3 months post-op

It had been a little while since my last post. So to update anyone that may be paying attention, here goes..
I have lost about 35 pounds, and feel great. I'm working out using the RIP60 training system, which really works great. Food is always an adventure.

Looking forward to my next follow up with my doctor, which will be in July.

2 Weeks Post Op

Today marks two weeks post op. I'm feeling much better and ready to go back to work tomorrow. I can't believe how good I feel, especially after ready so many stories from people that had such a hard time post op.

My biggest concerns are that I'm having a hard time remembering to have some nutrition. The surgery pretty much removed all of my appetitie. I force myself to have a protein shake, or something else, just to keep my blood sugar stable.

No worries, since overall I feel great. My follow up appointment on Friday went well. Happy days.

Tired

Today I took my oldest son to a doctors appointment. I thought it would be good for me to get that done since I was feeling pretty good. I had a list of plans for the day, but the trip to the doctor, pharmacy and one other quick stop really had me worn out. I was out of the house for 2 1/2 hours and I was really drained.
So I cancel everything else, and decided to wait till another day to get those other things done.

2 Days Post-Op

On Monday April 7, 2014 my wife drove me to the hospital for my revision surgery. The surgery was scheduled for 10AM. While in surgery my doctor removed my lap band, and performed the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. 
The portion of my stomach that was removed was the 2nd largest that my doctor had ever removed. It was almost the size of a 2 liter pop bottle. 
The morning after the surgery, I was taken down to the radiology department for a swallow test/leak check.
I'm still sore in the upper abdominal region.
I was fortunate to be allowed to come home the next day (April 8th). So I spent last night at home.
I'm moving around pretty well. Drinking my fluids. Not hungry at all.
Thank you Dr. Taddeucci for your excellent work.

Making progress.

In preparation for my Lap Band revision to Vertical Sleeve, we are making progress. Since I received the phone call on March 21st from the surgeons office, I have had my pre-op physical and the consultation with my surgeon.

As a reminder, this surgery is necessary because of the complications I had with my lap band. When the Lap Band was fist put in I weighed 355 pounds. I lost just over 100 pounds in the first year. Then the weight crept up some, but it was still manageable. Last August, my band slipped causing my opening to close up. While the doctor went in to unbuckle my band, he found my gall bladder inflamed so he removed that also.

 

After waiting a few months for healing to take place, I started the process of getting lap band removed and revised to the vertical sleeve.

 

To say I'm getting excited would be an understatement. My surgery date is April 7th. The surgeon advised me that the surgery will take about 4 hours because of the extra work that needs to be done because of the lap band removal.

APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I received a phone call today from my surgeons office! APPROVED FOR MY VSG!!!!!!!

As a reminder, this is to remove my lap band, and revise my weightloss surgery to vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

As soon as I got off the phone with her, I scheduled my pre-op physical for next week. I'm starting my pre-op diet on Sunday.

Yes, I am very excited!

Still waiting...

I've been contacting the nurse at my surgeons office once a week since the request was submitted to BCBS for approval. It is getting frustrating waiting for the insurance company to make a decision regarding my weight loss surgery.

Still waiting

Last Friday my surgeons nurse received all the information for submittal to the insurance company. I contacted her on Monday, and she told me she was working on the paperwork to get it submitted.
Now it is just a waiting game.

Waiting

I finished my supervised weight loss consultations with my personal doctor on January 29th. All the information was forwarded to my bariatric surgeon. Now I'm waiting for the surgeons office to send in the authorization request and a decision from the insurance company.

Praying for a positive response.