I've Been Approved!!!

This is Mason, my hero!!  He took the initiative to get my Surgery approval started early!!

Hey Ya'll,

I am so excited!!  I just got off the phone with Mason, my Patient Advocate at the Surgeon's office.  He wanted to call and surprise me with great news.  Since I am a past patient, and I have already jumped through all but one hoop (which I will be attending the Back to Basics Class tomorrow), he went ahead and sent off for Surgery approval from my Insurance Company....and they have already approved it!!

Mason knew that I wanted the Surgery before the end of the year, so he took the initiative, and sent off for Pre Approval before I finished my last Class!  So now I will just be sitting on pins and needles waiting for the Surgery Scheduler to call me to set the Surgery date!!  How excited am I?  So excited that I am afraid to use the phone until she calls me!! LOL

But I am APPROVED!!  So now I have to attend the Back To Basics Class tomorrow.  This class is for post Surgery patients that may be having problems adjusting to the new eating lifestyle, and for Revision patients, so they can get a better understanding of what will be expected of them.  The standard class they give to 1st time patients prior to Surgery (Steps 2 Success), isn't as extensive.  This class is supposed to be much more detailed.  It is a longer class (1:30), but believe it or not, it is a less expensive class ($25 vs $60 for the Steps 2 Success)!!

So I go to class tomorrow, wait to hear from the Surgery Scheduler, then when she calls, I will be setting the final appointments up for Surgery.  I know that I have to attend at least one more class, which is a Pre Surgery class giving all the information on what to expect during and after Surgery, etc.  They will also be going over what to eat, and what kind of Vitamins to be taking, etc.  I don't remember if I find out at the class tomorrow, or the Pre-Op class before Surgery how much weight the Doctor expects me to lose prior to Surgery.

I do remember getting this information (I believe it will be at tomorrows class) at one of the classes.  The last time, I was expected to lose 11 lbs (I lost 17 lbs because I didn't actually start the Diet until I returned from Vacation.  So I only did the Diet for 2 1/2 weeks).  At this time, they also give you the Pre-Op Diet.  If I recall, the Pre-Op Diet is a 4 week Diet!!  But it isn't as bad as it sounds.  I researched back to my last Surgery Pre-Op Diet and if it hasn't changed, this is what I will have to do....

Week 1:
Breakfast: Protein Shake
Snack: Fruit, etc.
Lunch: 300 cal or less meal replacement w 1-2 cups veggies
Snack: same as above
Dinner: same as lunch
Snack: Protein Shake

Week 2:
Breakfast: Protein Shake
Snack: same as above
Lunch: Protein Shake and 1-2 cups veggies
Snack: same as above
Dinner: 300 cal/less meal replacement w 1-2 cups veggies
Snack: Protein Shake

Weeks 3-4:
Breakfast: Protein Shake
Snack: 1/2 Protein Shake
Lunch: Protein Shake and 1-2 cups veggies
Snack: same as above
Dinner: same as Lunch
Snack: same as above

I think I will be HATING Protein Shakes by the end of this!!! LOL

Well, it could be worse....some have to do just Protein Shakes the whole time!  At least this way you are gently taken down to almost pure liquid!!  But honestly, the last time, I wasn't hungry at all.  However, this time, I will probably be wanting to eat the furniture!! LOL

Well, I will go for now.  Just wanted to spread some happiness!!  My smile is so big right now, I am afraid that I will break through the ole RV walls!!  LOL  So....till next time....

Aloha My Friends!  :)