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@Fallenangel2904 Thank you. What kind of insurance do you have? The endoscopy actually was an easy procedure. Even though it was time consuming compared to the others but it was not that bad. Don't be afraid. I was scared and the male nurse told me that all the rumors about it being painful is not true. It really wasn't painful at all. They were injecting something to relax me and all i remember is them telling me all done. It was cool!

I have health first and My np told me i didn't needed but another nurse said i did! Has anyone ever avoided the letter?

I have health first w/ Medicaid and was wondering if anyone else has it. If they need the 6-months letter and how long did it take for the insurance to approve the surgery. Thanks!

@fatiniowa. You need to tell someone especially your husband. You needed supporters. You can do this alone but it will be very difficult without someone to support you. And this surgery is not the easy way out! This is tough and only strong people can handle it. That's why everyone gets a psych evaluation at first. Remember your doing this for YOU. Your health! Your body! Your mind. Print out information on the surgery and sit your husband down or someone else you trust and educate them about the surgery and then explain that's what you want. You news family support hun! And all of us are and will always be here to support you. But you need someone to support you outside of here! Good luck hun!

Hey Everyone... I'm in Manhattan, Wash heightz.... I'm doing clearance exams at the moment i only need to meet with a pulmonary specialist and a psych evaluation. My doctor is Dr. Bagloo from Columbia Presbyterian. I have health first and I heard they are easy going when it comes to approval but Columbia Pres. told me I needed a 6-month letter so i'll just be patient until then!! Congrats to all the sleevers that got surgery done this past month!

Before i finally made my decision on actually doing wls, i went to three different seminars and I was the smallest out of all of everyone. I'n one seminar some ladies asked me if I was the guest speaker coming to talk about how successful the surgery was for me. It wasn't a compliment. I felt like wow maybe i shouldn't get the surgery done!

People can be negative and they always want to give their opinion even if you didn't ask for it. I personally only told my mom and my sister and about a month after my seminar I told my bf. My mom and sis know that i'm in the process with all the pre-op exams but my bf thinks its just regular check-ups. God willingly the day before my surgery I will be telling my dad and bf. (i've been with my bf for 5 years and my dad although my parents split when I was younger, he's always been in my life). They are the most important people right now. AFTER my surgery I will tell close friends and family or maybe not because once you tell one person it WILL spread around. I might just tell them I got on weight watchers, or tried sensa, or that fruit smoothie or hcg injections and once i've reached my GOAL WEIGHT i'll tell people who I feel should know.

Hey everyone. I am in Manhattan. My doctor is Dr. Bagloo from Columbia Presbyterian. I am deciding between the band and the sleeve. God willingly if everything goes well my pre-op exams should be done by the end of the month. I am just in search of a Psephologist that takes my insurance or won't charge me an arm and a leg for my evaluations! Any suggestions?

Yaaa! Congrats!

Hey ladies! I'm in Manhattan and I have health first too @ Fallen Angel. ( do you need the 6-month approval letter) I'm getting my sleeve done at Columbia Presbyterian. I had my Upper Endoscopy done today! This has truly been a roller coaster ride! I have to friends who got it done in May and they are both already 50lbs down!!!!

So my exams will all be done this month... I've been sleeping on them but I finally made my appointments. What should I expect from these exams and What do you guys advice? How fast were they? Which one was uncomfortable? Which one was a waste of time? What were your results??? THANK YOU GUYS!!!!

Congrats how long was your process?

@ VST ADDICT.. well i went to my first appointment in December at Columbia Presbyterian. My current PCP has been my doctor for about 8 months and i've only seen her twice and i really don't like her especially because when i told her about the referrals she told me that i had to go to a nutritionist for the referrals (which makes absolutely no SENSE!) I have referrals (which is a list of all the exams i have to do and the actual referal) but i need my pcp to send me to them because i have no idea where i can get for example an endoscopy. My old PCP I've been seeing her for years and her practice has all those departments but she doesnt take health first. I guess i'll see if i can make these appointments on my own. How long did it take you to get everything done?

Thanks everyone! Now next stop is finding a PCP to send me to my referrals!

I am confused because the nurse practitioner told me health first is the only insurance that doesn't give you any issues especially with the 6 month diet. When i spoke to the insurance lady she told me that i needed the 6 month letter.

OMG I feel the same way. I started my research back in 2010... Finally in December 2011 i decided to take action. Went to a doctors appointment and now I feel stuck. At first I was 110% positive that i wanted to do the lap band but after hearing that I had to keep it in forever or until something goes wrong i decided the sleeve would be awaaayyy better choice for me. Its now mid Feb. and i haven't made any appointments to start all these exams! I am confused. One day i want to do it on my own and the next i am like i need this surgery. I guess this is part of the process so don't feel like your alone in this!!!!