GonnaBeSkinny

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. 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!!

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.

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

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

I'll start with a Re-Post of my WLS Do's and Don'ts. I'm not sure how many have seen this - but it's pretty much like my VS bible.

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!!