51 Y/O South Texas

Hello all,

 

I am so amazed by every ones journey, I have just completed my 6 months of diet supervision and completed all of the pre op tests and other doctor's clearances that my doctors office said was required. Tomorrow all of the documentation will be sent to my insurance company for approval to go to the next step which is a scheduled date for surgery. I am having the vertical sleeve procedure done. Does anyone have an idea of how long this process takes? Has anyone been denied at this point of the process ? if so what is usually the reason?

I and my doctors believe I am a good candidate for the surgery, My highest weight has been 335 lbs and I am currently at 315 lbs and 5'10". I had a heart attack in 2006 which left me with a stent in my heart. My legs and feet swell and we don't know why, I have seen cardiologists, put it this way ...all doctors that end in gist... I am on a cpap sleeping and frankly tired of all of these issues. My morbid obesity condition is a large cause for all of the issues I currently experience and I know I got myself to this point but do know now its up to me to change it....boy am I ready!

Obviously I alarmed by all of what I have been told can happen as a result from the surgery but still want to go through with it since I believe the risks out weigh the benefits.

Thanks for reading my first post and hope to get feedback ...

Have a great day!

Joe

 

Hello Joe and WELCOME TO OFF!!!!

Glad you decided to join us. I know very little about the sleeve. I have a few friends that had it and it seems to be working okay for them. Maybe someone else will have some answers for you.

Don't be discouraged if no one replies right away. It has been pretty quiet here the last few day. I can tell you that this is one of the nicest and most caring boards on OH. We try to keep it drama free!!

Hope you stay and join us everyday on the morning thread! I wish you the very best on your journey!!

HUGS....connie d

 

Hello Joe and fellow Texan!

Welcome to OFF! You are a lot farther south than I am.  I'm in Canyon Lake, halfway between Austin and San Antonio.  Originally from Houston, and lived 30 years in Nacogdoches (deep East Texas) before moving here.

I had RNY at age 54, so I can't tell you anything about the sleeve.  But there are several forums on OH, and I'm sure there are some for VS.   I can tell you that WLS changed my life for the better, and I would be willing to bet you will feel that way too.  I no longer have high cholesterol or high blood pressure and my knees don't hurt anymore either.  It's wonderful to have my energy and my mobility back again. 

Keep posting here and we will all help you through the process as much as we can.  I relied on this group very heavily pre- and post-op, and I can tell you there is a lot of wisdom here.  Don't be afraid to ask questions and/or express your concerns.  We've all had them at one time or another.  No judgments here!

Welcome Joe,

I had the vertical sleeve two years ago. The best thing that ever happened to me regarding my health.  It took about 2 weeks for me to get approved, but all insurance is different. I had BC/BS at the time.  My recovery was textbook -- no complications.  Follow what your doctor tells you to do and you will have a much easier time.

I'm no longer suffering from sleep apnea and my blood pressure is great.  I've lost over 100 lbs.  Still need to loose 20 lbs., but that will come in time.

Hope that you visit and post often. There are a great bunch of people on this forum with lots of valuable info and so much love and caring.

Good luck in your journey, Sandra

 

Aloha Joe and welcome to this amazing OFF group!

Your share really hit home for me, because I, too, am 5'11" tall (maybe 10.5) and weighed in the 330's when I had my surgery.......almost 7 years ago. Today I weigh 145 which probably too low for me, but for some reason I just keep on losing even when I don't want to. Doc says I'm fine as long as I feel good, and I mostly do. I had the RNY and was so very fortunate to have had an excellent doctor and a year-long plan to have classes and checkup so that I knew most everything that was to come.

Basically I can eat anything I want to, but still try to stay with mostly proteins, and fruit and veggies. Whole wheat pasta, bread, bagels, etc. At one point I got back up to 175 and that actually felt good....and I know my skin sure looked better. I had the tummy tuck about two years after surgery, and now I don't have to lift up that flap to shower......my belly is flat with just a small line where I was cut.

Don't know how I would have gotten through the so many things that have happened during this whole process and LIFE, without the unconditional love and sharing of everyone on OFF. Hopefully this will work for you, too.

Best of everything to you!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Hi Karen,

 

Thanks so much for your message....Your accomplishments are incredible and I am so glad that you feel good. I am at the beginning steps and ready! I am currently waiting on the insurance companies response and then hope to set the date. Believe it or not my wife and I are visiting Maui in April so I will plan to have the surgery as soon as I get back. I hope I get a response soon.

 

Mahalo nui loa

Aloha again Joe......and Wow on coming to Maui in April. Maybe we can all meet for lunch one day. The last time I flew when I was fat about 7 years ago, I had to use the seat extenders and felt just awful taking up so much room. Today when I fly I can pull through at least 12 to 14 inches of the seatbelt!! Those are some of the AH HA MOMENTS you will experience. To me they meant the whole....my world got a lot bigger as I got a lot smaller.

Enjoy every minute of this process......it is life changing.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Hi Karen,

Yes , its horrible...I am happy that this trip we are flying first class which is so much nicer....I look forward to the day when I can sit in an airplane comfortably. We are going to stay at the Westin on Maui and hope its a great place for fun and relaxation. I am also attending a mini conference there as well. Lunch would be great...Vivian and I are really looking forward to the trip.....I am still waiting for the insurance to revert back and should expect to hear in a few weeks .....I am truly looking for that date at this point.

Hope everyone is well...

Joe

 

 

Well today I received the approval from our insurance company....I am on track now and it appears I will have the procedure on April 23rd....

 

Thanks,

Joe