You must be getting so excited! I remember the pre-op appt, I thought that day was never going to end, I swear we visited every floor of the hospital! 

The drain really isn't that bad, when I took showers, I would make a tape tag to pin it to so I wouldn't have to try and hold it, otherwise, I kept it pinned to the tops of my pajama pants. 

I will recommend getting some paper tape (it's in the first aid part by the normal tape) for your incisions.  The irritation from the regular tape would rip my skin off when I changed my gauze and that hurt more than the incisions!  

Let me know if there is any other information you would like, I'll try my best to answer!

I haven't posted in awhile because I was sort of in limbo waiting for my job to go permanent so I could get insurance! Well, the good news is that it finally went though! But I'm just having an awful time trying to decide on which insurance company to pick. We can choose between Blue Cross of MN and United Healthcare. Within those two, we have the option of three various levels of coverage. If I want to do this surgery, I really need to choose the 100% coverage plan, but if I do that, I have to be really careful with doctors and hospitals, because there is no coverage at all for anything out of network. It's an all-or-nothing kind of thing. 

OK, so Blue Cross would cover either UI Hospital or Genesis in Davenport. However, they require a six month Dr supervised diet. I got my medical records, because I did lose about 30 pounds doing low carb a couple years ago, and I was going to the doctor regularly because I had also just had a hysterectomy and was getting my HRT figured out. She did notate my diet efforts in the record, but it's not quite six consecutive months, meaning I'd probably have to start all over again with that. Which wouldn't be the absolute worst thing in the world, EXCEPT that my family doctor isn't "in network" on the 100% coverage plan, and I really don't want to give her up. 

She IS in network for United Healthcare, but ironically, the 100% plan doesn't cover UI! So I'd have to go to Genesis. Actually I really like the people there and all, but it is an hour away, which makes things inconvenient for follow up visits and stuff like...what if I get a stricture and have to go back in? It would also be less convenient for my husband to visit, although if I'm only there 2 nights, I'd probably just as soon not even have visitors....I just know my 11 year old daughter would be a little worried if she couldn't come and see me. As far as requirements, United Healthcare says they just require it to be "medically necessary", but I talked to the coordinator at Genesis, and she said they always want to see that you've been MO for at least 5 years. Which I have been, but we've moved a couple times and that makes more records I have to track down. 

So I guess my dilemma is.....Do I feel comfortable in general NOT having UI as a potential hospital? Not just for WLS, but just in general. I had my hysterectomy at Mercy in Iowa City and loved them, so I know it's a good hospital. I just always have that weird "what if" feeling. 

Is it worth going out to Davenport and getting United Healthcare just so I can keep my family doctor, even though there are a lot of inconvenient things about it? 

Maybe I should also point out that I'm a big believer in protein shakes, and I know that UI doesn't follow that line of thinking, whereas Genesis does for new post ops. 

And of course, I want to follow the path that will be the least traumatic, approval wise. 

So anyway, I don't know if anyone has any words of wisdom, but it helps to just think out loud regardless, so thanks for letting me ramble!!! 

Glad to see everyone is doing so well!!!!

Sheena, just wondering how you are doing?  Your surgery was Tuesday and I hope all is going okay for you.  Post when you can and let us know!

Carol

Whoops, guess that's your goal weight.  You've still lost quite a bit and congrats on the job well done!  I promise I'll pay closer attention the next time I read someone's weight information!  Duh me!

Carol

I have to ditto Jenn's response about UIHC's program.  They know their stuff and work very hard at educating and making each person's outcome the best it can be.  It is a team effort and if you don't do your part, you won't have the success you can.  I am having Dr. Jamal at UIHC and he is as wonderful as Dr. Samuel.  

Keep us posted on your progress, Carol (what a great name you have ).

I won't be able to be at the support group on Tuesday............have to work this week so I can be off for my surgery next week.  Hope to get there in March!

Carol