Question:
I'm approved, what now?????

I received my approval from Medical Mutual finally after 1 appeal. What now???? I am both excited and scared at the same time. I am now waiting on my Dr's office to call me with a surgery date. Please keep me in your prayers. Thanks to all of you who answer my question.    — GrammaAnn (posted on March 2, 2007)

March 2, 2007
First off, congratulations! It's going to happen for you! You are almost ready to join the losing side. My surgery was 6/13/06 and I've lost 108 since then. The best recommendation to you is to start making conscious dietary changes NOW, pre-op, and start the better habits before surgery so you aren't shocked into them post op. The biggest one for me ot get used to was sipping water. Learn to sip like 4-5 sips at a time then walk away from it for 10 mins or so. Break the gulping habit. This will help you already be used to drinking water or other liquids this way post op, when it's the most important to get your water in. I struggled with relearning. Along with healing, the first month is spent relearning how to eat and portion controlling things. Learn how much a 1/4 cup is on sight, and sip sip sip. Changing now will make the flip side so much easier. JMHO Good luck!
   — oceanrayne

March 2, 2007
Congratulations and I echo what Alisa recommended. While doing this you might also loose a pound or two and that's okay. Lose of weight before surgery is good because it shrinks your liver and helps the surgery go much better. Also, start parciticing not drinking anything 30 minutes before or after eating. Thats another one we have to re-learn. Locate Tylenol Liquid for adults; chewable multivitamin (I have centrum) and a chewable Calcium Citrate. If you are any kinds of medications, contact your physician or pharmacy to see if you any can be converted to liquid form during the first 4 weeks or so of your recovery. I'm a little over a week out and started this week on solid liquids. Most protein and vitamins I located at the Vitamin Shoppe. Your first week post-op is purely sugar-free liquids --water, hot tea (Celestial seasonings are my favorite), sugar free popsicles; sugar free jello -- now all of these are clear. You want to purchase these before you have surgery. That way no one has to go out looking for stuff that you will need.
   — the7thdean

March 2, 2007
Hi GrammaAnn, congratulations on your approval. There are several things you can be doing. Waiting for the doctor to reply is only one thing. You can begin to get your dietary stuff in order. I mean cut out caffine and pop, drink more water, and begin to exercise. Especially the upper body. Buy some 1 and 2 pound weights, and start using them to tone the upper body. You need the upper body more during recovery, and this will help you. Make a list of things you want at the hospital for comfort. I brought a cd player and some great christian music to listen too, and colorful blanket and pillow so I didn't have to have all white in my room. Make your list of stuff and get your support ready. Be sure you are going to a support group and perhaps buy a book to be sure you have a reference to what type of surgery you are going to have and answers to questions you may have could be in there. Don't wait for others to think up things for you to do (no insult intended). Think outside the box and learn everything you can about what you are about to go through. You are your own best advocate, so protect your investment in your body well before surgery. Obesity is a head issue with a body consequence. Be sure you have some things in place to deal with the head issues you will face both before and after surgery. Surgery is not a miracle, just a tool. If you don't use your tool, it won't work for you in the end. Many people have had this surgery and gained all their weight back (I find that unreal, but it is true). You have to protect your pouch like a newborn baby and change yourself to take care of your new body. You ask people to pray, are you a Christian? I am. Take care and I will pray for you today. Patricia P
   — Patricia P

March 3, 2007
Best of luck with your wls. I just had mine 2/28 and feel good. I will keep you in my prayers. Luv, Kristine
   — KristineMarie

March 5, 2007
Thank you to all of you that responded to my Question. I guess I just wanted to see what advice others had for me, what worked for them ect...... And to answer the one poster's question, Yes I am a Christian and I couldn't do any of this without HIS help, strength and love. Thank you all for the prayers and support. I really appreciate it.
   — GrammaAnn

March 13, 2007
Congratulations! I would be proactive and call the surgeon, though!
   — Novashannon