Yes, Yes, Yes, I've got my surgery date -- December 7

This past Monday I called BCBS to tactfully and humbly ask them if I needed something more for them so I could hopefully be approved for surgery. The lady said, "You've been approved since 10/7". I was soooooo happy!!!!!!! Now it's real. I called Dr. Kim's office, US Bariatrics at Celebration Health in Kissimmee to tell them. The next day I called again and chose December 7 as my date for surgery. Yesterday I spent all afternoon and into the late, late evening on the computer trying to find out what I'm going to be able to eat the week or two after surgery. I was told that since I live 3 hours away from the hospital, I need to get a hotel room, just to be on the safe side. I'll be alone there and of course, won't be able to drive or walk to the store, so I want to get prepared. I've figured that I'll need some protein drinks, juide, herbal tea, broth, sugar-free jello, lots of water, etc. I still have a couple of clearances to get--one from the cardiologist in Kissimmee (my doctor in Ft Myers is too far away for them), and another one from my lung doctor. He needs to give me a more complete clearance--he wrote a letter stating that it would be okay for me to have the surgery, but they need it to be more from a pulmonary view--I have emphysema and sleep apnea. Anyway, I'm excited! I'm glad. I'm happy. I'm not afraid. Since I have only 30% of my lung capacity left, in order to have a somewhat normal life, and not die prematurely, surgery is a must. I've prayed about it and feel the surgery is the right decision. Oh, yea, I went to my oncologist today (I had stage 2 breast cancer 7 years ago). I'm now in remission. I need to get my now yearly mammogram next week. THIS IS IMPORTANT--GET A MAMMOGRAM, DO A SELF EXAM AND BE AWARE OF WHAT YOUR BODY WILL TELL YOU IF YOU JUST LISTEN. My cancer was discovered due to my second mammogram. IT SAVED MY LIFE!!!!!!!! DON'T PUT IT OFF! DO IT NOW!!! Thanks for letting me share my story. God bless each one of you. Dixie

Dixie, If you are going to be here for a week or two after surgery, maybe I can come over to check in on you at the hotel. If you're up to it we can walk, walk, walk in the downtown Celebration area. It is so peaceful and pretty there! Let me know as you get closer to surgery. In fact, USB has some WLS post-op classes each month, maybe I can coordinate both on the same day. I'm about 40 min NE of Celebration (less time if the traffic isnt bad). Amy

Dixie, Congradulations on your up comming surgery date! Since your going to be there for a couple weeks after surgery, I would suggest you bring a protein power or drink, a mini food processor and some crystal lite or something like that. You most likely wont be much of anything at all, but the fluids are the most important! Love and Prayers MICHELLE

Congrats on your surgery date! You have surgery the day before me. Yay! Good advice on the mammogram and October is breast cancer awareness month although we all should be aware every day of every month of the year. My mother is a 5-year breast cancer survivor. She had a mastectomy in 1999 and has been my inspiration to have yearly mammograms even though they aren't the most pleasant things to have done. Actually, technology has changed greatly, they are uncomfortable but they are not as painful as they used to be. My last mammogram took less than 10 minutes! Get them done ladies!