Bemabound

Thanks! I've seen some approved in a few days...would love to get this done by end of June...my surgeon told me in Nov that after approval, he can schedule it 2 to 3 weeks later....we'll see....see you on the losers bench! Tracy w.

My paperwork will be going to Cigna probably next week....how long did the first time take? Thanks, Tracy

JanaKay, I second that motion on the second opionion!!! I met my preop goal yesterday...needed to be to 400lbs...found out it is what the surgeon insurance says he has to have his patients at...he can't do any larger.....ask if it is because of his insurance....if not it seems he may be a nervous nelly! Let us know! Tracy

Thanks guys! I think the "great accuser" loves to get us doubting anyway! We alone cannot be "good enough or believe enough" for HIM, We have to accept the works, death and resurrection of Christ...we can do nothing without him! Thanks again, Tracy

Hi all, I have been heavy all my life...even in my kindergarten photos! I never saw too many people be successful on diets so I mainly just lived my life and got upto to 440lbs! Pretty happy with my life though...I have a wonderful but chubby husband (who is also doing the surgery after me) and two BEAUTIFUL daughters from China...the most exciting experiences of my life! Well, my deeply spiritual friend and I were having a discussion on my path to this surgery and she thinks I can do this on my own if I just believe and ask God for help. She is baseing this on the fact that I have lost 42lbs and my husband has lost 55lbs on Weight Watchers while we have done the 6 month supervised diet thing with our PCP. I have been a Christian for most of my life and have seen God do incredible things and protect me in the wildest ways! I am not saying this surgery is the easy way out, I have been around this forum for a LONG time and see that it is not and I don't think she is saying that either. I just think she figures that God made our tummys the way they are and that he can restore our minds and hearts without cutting out a perfectly good part of our tummies. In a way, it makes me feel like "why can't I believe God" He has gotten me this far (I didn't think I could lose any weight on my own) or that it would be hell...well it hasn't! But my deal is I want to insure my success and move on....not spend the next however many years counting points! Am I impatient and not letting God work? I believed God brought this to me and have followed the plan to get here...my last PCP apt is June 2 and then my insurance will be submitted....so fellow believers...what do you think...I don't want to be a second rate Christian and God can do anything! Thoughts????? Thanks for listening, Tracy W.

All I can say is wow!!!! I hope to be sleeved at the end of June and my hubby is following me a month or so later...just like you guys....I pray we are as successful as you too! How is he doing by the way? Oh and any advice on the couple doing this together thing? Thanks, Tracy

Hi all, Well, I have had fissures in the past and I'm due to get surgery at the end of June. I'm wondering does everyone experience constipation? If so how did you avoid butt problems??? This is the last thing I need...it has been a stuggle getting over these issues in the recent months and I don't want to make it worse after surgery...daily pain sucks!!!!!!!!!! What do you all do to avoid this apparent side effect and when could you take something for it???? Thanks guys, Tracy W.

Hi, I also weighed around 440lbs when I started this process in Jan. I am close to my final weigh check in with PCP and have lost 39lbs. I'm glad I've had to do that because it has taught me some discipline.....where it has messed with my head is that I have always been chubby since about 5, and now that I have had some success I wonder if I can just keep going on my own? My husband is also in process for surgery too. He has been sucessful also and we debate this issue sometimes...I'd love to save the almost $5,000 we will have to spend to accomplish the surgery for us both. We have two young daughters and of course there are so many needs in a family! When do you think you will be getting surgery...maybe we can be a support for each other? I think mine will happen in late June! Thanks and keep your "chins" up! Tracy W.

Welcom to the "over 200lbs" club...I am probaby going to be sleeved until the end of June and have been on Weight Watchers for 4 months and have lost almost 40lbs so far. Keep up the good work and we can get through this! Tracy

Thanks Meg!

Hi all, Have any birth control users gone back on it like after six weeks or so? My gyno said if I can't take the usual one she knows of a chewable one...what have you been told? Thanks, Tracy

Hi again, I'm hoping to get my surgery in June and my hubby in July. How has it worked out for other husband/wife teams? Thinking I will go first so I don't see something that would make me change my mind! Also we have been losing together on Weight Watchers for our 6 month dr supervised stuff and that has gone well, especially because he is the cook in my house and our kids have just adapted to our eating habits. Any advice or words of wisdom for us? What about the mood swings...how does that work with two of you maybe being grumpy at the same time? Thanks so much Tracy W.

Hi all, I was wondering what kind of pills/vitamins you need to take after surgery? PPI, multivitimin ect??? Thanks, Tracy W.

Thanks for the replies...the fissures are very different from the hemrroids....fissures are tears in the rectum which burn!!!! witch hazel and hemmorroid stuff doesn't help....in fact can cause more pain! Just hoping for some ideas...thanks again, Tracy

Hey all, My husband and I are doing the 6 month Dr. supervised stuff right now for Cigna. On the first official meeting my doc filled out the appropriate paper and then we scheduled the next 5 appointments. What I realized is that there will be 6 papers but it would only represent 5 months of monitoring....do you have to go for 7 actual appointments? Another thought is that I went in for an appointment before the first official appointment to discuss what we would do for the insurance requirements and would this count? If so does the dr send in a copy of the office note or a letter or what???? Thanks, Tracy

Ok...very touchy subject! I have PCOS and have been on Metformin for a long time which has caused diarrah...which caused hemrroid and ultimately 2 anal fissures! The most painful experience ever!!! Saw a rectal surgeon but this pain has been doing on for almost a month. Has anyone experienced this and what did you do about it. The Dr. says it not surgery worthy at this time but it has been a real pain in the butt!!!! LOL! Tracy

Can you get Mirena if you have never had a baby.....my girls are from China! I do have PCOS also and underactive thyroid....been on bc pills forever but need to get off when I have surgery..right? Any thoughts? Tracy

Thanks guys!@ I got hemrroids from using this medication for so long and I think it's not fair because I haven;t birthed any children!!!! LOL!! My daughters are from China and I thought I had excaped this lovely booty problem! I'm off it now to firm things up ...so to speak! Tracy W.

HI all, I take Metformin for PCOS, I am not diabetic. So you all have diarrah as a side effect from the drug? And if so, were you able to stop the drug after getting sleeved? Thanks a lot, Tracy

Hi all, My husband and I are on track to get our sleeves in June( me) and him (july).....we wanted to do it together but the surgeon said we should do it at least a month apart becaus we have two girls (ages 4 and 9) and one of us has to be able to function and do household stuff like lift the laundry. We are going through the pre op stuff together though...we are doing Weight Watchers for the 6 month Dr. supervised stuff and in 6 weeks he has lost 23lbs and me about 20. It has been pretty good so far! I'm glad to join the couples crowd!!! Tracy W.

Yea for you!!!! Glad you didn't have to wait any longer for your new life! Feel better....Tracy

Hi all, I live in St. Charles Co. I will be getting sleeved at Des Peres Hospital by Dr. Minkin.....still in the approval stages though....arrgghhh! Lets chat! And yes I'm ready for spring, my girls are BORED!!!!! Tracy

Me too...me too .....please!!!! tntw7@charter.net Thanks so much for offering, Tracy

Hi, We have Cigna and for us it is also 2 years BUT my surgeons off said it can be from ANY dr...doesn't hve to be the same dr every year...so GYN, or PCP or any! Even an Urgent care maybe? Hope this helps....ask your place if this would work! Tracy

I am working with Cigna now. What kind of weight loss program or thing did you do for the 6 month supervised stuff. Did your Dr. just have a form that had to be filled out? I have done it all except, I'm at the end of month one of the diet stuff...aaarrggghh!!! Any advise? Thanks, Tracy