon submit the documentation I gathered from all the tests and my medical history validating comorbidity, etc., I switched to GHI Medicare PPO III. I was not sure if they would approve the sleeve but I was sure I'd have half a chance with a medicare advantage plan. GHI Medicare approved my surgery within 2 weeks of the surgeons submission. They even had a representative phone me to tell me I was approved! I was besides myself in awe, (I really thought I'd have to appeal and my surgeon was ready to go to bat for me). My date for surgery was scheduled 2 weeks after that. It seems to me that you have sufficient reason to have documented the sleeve as medically necessary. Best wishes to you. I do hope you are able to get the approval. Do let us know how you make out.

Congratulations MlkPas and breekahouse! I'm so glad you both have had good outcomes from the surgery. MlkPas please be careful about eating any solids...the time for that will be here before you know it. I'm looking forward to following your progress, both of you!

Nah but thanks now that I reread your post you were clear. Well you are doing great pre-op and will do great post up I just know it.

I did feel this way. In fact I called my surgeon and he did an upper endoscopy on me to make sure that I was stricture free and I didn't need stretching. I was alright but it still took a while before I could eat even a little comfortably. It is good that you are aware of how you eat and are taking it slow. I think what you are experiencing is normal and it will change for the better in due time.

Congratulations and "welcome to the losers bench" I hope you will keep us informed as you progress. Best wishes and remember to rest, sip and walk.

An awesome wedding day! Congratulations to you both.

You will be able to eat salads again. It took me about 5.5 months out to eat vegetables raw. I started with baby spinach leaves at Applebees. It was part of a salad with grilled shrimp and bacon/vinegarette dressing. I loved the raw leaves and now I eat baby spinach leaves at home with dribbles of this peppery mango-coconut dressing. Be patient with the new way of eating. A little at a time things come back. Green leafy raw vegetables (as in salads) are rich in nutrients and further out they won't fill you up so quickly as would chicken or other dense foods. So you can have your protein and salads too!

I think your OK. I would advise not to push it though since you don't want to risk a leak. It's great that you desire food though actually! Don't worry before you know it you will be able to have more mushie stuff and then some...

Oh when you said you were "one week out" I thought you meant out of surgery. For most of my life I've had a LOVE/HATE relationship with food. I have lost 70lbs total and it's now 6 months since my surgery. It was an abrupt change, and my feelings were hurt. I was not used to dealing with my life without the freedom to eat alot of whatever I wanted. Many people here felt the restriction as a new freedom from food. I felt as if I were being punished and starved to death! The weight steadily dropped but I didn't care and was miserable without being able to crave and devour. Okay so I needed help and went out for it. I'm here and I'm now in OA (over-eaters anonymous) and have a sponsor. I'm sort of doing it backwards, since the weight just fell off, I'm left like a turtle without it's shell. I'm only now looking at my life and learning how I let food put a barrier between myself, reality and possibility. Food was my drug...and like any addict, my personal growth and potential was stunted due to stuffing and gorging. I no longer hate that I was "sleeved". Instead, I am grateful because it has compelled me to find other means to deal with my my self and my feelings. This is not easy for me but being over weight and lugging my heavy body around was not easy either. I still am able to know and feel the pleasure that food provides but the option to eat myself into oblivion is no longer possible. It's not really all that bad, it's better this way. Hope that helps.

Hi welcome to VST. I am not clear about your condition. I just know that the sleeve really restricts the volume of food intake. Also it affects your chemistry so you do not feel that impulsive hunger. Stick around, I'm sure you'll get more feedback then I can offer you. Best wishes and health on your WL journey.

Way to go! Your looking good. Keep up the good work. I sure hope I can say the same at 8 months.

That is super! I'm happy for you.

That happened to me often when I was on liquids, full liquids and even mushies. It happens now if I dare venture to drink anything with Splenda (sucralose) or as the above mentioned substances that end in "itol"...I bloat with gas and then wham I have to hit the bowl quick or else...needless to say I avoid artificial sweeteners.

Sorry you are going through this. I am of no help to you but I will be curious to read the responses you receive. Keep us posted please as you are able and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Wow I am so glad that you were properly diagnosed and treated! The ER doctor deserves a kick in the arse. You sound so relived and in good spirits. It's great that you will see your husband soon and have lost a significant amount of weight. May I ask you how far out you are from your original surgery? I have a tendency (as of late) to eat too fast, I catch myself though and then slow it down. I'm 6 months out. Thanks for posting and continued success.

Welcome, I am in your category, and had the same BMI along with some of the same physical issues you mentioned. Since my VSG, 6 months ago, I can actually bend at the knee and have lost 70lbs. I'd like to drop another 20 but my caloric intake has increased to a little over 1000 calories a day and I have not been exercising much. That should change now that spring is emerging. It took me a while to get used to not having food as my best buddy, and I am still getting used to the restrictions. I'm feeling more and more like a normal person, only I'm no longer a heavy weight and I eat smaller portions than I otherwise would find acceptable. But I am coming along and slowly realizing that I may have really done somethng good for my health by having this procedure. I initially was contemplating the Lapband but I came to the conclusion that I personally would have had a nervous breakdown knowing that such a contraption was implanted inside of me and the only way to get it out would be to have it surgically removed. This message board is excellent; I'm glad you found it. I hope you are able to sort things out. Best wishes.

Tiffy point for point your reasoning for selecting Dr. Aceves as an excellent Mexican WL surgeon is valid. I appreciate how logically you approach the issues presented on this board. The fact that you did not have your surgery performed by Dr. Aceves and had overcome serious complications only strengthens my stance. Your opinion is intelligent, worthy of praise and acknowledgment. I certainly hope that you are not discouraged in any way from being the active participant you have been here because you have been an asset to me and I am sure to many many others who have needed support. Your efforts have never been empty, frivolous or in vain and I absolutely appreciate you. Thanks for being the kind of person that can be relied upon. Thanks for being here for me when I so desperately needed someone to talk with.

If I may add when you go to your surgeons office bring someone with you if possible. I always had my dad by my side or my mother. It holds them accountable. It's you having a witness present. Hope it works out for you.

Hey stlvoy02 & Change4TheBetter2010 Congratulations on getting your dates. There will be room for you both on the bench...best wishes to you both.

Great suggestions Tiff...Now that Spring is in the air you may like to get out on a bicyclye. I purchased one last year and rode it nearly every day last spring into summers end. I loved riding. I am going to pull out my bike soon...maybe tomorrow and give it a try now that I'm lighter.

My heart goes out to you wannalise, so sorry for your loss...I believe that when our time comes we may be united again with our precious pets who have passed and are now living life eternal in the kingdom of heaven.