gbenz671

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Well, I am in the final hours before surgery.  I am down to where I said I would be at 390lbs.  I am on clear liquids until midnight and then nothing.  I did the evil bowel prep routine.  Tomorrow morning I will go to the hospital and go to surgery around 10am.  Strangely, I am not apprehensive anymore.  I was pretty crazy the last few days.  My wife accused me of "n esting" because I was putzing around the house working on little projects.  My bag is packed and I am ready to go. 

I have officially finished all the pre-op stuff.  Everything is set to go.  I see my surgeon one last time before my surgery day.  I am at 396.2lbs.  My surgeon wanted me below 400 for surgery but I want to keep losing right up to surgery day.

I have the last minute pre-surgical stuff done or scheduled.  I have to tie up a few loose ends and then its table time!

I had my first surgeon appointment today and its a go for December 4 at 10:00am.  I am so excited!  It has taken three very long years and a couple of false starts to get to this point.  I am just thankful I found KC Bariatric when I did.  I have a couple of pre-hospital things to do in the next 4 weeks and one more pre-surgical appointment and I am ready to go!

Moving along slowly but moving along.  I see my surgeon on November 6 and hopefully I will have a surgical date that day.  My weight today is right at 400lbs.   I want to be around 390 when I go see him.  I am exercising hard in addition to eating pretty much straight protein with some low carb veggies.  My weight is coming off fast.  I've always been a quick loser but always managed to gain it back and then some.  That is going to change.

I checked the BCBSKC web site this morning and I have been approved!  Next step is once my surgeon's office gets the notification back, I will get my appointment and hopefully, I will get a surgery date.  Only a few more hurdles to clear. 

At least I am a little closer.  I checked the insurance company web site and my request for authorization has been received and is "pending".  At least they have it.  So, I should be hearing one way or another next week.  I can't imagine they would turn me down.  I was approved twice before for a lap band.  The first time, the surgeon quit the practice right before surgery and the 2nd time, I changed my mind and decided to think it through.  I ultimately decided on the RNY so that is what I am waiting for.  I needed to get down to a decent surgical weight so my goal is be below 400 as much as I can by surgery day.  I am at 407 right now so I don't have far to go.

I thought that my letter had been sent to the insurance company but I found out today that it has not.  Supposedly it is going today.  So, If I can get a quick turn around, I can get scheduled with my surgeon and get a date.  I am working hard to get my weight down to 400lbs or below for surgery.  I am down to 416lbs (from 446) and losing fast.  I am soooo ready for this.  The wait is the worst part.

I have all the appointments done, all the approvals done. Only thing I have left is the pre-surgical consults right before surgery.  I assume that my request has been sent to the insurance company.  I haven't confirmed that yet but I believe it has.  Average wait time has been about a week to approval so hopefully I will hear any day now.

I went to my first support group meeting last night.  I really like the group so I think I will continue to go to that meeting.  Nice people!  Some old timers, some recent (6 mo.) and a couple of people waiting on a date.  I got some questions answered and some real good practical advice on food, preparaiton etc. the book don't tell you.

I feel positive, excited and ready to go.  Now just need a date!

Gene

I am not a great blogger but I promise to try to keep this active so it can be useful to others.  It is early Sunday morning (I am a morning person).  As of today, I weigh 426.2 lbs, down over 16lbs from a week ago.  I am working hard to get down to surgery weight.  I don't have a date yet but that should be forthcoming in a couple of weeks or so.  I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City (Preferred Care Blue PPO).  I am currently following a high protein, very low carb diet so I can get to a safer surgical weight.  I am also currently working on all the pre-surgical stuff with the dietician, psychological counselling etc.  I am ok on the cardiac and pulmonary checkoffs.  My surgery will be done at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Shawnee, Kansas.  I'll keep you posted on the progress....Gene