akfmurphy

Hi all! I just wanted to let you know that I had my surgery today and I am doing pretty good. I am sore only when I have to get up from the sofa and sleepy, but other than that all is well.

My surgery is also Tuesday so good luck! Just curious-how did your doctor diagnose the hernia?

Hey Girl! I was just wondering how things were going for you this week, since we are having surgery 2 days apart. Did you ever hear from venzwife? I sent her a private message tonight, so maybe she will reply to that soon! Good luck this week!

Hey Misty- My surgery is on the 30th, so I am with you on the nervousness. How did your day go today with the pre-surgery Clear Liquids and what not? I am not really looking forward to that tomorrow, but it will be worth it when my surgery is done. Best wishes. Let us know how you are doing when you feel up to posting!:thumbdown:

Many thanks for the well wishes and info. I have been doing 2 Protein shakes a day with one meal this week and have lost 4 pounds so far. The snacking for me isn't as bad as giving up diet coke, which I used to drink all day long. I have gotten down to one a day, which is BIG for me, but tomorrow and Monday I will have to go without to get prepared. Hopefully tea with splenda will take care of the need for caffiene, since I don't like coffee! BTW-congrats on your weight loss so far. I can't wait to see the pounds begin to drop!!! Have you been walking a lot as well as following your meal plan?

Be careful with that phentermine if you do decide to have the surgery. It can cause high blood pressure and rapid heart rate, which can increase your risks during surgery. PS-I am not a doctor but I researched phentermine before I decided to have surgery. That is how I found out about the side effects.

I am using Matrix Vanilla powder, because I can add lots of different things to it to change the flavor-crystal light mixes, diet swiss miss cocoa, fresh or frozen fruit plus splenda, a little Peanut Butter, etc. I have also tried VHT extreme smoothie in a can, which is pretty good for on the go.

Everyone say a prayer or keep you fingers crossed that Dr. K. Schmitt clears me for surgery. That #@!* CPAP machine data is driving me crazy. She keeps telling me I am not "compliant" because I have skipped days on the machine. The days have been when we have lost power, but that doesn't seem to matter to her. We lost it twice the last 2 weeks, but I called the office and had them note it in my chart, so I am hoping that does the trick! Anyone ever hear from venzwife? I am getting concerned!

I have been using Vanilla Matrix because I can add things to it to change the flavor. I have been experimenting this week since I am doing my pre-op diet. You can use crystal light orange or fruit punch for a fruity flavor, diet swiss miss cocoa mix to get a chocolate flavor (add a little peanut butter if you like), plus you can add fresh or frozen fruit with splenda to get a true fruit smoothie. Also, for on the go shakes, I like the VHT Extreme Smoothies in a can. They come in chocolate, strawberry and vanilla.

In our pre-op session, we were told no swimming or water exercise until 6 weeks post-op. I think the reason is to give your incisions time to heal and to avoid any possible bacteria that can exist in pools. So be sure you ask about the water before you get in!

Greetings from Alabama! I just found out that I was approved for my surgery and it will be on June 30th, so I am officially able to join the June group! I am a member of the Dr. Miles/Dr. Schmitt discussion group also, but I look forward to sharing my journey with my fellow June banders! I notice that many of you have lost a good bit of weight already. Is some of that pre-surgery or is it all post-surgery? I am just curious what I should expect. I am not required to do a pre-surgery liquid diet but I think I am going to do a week of liquids only to prepare myself. Do any of you have any comments about doing it or not doing it? Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated at this point! Amy

What did your rejection letter state as the reason for rejection? My first attempt was rejected because they said I didn't meet the criteria for my plan. However, when they got all my mountains of paperwork for review, they decided I did meet the criteria. You just have to be patient and wait it out. I know how frustrating it can be but hang in there!

YIPPEE! Looks like we will just be 2 days apart on our journey (my date is the 30th). Do you have venzwife's email address? If so, maybe you could email her to check on her. I am also wondering how she is doing since we haven't heard much! BTW Jason-I would've much rather been at the support group meeting than at my 9-5 statistics class! When is the next meeting? With my luck it is the same day as my next stats class!

Hello and welcome! I totally understand why you would ask. I have BCBS and read hundreds of postings about some people being covered and others not being covered. I suggest you do what I did-email BCBS customer service with your policy number and ask them specifically about your procedure (if you haven't already done so). Then I would ask the insurance goddesses (Angela is my contact person and she is fabulous) in Dr. Schmitt/Dr. Miles office if they can get you more information if needed. I am a teacher and have BCBS PEEHIP, which does cover the procedure. Your policy may be different based on where you work, which is why I suggest contacting them directly with your policy number. Good luck with the process. I just found out yesterday that I was approved, after the 6 month waiting period and an initial rejection. DON'T GIVE UP! Amy

Great News!! I found out today that insurance approved my surgery, so I'm scheduled for June 30th. I still have to get released from the other Dr. Schmitt on my CPAP usage (they are so darn picky), but other than that I am good to go!!!!! :thumbup:

Amy...Hmmmm...what did you take in January? I had Dr. Wilson and Dr. Kuntz. I finished my residency last fall and have this summer and one more class this fall...then dissertation. I may not be at my goal weight before I graduate but at least I'll be healthier and a little thinner. Do you teach school too? Deb I had Dr. D. Sunal and Dr. C. Sunal in the Spring, since I am majoring in Curriculum/Instruction and Science. I am a full time teacher also-I teach chemistry at Spain Park in Hoover. When I started the insurance waiting period, I had hoped to have surgery this summer with time to spare before school starts. Hopefully it will still work out in time. How have you been doing since your surgery? It was pretty recent wasn't it?

Amy...I'm working on my EdD in education as well. I'm taking Qual. II, BER 600 and CRD 510...Qual. II at Tuscaloosa and the other two at Gadsden. Small world...wonder if we've had any classes together. How long have you been working on it? Deb I just started in January, so we probably haven't had any classes together yet. I started my residency this semester, so I will be taking classes in Tuscaloosa for the next 3 semesters. Hopefully I will finish my coursework next Fall and begin my dissertation after that. My goal is to be down to my goal weight by graduation (if I ever get approved)! :confused:

I take classes in Tuscaloosa as well. Living in Blount County, it's quite a drive. What kind of classes are you taking? Hey Deb- I am working on my Doctoral Degree in Education (EdD). I have class Friday and Saturday next weekend. UGH! One is statistics and the other is a curriculum and instruction class. What are you working on? Amy

You guys have fun at the meeting without me. I have my weekend grad school class in Tuscaloosa that weekend, so I cannot be there. Hopefully I will hear something in the next week about my approval. Anybody hear from venzwife lately? I was just wondering how she was feeling....since she is a week out of surgery.

I am just wondering as I read your postings how much energy you guys have now compared to before surgery. Also, when you say you aren't able to eat, are you still having protein shakes?

So do you have to have a psych evaluation for BCBS? I ask because it wasn't on my checklist and my paper work had to be submitted because of 1 inch! All of my medical records say I am 5'4", but Dr. Schmitt's office entered 5'5" to BCBS which didn't give me immediate approval due to making my lowest BMI go below 40. Why do they have to make it so difficult?!?!?!?! :blushing:

Doing great...other than dying to sink my teeth into some real food. I'm considering joining the gym and I almost feel like I'm back to my normal self. Glad you are doing well so quickly. That gives me hope for a speedy recovery when I get my surgery. :wub: Do you feel hungry a lot?

Good luck venzwife! When you feel up to it post to let us know how you are. Debbut how are you feeling this week?

Congrats Deb!!!! I am glad to hear all went well with the surgery and your recovery is going smoothly. I am about 2 weeks away from finishing my insurance waiting period, and hoping to have surgery around the end of June. Can you let me know how the preop diet was for you? I have started trying different protein shake recipes to get ready for the pre and postop liquids. Any helpful hints also, since the process is fresh in your mind?

I would much rather have the skin than the fat! I am totally ready for the surgery, so hopefully all will go smoothly with my approval!