Bypassjourney

I would love to stay in touch. We are one step closer each day to this new beginning!

Thanks everyone for your information about Dr. Kim and his staff. I finished everything last week so I am just waiting on the insurance approval. I wish he would go ahead and schedule the surgery with the anticipated insurance approval. But I know it will get here soon enough. Thanks for everyone's open and honest information about the pain and all. I think it is going to be much better going into it knowing all the good AND the bad. What I think I have liked most so far about Dr. Kim is that they are a center of excellence and seem to handle alot of the things in their office that other people on these boards have had to do themselves. That is a great help!

Although my insurance coordinator at the doctor's office turned in the paperwork last week on the 22nd, which was my last required visit also, with the holidays I expected there to be some delay. I called my insurance company today just to verify they had received everything and they confirmed they had. You may want to call your insurance company to verify they have everything so there isn't any more of a delay in case the doctor's office hasn't sent everything. Also, the insurance company may be able to give you a better idea of the timeline of their approval process. Mine told me they have a 15 day approval process so if all goes as planned, you and I will be getting sleeved about the same time. Keep in touch and let me know how it goes. I am praying for quick approvals and surgery dates for both of us!

I had to go through the three month doctor pre-surgical appointments with Aetna. My last appointment was on Thursday, 12/22. I had everything done at that point and the insurance coordinator at the doctor's office sent everything in on that day. I called Aetna today and they confirmed that their precert department has received everything and is beginning the review process. I have been told by the insurance coordinator and the insurance company that I will get the approval (I am thinking positive and wont accept a denial could be a possibility ) within 15 days. I am counting down the days until I get the call!

Thanks everyone for your posts. I go in for my last required visit on Thursday, 12/22. Then the insurance coordinator will submit the request to Aetna for approval. I have lost a few more pounds so hopefully they will see that as an effort and be satisfied with that. I am praying for a quick response because I am SO ready for my new life to begin! Thanks so much for everyone's encouragement. This site is the best!

Good luck on your surgery. Praying for you today!

It sounds like he was trying to control you during your relationship. Defintely DO NOT let him have control now. Keep walking, keep smiling and when you do see him, be pleasant and say hi but nothing says you have to give him any information about your life. He lost that right to know what is going on with you when he left. Keep walking and never look back!

I would like to hear from anyone that used Dr. David Kim near Fort Worth, TX as their surgeon. How has your experience been? Would you recommend him? What have you liked/not liked about him?

It seems alot of us are at the same point. I have bought a couple of new sweaters lately when I have absolutely had to go somewhere and can't get out of it. Friday I met my girlfriends for dinner and thought I was looking "cute" in my new sweater and felt okay about myself. That is until this morning when one of them emailed me a picture from our dinner. :crying: I just filed it away and thought to myself how great it will feel in a few months to use that as a "before" picture. I keep telling myself that I have been overweight and looked this way for about 18 years now. What's another few months? At least now I know I am permanently headed in the right direction. Hang in there. We all have better days ahead.

I am so glad to hear things are going well for you! I have my 2nd of the three visits tomorrow with my surgeon. I sure don't want to wish away the holidays....but...I cannot wait until I can join yall on the losers bench. :-)

Good luck with your surgery! I look forward to hearing all about it. I am with Aetna also and can relate to not wanting to jinx something. I have until 12/22 before we can submit the claim. Take care!

I am in the middle of the three month process attending the classes, etc. before we can submit the claim to insurance on 12/22. Therefore, surgery should be scheduled for sometime in late January. I too have been going to counseling to do my own sort of "pre-op" work so that I can get this figured out once and for all. I have my theories and ideas of why I have this addiction with food. It is for alot of the same reasons as most others. I eat when I am happy, sad, mad, bored, etc. But there is also a reason I hide behind my weight and I want to face that fear head on. Self sabotage is something I struggle with not only with my appearance, but with relationships and other success in my life as well. I am more determined than ever that I am going to break through this life debilitating sabotage once and for all. Thanks to everyone on this site. Your posts and stories have been so encouraging as I start this journey. Your willingness to share your stories is helping others far more than you may realize.

I am in month two of the three month process with Aenta insurance. It states in the clinical bulletin that you should be losing weight during this period to prove that you are willing to make the lifestyle changes necessary after surgery. My doctor's office does not require me to lose weight during this time but stated not to gain any either. My BMI is at 39.9 with sleep apnea as a co-morbidity. I have lost five pounds and I am sure I can lose a few more within the next month but feel like its a catch-22. I don't want to lose too much afraid they will say if I did that well, I can do it without surgery. But at the same time, want to lose enough that they see I am committed to this lifestyle change. My question is did anyone lose or not lose weight prior to submitting the claim for approval and did that hinder or hurt your approval process with Aetna?

You said it is strange to you that your husband's family are all overweight too but they don't support the surgery. This may be from jealousy that you will finally conquer this battle and they will not. I say this because one of my best friends had lapband surgery in May and I was jealous that she was going to be losing weight. What kind of friend am I that I wouldn't be supportive of her journey just because I didn't think I could do the same? I know it is all from my own insecurities and unhappiness with myself because of my weight. I am one month into the three month program required by my insurance. I am beyond ready for my own journey of success.