lkcraig316

I will begin my journey on Saturday, January 1. New year, new me, right? I have been to a consultation to see if my insurance would cover the procedure and last night watched my surgeon's online seminar with my family. I have three months of hoops to jump through to get an approval. I want to begin eating healthy and get moving NOW, so that the habits are there before the surgery. One problem . . . I am a Pepsi Fiend! I'm talking full sugar, full caffeine, the works.

I did go off sodas completely at the beginning of 2010, and after an agonizing week of pain and lethargy, I was OK. Unfortunately, old habits die hard and I am now back almost as bad as I was to begin with. Does anyone know a good way to wean off the sodas. I drink about 2-3 Pepsi canned drinks a day, but it's the morning one that is crucial. Has anyone tried mixing Diet and non-diet? Caffeinated and caffeine-free and slowly going off that way? Or is it better just to prepare myself for a week of misery and just do it cold turkey? If I didn't have to work, it would be a no-brainer, but I have to be able to function and not commit murder when someone annoys me.

PS I DO NOT drink coffee. I do love me some homemade sweet tea because I'm a Southern girl!

Lisa

Hi, Lisa,

I'm not sure if all Aetna plans are the same, as far as their requirements with documenting diet/exercise. You should be able to check with your dr's office (if you picked one yet)/ They work enough with ins companies to know. I don't remember what percentage of weight Aetna wants presurg/preapproval too. Will keep you informed.

Cheryl from Ohio

Thanks, Cheryl!

I do have a surgeon picked out and have gone to an assessment at the clinic. Since my insurance is not effective until 1/1, they are going to call me back the first week of January to set up appointments, etc. I will have a better idea then. I just don't want to leave out ANY of the steps and be delayed because of that!

Congratulations! I have an aquamarine ring (my birthstone) and I will be thrilled when I'm able to get it on a finger other than my pinkie.

I think the biggest day for me will be the day I am able to walk into the regular ladies department and buy something that fits.

I'm beginning the process January 1 and hoping to be approved for surgery by April or May. You guys continue to give me encouragement that I am making the right decision.

Lisa

HI, Keshia,

I am fairly new to this process. Nov 9th I had all day appointments with the dietitian, psychologist and physician for a physical. Had bloodwork in the AM. Already knew I had sleep apnea and have been on a CPAP since April. Aetna requires 3 months of nutrition counseling with documented food and exercise logs. I guess they are big into making sure that you are ready for a major lifestyle change before they approve the surgery. Just completed my first month and met with the dietition last evening. She says I am doing great. I hadn't heard of the sleeve before I started doing research on line. Several girls where I work have had the lap band and have lost significant weight but I hear that they binge then barf it right back up and eat some more! My 3 months of nutr appts should be done in Feb so they say I should be able to have surgery in March/April if I can work things out. Since I am part-time night shift I have to ask work if they are willing to work with me to let me do light duty for a few weeks so I can help out and still get payed but am not exposed to hostile situations. I am using this time to clean up my eating habits and bust my butt at the gym. The sleeve is the best choice for me and I thank God that it's covered by my insurance. Good luck to you.

I'm glad you posted. I also have Aetna and knew I had to go through 3 months of meetings/appointments, etc., but I did not know about the documentation for the diet and exercise. I am beginning the 3 months on January 1 (my Aetna goes into effect then) so I will start immediately with the documentation. Keep me updated!

Lisa

Hi, Mona!

I'm new on here also. I just started the process with an assessment at the surgeon's office. I will begin my 3 month prep on January 1. Am hoping to be able to have surgery in May or June.

I'm hypoglycemic too. It runs in my family. I was kind of wondering if I would have any problems with that afterward, being restricted from carbs and eating so much Protein. I have tried low-carb diets in the past and have been very discouraged because my body couldn't handle it. Please keep us updated on the process after surgery.

I am at 243 pounds and am looking to lose down to between 130 and 140. Just getting below 200 would be a cause for celebration!

Good luck on the 16th! I will be thinking about you.

Oops! I didn't realize this was the GLBT board. Hope you don't mind that I crashed it.

Hello Keshia, Mary and LK,

My current insurance does not cover any WLS so I switch to one that does in January. I have already started the hoops. For my new insurance I have to do 6 months supervised weight loss, 6 months of support group (I am not sure if VST counts so I started the live type), nut meeting and psych eval. All that being said, I don't have a clue when I will be able to get the sleeve. So am right there with you all. Hugs!!!

Oopsseedaisy, I had the same issue. I was on my employer's plan but it doesn't cover any kind of WLS. So effective I will be on my hubby's and his does cover the four WLS types. Let's hope we both have smooth sailing.

Mary, good luck with your approval. When I think about how long it may take, I just keep reminding myself how long it took me to get into this condition and it doesn't seem too bad.

Hi Keshia and Mary from AZ.

I have also just started my journey. I had an assessment done on Monday, and their insurance specialist said I qualified and should be approved with no problem. I started out very very positively Sleeve, but in reading the packet I got at the doctor's office I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing. Here's what I'm thinking:

Gastric Bypass--The weight would drop rapidly, but I really am scared of the dumping syndrome and I know I could stretch the stomach back out again

Lapband--I don't like the fact that there would be a foreign object in me at all times and a port for adjustments.

Sleeve--I like that it has fewer complications post-op, but I'm worried about feeling nauseous all the time

After January 1, when they reassess my insurance, I will go to see the surgeon, have my meeting with the nutritionist and exercise physiologist and my psych eval. I also have to get a clearance from my cardiologist (I have a congenital bicuspid aortic valve) and a letter from my PCP validating my weight and co-morbidities. Another two months of meetings, support groups, appointments, and I should be ready to have my stuff submitted to the insurance company by April 1. Then I guess the waiting game starts.

I'm both excited and terrified! But I am so sick of being this size and being limited by it.

Good luck to both of you! Let's keep in touch as the process continues.