mufasas-mom

thats a great idea - then she'd not have to worry about how long True Results would take to transfer her paperwork to another facility....let us know if this works out for you Kiesha!

I phoned and told them I had to have a date soon, as i have to let my job know as I was getting a new VP to support and needed all the time in advance - they gave me the date in 5 min. Call and tell your job and HR is pushing you for a set date so they can arrange for your workload to be handled correctly in your absence.

WOW only 1 overnight stay at the hospital? that's good - I'm scheduled for at least 2 nights, if i need to I can stay one more evening. congrats glad to hear all went well...another success

$5000 deductible?? wth?? never heard of one so high...I thought mine was high at $750/per person/year - wow....I'm so thankful I have great coverage.
i will be starting the 'piggy bank' for plastics......that should take about 2 yrs....

yes - the band is definately the roll of the dice...not for me.
In my visit with Dr marsden (45 min) he actually stated he preferred the sleeve over the band due to all the complications.
I am so excited - Sept. 10 is only 2 weeks away....and we have a LONG weekend coming up ...started the pre-op today -which is only 2 shakes a day and a sensible meal - plus all the sugar free drinks, Jello and pudding.

I stayed with them because it was at the 5th visit that I changed my mind to the sleeve and didn't want to risk not getting all the paperwork over to another facility when they are really good at all the paperwork - then choose Dr. Marsden over the other surgeons due to overall surgical experience - not sleeve experience - but his overall years as a surgeon.
everyone is different - make your choice according to how you feel and don't let them push you towards anything you are not comfortable with.
Good luck to everyone!!

I agree - the facility at True Results is there to only make money on the lapband..as they get paid per band installed - ..but I didn't let them change my mind- they also asked why I was not having the surgery done at their center (another money making center) - i was like are you nuts.....this is major surgery and I would never have it somewhere as an outpatient....I was quite adament about this and therefore they never tried to push the issue.
they will NOT be making any money off of me.....just the office visits they will bill my insurance company. that's why they try and shove the crap band down your throat.
I predict in about 5 years, they will not be offering the band due to it's many complications.

I agree - the facility at True Results is there to only make money on the lapband..as they get paid per band installed - ..but I didn't let them change my mind- they also asked why I was not having the surgery done at their center (another money making center) - i was like are you nuts.....this is major surgery and I would never have it somewhere as an outpatient....I was quite adament about this and therefore they never tried to push the issue.
they will NOT be making any money off of me.....just the office visits they will bill my insurance company. that's why they try and shove the crap band down your throat.
I predict in about 5 years, they will not be offering the band due to it's many complications.

Glad you like them as well.....just so happy that I don't have to deal with them anymore!! don't have to worry about fills and dealing with all that....so glad I decided on the sleeve. that's odd about the price difference - I wonder if it was more cause maybe Dr Kim's office was out of network or not a part of the COE for your insurance. I'm happy that this is covered at 100% for me since I've met my deductible and out of pocket max already!!
good luck.... can't believe Sept. 10th is fast approaching - I start my two week diet next Monday.....

Just had my consult and i am so happy. He is wonderful.

I dont' really get the 'food funeral' thing - but I have had a few meals that I know I won't have anymore...not 100% sure why I did it, I guess becuase I could....as I certainly won't miss anything about food. I don't get the concept that you can't live without diet soda - or certain foods... please don't flame me - I just don't understand that mindset that food could be a 'friend'. food is food, nothing less and nothing more - to me that is. I just have an issue with finishing my plate....or eating a whole burger when 1/3 of it would just be fine - because I can - not because I crave it.
thank goodness I had the 6 months or prep time for this surgery - as I started incorporting these eating behaviors in advance so I hope i don't struggle after the surgery.

yes - 6 months of weigh-in visits - and nutritionist (2 of them) - psych eval (which was quite fun) - ekg, pulmonary clearance, blood work, then tested for H-pylori - then submitted to insurance. all in all it went by fast and i was very glad to have the 6 months to get mentally prepared for surgery and to purchase all the stuff I'll need (shakes, blenders, Vitamins etc). Call the back of your insurance card to see exactly what your version of UHC requires as each company has their own clauses. good luck

UHC took 3 business days to approve -they are absolutely great to work with!!!

hello - just found this page - been on these forums for a few months now. I'm Diane - live in North Texas and waiting to be sleeved. All my insurance docs were turned in to UHC this past Friday - called today and it's 'in process' - so hopefully I'll be one of those quick turn arounds and get approved before the week is over....
I'm just so happy to have this option of surgery and get my life back..
My starting weight is 201 - I'm at 195 now. BMI is still over 40, so that's ok for insurance purposes. Hoping to get down to 120 pd range by next March but I do understand that I'll be one of those slow losers and I'm fine with that. Just want to reverse the diabetes and get healthy again.
I have not found many people on these forums who are vertically challenged, as I was trying to see their starting weight and where they are now...
hopefully I'll see everyone on the losers bench soon.

Congrats hope you get your date soon.

YES YES YES - I'm September 10th as well....whoo hoo. I'm my way to visit with the surgeon...I have 3 pages of questions.....feel sorry for him!!

I am on top of the world

thanks for the info - I've been doing push-ups and light upper body exercises with my 10 pd dumbells for over 3 weeks now to prep myself - I am working on making those 3rd adn 4th boobies disappear and it appears that only push-ups will really help, as I can see them disappearing!! I weigh 195 now - started at 202, but I am only 4'11" - so every 15 pounds on me is a dress size - and by building back up my muscles I can burn more calories while resting and getting the fat burning process started.

I have to give you moms a giant hug for what you do - you are truly amazing.

did they do more bloodwork, or were you anemic prior and they re-tested? I hate all these 'last minute' tests that can defer surgery dates....I hope you are able to bring up your Iron prior to your surgery - did they say when they would test you again??

that's so inspiring...I hope to be in your shoes in September!!

Well, those 6 months flew by pretty quickly - now I have surgery date of Sept. 10th....and it seems like it's a year away...... have I ever mentioned I don't have patience.....ha. Well - I hope these next 4 weeks go by quickly....will see what my pre-op diet requires this Thursday.....not really looking forward to that - but it's only for a week or so.....I hope.
Now if I can actually get some work done here at the office instead of lurking on this damn site.....it's such an addiction.

Well, those 6 months flew by pretty quickly - now I have surgery date of Sept. 10th....and it seems like it's a year away...... have I ever mentioned I don't have patience.....ha. Well - I hope these next 4 weeks go by quickly....will see what my pre-op diet requires this Thursday.....not really looking forward to that - but it's only for a week or so.....I hope.
Now if I can actually get some work done here at the office instead of lurking on this damn site.....it's such an addiction.

I am also using STD and will have the paperwork started this week once I obtain my surgery date. I will be asking for 3 weeks to recover as well, want to return to work when i'm in the mushies and soft food stage.

there is really not an approval process for STD - just as long as the doctor fills out the paperwork you are good to go.