Mrs.Riene

Approved! Gettin sleeved on March 28th.

Thank you for participating in this group. Just to share some of my experience on this journey to a newer me. While this journey for me started about 14 years ago. Growing up I was not a heavy child, matter of fact I was so skinny that most people thought I was anorexia. After having my first child everything snapped back into place and I was my old self again. It wasn't until after I had my third and last child that I start to develop a weight issue. Actually it was my mindset of thinking I had to eat for two that started it. During and after I had my last child I began to eat more then I ever had, like 6 egg, 4 bacon and container of biscuits. My husband could not believe how much I was eating, matter of fact I could not believe it. After a while I stop, but the damage was done. I went from 125 to 190 in less than 6 months. I tried to diet but as soon as I felt I achieve my desire goal, I would stop the diet and less than a year later the weight was back on and more. I tried to work with several personal trainers to get the weight off for good, by killing myself with a workout schedule of 2 hours for 6-7 days a week, but the weight was still there and at the end of it all I was at 215. I then tried South Beach and it worked, I lost about 50 lbs. and was on my way. There was an emergency situation in my family and before I knew it the weight started to creep back on and I had surpassed my previous weight. This is when I knew I needed additional help and search for another option that would help me to keep this weight off. That is when my sister in Christ told me about this surgery. At first I thought this type of surgery were for those who were extremely obese and thought I didn't fit into that category. I went to the informational meeting with my husband and learn about all the different types of surgeries and also found out that I did fit into the category. I quickly signed all I needed to do get myself started into the program and filled all of the requirements to satisfy the insurance company. After I received the letter from the insurance company, that said I was approved for my VSG. I called my doctor's office to let them know, to only find out they had not received the letter at that time. When they finally had, they called and wanted to schedule my surgery for February 22, but because I work in an accounting unit I had to schedule it until after year-end was over. So the 28th of March, I was a little disappointed, because it seems the 28th of March was so far away. But now I using this time to prepare for the surgery, like gathering items needed for post-op and starting an exercise routine. What are some of the things are you doing as you wait for your surgery date? One for me is trying different types of Protein Shakes and reading lots of labels for Vitamins. One of my major issues is that I am allergic to sucralose (splenda). Every time I eat anything that contains sucralose, I whelp up. I learn I was allergic when I was on South Beach. If anyone has any suggestion it would be great appreciated. As I wait for my surgery date, I look forward to hearing from everyone in this group on their experience (pre and post op).

Good Evening My Fellow March Sleevers, I am so glad to see that there are people who will be starting their new life journey during the same month as me. The reason I started this group is for those who are scheduled for the VSG in March of 2012. We can share our experience as we journey to a newer us. Please feel free to start a discussion and share your experience.

I just received my approval letter from the insurance company. Have not heard anything from my surgeon's office at this time, but hope to here from them soon. The letter was actually sent out on the 24th and I received it in the mail this morning. I am so excited and ready to move forward with the next phase.

Well Evilqween, I too am waiting on approval from Cigna PPO. My paperwork was submitted by my Doctor's insurance coordinator on January 2 of this year. Call my insurance coordinator at the doctor office yesterday to find out the status. She said they have not heard back from Cigna. I then called Cigna to see if I could find out the status of my paperwork. I was told the nurse has up to 30 days to process paperwork for this kind of procedure. So I should not expect to hear back from them until February 2. All I could say was, REALLY you guys are going to take the maximum amount of time to process something that could be done in just a few minutes. Her answer was "Yes". All I can say about Cigna PPO insurance is "Really"!!! Once I am approve. I will let you know so we can see how long they actually took.