mountain_lover

I agree with you. I want to be happier, healthier, live longer, enjoy my family, less pain, look pretty, reach my goal weight and keep it off until I take my last breath on this Earth. I am ready for a change!

Thank you, It is very incouraging to hear that. I am so grateful to have everyone posting on this forum and finding it when I did. I am trying to stay positive even in the down moments. I am hoping to hear if I get an approval this week from the insurance. If everything had went as planned, I would have had surgery back in August of this year, but I am getting closer now that I have made it through all the setbacks. I am getting more and more anxious to have the surgery, maybe that is one reason that I have been turning to comfort foods. I will get back on track, because I will be starting on my pre-op diet soon, if I get approved for the surgery. How much weight have you lost in 7 weeks? I hope you continue to do fine. Have a good day!

Hello, I have been going through something similar. I am getting closer to finding out if my surgery will be approved and I am getting more anxious. I fell off the wagon big time the last day or so. I went to the store and I bought some sweets and went overboard. IS THIS NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR MOST PEOPLE PRE-OP? When I told someone what happened, they said that is what they are worried about if I will do that after I have the surgery and put all my weight back on. I feel better after reading this and knowing that others have had similar experiences. I hope that it is just a phase and not an indication that I will be a failure after surgery. Any comments on this subject will be helpful, I want for this surgery to be a success and I want to be successful at losing weight and maintaining a healthy goal weight. Thank You!!

I am really glad to hear that you are doing ok. Thank you for adding me to your friends list. I am going to add you to mine now. Thank you! Wow, 16 pounds in 10 days is great.

JSM---------- Note: this was included in your insurance policy *Biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch *Sleeve gastrectomy, performed either as a stand-alone restrictive procedure, or as a first stage procedure of a planned biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch for patients with a BMI exceeding 50. Hello jsm, I would like to point out something that maybe someone is overlooking or is misunderstanding at BlueCross/BlueShield. I may be wrong, but it is something for them to consider. If you notice above the Biliopancreatic Bypass with Duodenal Switch is approved, and it says nothing about any requirements on the BMI. But notice that when the Sleeve Gastrectomy is performed as a "FIRST STAGE PROCEDURE" of a Biliopancreatic Bypass with Dueodenal Switch, it is only approved for "PATIENTS WITH A BMI EXCEEDING 50. However, the Sleeve Gastrectomy is approved when performed as a "STAND-ALONE RESTRICTIVE PROCEDURE", it does not say any specific BMI . It stipulates that it is EITHER, Or. --------------------------------- " performed EITHER as a stand-alone restrictive procedure" "OR as a first stage procedure of a biliopancreatic bypass with duedenal switch for patients with BMI exceeding 50" -------------------------------- As I stated in my post earlier that I learned that the Duodenal Switch was being performed on patients, but if the patient had a very high BMI and health problems which made it more risky to have the Duodenal Switch, then doctors would perform the Sleeve (Which is the First part of the duodenal surgery and only restrictive), hoping that the patient would lose weight down to a SAFER, LOWER BMI, then the other part of the Duodenal surgery which is Malabsorptive could be performed without all the risks that were present before the Sleeve, so that the patient could lose more weight to reach their goal. ------------>>>>> What many doctors were discovering was that many patients continued to lose the weight and was reaching their goals with only the Sleeve, and the second part of the surgery did not need to be performed. So then many doctors started performing The SLEEVE as a STAND-ALONE RESTRICTIVE PROCEDURE. Now the sleeve is becoming a more sought after surgery by doctors and patients, because it is a less expensive, less evasive, and less risky surgery. Also the doctors know that there are less complications and healing time is faster with the Sleeve vs. the other procedures.--------------->>>>>>>> Medicaid and Medicare are now approving some Sleeve procedures. As I stated in my other post, WHY PAY FOR MORE IF IT IS NOT NEEDED. When the insurance company pays for the duodenal, the sleeve is the first part of that surgery. People with LOWER BMI and no severe health issues other than obesity, are having success with only the sleeve; so why have people put at more risk just so that they have a covered procedure according to what the insurance company understands the terms to be. Could the insurance company be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the policy coverage, because they might not have all the facts or they might not be reading the sentence above in their policy as it might be intended? If you have any thoughts on this or any more questions, it would be very interesting to hear from anyone. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Also you may get more information on this from doctors who are performing the Sleeve and are able to get it covered by different insurance policies.

I am glad you let us know how you are doing. It is so encouaging to hear good news. I hope to have surgery soon if all goes well. Wow 21-22 lbs. is great in only 1 month. Please let us hear about your journey, story and pictures along the way. You will be a great inspiration for all of us that are waiting to have surgery. I am hoping to have my VSG surgery in about a month if the insurance gives me an approval. I wish you all the best.

I hope you get the clearance. You are in our prayers. I had to take the tests required for bariatric surgery several months ago, and I found out that I tested positive for H-Pyloria, which is a stomach infection (contagious also) that I did not know that I had. It can cause stomach ulcers and stomach cancer among other things. I Thank God that he lead me in the right direction to have Bariatric Surgery and to having the tests, before it was too late. I had to take what was called a Prev-PaK, which was a two week antibiotic treatment and had to have more tests to see if it was cleared up. I did receive a negative test, which now I have that part of the clearance over with. It slowed down everything for a little while and I got upset at first, but I realized that it was a good thing that I found out when I did, because may have saved my life. I just found out that my Psych. Eval. is ready to be faxed to my Bariatric Center and then all my tests will be in to turn into insurance, I may have an approval or denial in a week or so. I am getting closer. I am getting more and more anxious the closer I get to having the surgery. I can only imagine how disappointed you were. I am glad that you have come to this forum for support. It has really been a big support for me right when I needed it the most. May God bless and keep you in his care!!

Hello, I enjoyed looking at your pictures and reading your postings. I wish you all the best!! I hope you can lose your belly too. I went to a support group at the Bariatric Center and that night a Plastic Surgeon was there. I learned about the tummy tuck and penniculectomy. One is somewhat different than the other. Most procedures are not covered by insurance, But He said that the penniculectomy is covered by Medicaid and most insurance companies. You might read about that procedure, and if you have insurance you might find out if it covers that procedure. (It gets rid of alot of the loose skin hanging down after weight loss surgery, but it is better to wait until you are real close or at your goal weight), I hope this helps you.

Hello, Please let us know how you are doing now. How has the past few weeks been going for you? Hope you are doing better!

Hello, Have you had your surgery and how are you doing? Please let us know. I will check other postings to see if you posted your post-op recovery and how much weight you have lost since your surgery day.

I have a question: Does BlueCross BlueShield approve The Duodenal Switch and if so what are the requirements? Why I am asking is to let you know what happened to me. I changed my mind about having a band and decided to have a Dueodenal Switch or a VSG surgery. When I had my first appointment with Dr. Husted here in Somerset Ky., he told me that he would prefer that I had a VSG instead of the Dueodenal Switch. I assume that is because of my BMI being at 43 at the time. I found out that the Dueodenal Switch was covered by Medicaid, but at the time the VSG procedure was not. He told me not to worry about it, because he was going to submit more information to Medicaid to try to get it to be a covered procedure. Now several months later I have been told that Medicaid is covering it for some patients. From what I understand the VSG is the first part of the Dueodenal Switch. The Duedenal Switch is a more evasive surgery with much more involvement than the VSG. The VSG is only restrictive and the Dueodenal Switch is restrictive and Malabsorptive. The Vsg has less comlications and surgery time is less and heal time is faster. The patients with very high BMI's and other health issues who needed surgery but were not heallthy enough to have the Dueodenal Switch, would have the first restrictive part of the Dueodenal Switch where part of the stomach was removed, so they could lose enough weight and be at a healthier place in time to have the other part of the Dueodenal surgery where everything is rearranged for it to become Malabsorptive. What the Doctors found out over time was this; the patients were losing weight and most of them were becoming healthier in the process and they were getting closer and closer to their desired weight. Many doctors and patients discovered that the other surgery was not required. So the VSG surgery is becoming a more popular and excepted procedure among the healthcare professionals and insurance companys. It is safer and less expensive than some of the other surgeries. As they say; IF IT WORKS, DON'T FIX IT. The insurance companies will eventually all agree that it will be better to do the VSG surgery before doing the more evasive riskier procedures. Then if that doesn't work for some, then they might still have to go in for the other part of surgery, to complete it for more weight loss for those who have had very high BMI's or other health issues. (Why pay for more than what is needed and Why put the patients through more than they need to go through, just so that the insurance companys don't have to change their current policies or have to deal with any hassles?) It all makes sense to me now and that is why I am hanging in there and hoping that Dr. Husted and his team can do what is best for me and get the VSG surgery approved for me, that way I will not have to go through the more evasive surgery unless I absolutely have to. I am really happy with their services and their concern for my well being. I hope the best for you and the others that are having difficulty getting the VSG surgery approved by your insurance. BEST WISHES!!

Hello, Everything you have said sounds similar to my story. I have learned so much here on the forum from all the posters. I also had my mind set on only the Lap-Band, but after reading all the information on here, and finding out that I had an autoimmune disorder, my plans are to have the Sleeve. I found out that sometimes problems arise from having a foriegn object in your body such as the band, if you have an autoimmune disorder. I don't understand how the staples are any different, but I have not been told about any problems which might occur with them. I had surgery on my knee last year and the knee replacement involved having a metal device put in my knee and it has done ok so far, but at the time I was not aware that I had an autoimmune disorder. Also the other thing I did not like hearing about the band was the need to have to go back all the time to be stuck in the port for any adjustments. It sounded like there would be alot of aftercare. That right there was enough to change my mind to have a VSG instead of a Band. I wish you the best on your upcoming surgery.

Hello, I have read this entire thread on your story and I am here to tell you that now you are one of the ones helping others for sure. I have not had my surgery yet, I hope it will be soon. As soon as they get my Psych. Eval typed up and sent to the Bariatric Center then it will be turned in to insurance to see if I get approved. I am getting closer and closer. Everytime I read a story such as yours, I am always encouraged to hang in there. I had a total knee replacement 1 1/2 years ago, so I didn't want to have surgery again, but here I am hoping to have VSG surgery soon. To hear that you have already lost 10 pounds and you are already home gives me more hope and faith that I am doing the right thing. I keep coming on here to get help and each time I always find someone's comments that lift me up whenever I need it. One of these days soon my experience of having the surgery will help others just like your story and other's have helped me. I hope and pray for the best for you and everyone else on your journey!!

I live in the Somerset Ky. area and one day I decided to call a Bariatric Center in Hazard Ky. that I saw advertised on tv. I was informed that there was a Bariatric Center in Somerset with a new doctor, Dr. John Husted and I was told that I should attend a seminar to find out more about bariatric surgery. I called the local Hospital and acquired the information on the seminar and attended. I received a packet with information about the doctor, the Bariatric Center, surgery information, and an application to fill out for Dr. Husted's office. That started me on my journey for Bariatric surgery. I received an appointment with the doctor and I really was very pleased with the visit, and afterwards I did alot of research on Dr. Husted. He has many very nice reviews and recommendations. I know everyone has there own opinions, but so far, mine are only good ones. If you want to find out more about him, he has a web page (which includes my review among many others). I have had to get over a few hurdles along the way, but I am really close. This week all my information should be submitted to the Insurance to see if I will be approved for the procedure. I am looking forward for him to do my surgery and at this point I trust him to perform the surgery. I do have some health related issues due to my obesity and for other reasons, but I have been given the OK for surgery by my Cardiologist, Lung and Sleep Doctor, and Psycologist. I am going into this knowing that there are several risks with having the surgery, but I have the faith that God, Dr. Husted, the Bariatric Center, and all my other doctors have taken my best interests into consideration and that they will ALL help this to be as safe and successful for me as they possibly can. I hope this information helps someone that may be reading this, who may be considering surgery. I know that Dr. Husted does several different procedures and he will help you to decide which is the best one for your situation. Thank you for taking the time to read this!!

I hope the best for you. I enjoyed reading your thread. I am getting so close to possibly getting a surgery date, only have my Psych. Eval. to turn in this week or so. The closer I get the more anxious I get. I even took one of my anxity pills last night, but I still am having a hard time with it. I am having a hard time getting sleep, I am thinking so much about it coming up soon and wondering if it will get approved soon. I am glad I read all about this happening to others, it helps me to understand why I have been so worked up here recently and can't hardly sleep. For anyone that has read any of my other posts, I changed my profile picture. This picture shows more of me and it really helps me want to go exercise at the Y every time I see it. I think you will agree with me that I really need this sleeve!!

I really enjoyed reading your story, I wish you all the best on your journey!!

I also did the same thing when I went to Dr. Husted's seminar here in Somerset KY. I went with all intentions of only having a Lap-Band procedure done if any at all and afterward I changed my mind to having The Duedenal or Sleeve. When I went for my consult with the Dr. Husted he said he would like to do the Sleeve, so I began my research and my journey. I may be having surgery very soon. I have had so many people tell me that I am not that big and I shouldn't have to have surgery, but when I started weigh-ins in Feb. of this year I weighed 253 and I have went up and down since then, I have not had anyone that could talk me out of having the surgery even though they have seriously tried. I believe this is what I need to do for me to live a healthier longer life. I am going to be 55 years old next month and I hope this will help me to have many more birthdays. I have been very unhealthy for so many years, so I am really looking forward to a change. I wish you the best on your journey.

Hello Judy, I enjoyed looking at your pictures. Your getting close to your consult and seminar date. I went to my seminar then I put in my application to have a consult to see if I could possibly have the surgery. I started my weigh-ins in Feb. of this year and I am only waiting on the info from my Psychological Evaluation to get to the Bariatric Center, possibly this week, then they will submit it to the insurance to see if I get approved. They told me it usually takes 5-7 days to get the answer back. If it is yes, then I will be starting on the Pre-Op diet soon (Two weeks before a scheduled surgery date). I am getting very anxious waiting for everything to fall in place. I "CAYN'T wait either. I am sure getting several lessons on the importance of of being very patient with all of this. The way I am trying to look at this, is that I have been obese for 30+ years, so what is a year or so out of my life to wait for this to take place, but I have a very hard time learning to be patient. It seems like the closer I get the more anxious I become. Keep hangin' in there, no matter what may come your way and Best Wishes with your journey.

I am giving you a thumbs up because I know exactly what you are talking about. You are right, getting the motivation is very important. It took me many years to get the motivation to do somthing really drastic about my obesity. In 1977 and 1978 I had two mental breakdowns, which led up to me being put in the hospital, and the last of the two was a stay of 3 1/2 months. When the doctor released me, I went home on medication called Melleril (?SP) which is a tranqualizer and I was on it for a long time, then I was taken off that and stayed on Prozac for many years. In 1 and 1/2 years I went from 155 or so, up to around 300 pounds. In the past 30+ years I have been up and down, I have went to TOPPS, Overeaters Anonymous, changed my medications several times. I was put on Cymbalta earlier and now I am on Celexa, which both were the best help for my mental state. I have finally got the motivation and stopped procrastinating to do something about my weight problem (Thinking problems is what I should call it). I doubled my weight in that year and half, and it has been like a yo-yo since. Finally Feb. of this year I started my weigh-ins so that I could try to get approved for surgery. I am really getting close, but I have went through many set backs. Since then I found out I had an auto-immune disorder, H-Pyloria positive test, a car accident which now I am trying to save for another car, and an accident on the treadmill at the Y, plus many other things such as weight going down and up and now it is on the downhill road. I just got weighed today and lost 2 more pounds in about a week. I keep picking myself up and going on, because I am determined to have this surgery to help me lose weight. I am sure I will still probably have ups and downs afterwards, but the big difference now is that this time I have the support of family, friends, Doctor Husted, support groups, and all the help from everyone on this forum, such as you, Ky.hen and many others to get me through my journey. I say hang in there for yourself and all the people that will be helped by listening to your story. Once you get the motivation to go to the Gym, I am sure it will probably become just as addictive as food. The thing I have noticed since I have been going is that now I really think alot about what I am doing to myself if I eat the wrong things or eat too much after exercising, I am just defeating the purpose of going to the Y. Another thing is that at least I may just burn up many of those extra calories that I do eat on my down moments. WHEN I MESS UP, I DON'T GIVE UP, I GET UP AND TRY AGAIN. The day I fell on my knees (Right knee replacement last year) and on the floor when I had my accident on the treadmill and hurt my knees, I just got up and got right back on. I still have bruised sore knees a week later, but I went back today. Thank you for all your comments on here!!

Thank you! Also I want you to know that I added you on my friend list. I am hoping to see some of your current pictures. You are really doing great losing over 100 pounds since your surgery. I will check the albums to see if you have any pictures. I am sure you will be a great inspiration to many people!!

Hello, I am glad I clicked on your picture when I stopped in to leave a message for Ky.hen. I have been reading some of your posts and when I came across this one I was really glad to read it. I have been told about all of this, but now it all makes sense and lets me know the importance of it all. I will be starting the Pre-op diet soon. The bariatric center here in Somerset will soon be sending all my information into the insurance to see if I get an approval for the VSG surgery, hopefully this week I will have the Psych. Eval. ready to turn in. My councelor is a Psychologist and she is finishing it up now. I know I still have alot to learn and you sure helped me learn some important things for my Pre-op. I would be very glad to have you on my list of friends, so that I can keep up with your progress. Thank you for being here just when I needed you, Pre-op!!!

Hello ky.hen, I am really happy to hear that you are feeling so good after having the surgery. It really helps because I was thinking that recovery time would take so much longer. I know everyone's recovery time is probably different, but I am sure it helps to stay positive and you sure are a big help making this journey more positive. I read your story and it was a great inspiration. I hope that my experience will go smoother by having all the support from everyone this forum. I am glad to have you for a VSG friend. Keep up the good work!! I will keep up with your progress to see how you are doing with your weight loss after having your surgery. I have been trying to get some of my pictures posted on this forum, but I have only been able to get two of them on so far. With some help, I may soon have the other pictures of myself and my family before surgery takes place. After going through the photos to get the ones I wanted to post, I realize that I am not making a mistake having this surgery. I could not believe how much bigger I appear in the pictures than I perceive myself to be. I know that I am very overweight, but now I realize how much better I will feel about myself if I have this surgery and get down to a normal weight. I have been big most of my life, but I have been obese for 30 years or so. I am the same age as you are, so I am sure you know how I feel about wanting to do something before it is too late. I want the rest of my years to be happier ones than the past 30 or so years have been. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR JOURNEY!!

Thank you! I am feeling much better, only have a little bit of a cough. I have been resting alot. I just received a call from my councelor yesterday concerning my Psychological Evaluation with some questions. She is working on it and going to be turning it in to the bariatric center very soon. As far as I know, that will be the last thing I have to turn in then the information will be sent into the insurance to see if I will be approved for the surgery. I weighed myself this morning, and I have lost 2 pounds. It is not much, but at least I am not gaining. I really am looking forward to the help of the surgery and everyone's continuing support to get my weight down where it should be and to become healthier. I will be 55 years old Nov.1 and I hope I will be able to live many more healthier years by having this surgery. I am praying for this approval and successful surgery and recovery. Thank you everyone for reading my story and your responses!

I am just here to let everyone know that I received the H-Pyloria test results back and they are NEGATIVE!!! ALRIGHT, one step closer to getting everything ready to turn into the insurance company. Now as far as I know I only have to turn in the Psych. Eval. then I will be on my way to getting a possible approval for the VSG surgery. I am stuck on 244 pounds. I need to try harder to get more pounds off. I have not been able to go to the Y, but I might be able to go on Saturday. After my car accident, I started saving money for a car. It is so different having to depend on others to take me everywhere. I am also trying to save money for the protein milkshakes and vitamins for pre-op and post-op. I am not going to give up, I will get over these hurdles with God's help. I have not been feeling well this week, I have caught a bug of some kind, don't know if it what my son had or just a bad cold. No fever just tired, coughing and a headache. I am going to the doctor if this doesn't get better in a few days. I want it all cleared up before having surgery. I don't want anything to stand in the way of being approved for the VSG surgery. I will let you all know how things are progressing. Thanks for being here!!

Thank you! I went out of state for my son's wedding. I just arrived back home on Monday evening. I have been on the internet reading more about H-Pyloria and I decided to check out the VSG forum. I am going to go see my doctor today (Tuesday Oct.6) to see if they received my test results back to see if the H-Pyloria infection was cleared up by the Prev-Pac I took last month. I also am going to see my counscelor and ask her if she is finished with my Psychological Evaluation. As soon as I get a negative H-Pyloria test and turn it in to the Bariatric Center along with the Psych. Eval. , then all the information will be submitted to the insurance company for see if surgery will be approved. I am hanging in there, and willing to keep on fighting for what I believe will change my health and life. I am happy that I finally came to the VSG forum, because I need all the support I can get; family, friends, VSGers, God and my Bariatric Doctor---Dr. Husted and everyone at his office!!! Everyone's comments are very helpful! Thank you all for your support!!