Please help!!!

I hope everyone is having a relaxing Labor Day week end. Fall will be here before we know it. You have all been a source of immense inspiration to me over these past couple of months. This week is it! I have completed my pre op evaluations and I am scheduled to see my surgeon on Wednesday,9/6. That's when we go for the approval.Please keep me in your prayers that I get my approval so that I can have the surgery by the end of the year. I have been saving up vacation time; and we are not allowed to carry over any time accrued fom this year to next year. Not to mention I REALLY want this surgery to be over with!!! I'm ready for the loser's bench. Thanks for taking the time to read this posting. Blessings to you all, Barbara

best of luck. something to think about: depending on your family situation & holiday expectations, it might be beneficial to try and schedule your surgery (provided you get approval in time & your surgeon's availability) so that your last official vacation day falls on the last work-day of the calendar year. That way in case you aren't quite up to returning, you've got a whole years worth of vacation time immediately available at the first of the year (assuming your company doesn't have any sort of vacation time restrictions) again, best of luck.... I'm just starting the process myself. Going for my first consultation 10/9.

Thanks for a really great idea. As you rightly said, it depends on my approval and the surgeon's availability. As far as the holiday expectations, everyone has been very supportive. This is a priority. Best of luck with your consultation. I would like to know how you make out. again, thanks for a great idea!!! Barbara

Barbara, I hope everything works out for you. Keep us posted on your progress. If you don't get your approval in time, is there any chance your company might make an exception given your cir****tances? Also, one more question, won't you be covered under your company's sick leave/disability policy if your surgery is covered by insurance? Best of luck. Mary

Mary, thank you so much for your great ideas. The company I work for is a national corporation so they are usually pretty strict. There are not many exceptions made...... I am indeed covered under my company's sick leave/disability policy but the money is in no means anywhere near the same. I'm trying to save disability as my final option. Thanks again for your ideas. I'll keep you posted!!!! Barbara

Barbara: As someone else pointed out I received disability payment for my time off (albeit crappy money) is better than nothing, basically I used my leave time when the Disability came it went to my employer *****stored my time=amount of the pay. Just a thought check w/ your Human Resource dept ok! Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as well Keep usingthe time to make the most educated/informed decision you can, to lose wt preop so you're as healthy for surgery/anesthesia as possible, lessen the risk of complications on the surgeon by shrinking your liver and work on developing the lifelong habits you will need to use the tool to be successful longterm ok! (Think 64 oz water a day, all vits recommended, no eating/drinking together, eating smaller portions on a smaller plate, chew well (50 times a bite! or so), work on the emotional connection w/ food, give up the alcohol, carbonation, caffeine, sugar etc that can hurt the pouch postop and stall wt loss, wait 30 min after a meal to drink, and MOST IMPORTANT! Exercise to ability DAILY!) Hugs this is a wonderful journey and I beleive in you to make it work! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Hi Jamie, Thanks for the ideas. You are absolutely right about the crappy money. That's why I'm trying to use disability as my final option. I have given up all caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and carbonation since early August. I am using Crystal Light to help me get my 2 Liters of water in a day. I just purchased a treadmill and I'm starting to use it for about 20 minutes a day with the expectation of increasing the time and intensity as i become better able. I have been trying to slowly eat small frequent meals. Sooooo, I am really ready for the surgery and this lifestyle change!!!! Thanks again! Barbara