First Steps

[bnm4 93]

Hi everyone!

I'm 22 and ready for this change. My mom is actually one week post op and so I'm getting to see what it might be like for me even though I know it's different for everyone. Even though it's nice to get to see what it is like post op, it's kind of frustrating because I feel like I've been through the whole process with her but she's the one getting the benefits right now and I have to "repeat" the process. We were trying to do it together but it was difficult because I lived out of town for school. I'm worried that insurance struggles will postpone my surgery even more because besides the excessive weight I don't have any other medical issues and I'm not quite heavy enough to qualify for coverage without another medical condition.

Basically - I was wondering if you could give me advice for the first steps of this process. Clearly I've been waiting for awhile to get this done and do need to be patient but I'm just so ready to be on the other side! Any advice you can give me through any step would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

[liannatx 897]

What is your BMI?

[4me4them 381]

Good morning and welcome! Two things I would say....one get a big notebook/accordion file to keep everything because once you start the process there is a lot of paper! I had sheets from the nutritionist, appointment receipts, my weigh in results....and even printed a few chat strings from here Second be patient lots of insurance companies require the 6 months supervised diet which a lot of people don't like...use that time to set a good stage for the surgery. OK...I guess it is really 3 things...if you are going to be using insurance....get a copy of your benefits/coverage schedule and study it! Good luck!

[bnm4 93]

My bmi is 39 and the insurance said that you could be 35 with another medical issue or 40 without another medical issue. I know the lady I was talking to was just following the rules but it kind of annoyed me that I couldn't just fudge that one number. I asked her that meant I had to gain weight in order for them to help me lose weight. I don't think she was amused ????

So if the insurance/doctors put me on a 6 month diet pre surgery they can't pull me from the surgery right?

[perk4756 259]

My nutritionist said they go on your first weigh in. You can not gain during because insurance will turn down. My bmi is 36.5 but I have a few co morbities.

[bnm4 93]

Okay that sounds reasonable!

Another question for yall: I know people say their tastes change after the surgery- did anyone have a giant sweet tooth pre surgery that was reduced or even gone post surgery?