Developments

Feb 12, 2013

Yesterday was eventful. I had my appointment with the internist, which is the last step (aside from insurance approval) before I can schedule surgery and have a final consultation with the surgeon and whatnot. It went fine; nothing major in my test results so basically just a checkup. (AND a pap smear because I was way overdue for one. I was SO EXCITED to get that out of the way; I wasn't expecting it so when the doctor offered I was all, “hell yes, let me take off my pants right now.” Pelvic exams make me feel like such a responsible adult. Anyway.)

So I was pretty happy to have that out of the way, but apprehensive because I had no idea how long I'd have to wait to hear back from the insurance company about whether I'll be approved for my vertical sleeve gastrectomy. You read about people who have to wait months and months, and the idea of having to hold on till late spring or early summer really worried me; I quit my job last month, largely to free up my time for pre-op doctors' appointments and stuff, and I didn't want to stay in unemployment limbo indefinitely. (There were other reasons to leave that job, but wanting to get a move on with the bariatric surgery factored into the decision.)

Then! Late last night I got an email from the patient coordinator for the Center for Weight Loss Surgery: BCBS of Michigan approved me for the VSG, OMG. I'll have my final consultation on February 25^th and my surgery on February 27^th. I'm still reeling, but so happy. If all goes well, I hope to be seriously job hunting by mid March. (Knock on wood.)

On Sunday the 17^th I'll be on clear liquids (and thrice-daily protein shakes) until surgery. (I have to look up whether I'll need to knock off the protein shakes a day or so before surgery.) Nervous! Excited! Just spent $60.00 on a Fit & Fresh Portable Power Mixer and two tubs of Jay Robb protein powder. Which I've heard mixed things about. I guess if it's horrendously unpalatable and vile I'll just get a chance to test the return policy at Super Supplements. Earlier this week we ordered an Unjury sampler that should be here in a few days, and I anticipated eventually buying most of my protein and stuff on the internet—but I wasn't expecting to be headed to the land of liquids quite so soon so I don't have any on hand. (Technically I should've been doing the protein shakes already, but wasn't because I'm a bad person. From here on out though, just watch how crazy compliant I'm going to be. I'll start the protein shakes tomorrow, then go to liquids on Sunday.)

Nervous! Excited! Eek!

Oh, one last thing to be worried about: I have a tentative date with a friend on the 21^st. Here's hoping I'm not so run-down and miserable from the liquid diet that I can't enjoy myself. I haven't seen her in over a year, fret fret, don't want to ruin it, fret. Bridge will be crossed when I come to it but I can't help being a little anxious.

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