peacequeen

I agree with Kellyw74, fight for it!! I'm so sorry for all you are going through, I sure hope things look up for you soon.

Thanks, Deliah! That's promising news. Yes, I have comorbs..several. I also have 2 letters of referral from 2 of my doctors. I have a weight history a mile long, just my bmi hasn't always been over 40 within the past 5 years. My doctor told me the national bmi standard is only 35 so UHC shouldn't try to come up with their own rules but it's probably my husband's employer that has this requirement..don't know for sure. Thanks you guys!

Don't give up hope! I've been in the process since Dec 2010, I know what it's like to wait. I've read here that several have waited for years to get a surgery date. Trust your doctors, they probably have good reason for holding off. Maybe you should talk to a nutritionist because being a diabetic is tricky. You have to eat foods in moderation, it might be the way you are eating, not what you are eating or vice versa. Find someone to partner up with to help you with excercise,, bump it up to excercising once a day instead of 3 times a week. If you hadn't been excercising before, you are probably building muscle which weighs more than fat so some of the weight could be due to that. Hypothyroid is another reason the weight piles on. Make sure you're getting that checked out. Use this time to focus on your new life when you get the weight off,,whether on your own or by surgery. I've been very anxious to get surgery as well. I went through a time where surgery it seems so far from reach but now I'm finding things to keep me busy and occupy my mind. I'm doing weight watchers on my own, I'm thinking about what style clothes I want to wear when I'm smaller, all the things I'm going to do that I haven't been able to do, meditating,,anything to keep positive. The lower I feel, the more weight I gain. Good luck and keep your chin up

Congratulations to all of you who are getting sleeved! I can't wait till I get to make the same post,,thanks for the boost of motivation.

Thanks for everyones response. Bamaxpress78, yes I have comorbs. I have an autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis, it's in the muscular distrophy family..complicated. Anyway, I do have sleep apnea and use a bipap for my MG but it also helps for apnea. I am prediabetic (would be diabetic if i was still on steroids), anemic, osteoarthritis and malacia, hashimotos thyroiditis..so on and so on... I also have a level of anxiety and depression due to my list of health issues. I currently carry a bmi well over 40 but if UHC has that requirement to be morbid obese for 5 full years, I fail that, I was just severe obese before that...how dare me! ldydrgnkpr, I did call them and they told me I had to be over 21, have a bmi of 40 or above, a list of 5 years 40+ bmi. No diet to follow though. I guess what I'm wanting to know is how strict that 5 year bmi rule is,,has anyone been approved without meeting it?

My bmi is close to 48 now, I have a ton of comorbs too but if they require that bmi history..I'm in trouble. Even though my weight has always been up, long term prednisone set my weight soaring to raise my bmi this high. Now I'm off of them and can't get the weight off. My doctors are supporting the surgery so I hope that will be enough.

The only problem is there are several different types of UHC and an employer can set his own requirements as well.

I have United Healthcare ChoicePlus and have been told to qualify for surgery that I must have a 5 year consecutive record of a bmi of 40 or higher. I'm curious to know if anyone has been approved without meeting this requirement throught UHC? I'm concerned I'll be denied because I've only had a bmi over 40 for close to 3 years but have had one over 35 for 8 years..and over 30 probably my whole life.

I have UHC ChoicePlus and they said they require the 5 year morbid obese record. I'm worried because mine has only been this high for about 3 years. My bad that I was just severe obese before that *sarcasm*. I can't really get excited about all of this or take it serious because it's just a waiting game for me right now. I think I'll post the question to everyone,,how many out there were approved with UHC's 5 year bmi requirement.

Thanks, everyone. It feels good to know I'm not the only "crazy" one.lol I'm on a second go round with hospital/surgeon. The first clinic didn't work out so I've had to start over. I actually got a call the other day. My pre op appt is Sept 21! I knew I made the right decision to change hospitals. It also gave me new hope that it's gonna happen!! I think as long as the conveyer belt is moving, it's easier to stay motivated.

You're a funny guy whether you meant to be, I don't know but this is stuff comedians look for.LOL

I've always been told to weigh early in the morning, that is the most accurate weight..and not so often. Once a week should suffice. I'd drive myself crazy if I stalked my scale all day everyday. As for the constipation, I haven't even had surgery yet but I have been a long time sufferer of it (IBS). I've actually had 3 doctors (one being GI) tell me it is very safe to use miralax daily. It's flavorless and you can add to a cup of coffee, tea, diet soda,,whatever. 1 cap a day and you will be going regular within a week. If not, try 2 capsful 2 times a day. If this doesn't work, you should see a GI. 6 days is way too long to go without bm's. Good luck!

I don't know how old you are but I'm 46 and I have about a dozen different illnesses. Half are due to my weight. I have 3 kids, 3 stepkids and 4 grandbabies. I have missed out on so much and so have they because I'm too fat to do things with them that I want to do. My weight has flucuated my whole life,,my niece made a joke once,,she said,,Karen, I never know what I'm gonna see when I see you,,you are always on a diet and you're a different size each time I see you. And I'm now bigger than I've ever been,,if that tells you the direction all those diets took me. Do yourself a favor and tell your family to stop talking smack about the surgery. YOU have to make the decision not them. I've had my share of surgeries so this part doesn't really make me nervous. I worry about failure so I understand..sort of. I'll need all the support when my time comes. This is your time, don't let worry and negative talk ruin it. Savor it.

I'm a hard stick too. The center of my left arm has 1 good vein, it's deep but if they hit it right, I get lucky.lol Most techs/nurses do the 2 strikes their out and they try someone else. I'm just so used to it, I've dealt with it for 40 years. Pump your fist real good,,I was told I needed to lift weights and work up the forearm more.

Good luck, sleeveme!!

I don't plan on telling anyone but if I did or if they find out..is it more socially acceptable to be fat? I mean, I get stares now along with comments "you have such a pretty face, if only..." We can't make everyone happy and besides, it's our body not theirs. I got myself the way I am and it's my responsibility to get me the way I want me. I can't let others judgements rule my life. I haven't had surgery yet so it's probably easy for me to say but I have to go into it with this mindset because I'm the type of person that let's what people think get the best of me. I'll probably tell people I'm eating alot less.lol..which will be true.

Thanks, Amanda! Owl, hope all went well for you! I know my time will come it just seems unreal till I get a date, I guess. It's just taking so long. I know others have waited much longer though.

During the waiting game, have any of you thought that you will never "really" go through the surgery or that it's not going to happen?

I have MG and am currently in the hospital for MG crisis. My question is, since I have gone through numerous tests while here and will be starting plasmapheresis treatment today at the hospital and thereafter at home once a month..will this have any impact on the surgery or even qualifying for the surgery?

Melbanded, the foods you mentioned have high protein content..and if you were doing heavy excercise..it may be you are gaining muscle! Just a thought. Even though we are working to get weight off, weight is just a number. Try measuring yourself, if you aren't already. I would also only weigh in the morning, that is the most accurate weight. Keep your chin up, sounds like you are doing great!!

Today I told the office I was originally going to have surgery through, that I was not having my surgery with them. A series of events and giving several chances helped me make my decision. Has anyone switched doctor's/clinic/hospital..etc? If so, for what reason? I've heard so many wonderful stories, but I wasn't having any pleasant experiences with the 1st group. Even though I'm having to start over, I'm very happy I've switched..so far.

Russian Bandit,,I did everything you suggested and I am so thankful I did..so THANKS!!! I am switching clinics/surgeon. I went to the new seminar and am very satisfied with this other facility and the staff that I have met so far. I called today to ask questions and actually talked to a real person and they answered my questions! Who would've thought??lol Seriously, I spoke with their insurance coordinator and she said, you don't have a 6 month diet to follow so I called my insurance company for a 6th time and they assured me,,I do not have a 6 month pre op diet to follow that apparently the "clinic" I was going through was requiring this. I understand some insurance companies do require it but mine isn't one of them. I am glad I've had the extra time though, it's helped me prepare. I was told by the new clinic that all the psych stuff isn't necessary if I'm already in therapy but if it is helping that I should continue so I am. I def want my head straight before I go through all of this. The new clinic has promised I shouldn't have to jump through as many hoops and hopefully they could get the ball rolling quickly. I am now feeling more motivated than ever!! I went today to get all of my records from the old clinic, almost everything I provided was missing. I was also told that all the originals were scanned and then they shred them??? That is odd. So I have to start over but I'm ok, it's worth it to know I'm in better hands now. I don't know which surgery I will be having, I was told that I would not be a good candidate for lapband because of swallowing issues..that I would be better off with the sleeve but the new clinic said they would evaluate me thoroughly then I could decide based on their findings. Wish me luck. Thank you to everyone who commented on this post!

Lizzy, I'd love to have plication but my insurance doesn't cover it. It would be my top choice over all. I have medicare and uhc and neither cover it (last I checked). Kristey, if I have wls, I HAVE to have the sleeve..or bypass..which I would choose the sleeve since it's less invasive. I'm not on a crusade to bash the ban, I just can't have it due to health issues..my decision will be to have or not to have wls, period. That's why I was asking for advice. Thank you for your input though. Thank you, mrstlovely, a support group is a very good idea. This forum has been acting as support for me and I'm sure the sleeve forum will also be helpful. Meeting people in person will probably help me make a decision though..seeing people face to face after having the surgery and the results they have gotten will be motivating too.