bearwitme

I have Aetna also. I did not have to see the phyc. I am also on the 3 month class thing. Next week is my last class.

I have Aetna HMO. I am on the 3 month must do stuff and next week I go to my last class. Out of pocket expenses for me have been - 50.00 for each class, 100.00 for the PT, $180.0 for the Nutrtionist. One I am approved I will have to pay 300.00 for the liquid diet I will be on for the last 2 weeks before surgery. I think my hospital co-pay is 50.00. I believe that is everything except for the regular appt co-pay. I already completed my sleep study and have sleep apnea. Got the CPAP machine and did not have to pay 1 cent for it. I also did the blood work and the EKG. Not required to do the phyc. So my total out of pocket should be around 800.00. Barring any surprises that is..I have a really good policy thru my job.

I have mentioned to a couple of co-workers only because they she and I are the only one doing our work so she will have to fill in for me. I have not told any of my family except my daughter and my sister. As far as work is concerned I can take leave which is what I was planning on doing cause I am not sure if I can take short term if it is elective surgery. Will find out. But as fas as other s at work, they will figure it out once I start losing the weight. Connie :sad0:

You are not alone. I need to lose apprx 150lbs. I still have one more class required by my insurance. I already had my sleep study and found out I have Sleep Apena. So I am now using the CPAP machine everynight. Once I finish my last class at the end of Aug they submit to the insurance company for approval. I am thinking my surgery will be some time in OCt.

I went to my primary and got the recommendation from him. Then I made the appt for the first seminar and then the required classes for the insurance. I have my thrid on Aug 24 then I believe they send it to the insurance. My insurance pay for the sleeve plus I have sleep apnea. So far everything is falling into place. Hope it continues.. Good Luck..:blushing:

Check Nectar by Syntrax. I really like those. If you go to their web site you can order the sample pack for approx 20 bucks. It has 11 or 12 single packs in it. I have not gone through surgery yet, but I have been trying out differnt brads of Protien for when the time comes. I have tried Injury. I did not think thery were too bad but everyone is different. I tried the Nectar and I love them. I have been using them sa meal replacements for 2 meals about 3 or 4 days a week. Just trying to get in the habit you know..But, really...Try the Nectoar and see how you like them.

Congratulation Grace!!!! In the next few months I will be in the losers roll also...Go on wit your bad self!!!!

I only have to do 3 required classes. I could have chosen 6 with my doctor or 3 self pay with Blue Point. I chose Blue Point. At $50.00 a pop I figured why not. Cut the time in half.. Connie

Well went to see the nutrionist today and tomorrow I go to my first required class. We will be losers before you know it..

It all depends on the Ins co... I heard of a couple of folks where it only took a week to get approved. I figure my last clas is in aug. So I guess I will probably have surgery in oct or nov. The sooner the better.. Connie

Not doing it out of pocket...I have Aetna and they will cover everthing. I meant I do not have the same ins as you. Yes Dr Halmi is my surgeon. Where are you located? Do you have a date yet ??? Connie

Congrats on getting to this point. I dio not have that ins so I can't say. But I just finished the sleep study, tomorrow I see the nutrionist and Wed I have my first required class. So I guess I am half way there. I have heard and read on this forum from diff ins that approval has taken any where from 1 week to 8 weeks. So i guess it is really hard to determine unless some one with the same insurance chimes in..Good Luck..And I hope they approve soon..... Connie

Will, I just had my Pulmonary consult and test. No problems. Tomorrow Is my sleep study and today is my first required class. Before you know it I will join the Losers Club!!! Connie

You go girl!!!!!

I am just starting the process for surgery(been comtemplating for a while) but physically I have been ready for quite some time. Mentally I was not. I kept telling myself "I'll start walking when the weather gets nice". Then it was some other time. Well the time has come that I am now both physically and mentally ready. I am tired of being tired. I am tired of constantly hurting. I am tired of not finding clothes to fit. I am tired of not being abled to things that I was able to do before. I was in the military and always in good shape. But always battled the weight. I had to exercise so much just to keep it off. So, married had a kid, body changed. At one point I lost 30 lbs but the battled to keep it off was painful. I guess I pretty much gave up. Well, quite a few years later I am ready to get my life back. I want to be able to do those things I was able to do. I am 56 years old, only 5' tall and I need to lose around 150lbs. I am doing this for me. So, are you doing the right thing?? Only you can answer that question. Sit down and weigh out the pros and cons. You have to want to do this for you. For your health and for your future health. Talk to the doctors and the nutritionist. Maybe you need to see mental healh specialist to find out about the emotional eating. I hope that you come to the decision that best suits you. Only YOU can make the decision. I wish you the best of luck. Hope to see you on the forums.. Connie

LOL...I put it in the freezer and get it extra cold. shake real well. There are 2 Isopures out there also I noticed. There is one by Natures Best I believe. Those are the 20oz bottles. There there is another that comes in 8oz bottles and looks like they only have 2 flavors. And does not say Natures Best. So I don't know if it is the same company or not..

Thanks for that list. I copied it into a word doc and saved it. Although I have not gone through the whole process I went out and purchased some Isopure just to see what it tasted like. Want to at least get some idea of what is out there also. Well I purchased 7 bottles one of each falvor they had and so far they are not half bad. I have read that some folks think they are gross but I liked them. I will also try some others and go through some of the receipes also. Isopure has 40mg of Protein, no fat, no carbs etc..If you can tolerate gaderade you can dring these. I actually like these better.. Connie

Thanks..I am really looking forward to it.. Connie

After reading the symptoms of sleep apnea I think I may have it. Sometimes I will be driving and next thing I know my head popsup as though I was sleeping. I do not realize that I am falling asleep. Most of the time I feel like I need to nap. I try not to give in but if I if I am watching tv it is nite nite. I hope I don't but the more I read about it I think I may. Thanks for the support.. Connie

Thanks..I hope to continue on this forum and post my progress..

Thanks Kathy..Will do...

First step was to make the decision to have this surgery done. I am so tired of being tired and contantly hurting. I went to my primary and got all the papers I needed from him. I went to the seminar and had my appt with the surgeon who recommended the Sleeve. I am scheduled for the Stress Test and the sleep study in a cople of weeks and I have the 3 classes I need to take scheduled already. Once I completed that then they will submit to the insurance for approval. I used to think I could do it by myself like I used to but just no motivation to do so. I have been giving to others and not taking care of myself and that stops now. I used to be very athletic and look at me now. But I have always had trouble keeping it off. Even when I was in the military. I raised a daughter, taook care of a husbahnd when he had cancer (Not hubby anymore!) now I take care of my mom that has Parkinsons disease. It's my turn..I am ready to move on with my life..And you never know I may meet my soul mate. Connie :001_smile:

Thanks for the response..

Thanks and congrats on the weight loss..

Thanks..Looking forward to having the surgery.. Connie