GonnaBeSkinny

Hi. Im new to this site. I live in Nashville Tennessee. Im 5'5" and 400 pounds. Im on Lisinopril for blood pressure, Lexapro for anxiety, Metformin for Insulin Resistance (thats right before full blown diabetes), I have arthritis in my knees and ankles and trouble getting around, and I suffer from nasty migraines. I've also been having trouble getting enough breath. I always seem to be panting as if Im out of breath, even when I dont do anything. I just moved here, but my doctor in Virginia had me on several different things over the last 3 years. Alli, Sensa, Atkins, low calorie/low fat diet, and nothing worked. I use to be able to drop 20-30 pounds over the course of several months (although it always came back) but in the last year I havent been able to lose anything. I'm wondering if Tennessee medicaid will cover the VSG surgery if my new doctor recommends it. I cant afford to pay out of pocket, but I'm ready, determined, and excited to get on this weightloss journey. I have 2 kids that I want to be around for. I've done sooooo much research about weight loss surgery and the different types and honestly, VSG scares me the least and has me the most excited. I know the surgery is a tool and not a magic cure, but if I can just get this tool I know I can do what it takes to make it work. I want to exercise so bad but I have a hard time walking around the house. Working out is out of the question. I need to lose at least 50 pounds before I can even think about it, but I think the combo of this surgery, a healthy diet, and eventually exercise will be EXACTLY what I need to get where i need to be and stay there. I cant wait to get to meet you all. Talk to you soon!!

Hi everyone. Im so happy to be part of this awesome board. I have learned so much about the VSG, the good and the bad, and I know know even more than before that Im making the right choice with this surgery. A little about me...Im 5'5", 400lbs, bmi of 66, have high bp, migraines, arthritis, anxiety, sleep/breathing issues, pre diabetes, lower back pain, trouble getting around. Have tried EVERYTHING for years and nothing works. I have been beside myself because I need this surgery to help me get back to being ME, and I wasnt sure if Tennessee medicaid would cover it. I know the sleeve is a tool, but I think its the PERFECT tool to finally help me get back to being happy and healthy. I have 2 kids that I want to be around for. I have been agonizing about the medicaid issue, because if they wont cover it, then I cant have the surgery. And I will die. I know this, I've been told this. Well...... I just found out the Amerigroup in Tennessee (medicaid) WILL cover the sleeve!!!! WOOT!!! I need 6 months of documented medically supervised diet (got it), need to have a bmi of 40 or higher (definitely got it), need at least 2 health issues as a direct result of my obesity (got that and more), need a statement from my doctor saying that they approve of me having the surgery and feel its necessary (got it from my Virginia doctor and getting it from my new doctor soon, I hope), need 5 years of records showing my weight to be morbidly obese (definitely got it), will need to get a cardiac and pulmunary clearance (dont have it yet but hoping to soon), I need to pass a psych eval (dont have one yet but will soon, I hope), and I need a physician referral to a bariatric surgeon (I will get that soon, as well. I hope) So hopefully I can get the ball rolling really soon!!! I will be going to the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity in Nashville, Tn. They are the only ones that do the surgery and will take medicaid. Ironically, I had my daughter at Centennial hospital 5 1/2 years ago when I lived in Nashville before (I moved to Virginia a few years ago and just moved back here), and I really liked that hospital. So Im pretty happy all the way around with things. So, thats me. No more and no less. I cant wait to be on the other side of this and be on the "losers bench" lol

Thanks!! I just cant wait. Seems like everything is taking so long, when in reality Im already half way there. lol I just want to be on the other side of this so I can start living again.

Hi. Im new to this site. I live in Nashville Tennessee. Im diagnosed morbidly obese. Im 5'5" and 400 pounds with a bmi of 66. Im on Lisinopril for blood pressure, Lexapro for anxiety, Metformin for Insulin Resistance (thats right before full blown diabetes), I have arthritis in my knees and ankles and trouble getting around, and I suffer from nasty migraines. I've also been having trouble getting enough breath. I always seem to be panting as if Im out of breath, even when I dont do anything. I just moved here, but my doctor in Virginia had me on several different things over the last 3 years. Alli, Sensa, Atkins, low calorie/low fat diet, and nothing worked. I use to be able to drop 20-30 pounds over the course of several months (although it always came back) but in the last year I havent been able to lose anything. I'm hoping Tennessee medicaid will cover the VSG surgery if my new doctor recommends it. I cant afford to pay out of pocket, but I'm ready, determined, and excited to get on this weightloss journey. I have 2 kids that I want to be around for. I know that the sleeve is a tool and not a magic cure, but Im ready for this tool. Im DESPERATE for it. Without it, I know I wont get healthy. I tried to get loans or financing for it, but that didnt happen. I have an online fundraising site that I have put EVERYWHERE and nothing has happened with it. Medicaid is my last hope to get this done. Im scared, hopeful, excited, and full of so many questions and concerns. I dont know where to turn, what to believe online, or who to ask. I definitely would love, love, LOVE a mentor/buddy to walk this journey with me.

Hi!! That would be awesome!! My email is my2babies9806@gmail.com. Im gonna be 34 in June, 400 pounds, bmi of 66.

Thanks!! How is your weightloss going? What was your starting weight and what is your current weight? Im so excited i can hardly stand it. lol I know I may be looking at 2 or 3 more months before we can set a surgery date, but its just so exciting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!! i feel like the real me has been a prisoner of this fat body for so long. Im ready to break free and LIVE again!!!

I just found out the Amerigroup in Tennessee (medicaid) WILL cover the sleeve!!!! WOOT!!! I need 6 months of documented medically supervised diet (got it), need to have a bmi of 40 or higher (definitely got it), need at least 2 health issues as a direct result of my obesity (got that and more), need a statement from my doctor saying that they approve of me having the surgery and feel its necessary (got it from my Virginia and getting it from my new doctor soon, I hope), need 5 years of records showing my weight to be morbidly obese (definitely got it), will need to get a cardiac and pulmunary clearance (dont have it yet but hoping to soon), I need to pass a psych eval (dont have one yet but will soon, I hope), and I need a physician referral to a bariatric surgeon (I will get that soon, as well. I hope) So hopefully I can get the ball rolling really soon!!! I will be going to the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity in Nashville, Tn. They are the only ones that do the surgery and will take medicaid. Ironically, I had my daughter at Centennial hospital 5 1/2 years ago when I lived in Nashville before, and I really liked that hospital. So Im pretty happy all the way around with things.

I just found out the Amerigroup in Tennessee (medicaid) WILL cover the sleeve!!!! WOOT!!! I need 6 months of documented medically supervised diet (got it), need to have a bmi of 40 or higher (definitely got it), need at least 2 health issues as a direct result of my obesity (got that and more), need a statement from my doctor saying that they approve of me having the surgery and feel its necessary (got it from my Virginia and getting it from my new doctor soon, I hope), need 5 years of records showing my weight to be morbidly obese (definitely got it), will need to get a cardiac and pulmunary clearance (dont have it yet but hoping to soon), I need to pass a psych eval (dont have one yet but will soon, I hope), and I need a physician referral to a bariatric surgeon (I will get that soon, as well. I hope) So hopefully I can get the ball rolling really soon!!! I will be going to the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity in Nashville, Tn. They are the only ones that do the surgery and will take medicaid. Ironically, I had my daughter at Centennial hospital 5 1/2 years ago when I lived in Nashville before, and I really liked that hospital. So Im pretty happy all the way around with things.

I just found out the Amerigroup in Tennessee (medicaid) WILL cover the sleeve!!!! WOOT!!! I need 6 months of documented medically supervised diet (got it), need to have a bmi of 40 or higher (definitely got it), need at least 2 health issues as a direct result of my obesity (got that and more), need a statement from my doctor saying that they approve of me having the surgery and feel its necessary (got it from my Virginia and getting it from my new doctor soon, I hope), need 5 years of records showing my weight to be morbidly obese (definitely got it), will need to get a cardiac and pulmunary clearance (dont have it yet but hoping to soon), I need to pass a psych eval (dont have one yet but will soon, I hope), and I need a physician referral to a bariatric surgeon (I will get that soon, as well. I hope) So hopefully I can get the ball rolling really soon!!! I will be going to the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity in Nashville, Tn. They are the only ones that do the surgery and will take medicaid. Ironically, I had my daughter at Centennial hospital 5 1/2 years ago when I lived in Nashville before, and I really liked that hospital. So Im pretty happy all the way around with things.

Hi. Im new to this site and I have a few questions. I live in Nashville Tennessee and I'm wondering if medicaid will cover a VSG surgery for me. Im diagnosed morbidly obese. Im 5'5" and 400 pounds. Im on Lisinopril for blood pressure, Lexapro for anxiety, Metformin for Insulin Resistance (thats right before full blown diabetes), I have arthritis in my knees and ankles and trouble getting around, and I suffer from nasty migraines. I've also been having trouble getting enough breath. I always seem to be panting as if Im out of breath, even when I dont do anything. I just moved here, but my doctor in Virginia had me on several different things over the last 3 years. Alli, Sensa, Atkins, low calorie/low fat diet, and nothing worked. I use to be able to drop 20-30 pounds over the course of several months (although it always came back) but in the last year I havent been able to lose anything. I'm wondering if Tennessee medicaid will cover the VSG surgery if my new doctor recommends it. I cant afford to pay out of pocket, but I'm ready, determined, and excited to get on this weightloss journey. I have 2 kids that i want to be around for. If anyone has any insight into wether Tennessee medicaid will cover the vsg, please let me know. Thanks so much!!

I just found out the Amerigroup in Tennessee (medicaid) WILL cover the sleeve!!!! WOOT!!! I need 6 months of documented medically supervised diet (got it), need to have a bmi of 40 or higher (definitely got it), need at least 2 health issues as a direct result of my obesity (got that and more), need a statement from my doctor saying that they approve of me having the surgery and feel its necessary (got it from my Virginia and getting it from my new doctor soon, I hope), need 5 years of records showing my weight to be morbidly obese (definitely got it), will need to get a cardiac and pulmunary clearance (dont have it yet but hoping to soon), I need to pass a psych eval (dont have one yet but will soon, I hope), and I need a physician referral to a bariatric surgeon (I will get that soon, as well. I hope) So hopefully I can get the ball rolling really soon!!! I will be going to the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity in Nashville, Tn. They are the only ones that do the surgery and will take medicaid. Ironically, I had my daughter at Centennial hospital 5 1/2 years ago when I lived in Nashville before, and I really liked that hospital. So Im pretty happy all the way around with things.

Im going to be 34 in June and I also weigh 400 pounds. It has really affected my life horribly, and I really cant wait to begin the journey to better living. Im just starting out on this process, so I know I have a long road ahead of me. But I KNOW it will be worth it in the end.

I cant wait until I can actually exercise again. I am currently 400 pounds and just starting my journey. I live for the day when I can get sleeved and really make the tool work for me. I just cant wait. I love your post. Its very inspiring. Congrats on your success!!!

These are the stories I like to read. I'm just starting out on my journey, and while Im scared at the idea of having surgery, I KNOW its the right thing for me and my kids. Your story is awesome, inspirational, and heart warming. If I may ask, what was your starting weight and what is it now? Did you have any complications? Congrats on your success, and happy 1 year surgiversary!!

Thanks so much for the number!!! I will definitely call on Monday. Like I said, I know Tennessee Medicaid covers wls, I just need to find out if VSG is one of the surgeries covered. Thanks again!!

Hi!! I know I have a long road ahead of me as far as getting the surgery approved. I think that process will be more painful than the actual surgery and recovery Paperwork and red tape dont scare me. My son has autism, so i know ALL about beating down doors for services and insurance approval. I know Tennessee medicaid pays for wls, I just dont know what kind. I really hope vsg is on the approved list because Im to heavy for Lap Band and Gastric Bypass is just to aggressive, to scary, and to out there for me. It doesnt feel right. VSG feels perfect. Its really great to meet you, and I hope I will have some experiences of my own to share soon!!

I know Tennessee medicaid will cover weight loss surgery, but my doctor doesnt know which ones. Like I said, I just moved here. So I dont really know where to get the answers. Everytime I call medicaid I get transferred to different people and no one seems to know. Its really annoying.