Sherry0823

You guys all give great advice! I did look at the carb content and so now am off that and give to my little guy for breakfast and I did buy some whey vanilla and chocolate protein shakes..I'm not eating at night, going to look into the chair yoga too! I am drinking lots of water and will continue to do so..I eat dinner and make it low carb and then nothing after that..mind you, I have slipped..I get so hungry at night. Is it okay to do a protein shake at night too? and is soy better than whey? I wasn't sure. I know Whey gets into your system faster than Soy.

Insurance submission was on Tues. Got denied immediately Wed. due to I'd gained almost 10lbs. over the winter instead of losing..apparently they want to see at least 5% total body fat loss prior to surgery. So am working on this but here's the thing..I gained due to having ddd in my back and since last summer haven't been able to really exercise like I was due to the extreme pain in my back and shooting down my right leg..the back pain and getting some of the weight off was one of my reasons for getting surgery..to aleviate the pain some as there's no cure or surgery according to the neurosurgeon..I haven't been the same at all since last summer when I really messed my back up and had to quit the gym and everything, even yard work was trying for me and I LOVE being out in the yard doing stuff..does anyone have any suggestions on how to lose the weight without extreme exercise? I mean, I am eating low carb and cutting my portions but as soon as I can show 5% tbw loss I can be approved.

It was United Health Care who denied me, they want to see 5% total body fat loss in a six month period. And I am doing the protein shakes and doing silk's protein and fruit once a day and low carbing it. What is better whey or soy protein?

Thanks to all for the understanding and the 5% would be 12lbs but want to lose at least 20lbs within the next few months and have everything logged and documented..yeah my dr. did log everything that's why they seen the gain...I can't walk long distances w/out paint BUT I do walk through the pain as much as I can..trying to do a few days a week and plus I work around the house and in the yard. I am low card to where I'm cutting carbs to almost none as well as taking my saffslim, drinking my protien and water as well..plus I am a big fruit and veggie person so am only doing lean meats, with veggies but since I don't eat breakfast I drink Silk fruit & protien for my first meal. I will try to look into the calorie counting too..think that will help tremendously!

You are SO not alone! I have been thinking and thinking..what if..what if..I'm petrified..then I read about things that have gone wrong..oh my gosh!

I am SO very happy to see that you're doing okay now. I know with any surgery there are risks, I am wondering if you had more of a risk due to the band to sleeve revision? Did you have leakage tests at all after the surgery? I am considering the sleeve and have been excited to get it while having reservations at the same time due to risks..I have no lap band or anything like that and seeing what you went through really makes me think..you've given me a LOT to pray about...I pray also that you continue to recover and be well..please keep us informed.

Congrats! I am waiting on my approval for surgery next month! yay for you!! best of luck!!!

My surgery is mid to late April..still awaiting insurance approval and for a date..but am so happy so see you're succeeding and doing well! congrats!

I have to say, that's this is my only fear of the surgery...I'm so with you on this..I just keep my faith and know that God will be right there with me! I have a family too and worry so much as so many depend on me..and I'm a smoker and quit for 5 days then started again so am working on that again too! My surgery is most likely next month and I'm petrified but excited at the same time. I know I can not go on like this at my size and the pain in my back and joints..not to mention high blood pressure, cholesterol and etc. I've talked my fears out with family and friends but most importantly I've given it over to God and trust in him. I just have to get this smoking thing under control and completely stop. Best of luck to you!

I did just get home from a nerve study that had to be done at my primary's office so.. on the way out I seen him and he asked me if I was getting ready for surgery? I said, Yes..I just need that paper...he said I can pick up Mon. so am happy...

I am just so angry at my primary as he's had my paperwork that was needed by today, for over a week now and still hasn't faxed or sent anything over to my surgeons office so that she can submit for approval. I will now have to wait until Monday as Stacy *the one who submits and takes care of the approvals* is out until then..she even tried to call my pcp's office today and of course they are closed..I am just so upset and I even spoke to the office last week regarding this and that I needed it done asap! I don't want to be ignorant to them but I am pretty much on my last nerve here..any suggestions? my therapist has cleared me and faxed the letter the same day. I have my dietician class on the 26th and am hoping to have surgery in April mid month..BUT I need my clearance and paperwork from my primary!

Thanks everyone! I do appreciate it..and I am going in there tomorrow morning and telling them it HAS to be done by Mon. and faxed or I will p/up and take the paper myself..yes..one paper..one simple thing..and they've had it now since last Tues. the 5th. I am not an ignorant person but I feel like I'm being treated poorly and I won't stand for that. btw how do I get a ticker?? I've tried but it didn't work..

Congrats to you! I am still pre op but my surgeon said they will do a leak test, think while I'm still under..perhaps they did that for you. Blessings and much luck to you on your journey!

I had mine already and she cleared me..she just as you are doing is recommending after surgery I still attend therapy which was my outreach to her in the first place.

I spoke with my surgeon's office as of yesterday afternoon, tentative surgery date is mid to late April. BUT she's still awaiting my pcp to send over the paperwork as he's had it for a week now? I have dietician appt./class on the 26th and just waiting for ins. approval..now, here's the thing..I am extremely petrified..I guess that the whole mortality thing comes into play here..I have many people who depend on me and I want to be around for them all~I've seen nothing but positive outcomes on the site so far and am hoping for the same positive results as well. I have faith that I'm doing the right thing not only for my health and over all well being but to be a better more active part of my family again. I have degenerative disc disease as well so this hinders me from doing alot of things I want to and well..just being overweight I've backed away and self loathed for a long time now and don't participate like I used to. I've been up and down in weight my whole life and never found anything that really worked for me, I've always gained the weight back. I guess I'm worried due to the surgeon that is doing my sleeve has bounds of experience with abdominal surgeries and lap bands but not very many with the sleeve but he's the only one around here who takes my insurance. And there are a few others waiting for the sleeve from him as well but there has to be 3 people getting the sleeve scheduled before they can even give an actual date. He's a highly recommended surgeon, I guess I'm just a little apprehensive due to his not doing the sleeve as much as I'd like. Thanks for listening/reading..just nervous..excited, ready..but nervous..

@kimmy thanks! and btw how do you get those ticker thingy's?

MarnieAnn, In my mind & heart I know it will be okay, and I have a GREAT deal of faith in God who will not lead me in a direction that's not good for me. I guess maybe it's because my bio dad passed later in April many years ago suddenly that makes me think things..sort of obsessing on things that are not good for me to obsess on..I'm excited and SO absolutely ready for this surgery..it's surgery itself I guess that scares me. Thanks so much

@missmarbe what is an IVC filter? this one is new to me?

I too am trying to be patient in waiting. Took my paperwork to my pcp on Tues and they've yet to fax over to my surgeon..I p/up my psych. eval report on Mon. and am hoping that's a-ok. I did request therapy with her even after since I'm sure I'll be going through some things emotionally after surgery. I am just waiting on all this stuff to get to my insurance and then will be playing the "weight-ing" game again..am nervous but I will fight for this! I know it will be good for me..Good Luck to you...

Hi, new to posting but have been reading the posts for a little while..I absolutely love this forum. My name is Sherry, from Mi. am a Mom of 3 girls and have a 6 yr. old boy. I am in process right now of waiting for my pcp to fax over my paperwork to my surgeon so it can be submitted to insurance. I hope he does it soon..seems I had to keep the 1 year log instead of him and have had my bariatric psych. eval and pick up my report on Mon. That was a 3 week process of an eval and then a personality test and now waiting on report to pick up and get to my surgeon. In the process of quitting smoking..which today is a bad day. BUT I do KNOW I will get through it I have faith in God he will pull me through it. I've seen everyone talking about pre op diets and I've not been told about any yet..maybe he's just waiting for my paperwork. He/surgeon said 4-6 weeks from last Friday for surgery. Is there certain things I need to stock up on for pre op diet and post op? And if my insurance declines can I appeal that? Is anyone having second thoughts about this? I'm not having second thoughts just a little scared of surgery itself. I know it will be a big change in my life as I love food and love to not only eat but cook as well.

Call your insurance yourself and ask which providers accept in your area for VSG and then see which hospitals do around you too. Most likely the surgeons doing it in your local hospital are who you should call first and see if they'll take your insurance, be specific to the VSG though because some will NOT take it for the lap band and will for VSG. I kept my own log for a year in 3 month intervals and gave to my dr. who is for me getting the surgery. I am 40 & 246lbs on his scale and 250.2 lbs on my surgeons within 4 days apart of being weighed. Your insurance company themselves are the ones who are going to finally approve you so find out what criteria you have to have as well..ie, mine wants 1yr. behavioral/diet log and psych. eval and be 100lbs overweight which I am. I found a surgeon last summer then never heard from him again..I got the ball rolling again by going to my seminar and met my NOW surgeon who will NOT take med. for lap band but will for the sleeve which I found out in just a passing conversation with him while leaving the seminar. God has blessed me I just hope he can make me patient as well..Good Luck to you on your quest.

Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery! Congrats!

Thank you so much! I will be getting some of those things stocked up. My surgeon hasn't told me about any pre or post op diet yet. Yes, with the smoking...ugh! quit for 5 days then backslid..today..I was using the patch and doing quite well and dr. said my bp was up 138/96 so he wanted me to go to step 2 instead of step 1. It was hard but I managed..then today forgot to put it on..will try again tomorrow..I have gotten my ekg, an ultra sound on my chorodit arteries and heart, got some bloodwork done and just waiting for my pcp to fax all over to the surgeon which am sure he's failed to even dictate the letter yet. This part and waiting on the ins. is going to be hard..insurance said 7-10 days for approval wait. then surgeon said 1-2 wks. after approval. so..it's just all sit and wait..am sure though am going to have to stay on my pcp's office to fill out the forms as I'M the one who did the year log and passed on to him. He's all for the surgery but procrastinates or something?

Hope all went well..looking forward to reading your updates..prayers for a speedy recovery

Wishing you the BEST of luck! This summer will be great for you!