MeMeMEEE

We actually have had to take classes on the pre/post diet so I know that already. I am curious about the number of surgeries - I know VSG is fairly new to our area so I realize his numbers will not be 1000's - should I be concerned about that? I do know over all he has been doing bariatric for quite a while. That is defintely on my list of questions.

I have my appointment with the surgeon on Thursday April 7th and have been trying to make a list of things I want to know. What did you ask? Of course the main ones I can think of are: How many sleeves have you done? How long will I be off work? Do you feel it is an appropriate surgery for me? Thanks for any help and suggestions!

Sorry to hijack the thread - I am about 90 miles north east of St Louis and would love to have sleeve buddies nearby! I am working on my 6 months insurance deal and hoping to have sleeve in August. I go to my surgeon Thursday and very excited to talk to him and get lots of info!

OMG you make me want to go to Mexico and skip insurance!! I want some of those drugs LOL I have to ask, do you have a blog?? Because I could so read that! And if you don't you should get one because I need harness your attitude for myself LOL

My program has quite a list of visits too but I will be done with those by mid April, so then just the Dr's appointments - I scheduled them all and should be done with them mid July so maybe surgery late July early August? I hope?

Since this is the year for ME I applied for my passport a few weeks ago - no trip in mind but my daughter got hers as well because she is going to Europe in July so we will be taking trips in the future.... So it came yesterday. And you just don't even know how BAD I want to book a trip to Mexico for surgery!! Trying to be patient, I know my insurance will pay, I just have to get through the 6 months of medically supervised diet or whatever they call it. 2 months in. Taking some others suggestions to make appointments every 25 days to shave some time off.... God grant me the PATIENCE!!!!

I was told this week it has to be documented by the Dr - WW is great but you HAVE to have your Dr visits for 6 months. She said that is where she sees people get tripped up.

I'm looking at August here - I don't know how much mine will be out of pocket (max of $4000 between deductible and out of pocket max) but I too would be headed to Mexico if my insurance didn't cover it. I am very impatient but since I do have the insurance for it I will stay here and wait it out! The biggest plus of that is having the followup care just in case. Good luck to you!

I was considering that but got a letter from my program saying they will submit when you have 6 consecutive months - and I didn't see the Dr in January - so I am guessing no, although my insurance guidelines say 6 months of medically supervised with in the last 24 months. I may ask anyway, despite the letter. I know my Dr has done weight each visit. I know for sure I saw him in November and December, then February and March. So that would get me 4 months.

Good luck with everything! I am at the beginning (2 months in) of the 6 month process my insurance requires so I am looking at August. I am looking forward to being here for my unborn grand children as well! I am 39 so hopefully a few years down the road - but my older daughter did get married in January!

Thanks guys! I am so excited - I am looking at August and find my self wishing it would hurry and get here then think YOU ARE WISHING YOUR LIFE AWAY LOL I really wanted to feel better this summer! So hoping weight watchers gives me some relief while I wait and thinking of the clothes in my closet I can wear next winter haha - I hate winter and can't believe I am even thinking of that!!

Well I have decided there is no "leaning" toward the sleeve - it is definitely the one I want. My appointment with the surgeon is April 7th but my insurance just changed and now I have to see my primary Doctor for 6 months instead of 3 - a little disappointed, if I had not sat on the fence for a month I would probably be scheduled already But hey, all in good time. I now think it will be August, hopefully earlier in the month and not latter!! I joined weight watchers this week in hopes to start losing some now and as part of my "plan" with my doctor - even if I lose 50 lbs I still have a high enough BMI. I went ahead and scheduled all my monthly visits with my doctor. Honestly, if it weren't for all the scary "your insurance won't pay for complications" I would go to Mexico and have it done tomorrow!!! I am really enjoying reading everyone's posts, this is a great board. I don't know anyone around me who has had the sleeve, pretty new around here I believe. I know a ton who have had RNY and a few with Lap Band and one with DS but that's it so this board has been so helpful!! Thanks everyone!

Thanks! I am trying not to - and I had been rushing to get to all these appointments and classes but now feel like I don't need to do that, I am going to only scheduled appointments 1-2 days a month so I can have some of my Monday's home to enjoy (I work a 4 day work week). Went today to the nutritionist and have to go back to her - got to work on balanced plate eating. Physical Therapy appointment also - cleared that one. Was going back to LCSW but 3 hours between appointments so will reschedule that for another week I have to make several appointments. They are all about a 45 min drive away. I joined weight watchers tonight so I can be a little more proactive on the "medically supervised" diet part....

Well just found out my insurance changed to 6 months of medically supervised weight loss. And here I thought I was almost half way there. Oh well, I will be ready!

I called today too Well I guess I am ok with it, wanted to wait at least til June after vacation so this pushes it to July but dang - how frustrating! They did clear up the documented medically supervised diet (or however it is said) for me - it has to be documented by the Doctor - so if you are doing weight watchers tell your Dr so they can document it in their records.

I'm new here, just beginning the journey to get a surgery date - just wanted to say LOVE YOUR AVATAR!! Jasper all the way ) hehe

Hi all!! My name is Libbe and I am 39. My oldest daughter got married 1-1-11 and my youngest turns 16 tomorrow (!!!) and I decided this is the year for ME!! I matter and I want to be around to enjoy my grandkids some day! I am 4'11 and weigh in the 230's right now. Other than my weight, my only health issue is migraines and recently some neck troubles. Well, I started my journey in January - went to an orientation I believe it was January 9th, pondered it until late February and decided to start the process. Saw my primary care Dr on March 7th to get his referral to the program, March 14th had my psych appointment, yesterday went to the nutrition classes and have my consult with the nutritionist and physical therapy this coming Monday. I was originally set on Lap Band and the LCSW suggested I may not be happy with those results so I started looking at RNY and VSG as they are the other two options the surgeons do. My insurance covers all of them so not a problem there. After alot of reading and research, I am going to talk to the surgeon about VSG. I am calling tomorrow to set that appointment. The program office told me today my surgeon will be Dr Hammer in Springfield, IL. I am so encouraged by the things I have read here on this board and a few others. So I guess I'm not too far in to the process but I feel like it is moving along pretty well. I actually work for my insurance (BCBS of IL) doing International claims and it has been interesting to read about alot of your experiences in Mexico - sounds like most have great experiences! Well, really looking forward to this journey and sharing it with you all - as well as following all of your journeys.