GonnaBHotMama

I completely get what you are saying! I have always been big growing up and was at around 160 at my lowest when I was 16. Then I met my husband when I was 17. He is mexican and the weight piled on! lol I am now at my highest at 248. I loooove latin foods and will sorely miss them for a while. When I am able to make new versions of the foods I will be soooo happy. There is a dish that I think we make called rajas. We use poblano peppers, queso fresco, onion, hamburger meat, and a tomato based sauce. Its kinda like chile relleno but not fried and soup like. It is soooo gooood!! I think that would be something I could eat when I get far enough along...minus the cheese. lol I think I will be chatting with my therapist about food for the first couple of months! lol Good Luck and welcome!!

This is very true. I need a 6 month non medical diet, like supervised diet plan with a doctor, so having to wait the yr wouldnt be as unproductive as you think. By that time, you could complete your diet stuff, and save up for any fees you might have. I will still be out of pocket a max of about $4000. I'll be finding out more exact numbers tomorrow, but I know the max they can charge me. You'll figure it out! Good Luck!

Had my first initial appt today with my surgeon and it went GREAT! I was so nervous about my BMI due to my family doc visit last week, but be careful what you wish for, cause my BMI is 41. lol So the family doc mustve done something wrong during that visit. I will get a call tomorrow from the insurance specialist about submission of the paperwork and then I'll be waiting for approval. I hope they are in the holiday spirit and approve me quickly! (pretty plz) I have to complete some EMMI online education and will start that after I get my surgery date. After approval, the process should go quite quickly. I'll have to complete 2 weeks of a pre-op diet with Nutrimed. Not cheap at about $200, but completely worth it, I think. And the the other testing, of course. I found out that he does a 34 bougie. Yeah, I didnt pronounce that right, he thought it was quite funny. lol But since Ive read a few posts mentioning it, I figured I would ask. I am so glad that everything is underway; I will be even more happy when I know that my paperwork has been submitted and extremely excited when I get approved. This is a great site and I am so glad I came across it while I was researching WLS. Thx yall!

Congrats!! You look fabulous! (as my daughter would say lol) These success stories are such an inspiration!

I havent had surgery yet, BUT I do have a goal that I thought sounded weird, but really isnt....I want to be able to have on a pair of jeans, a TUCKED in shirt with a belt and feel sexy in it! lol I have never felt comfortable in a tucked in shirt ever, so I want to be able to do that. To me, that will be a huge thing to look forward to, so whatever goal you have that you strive for, is completely worth it to have, if you are able to accomplish it. And, of course, you will so it's all about the future from here, baby!

Yup! Have surgery and all of the above! lol When the weight is down, I too would love to run a marathon! I currently just had trouble getting my jacket off cause my arms could barely move around my back to grab the sleeves. I am soooo ready to begin this journey and feel awesome with myself. Good Luck to you all!!

Hey yall! I am looking for a buddy in the area close to me. Also, I have been trying to join some groups and I havent been able to. Any idea why this isnt working? Said something about the security key not being valid?? Thank you!

I have enjoyed checking out your blog today! I am so jealous of your traveling!! lol I would love to be able to do that, so I am definitely going to make sure my retirement is set up when I get a job after college is done. You look fantastic and I know that, with all the hard work, you will succeed in your endeaver to not go back to what you once weighed. Think happy thoughts and rock on!

This was so uplifting for me! I havent had the surgery yet, but still struggle with some of these same emotions and praying always seems to help me know that he's got our backs and will be there to help carry us through this. Amen! and I hope all you are all blessed today and in the coming days. Good Luck!

Ok, just got off the phone with the insurance company. She was really helpful. I have a few additional questions to find out, but didnt have the info with me, so I'll find out tomorrow at my appt. My surgeon IS covered! I am happy about that. The doctors that are doing the labs and all that are covered. I need to find out the facilities that they use to double check if those are covered. I found out the max that I will be charged, which is my deductible plus the max out of pocket. I double checked the sleeve requirements and this is what it said : "Sleeve gastrectomy (open or laparoscopic) may be considered medically necessary as a surgical treatment option for patients with morbid obesity who meet the eligibility criteria for surgery, including lack of response to the required conservative measures." I meet the requirements for the surgery as far as the BMI and the psych visit. Since the non medical proof I have is through different docs and programs, we will see how that goes. I also found out that it depends on how the doctors bill something on how it is exactly covered, so I will ask that as well. Now the only thing left is to get approved and find out what I need to pay upfront and what I get billed for or how all that works. Thanks so much guys! Now I feel better that I kinda get what goes on with the insurance. Helps out a ton!

Great advice, yall! I am about to call my insurance company again now! lol I am gonna keep this thread open to make sure I ask these questions. I didn't think about whether or not the surgeon I was going to would be covered as in or out. While that would make a difference in the price I would have to pay, Im pretty much settled on having him as my surgeon, so crossing my fingers and toes that I get some good info when I call. Thx again!

Congrats! Hearing the great things that come our way are just another reason to celebrate... Good Luck!!

Hey Y'all! I started the group because I noticed that there wasnt one for those in and around LA and I wanted a place for us to gather! Hope it picks up and gathers members. Anyone is welcome though regardless of location. Good luck yall and I look forward to us chatting!

Good luck to you too! Mine is at 3 in the afternoon...Im gonna be anxious all day. lol But I cant wait till its over too so I can move on to what's next! I'll be posting ASAP Wednesday and will look for your posts as well. The support is what makes all the difference.

Congrats on going ahead! I also think about all the complications, especially since I have 2 smaller children, but I am also excited. I figure I will be nervous when the surgery date is scheduled and looms closer, but in the end, it will all be worth it. Good Luck!!!

I think it depends on the Doc, mine is 6 weeks before and after, of course, but if you were able to be off only a month before, it could be the same for after. Just call and check with the Doc to make sure. It's to help decrease the likelihood of blood clots, so better safe than sorry.

I'm looking forward to this one as well! Congrats!

Yup, happens to me sometimes. It is weird feeling, but figure "whatever" lol Ah the joys of womanhood!

Oh..good point! Mine isnt regular because Im on the pill and for some odd reason it makes my periods either not come or it's verrrry scant. We have to get off our BC pill for 6 weeks before surgery so hopefully I'll have mine before. You know, this reminds me of after having a baby. lol Weird bleeding and I have to wait 6 weeks to start my pill back up, so that 6 weeks is like "healing time". Oh well....completely worth it.

I say "Ditto"! lol All the ladies are right...you are looking AWESOME! Before and After!

I'll have to call and ask about that! I too have to have the 6 months, a bmi of 40+ or 35 with 2 co morbidities, and the psych eval. That's for the insurance, but the doc office does the NUT and the blood work. I always think that I'm gonna get turned down cause of something, but we will see how it all goes. I have the 6 months on my own, not going to the NUT with the office. I am worried about that part of the submission. Hope your submission goes well! I was told that they would submit for insurance approval after my first consult visit on the 28th. Then we could go from there and do all the tests after approval. Crossing my fingers and toes for us!

I have to agree ladies! Sucky business that! Vibes that Aunt Flow returns home soon!

I was reading a few posts and noticed that BC/BS seems to be a toughie insurance company. I have BCBS-Texas and was curious how the experiences went with them. Thx yall!

I can see a difference most definitely! I think you are doing awesome! That loser bench must feel preeeetty comfy! lol

Thank you! I hope the same! lol I saw that you just got yours done and I want to wish you the same smooth and struggle-free journey!!