branc1

:biggrin0:I got my surgery date today! Woo Hoo I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself. I was so afraid that I would be turned down because of my COPD. My doctor didn't seem all that concerned. He just said make sure I brought my inhalers and my nebulizer meds with me. I was concerned about leakages. He said he's done 600 sleeves and hasn't had a leak yet. My head is so full, its hard for me to get serious about work this evening, I start my pre surgery diet Wednesday. Get ready to scooch over on the loser's bench!...Carole:thumbup:

I'm in Murfreesboro Tennessee. Thats the exact center of the state. (There's a sign that says so). I'm nervous too, but I'm thrilled too.

I'm having my surgery in Murfreesboro. BTW I work at that VA. I'm there right now. I am a housekeeper and I clean the surgery suite in the evenings. I'm not a veteran but my husband is. He retired from here 2 years ago.

We can be Sleeve Sisters! I go September 1st.

When I had my evaluation, the psychologist talked to me for a while about who I was, about my family, my job, my general health and then my lifelong weight problems. After she got a feel about who I was and where I was coming from, she gave me a standarized test that basically was to see if you are nuts. I had a similar test when I started working for the government. About a week later I got a copy of her impressions that she sent to the Bariatric Center. I tell my family now that I'm not crazy and I have papers to prove it! LOL!! All in all it was painless. I just acted my normal self and it was fine...Carole

My insurance approved me for the surgery. Now if I can just get past the pulmonary dr. I'm on my way. He wanted me to do rehab but there is no way I can afford the co pay. I think I'm over the pneumonia. I see him a week from this Thursday so...we'll see!

My pulmonologist wants me to put off the surgery until I do pulmonary rehab. He's the expert so... I will still be checking and reading but probably won't be active until I'm ready to go again. Thank you everybody for the things that you share. I have learned so much from all of you. Good luck on your journeys , I hope to join you soon!:thumbdown:...Carole

That really does suck! Maybe we'll be sleeve buddies when our time comes. I wasn't that close but the first thing I did was have a REAL cup of coffee, not that decaffinated crap I've been drinking! LOL! Funny how we react to things. We'll hang in there...Carole:laugh0:

I trust my pulmonary doctor completely. In some ways I'm disappointed. However the whole point is to be as healthy as I can. If my lungs need to be stronger so be it. I've been overweight a long time. A few more weeks won't hurt and it allows me to build up more time to take off when I'm ready. I'm still committed to having the surgery. It will happen when the time is right. Again thanks to everyone. As we say in Tennessee "Y'all are great!"

So today I went to see my pulmonologist, the last step for all my insurance requirements for approval. I am recovering from pneumonia(not a really bad case...I have been working the whole time) and my O2 levels were still low. He made me do the 6 minute walk and they dipped. He said he couldn't give approval until he knows I am completely well. I have to go back next week for a chest x-ray and breathing tests. Rats! I hate them things, however I know where he is coming from. I was really upset when I left the office but I have settled down some. Complicating this all is my bipolar son(26 and father of 2) who is in a manic episode and driving me and DH up the wall. I know everything will eventually calm down but right now I'm just feeling a little crazy myself!:willy_nilly:...Carole

I have decided to go with the sleeve. I went to a required Bariatric Support group meeting this morning. No Sleevers there. but I have my preop class the 30th and I guess I will get my surgery date then too. I lack a report from my pulmonologist and the letter from Dr. for Medical necessity. He wrote it but the office has misplaced it. They are doing another. I will get it and take it my self! I still need to talk to my cheif at work and see if she will let me borrow up to 2 weeks sick leave. I am hoping she will be supportive. I suspect she will. (she has always liked me and my husband.) Wish me luck!...Carole

i guess I mean the avatar. When people post a message some have a picture of themselves in the top left corner.

I am in the the process of getting ready.I've seen the shrink and now have papers to prove that I'm not crazy.LOL!! I thought I had my mind made up for the lap band surgery until I visited the surgeon this week. After talking to him I have just about come to the conclusion that maybe the sleeve is the best option for me. I go to a support group meeting Monday that will have patients with all 3 wls types there. I'm hoping to get some good info there. After reading your stories here it sounds like many of you have had good results with the sleeve. Everyone here seems so positive and encouraging. I'm glad I found you...Carole

how do you get your pix on your messages?

thanks so much for all the information. I really do appreciate. Its great to have people to talk to...Carole

Hi everyone. I'm glad I found this group. I am just starting. Today I worked on my paperwork. I went to a meeting yesterday to get the paperwork and the list of things that have to be done before the banding. I started this about a year ago but chickened out. Here I am a year later and 20 more pounds. The next step after turning in the questioner is the physical. I will make that appointment tomorrow. I'm glad you are all here. At least I am not alone.