Got my insurance approval letter in the mail today!

[Jodi L]

I wasn't expecting that they would contact me directly, so I was surprised when I opened the Aetna envelope and that's what it was. The only weird part is that under the section "Summary of Covered Hospital Days" it says:

Admission Date 7/15/14
Previous Days Covered: 0
Additional Days Covered: 1
Total Days Covered: 1

Now, since my doctor does the surgery one day and then does a leak test the next morning I know I'm supposed to be in there 2 days at least. Would you read this as they are expecting me to only be in the hospital one day?

Also, I have been on my pre-op diet for a week now. My doctor is requiring a month liquid diet, and it has been very difficult for me. I am very emotional and sometimes depressed. At least I found a shake I could tolerate--for a long time, every one I tried just smelled disgusting until I tried Premier Protein Chocolate.

I can't believe that in 3 weeks (provided my cardiologist appointment and pre-admission testing go well) I will be sleeved. Exciting and terrifying all at once.

--jodi

[Deecomp57]

A month for the liquid diet is not typical; although every physician is different. In reference tothe one day hospital stay, it does appear as if the insurance will over cover one additional day after surgery. Although if the leak test is the next day, and successful, you can be discharged. Nevertheless, do not be concerned, your release date is based on your vitals being stable-if it is medically necessary that you stay longer, you will. Congratulations on receiving approval.

[MBL]

Congratulations! I was only approved for 1 day (actually that means overnight) as well. My hospital just had to let them know why the extra day/overnight was required and it was fine. Good luck!

[Little Verbena]

Congrats on the approval. I think when the surgery is put in the standard is one day but there may be a reason to keep you longer and your doctor will provide that information. Or, you may be out the next day if all goes well. I think they don't release you until you can swallow water and such. But if you have questions, there is probably a surgery coordinator at your doctor's office that can help out with these questions.

As for the liquid diet, that is a longer time than most but every doctor and every pateint is different. The first several days of the liquid diet are hard for everyone but you should reach a point where one day you realize that you are not really hungry, you just are in the habit of eating. this is the time to start working on those old habits. Every time you want to eat something that is not on the diet, drink water or take a short walk. It takes a long time to change the habits of a lifetime.

If your depression is enough to interfere with your plans, let your doctor know now so they can get you connected with a therapist that will help you. There are also some really good books out there that can help. I liked The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery, by Cynthia Alexander but I am sure there are others that get us to think about why we eat, not just what and how.

This surgery is a great time to change the things that have led us to a place where we are unhealthy and unhappy, but it is not a magic wand. We have to work every day to change our behaviors that will change our bodies. Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid!

[Flipflops]

Congrats and don't think about how many days you have till surgery. Focus on what you need to do for today only. ONE DAY AT A TIME!!! That's how I got though my 14 day pre-op diet. At least that was the last diet I will ever be on.
I ♥ my sleeve!!!