Prayers for a safe and problem and pain-free recovery. Claim the victory, there's a spot waiting for you on the losers bench!

 So gladf to see your post and that you're doing well- you look great-Congratulatios!!!

 Hi my fellow February sleevers! I'm usually on this site several times a week since surgery, but for shorter periods of time than before surgery- I usually lurk and don't post unless someone says something really inspiring or really needs advice , like Jaybee said, at 4 months out I still consider myself   something of a newbie . I My greatest struggle is to get in enough fluids -sometimes- and exercising reguarly . I also struggle with realizing that I am much smaller, I really understand now how many people still see themselves as fat. My greatest victories have been the tremendous amount of energy I have, how much better I sleep, how much more confidence I have, shopping at regular stores and buying regular sizes (currently size 12, and L or M-haven't been in those sizes in about 15 years!) , and finding out that according to the BMI charts I am now "moderately overweight " instead of obese and extremely obese. I am what my doctor calls a stair-step loser, I lose several pounds then stall, and bounce up and down by a pound or 2 for awhile, then lose again. So far I've lost 66 pounds from my highest pre-surgery weight and 54 pounds since surgery. I have to lose 36-46 more pounds to reach my ideal weight of 125-135. I'm loving my sleeve and the new life its given me, and I'm so glad that I'm in such great company and we all seem to be doing so well! Congratulations and best wishes to all!!!

 Ok, first, which did you receive first, your surgery date or your denial letter? Many times the insurance company authorizes the surgery with the surgeons office, who then call you and give you a date-then in a few days you get the letter in the mail, so this may all be a misunderstanding. Second, what exactly does the denial letter say- that surgery is denied, extra hospital days are denied, etc? What are the reasons for any denials-missing documents, etc. This should be easy enough to straigten out. Dry your tears, enjoy your weekend, and get this straightened out on Monday. I'd call my surgeon's office, then if necessary the insurance company- usually surgeons offices have a bariatric coordinator to review all documents, etc so thats a good place to start, you may not have to contact the insurance company directly. All of this can be straightened out, and I wish you all the best. As a fellow New Yorker(Queens), I'm sure that it will all be resolved and I'll be saving you a seat on the losers bench.

Have you always eaten right after taking the Carafate?SIs it possible that you ate too soon after- the instructions on my prescription state to wait 1 hour after eating or take 2 hours before eating. Have you eaten grits since surgery? Sometimes your sleeve is tempermental- it took me about 2 months after surgery before I could eat eggs again. Hope you feel better, and best wishes.

 Amazing progress, Congratulations! Don't be sad- what's beautiful is that  you both look so happy and in love regardless of weight. Thanks for sharing!

 Relax, breathe, keep the faith, all will be fine. You have gone through all requirements and are in the best possible health to have surgery, have carefully chosen your surgeon. Also, the time right before surgery flies by- you get wheeled into operating room, slide over onto operating table and ... wake up sleeved. Your nervousness is very normal, and I didn't get scared until the day right before surgery, but keep your eyes on the goal of ahealthier life and healthier you, and you really will be calmer and all will be fine! Best wishes and keep us posted!!!!

 OMG it looks so familiar- can't recall the name though. I can't wait to see the answer ( I  guess I am kind of a car geek too! )

 Thanks Moonglo! We both have about the same goal and seem to be losing about the same rate. I agree with you, this is a great place to post and read the experiences of others on the same journey and get advice and encouragement. Even during the stalls and stair step losing I love my sleeve too, and I know we'll both make it!

 I think its great that you are so ready for surgery and committed to a goal and I'm sure you'll be in those size 10's  very soon, even if not in August , and if only for a little while before you drop down to an 8. By the way my birthday is in August also, and we started out at about the same weight and have almost the same goal. Best wishes!!

 Congratulations-you look great!!! What a transformation! I started at about the same weight and have about the same goal weight-thanks for proving that it's possible and that if I continue to stick to plan I can succeed too! Hope you win  your poker game.

 Onemoretry , I am so very sorry to hear about your post op difficulties. I am praying for your speedy and complete recovery. I know your labs haven't come back yet, and I am certainly not a doctor but in my humble opinion it just seems that perhaps something is being overlooked. I pray that your surgeon is right and that it does resolve quickly and completely, or that whatever else, if anything, is wrong is quickly discovered and resolved. All the best to you !!!!