Nervous, hubby's insurance approved, now what?

Hi, all I have visited off and on for the last 3 years I think. My husband is disabled and just got medicare coverage in January. Did the preliminary stuff for Dr. Baker. They submitted for the surgery approval and said it usually takes 30 days to hear for the insurance , Humana. Well hubby didnt want to wait and called Humana and they said it was approved! We haven't heard from the Dr office yet. I am excited for him but terrified. What do we do when he comes home? I always fix the food and I know it is very important what and how he eats when he comes home, but am at a loss on what that exactly is. Also what can we do to make recovery better for him.  I had heard a few people mention sleeping in a recliner and we recently bought new furniture and got him one.  What would you recommend to have at home to help. Any suggestions to help my nerves calm down would be great. He still hasn't met with Dr Baker. Just the group stuff and preliminary. Any tips on what to expect when we do go to see him. I do say we  because even though hubby is the one having surgery it will effect the whole family.

jnt

Hello!

First of all, take a deep breath and relax. You're right to want to be ready for this big journey, and wonderful to be supportive, but I'm sure by the time his surgery comes you'll feel pretty informed and prepared. You'll have your meeting with Dr Baker, and I encourage you to come to the support group meetings while you're waiting for his surgery. They are the second Thursday of each month. If you've already been to the pre-op meeting with Lauren Hill, then you are welcome to come to the post op meeting, which is held in the Doctor's dining room at the far right hand corner of the cafeteria at Baptist. All of us will be more than happy to help any way we can.

Lots of folks have better luck when they get home sleeping in a recliner than bed. It all depends on the person. Myself?  I slept in my bed from the first night on, no trouble at all. As far as food goes, you will have a detailed set of instructions from the nutritionist to go by. All of that info will be given to you at your consult with her.

This is an exciting time and everyone here has been down the same road, so be assured we're here to help!!

Thanks for the quick reply. I am doing a little better now that I've had a few hours to process that it is really in the works. We have been trying to find a way to pay for the surgery for around 5 years. I think I just shoved the reality of surgery out of my mind and getting the yes from the insurance flipped my nerves into hyper drive...lol. I have to plan ahead to get days off. I know it is to soon to schedule my vacation days but wondered how many days should I expect him to need alot of help around the house. Our oldest is 17 so she can help with general house stuff, it is direct help I am mostly wondering about.

thanks

I guess my question to you would be how much help does he need now? I know that sounds funny, but in reality, the more he does on his own, the better he will be. Walking a couple of times (at least) an hour is essential, and he will start that as soon as possible in the hospital. You will, of course, want to be at the hospital, and that's usually about 3-4 days. I was back at work 10 days post op, driving at 5 days. Everyone is different.

I've had many, many surgeries and I find the more I make myself get up and get moving the quicker I recover. Remember, this surgery is all about being healthier and more independent, including being able to do for yourself!!!

It didnt sound funny at all. I understand what you mean.  Hopefully all will go smoothly!  I'm all for him being able to do for himself!  He is realllllllllllllly wanting to be able to play softball with our kids and hopefully on church league again.

Have you gone on Dr. Baker's website yet and done all that stuff?  There are packets that you can print out there to read about everything, including the "after" diet, etc. 

There is also an EXCELLENT book called "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" (or maybe it's idiots - I don't remember).  I bought it before my surgery and made the mistake of lending it to my cousin who has never given it back.  It is a great resource in my opinion.

In my opinion, I think it's just as important for the family to prepare for the emotional "aftermath" of the surgery as it is the physical "aftermath".  IN MY OPINION (and this is just my opinion), the physical recovery is a piece of cake - especially for those around you.  (You get sore.  You walk it off.  You move on.)  The EMOTIONAL part stays a while and you can't walk that off. 

If I could have asked my family to do anything to help me more after my surgery, it would have been with the emotional support aspect of my new life.  (I didn't get fat all by myself.  Although I alone was responsible for what I put into my mouth, I had accomplices - namely my family.) 

I don't know if you are overweight or if many in your family have problems with weight.  But it would not surprise me as this is very common.  (My entire family was obese - most morbidly so - not just me.)  I often make the following comparison in support group and when I talk to people about my life changing right after surgery. 

Imagine being an alcoholic in a family full of alcoholics.  Suddenly, you quit drinking and start attending AA meetings.  Noone else in the family does.  THAT is what having WLS is like in a family full of obese people if that family is not supportive.  And just like an alcoholic sitting around people who still drink constantly is more likely to fail at sobriety long-term, a WLS post-op who still goes around to the local all-you-can-eat buffets, etc is more likely to fail at weight-loss long-term. 

Please don't think I'm talking down to you or anything like that.  (I don't even know you after all.)  I'm just saying what my family could have done to help ME more in the hopes that you can use that to help HIM more (if any of that stuff applies to you and yours). 

Hope that helps.

Wen