POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery Reviews
41 Years Old, 3 Children and OVERWEIGHT ~ Stafford, Texas
ORIGINAL POST
Last week I started my journey....starting weight...
Last week I started my journey....starting weight 209. I know I'm at the very beginning and I have a little ways to go before surgery....I have to complete 6 months of nutritional classes (1 x week) and a pych evaluation....oh and an EGD before i can schedule my surgery. So im thinking my surgery will take place sometime this summer....possibly the end. That's fine with me because I need time to prepare for this BIG change! Does anyone have any advice for me?? :)
MariaMia816's provider
Replies (5)
December 12, 2014
Be patient and don't get discouraged during this lengthy process. Read, read, read everything you can and educated yourself on the good and the not so good about the process. Good Luck and stay motivated - it's a journey!
December 12, 2014
Thank you so much for your advice! Yea, reading keeps me motivated...bad and good. I try to ready everyday...i love all the stories...they seem to all have a happy ending :)
January 10, 2015
Hi It is a long process I started my journey in August 2014 and haven't had my surgery yet right now I'm waiting for the insurance to approve the procedure.I am 5'2 and weight 213. Good luck with everything!...
January 22, 2015
I'm waiting to get my approval now - they say it should be here by next week - very nervous. I'm also of Italian decent - round middle! Hate it! Good luck!
January 23, 2015
Mine is the butt and hips!! Lol I like curves but mine are too curvy! Good luck with surgery! Mine won't be until late summer....I wish it was sooner!
March 18, 2015
Welcome, Im a newbie too. I am working on the 6months too. I have had just the educational part. I've been contemplating for quite a few months. After reading up on the different surgeries and reading the success stories here, I feel great about it now. I am ready. That would be why I suggest reading up all you can. Webinars are great too. I wish you well and much success.
UPDATED FROM MariaMia816
Would there be a reason....
Would there be a reason my insurance would deny my procedure? I start my nutrition classes in a few weeks so I'm wondering if I'm going to complete all my classes and tests to only get denied by my insurance....I'm not sure how this process works....yikes! I will be so upset if that happens!
Replies (2)
January 28, 2015
Some insurances cover everything, some cover nothing, some cover some of it and many have a list of requirements! You should be able to just call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask them what their requirements are. That way you won't be surprised later!
January 28, 2015
I was told by my doctors office that I have to complete 6 nutrition classes, pych eval and an EDG......so i hope if they are making me do all this I will be approved when its time for surgery....
May 5, 2015
I know that some insurance require that you loose weight during your nutritional monthly classes some being 3 month some being 6. My clinic said they would most likely want you to show you have lost some weight before they would approve the surgery. Hope that helps. Also some insurance do not require you to loose any weight. It all depends on the insurance.
UPDATED FROM MariaMia816
First nutrition class done....5 more to go!
Today i went to my first nutrition class...i have 5 more then i can schedule my EGD. Today marks day one of starting my new habits and my new life style change. I gained 3 lbs over the holidays My BMI went from 38.2 to 39.1 :( Time to focus on getting it off. I'm on a 1200 calorie, high protein, high fiber, low fat program....I have at least 7 months to get this together before the surgery. I have a lot of thing i need to change...my first set of goals are to NOT skip breakfast and get in at least 10 mins/3 days a week of exercise...baby steps! Can anyone recommend a GOOD protein shake????
Replies (2)
January 28, 2015
I like premier protein shakes from Costco. A lot of the shakes and powders I've tried have a terrible taste to me, but that kind is not bad.
February 6, 2015
My doc recommends Atkins shakes. You can get them at any grocery store. Apparently they're slightly lower in protein than others but they taste so much better that he thinks it worth it. I've tried several and they are pretty good. They come premixed but I blend them in the blender to get them frothy and then poor them over ice.
Welcome and thanks so much for sharing your journey with us!
It can take a while to get through all of the classes and pre-op testing, but it's definitely all worth it, in my opinion, to help prepare you for life after surgery.
We have a very active Sleeve Forum, if you're looking for support. There are hundreds of other sleevers in there.
You should also check out the links below to some guides, which may help you prepare.
Sleeve Gastrectomy Guide
Food Survival Guide
Nutritional Guide
Good luck and please keep us updated with your progress.