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I'm not sleeping well anymore, but it's most likely a combination of the stress caused by the end-of-semester assignments and the surgery.

I am getting nervous...

Today marks 2 weeks until surgery and I started the diet today.  I am HUNGRY and I have to pee often, as I knew I would, considering this is a liquid diet.  Protein shakes are unexciting but at least it's something to put in your belly... I honestly just wish I could fast forward these two weeks and get to the surgery so that I wouldn't be hungry anymore!

In my quest to find ways to help pay for vitamins, I was referred to the "Recover Program," sponsored by Bariatric Advantage and the Obesity Action Coalition.  I filled out the paperwork, turned it in to Synergy, and crossed my fingers that I would be "accepted."  I got an email today that confirms shipment of my first 3-month supply of Bariatric Advantage multivitamins, sublingual B-12, Iron, and Calcium Citrate.  Cost to me - NOTHING!  I am so thankful that this program exists and they are able to help me get quality vitamins for after surgery.  I was concerned about the costs of these items, but I really wanted to make sure I was getting products that will meet my needs post-op.  Such a MAJOR relief - whey protein isolate shakes are still shockingly expensive in my opinion, but this help with the vitamins makes me feel so much better.  I will at least be getting all my necessary vitamins in, if nothing else!

Oh the life of grad school... I can't wait 'til someday when I'm not getting assistance and owing the gov't so much money in student loans... of course, considering that I am studying social work, I will probably always have school loans debt for as long as I live!

Going along with the last post regarding money & the associated costs of WLS, I knew it would happen and I was just waiting for it - sure enough, one person commented, "If you seriously can't afford it cancel your surgery."  Definitely NOT going to happen... the person who made that comment obviously has never met somebody like me, nor do they possess the empathy of a social worker.

It's hard to admit to strangers that I need help with money matters, but I do, so I am asking for suggestions and information.  I am trying to be "planful" and make sure I explore all options. However, I feel like, even amongst peers who should ideally be accepting and understanding of hardship and the sting of stigmas and oppressive beliefs about certain groups of people, there are people who judge me because I receive public assistance right now.  I am in grad school so that I can someday get a job (and not need assistance!) that enables me to give back to the community and help individuals in need.  Grad school takes time and costs major money, and it's damn near impossible to earn enough money to live on while juggling a full courseload and an internship!
I am by no means "lazy" or looking for a "hand-out" - sometimes in life you need help getting by because you're trying to make a better life for yourself in the future.  My mother faced the same situation: stay with an emotionally abusive and controlling man or leave and face poverty and uncertainty.  She left so that she and I would not have to live in that environment.  I grew up in poverty but my mom always did her best to provide and when that wasn't enough, we got help from others.  My mom works harder than anybody I know, but it's hard to get a decent job when you never had the chance to go to college.  My life has taught me to never give up on a dream, no matter what obstacles (ie. money) stand in your way...
I am not one to let money stand in the way of my goals and dreams though.  If I did, I would have never done many of the things I treasure as some of my greatest accomplishments: I earned a full-tuition scholarship which enabled me to go to college, and I earned a prestigious gov't fellowship to study in China.  I believe, "where there's a will there's a way," and what I lack in money I make up for in creativity and ambition! 

If worse comes to worse, I will have to add extra to my student loan next semester to help cover costs, but I really really don't want to do that if at all possible because I already owe SO MUCH and goodness knows I won't make much as a professional social worker... I will be paying off my education for the rest of my career, probably!  Shows you how much social work is valued...

I recently posted this on various forums on this site, but I'm putting it here, too, in case anybody has any suggestions, etc.  So far I have received many great replies and will be looking into the many suggestions provided - I will, of course, follow-up on here once I have done some further research.

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I know this is probably a frequent question, but I am wondering if there are any suggestions regarding ways to cut costs for bariatric protein shakes and vitamins.

I'm a grad student right now, so instead of having money I OWE money, big time.  I can only work a few hours a week because of my classes and internship, and the only way I get groceries now is because I receive Food Stamps. The only reason I'm able to get the surgery is because I have a Medicaid managed care HMO, so there is no costs for me, and with all my co-morbidities it's more costly to "leave me fat" than to help me lose weight! However, Food Stamps won't cover bariatric protein shakes, even though they are the major "meal" after surgery and a primary source of nourishment.  Furthermore, Medicaid won't cover such products either.  

The only thing I have found thus far that might help is if I can get a prescription for Fleming Pharmaceutical's "ProBarimin QT" and maybe Medicaid would pay for it because it's medically necessary.  I know it's not the greatest bariatric vitamin and I'd have to take 2x the recommended dose but I don't see how I could afford any of the other bariatric vitamins!  

I did hear from somewhere that Bariatric Advantage has a program to help people get their vitamins - apparently your surgeon fills out a form for them.  Has anyone heard anything about this?

Does anybody know of anything else that might help cut costs or help pay for bariatric shakes and vitamins?

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13th!!!

This was the first day I could even do surgery because of my class schedule, so I am very please they were able to accomodate my crazy schedule!  I am so excited to finally have a date set!  It feels very very real now - I know this is going to happen and I can really start planning and preparing for it!  So excited to have that taken care of, now I can focus on getting myself ready for surgery and life afterwards!

Tonight was the first time I attended a support group meeting, and it went okay.  The people were kind, I was just an outsider though, both because I was new and because I haven't had my surgery yet.  I couldn't believe some of the wonderful results people have had with their surgeries - I only hope I can be as successful too! 
I also felt odd because I was clearly the youngest, and I often wonder if my experience will be different because I'm at a different stage in life.  I worry about the future - if I ever get pregnant and gain some weight, will that be a major struggle for me to lose weight again? What about menopause, don't women gain weight then, too? 
I was really surprised to hear about some of the foods that a person can eat after WLS.  People still go to restaurants and still eat things like potato chips... fortunately, I don't care for potato chips so I'm not worried about that.
I also heard some really great tidbits and pieces of advice that I will remember for the future.  If nothing else, those tips make the meetings worthwhile because it gives me further insight into things I might expect, and also what to do if I encounter certain problems.

Apparently Synergy won't "officially" schedule a surgery date until your insurance has paid for the consultation visit.  I understand that, but boy I wish they would pay up so I can know for sure when my surgery will be!!  According to the member site, I.H. will be paying it on Friday, so here's hoping I can get a date on Friday, or at the very latest Monday.  I am a very "planful" person and I like to know things well in advance so I can plan accordingly! 
And of course, my tight schedule and small window of time for surgery (ie. winter break between semesters!) is making me nervous that if I don't get the soonest date possible after classes end in December, I won't have adequate time for healing before classes resume in January.  Synergy has told me repeatedly that they will accomodate my crazy schedule, but I worry about such things until they are finalized... I like things to be finalized!

Independent Health called to APPROVE my surgery!!!  Yay!  Now if only they could hurry up and pay for the consultation visit so that Synergy will go ahead and schedule my surgery.

I am just one big ball of nerves right now, waiting around for Independent Health to make a decision.  I am so nervous they will reject me because I am a new member and I have Medisource (Medicaid)... ugh the suspense is killing me!!!  I want to know how they let you know of their decision, too - phone, letter, doctor's office??? So many questions and so much time to think about it while I wait...