Mel34

thanks!! I'm keeping a food journal, but in writing, in a notebook. I'm wondering if I should transfer it to a calorie counter tool??? Or if just the hand written journal will be enough??

M2G, Thanks, that what I thought!! I get so many different stories from the insurance. I don't want to go below 40 but last time i went to the doctor and he saw that i only lost 2 lbs, he gave me this look like i wasn't trying hard enought. He also told me that supposedly my insurance only looks at my starting BMI, which was 40. But i'm not too sure if I should lose. So if you don't mind me asking, why didn't you do a preop diet?? didn't you need to shrink your liver and prepare it??

oh, wait!!! you got sleeved in Mexico after all?? i got confused.

Oh, my!! i hope you get scheduled soon!!! I'll be praying for you!! thanks for responding, you made calmer! lol I hate this not knowing issue!! i called my insurance and asked and of course they said they didn't know. I wish they had people who are experts on each surgery and knew everything about it. I'm just so nervous!!! Of course my cholesterol came out to 205, so the dr said that with that alone the insurance will be more likely to say yes, but I don't want them to think that I didn't try. Did you do an everyday food log??

Hello freinds!! Sorry if this has been brought up before but i couldn't find it anywhere on here. I have BCBS federal and I'm in my second month of my 3 month required supervised weight loss management. I haven't really lost anything during these 2 months. I started at 220 and am at 216 right now. Is that going to affect the insurance's decision to approve me? I'm really trying to lose weight!!!! If I go any lower, i'll be below a 40 BMI. I'm so confused and I don't know what to do. Has anyone ever been denied because they didn't lose weight during their weight management??? my paperwork gets sent to the insurance company next month and I'm freaking out that I can't lose anything. someone please help with any experiences, information or advice that you have!!! melissa

Hey, Newgirlie!! I'm 31 and going through the same thing. I'm from south Texas. My friend got his surgery this past week and he's about 50ish, and he said he had wished he had done this earlier in life. I told him that it didn't matter when, just as long as he got it and it made him healthier asap! I was wondering what insurance you had and if it already got approved, why do you have to wait so long to have it?

Hey everyone, I have a question... What constitutes as "proof" when they ask for the past 2 years of weight records? I have BCBS Federal and I want to know so in case they ask, I have it ready. thanks!

That's what I was thinking. I haven't gotten sleeved yet, but this has been on my mind since the beginning. But i guess if the person you're dating doesn't understand or get where you are coming from, then they are really worth your time. And i'm keeping my surgery confidential!!! Don't need anybody judging me.

Beachlover, I haven't had my surgery yet, but i'm thinking that they probably put in the wrong "code" or something to that matter. I'm also only suppose to pay $150, like every basic plan. And try talking to someone different because not all of those "representatives" know what they are talking about. Have you talked to your coordinator? The one who submitted the package?? I don't want to run across this problem Let me know what happens. I'm VERY interested in what the outcome is.

close enough!!! thanks!! didn't want to feel too alone!! hee hee

See, that's what I'm afraid of. Did they say that you changed for the better or worse? I don't think I will change, i'm just afraid that people might be jealous and just say that.

Anybody here from South Texas?? Brownsville, Harlingen, Mcallen area??

I've only told my immediate family and 3 of my very best friends about what I want to do. Besides that, no one has to know. Those few people I have told have given me such a positive reaction and told me that I was making a great decision. In regards to my boss, I just told her that I will be having surgery in January and all she just thanked me for letting her know in advance. No questions asked. And yes, its illegal for them to ask about why you are taking SL or AL. If you have the time, you can use it. I posted something yesterday about this actually. I'm kind of afraid/embarrassed to tell the guy that I'm dating about the surgery. we live in two different states and see eachother about 3 or 4 times a year for the past 4 years. I won't see him again til after my surgery so he will notice. I'm just afraid of how he is going to react. I know he won't be mad, upset or anything negative but I'm just scared. So, I know how you feel.

Danielle, I'm in the same boat you are in. I hope my surgery will be in January, though. I thought i was the only one feeling like this, but glad i'm not. I got about 51 days left and it's just like i'm going with the flow... wake up, go to work, come home, play with my kid, go to sleep. next day is the same thing. And my family give me frustrated looks everytime I bring it up. Don't get me wrong, they are all very supportive, but it just seems like the more I think about it, the slower the days go by. And all the clothes I use to wear, are pushed to the back of the closet because I just don't feel like getting all dressed up anymore. I just wear the same baggy clothes all the time. I don't know if I'm just getting more depressed or what, but this feeling kinda sucks. melissa

I haven't had surgery yet but i do have the Copper IUD in. The nurse told me NOT to take it out and that it wouldn't pose any kindo of threat. Another reason... she said that I would be EXTREMELY fertile for the whole 2 months or so AFTER surgery. Sooooo, the sucker is staying in!!!

THANKS to both of you for your kind and honest words of advice. I know i have to be honest with him and yes, Rootman, the scars will give it away. I've thought about that. I guess i'm just scared and I have ideas and thought bouncing around everywhere in my head. I know the love that we share doesn't depend on how him or I look. I'm just scared of how things are going to be afterwards. Is it crazy that I'm afraid of being skinny? This is the second bigges change in my life that I'm going to have (first one being my daughter) and it's going to take getting use to, but i know that it's all going to work out great in the end. it the curvy and scary road in between that making me doubt myself and maybe even him. I am going to tell him the truth and be honest with him, I just need to find a way to do it! lol

hello ladies, I don't know if this is the right place to discuss this or if I might need a guys opinion but here goes... I'm going through the 3 month process/requirements right now and I'm hoping and praying to be sleeved in January. I haven't really told anyone about my surgery except for my immediate family and VERY close friends. They all support me 100%. The one person I haven't told is the guy I have loved for the past 4 years. He lives in New Mexico and I live in South Texas (I don't know how we do it, but we do). Anyways, we see eachother about 3 times a year and we are waiting for him to get transferred to Texas (hopefully VERY soon). Anywhose, I won't be able to see him until January or February of next year and I know that by then I won't be eating or drinking the same as I use to. I'm afraid to see him right after surgery for several reasons: we are always going out and eating, he loves the fact that i like beer and am very laid back when it comes to food and things like that. That I'm not one of those girls that always has to eat salads becasue they are with a guy. And well, what am I going to do now? Another thing is the SEX issue. How long after surgery can I have sex? I don't know if I'm embarrassed to tell him I got the surgery, asshamed that I couldn't keep the weight off and had to resort to this, or God knows what reason I'm afraid of telling him. I know for a fact he isn't going to react negatively or anything like that, but i don't want him to say, "you didn't need the surgery. You're perfect the way you were. etc..." All these things are going through my head and I really don't know what to do. please? any advice will help. melissa Is this normal??

Oh, my gosh!!! Thanks so much for the heads up!!! I'm really going to stay on top of everything!! I'm keeping my own documentation of everything I'm going through, as far as medical appointments and such. I can't wait to get my surgery!!! I just saw the nutritionist yesterday, so that's one more thing checked off my list. I'm hoping and praying these next 2 months go by fast!! And believe me, I'm a very impatient person when it comes to stuff like this, so I will be calling and calling and calling and calling the insurance company until I know for a fact that everything is going right! Again, thank you for the advice and sharing your experience. It has really calmed me down!

Thanks! I'll keep u updated on how it goes. Beachlover, when is your surgery scheduled for?

Steve, thanks for the info. I have a question... When did u start it process? and do u knoa what changed that u didn't have to go through the 3/6 months of doctors supervision? when r u scheduled for surgery? Melissa

Congrats!!!!! I'm soooo happy for you!! I also have BCBS Federal and I just started my 3 months last month... two more months to go!! I'm praying that if everything goes as planned, I will have the surgery in January. ::praying:: I really pray that the insurance doesn't give me a hard time Good luck on your surgery and keep us informed on your progress!

Alright, alright!! LOL I'll take my before pictures this weekend!! I know I need to take them, but I just feel bad enough looking at myself with clothes ON!!! Disney, I don't know how you did it to not see the pics!! I wouldn't have been able to do that! And congrats to all of you who are almost there to reach your goal! I'm just beginning and it seems like one of the longest journey's I've ever been on (including the 9 months of pregnancy). I wish I was where y'all are at right now... being able to look at pictures of myself without cringing, wearing clothes i actually look sexy in, and not feeling bad everytime I go out with friends cause guys won't even look at me. BUT, I have faith I will get there someday. My nieces sweet 16 is next August so I want to loose as much as I can by then, so I can buy the pictures I'm in, too! lol

Hey y'all!! I just started my process about 3 weeks ago and I have BCBS Federal. I was wondering if anyone can help me out with specific details about what I, personally" had to hand in to my doctor/coordinator during my 3 month weight management. For example, food journal, excersice log, etc... Another question, My BMI is exactly 40 right now. Can I afford to lose a couple of lbs and still get approved? Or should I just maintain my weight?? I would appreciate anyones knowledge and experience about this!!

Hey everyone, Peacequeen, just as emmas mom said, Nioxin works great. I have always used it when my hair falls out due to stress and things like that. I haven't had my surgery yet either (hopefully in January) but I'm going to get a head start and start using the shampoo and conditioner in November. Hopefully not as much hair will fall. I've used Nioxin for the past 5 years, at least two cycles a year (a bottle of shampoo and conditioner and it's vitamins). I strongly recommend it!!! I really hope it works!! And I will have to agree with everyone else, hair extensions, weaves, etc... are waaaaaay better than 100 extra lbs!! LOL!! Our hair will grow back so no worries!!

I just started my process and I'm soooo afraid to take my before pictures!! I really need to get the courage to do it!