The waiting game begins..
I just got a call from Dr' Aranows office that they submitted the paperwork to my Insurance Anthem and I should get a letter as early as next week.
I am so excited but at the same time very nervous!
Although I did everything and meet the requirements, I'm afraid something will go wrong.
I guess it's natural right?
anyway, just wanted to share and say I couldn't have gotten this far without all of you and your great advice and HOPEFULLY it will continue as a start a new life.
I am so excited but at the same time very nervous!
Although I did everything and meet the requirements, I'm afraid something will go wrong.
I guess it's natural right?
anyway, just wanted to share and say I couldn't have gotten this far without all of you and your great advice and HOPEFULLY it will continue as a start a new life.
This is the WORSE part! I was a nervous wreck the month I had to wait. Just remember to breath when you start to stress it. I actually got my approval call from Lois the day I wanted to have surgery. Glad it worked out cause I had it in Jan and took care of the deductable for the year.
I shall now be know as Hagatha: Queen of the queens. 
Baby 
7-09
Xavier Elliott born 10-5-10
Hi Chrissy....
I know, this waiting can drive you batty...and you''ve not even gotten the "true" weight loss bat wings on your arms yet!
My BCBS approval came within hours, so, there is hope! Hang in there and try NOT to drive yourself crazy.
It seems as the closer surgery is within our reach, the more anxious we get to have it done and over with...Don't read too much on this web site..like horror stories or memorials, etc. They'll just scare you too much. What I did was take out a few good RNY books (Carnie Wilson's were a good read for me) at the library and really LEARN the in's and out's of this surgery. I think I was almost as well informed as Dr A is!!!!
Buy the things on your "must have" list and start getting ready...one big thing that I remind people to get is a tongue scraper from the toothbrush isle...when you get into full ketosis mode, you're going to get an awful taste in your mouth and your tongue will get coated with a white film.. Just brush well and often and scrape the crap off...it'll help...believe me.
Remember a good pair of slip on type of slipper or sandal for the hospital, as you'll be walking a lot and will need to be able to slip into something when you get out of bed and slip out of when you get back in....actually, go for the reclining chair that'll be in your room...you'll feel much better in it...I did. I reserved the bed for nighttime use only and got out of there right on day 3.
If you don't like the Crystal lite in the hospital..I had the nurse brew me a strong cup of tea (I think they have decaf)...and brought me a big cup of ice and sweetener and I made me own iced tea to sip and get down easier than that sweet artificial tasting crystal lite.
You don't need much really for hosptial. THey give you tooth brush and paste...the shower on day 2 will feel the best in your life..I brought sample sizes of shampoo and conditioner...they have their own, though, too. I went for the johnies on day 1 until shower and felt great in a loose nightgown. I even drove home (I lived in Rhode Island then) in a night gown, it just felt better.
Have the person bringing you home, bring for you a pillow or folded up blanket to brace your belly for the ride home and possible pot hole bump..hold it firmly against you..I felt more secure with it.
I slept in my comfy recliner for the first couple of weeks. I just couldn't get comfy laying flat until my stitches and suture line healed more. It's not the outside as much as the inside that pulls...We don't realize that he tightens with sutures on the inside of our bellies about one inch on both sides out from our incisions...so, it pulls for a bit until it heals up. Laying in the recliner helped me more...My husband, on the other hand, also had the surgery and he was able to sleep in bed on day one home...go figure...the MEN always get it easier for some reason...I think it's hormones...
And...to mention hormones...you may likely go home with that "time of the month" because for some reason (maybe the blood thinning shots) or just the surgery....most women get their periods right after, even if they're not due. Also, Dr A told me that I would experience every emotion in the book...from laughing one minute to crying the next and boy was he right. At first it didn't kick in, but about week two, I just felt lost and emotional. It's a really new experience learning how to eat, especially on two weeks of liquids and then mushies and then small, small amounts of solids...our brains get freaked out and it doesn't catch up to us until some time after the weight loss has begun. Just prepare yourself for it, and you'l do great. Come here with ANY and ALL questions, and we'll be here to answer any, and them most silliest of questions.
Make sure you get a food scale and some small bowls. I got the disposal Gladware ones to eat pudding and mush foods out of. I also bought baby food spoons so I could take small bites.
One of my favorite mush foods was ground up ****tail shrimp with a bit of ****tail sauce...instant ****tail and I loved it and it was full of protein. Some don't like it...but I did. I had a hand held blender that worked out really well. The Magic Bullet blender was also our good friend for a long, long, time. And still is when we have the occassional protein shake for a boost.
Oh, another thing. UNJURY protein powder is awesome. www.unjury.com It's a tad bit more expensive, but it's medical grade and is really powerful. I always used/use the unflavored to put in bouillion broth and pudding, etc. I used/use Isopure chocolate for the cold chocolate shakes. Use just one scoop for 20 gms of protein, as two would give you 40, but our bodies can't assimilate more than 25-30 gms at a time and it'd be a waste of good powder.
That's all I can think of for now. I know I'd droaned on long enough. I'm sleepless tonight and haven't been able to get to sleep....yet.
Take care and try not to get too antsy...the answer will come...and all will be well...
Make sure you go to the pre-op meeting at the hospital..It's really informative and the nurses from the wing give it and are highly trained and experienced with this surgery. They'll answer any and all of your questions.
Remember that Lois is there for you, also...Stacey has also been a huge help to us, as well.
Remember your chewable vitamins and vit b-12...We still take the CVS brand of chewable centrum called Spectrovite...an adult chewable that's worked out for us up till now with great blood tests. I like the Solgar brand B--12, or the one at Dr A's office is excellent..But, I don't get to Middletown anymore (I know, I should go to support group), so, I use the Solgar 1000 mcg from Vitamin Shoppe.
Paula
Paula
I know, this waiting can drive you batty...and you''ve not even gotten the "true" weight loss bat wings on your arms yet!
My BCBS approval came within hours, so, there is hope! Hang in there and try NOT to drive yourself crazy.
It seems as the closer surgery is within our reach, the more anxious we get to have it done and over with...Don't read too much on this web site..like horror stories or memorials, etc. They'll just scare you too much. What I did was take out a few good RNY books (Carnie Wilson's were a good read for me) at the library and really LEARN the in's and out's of this surgery. I think I was almost as well informed as Dr A is!!!!
Buy the things on your "must have" list and start getting ready...one big thing that I remind people to get is a tongue scraper from the toothbrush isle...when you get into full ketosis mode, you're going to get an awful taste in your mouth and your tongue will get coated with a white film.. Just brush well and often and scrape the crap off...it'll help...believe me.
Remember a good pair of slip on type of slipper or sandal for the hospital, as you'll be walking a lot and will need to be able to slip into something when you get out of bed and slip out of when you get back in....actually, go for the reclining chair that'll be in your room...you'll feel much better in it...I did. I reserved the bed for nighttime use only and got out of there right on day 3.
If you don't like the Crystal lite in the hospital..I had the nurse brew me a strong cup of tea (I think they have decaf)...and brought me a big cup of ice and sweetener and I made me own iced tea to sip and get down easier than that sweet artificial tasting crystal lite.
You don't need much really for hosptial. THey give you tooth brush and paste...the shower on day 2 will feel the best in your life..I brought sample sizes of shampoo and conditioner...they have their own, though, too. I went for the johnies on day 1 until shower and felt great in a loose nightgown. I even drove home (I lived in Rhode Island then) in a night gown, it just felt better.
Have the person bringing you home, bring for you a pillow or folded up blanket to brace your belly for the ride home and possible pot hole bump..hold it firmly against you..I felt more secure with it.
I slept in my comfy recliner for the first couple of weeks. I just couldn't get comfy laying flat until my stitches and suture line healed more. It's not the outside as much as the inside that pulls...We don't realize that he tightens with sutures on the inside of our bellies about one inch on both sides out from our incisions...so, it pulls for a bit until it heals up. Laying in the recliner helped me more...My husband, on the other hand, also had the surgery and he was able to sleep in bed on day one home...go figure...the MEN always get it easier for some reason...I think it's hormones...
And...to mention hormones...you may likely go home with that "time of the month" because for some reason (maybe the blood thinning shots) or just the surgery....most women get their periods right after, even if they're not due. Also, Dr A told me that I would experience every emotion in the book...from laughing one minute to crying the next and boy was he right. At first it didn't kick in, but about week two, I just felt lost and emotional. It's a really new experience learning how to eat, especially on two weeks of liquids and then mushies and then small, small amounts of solids...our brains get freaked out and it doesn't catch up to us until some time after the weight loss has begun. Just prepare yourself for it, and you'l do great. Come here with ANY and ALL questions, and we'll be here to answer any, and them most silliest of questions.
Make sure you get a food scale and some small bowls. I got the disposal Gladware ones to eat pudding and mush foods out of. I also bought baby food spoons so I could take small bites.
One of my favorite mush foods was ground up ****tail shrimp with a bit of ****tail sauce...instant ****tail and I loved it and it was full of protein. Some don't like it...but I did. I had a hand held blender that worked out really well. The Magic Bullet blender was also our good friend for a long, long, time. And still is when we have the occassional protein shake for a boost.
Oh, another thing. UNJURY protein powder is awesome. www.unjury.com It's a tad bit more expensive, but it's medical grade and is really powerful. I always used/use the unflavored to put in bouillion broth and pudding, etc. I used/use Isopure chocolate for the cold chocolate shakes. Use just one scoop for 20 gms of protein, as two would give you 40, but our bodies can't assimilate more than 25-30 gms at a time and it'd be a waste of good powder.
That's all I can think of for now. I know I'd droaned on long enough. I'm sleepless tonight and haven't been able to get to sleep....yet.
Take care and try not to get too antsy...the answer will come...and all will be well...
Make sure you go to the pre-op meeting at the hospital..It's really informative and the nurses from the wing give it and are highly trained and experienced with this surgery. They'll answer any and all of your questions.
Remember that Lois is there for you, also...Stacey has also been a huge help to us, as well.
Remember your chewable vitamins and vit b-12...We still take the CVS brand of chewable centrum called Spectrovite...an adult chewable that's worked out for us up till now with great blood tests. I like the Solgar brand B--12, or the one at Dr A's office is excellent..But, I don't get to Middletown anymore (I know, I should go to support group), so, I use the Solgar 1000 mcg from Vitamin Shoppe.
Paula
Paula
Paula
330+/230/200 (originally got down to 200, but gained 30 back) :-(
"Nothing tastes as good as thin feels....." (unknown)
BuddhaBellyDude
on 11/2/08 3:21 am
on 11/2/08 3:21 am
Chrisyinct:
Don't worry about the things that you can't control. Focus on what you can control, like getting ready for the pre-op diet. It's a big change but one that actually helps the doctor when they are doing your surgery. The surgery has many benefits and most health insurance companies realize that the benfits outweigh the risks.......in the long run you become cheaper for them to manage as your co-morbid conditions disappear.
Good luck and the approval will be here before you know it
BuddhaBelly
Don't worry about the things that you can't control. Focus on what you can control, like getting ready for the pre-op diet. It's a big change but one that actually helps the doctor when they are doing your surgery. The surgery has many benefits and most health insurance companies realize that the benfits outweigh the risks.......in the long run you become cheaper for them to manage as your co-morbid conditions disappear.
Good luck and the approval will be here before you know it
BuddhaBelly
Dr Aranow doesn't make his patients do a pre op liquid diet...I had lobster the day before!!!
He doesn't believe in it. His philosophy is that if you've been following your high protein diet and lost the required amount of weight he told us to, than you're all set.
We are lucky that way with him!!!
paula
He doesn't believe in it. His philosophy is that if you've been following your high protein diet and lost the required amount of weight he told us to, than you're all set.
We are lucky that way with him!!!
paula
Paula
330+/230/200 (originally got down to 200, but gained 30 back) :-(
"Nothing tastes as good as thin feels....." (unknown)
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