Anyone just starting their sleeve journey ?

[Mz. Nika 62]

Hi I am just starting. I have Humana Gold PFFs. (Medicare Advantage Plan) Anyone with that insurance what was their requirements and total wait time. I am so ready to begin this new chapter in my life.

[HeatherSchwartz 43]

I just scheduled mine and faxed all the paperwork. I'm excited a little scared, relieved, but anticipating this soooo much. I'm finding my smile again ) mine is May 26th

[Megan00 38]

Hello Tiffany,

I am just starting my sleeve journey. So far I went to the seminar, and had my follow-up visit with the patient advocate to give insurance and health info. I have my first doctor appt. next friday on the 27th.

Have you started your journey??

feel free to keep in touch.

Sincerely, angi

Yes

Seminar

Consulation

Starting all my labs , sleep study next month also my class start next month

I have a 6 month wait

[cammie8825 27]

I started my six month journey last year and it ended on Feb 12, 2014. We got everything gathered and sent out and was approved within one week. I had my nutrition class last week and have an appt to see the surgeon this coming Tuesday to hopefully get my surgery date! I am also battling infertilty yet again with my Dx of PCOS, so this is one of the main reasons I have decided to be sleeved. I applied once before 10 years ago while trying to conceive my daughter for 4 years, but was denied. I'm very excited to get this chance to get a better, more healthier life and to possible conceive the son I have wanted for years.

[Tammylb 174]

I started in Nov . Blue cross makes u complete 3 month nutrition class. Tomorrow I have EGD and next week a 4 hr class then the 7th I get sleeved . To prepare I have ordered liquid vitamins fruit flavored , guide to gastric sleeve book, Soup, broth, sugar free Popsicles, sugar free Jello, sugar free drink mix, gas x strips, milox, Unjury unflavored Protein, Vitamin Water. I hope I have everything covered but everyone I read a post I find something else to get . Haha oh and a single server blender!

[Miss Bee 17]

My insurance company is letting me use any appointment when I spoke to my doctor about my weight in the past two years towards my 6 months. So, one appt 2/28, my next one tomorrow, one from Sept 2013, one from Nov 2013, then April and May. I did my psych eval and met with the Nutritionist Tuesday. I did my labs at my doc appt 2/28. Success habits workshop will be on April 5th. Then I just have to schedule the exercise class, do the computer test and pre-op appointment. Oh! I had to get approved by a cardiologist too and I meet with him for the follow up tomorrow afternoon.

It looks like my surgery will be in June. Woohoo!

Wow. That's a lot. Thank God for my Google Calendar.

[Miss Bee 17]

Oh yes! I had the GI last week too. GAH! So much stuff! I haven't even started trying Protein Shakes yet.

[cutiepieinchi 158]

Oh yes! I had the GI last week too. GAH! So much stuff! I haven't even started trying Protein shakes yet.

I need to start testing out Protein drinks myself!

[BetterNai88 54]

I began my journey on 01/28. I have my sleep study today (Friday), and my 2nd of 6 supervised diet appointments next week. I have BCBSNC.

[BJay 14]

Hi Tiffany, I had my surgery just Monday gone (17th March) after waiting 12 months for Private Health Insurance to kick in. I vomited for two days post op, managed to be discharged on Wednesday but still feel ill now (Saturday). The wait for PHI to kick in felt like it took forever - I would look at people's YouTube videos and read blogs and then just burst into tears because I so badly wanted to be on the other side. I had always managed to lose weight but my problem was not being able to keep it off (I would put it all back on plus some). As the surgery neared, I got cold feet but was NOT going to back out. It helped because one of my friends works on the ward where I was going post op so she was a great support for me (and she had had a band by the same Dr in the past). The 2 weeks leading up to the surgery, I had a few people raise their concerns with me about the operation; it didn't help that one of them was looking at the consent form that said "the risk can include death" when she raised her concerns. I told her that did I not go ahead, I was sure I would be dead of a heart attack by the end of this year. I struggled with the pre op diet (Optifast for 7 days) only because I couldn't imagine myself never being so obsessed with food. I'm now day 5 post op and eating just feels like a chore - I couldn't care less about food. On the way home from the hospital, we drove past Red Rooster, Subway, then we went to the shops where there were all the Easter eggs - it was just like walking down an isle full of cleaning products - it had no appeal whatsover. My mum bought Chinese and curries for her and dad in the first few days - again I couldn't have cared less. On the lead up to my surgery (about 3 months before), I loaded my spare room with clothes that I had kept from before, hoping that one day I would fit into them. I put them all into boxes according to size. About 1 week before the surgery I also started to buy clothes online! I started to make a list of all the things I wanted to do that I was not willing to do as 'a fat person', such as kayaking (too scared to go and join because worried they may tell me I'm too heavy and will sink the kayaks).

I knew I would always be approved for surgery (BMI of 48, been obese since I was 8 years old, tried every diet under the sun, and the psychologist I saw was the psychologist I had seen since I was in my early 20s who had watched me struggle with weight issues). I know for some people the fear of not being approved can be quite stressful. And, same as Sopia above, I drove my family and friends crazy with talk about weight loss surgery. Now 5 days post op (and staying with my parents for a week), my mum told me yesterday to 'stop going on about it'!!! It's frustrating because they just don't understand. The only people who will ever 'get it' are people who have lived in a body which they despise for so very long and are at their wits ends with how to get the weight off.

I found this book 'Your Complete Guide to Nutrition for Weight Loss Surgery' my holy bible. Here in Australia, Perth specifically, it went through every thing I needed to know about every stage including the pre op diet. I had to see a psychologist, dietician, surgeon, get bloods taken, and have one final appointment with the surgeon before surgery was booked.

Good luck with your journey. I'd love to hear how you progress.

[Miss Bee 17]

Oh yes! I had the GI last week too. GAH! So much stuff! I haven't even started trying Protein shakes yet.

I need to start testing out Protein drinks myself!

My bff had the band done 5-6 years ago and lost 150 lbs. She will guide me! lol

[Miss Bee 17]

...I drove my family and friends crazy with talk about weight loss surgery. Now 5 days post op (and staying with my parents for a week), my mum told me yesterday to 'stop going on about it'!!! It's frustrating because they just don't understand. The only people who will ever 'get it' are people who have lived in a body which they despise...

I don't see how she could tell you to stop going on about it! It's a BIG deal! It's life changing! You NEED to be able to talk about it with someone that loves and supports you!

[Tammylb 174]

Bjay if your friends and family don't want to talk about your surgery , just talk to us on this site!! I'm not telling but a few, so I won't have many to talk too either !

[LovelyLife 8]

I have one Dr appt mid April where I should be cleared. Then it's the nutritional prep class and scheduling. I'm really hoping for early May.

To get ready, I am: drinking more Water, walking a lot more, researching gluten free Protein shakes (planning to order some from amazon), cutting carbs, reading this site, and praying a lot.

I am still pretty nervous. I really want to be those with nearly no complications, so walking a lot and drinking a lot of Water has been important.

What are so other pre-surgery prep tips that can help with recovery?

[kitten22996 36]

I go on Monday (24th) for my first appt. I went to a seminar and after I turned my new pt packet it, it took a whole month to be able to get in since the dr. only sees new pts on Mondays. My insurance is supposed to be pretty good and quick (4-6 wks) so I'm hoping I get approved and can have surgery the end of April or middle of May. I'm so excited, but a little nervous because I've only had surgery once (sinus). I've been on here for several hours every night reading. I do not think I would feel as prepared and ready for this if it wasn't for this site and everyone being so open, honest, encouraging, and helpful.