lovealways

I'm from NY and They don't cover it here at all I would check with medicare/medicaid through your state first though and see what's up. Good luck

Some states cover it, some don't. Which state are you from?

Beautiful!!!!!

Hi guys. Does anyone have united healthcare community plan? Every time I call them up and ask about requirements, there's never a clear answer! Any help would be much appreciated =)

How did your aunt do since her sleeve? Did she lose a lot? Have any issues? Just curious as my doc gave me a few days but then I gotta pick bypass our sleeve...please help!!7

My aunt lost 100 in a year, and she's dropping clothes sizes like crazy!! She's doing so great! My uncle on the other hand with his gastric bypass is alright. He lost more than 100 in a year, is no longer diabetic, works out 5 days a week, but suffers a lot due to the poor absorption of vitamins/minerals. So far, my aunt has had no complications with the sleeve, but my uncle has been in the hospital numerous times since his gastric bypass surgery. Good luck!!!

As of May 15, 2012, CIGNA now requires a 3 month supervised diet instead of 6. That will speed it up! Ahh, I wish I had CIGNA!!

Hi all' date='

I am new to this forum. I just started my precertification process for my surgery. It takes 6 months so I am looking to have surgery in Dec/Jan. I am looking forward to the journey.[/quote']

Hi and welcome! We're in the same boat. I'm just beginning my process and am looking at surgery around Jan. it seems far away, but we can do this!!!

I have not had the surgery yet, but my uncle had gastric bypass a year ago, and it looks like he aged a good 10 years. I think it's because usually our faces and neck are so plump and chubby and kind if "inflated," that after surgery everything tends to sag, droop, or wrinkle. My aunt, on the other hand, is in her early 40's and had the sleeve a year ago and she looks like her 21 year old daughter and her friends! I guess it depends, really.

Same here! 6 months is a longg time! Ughhhh

Here's a few questions. Answer based on your own experience. I'm just curious, really

1. For the most part, the process to becoming sleeved isn't always an easy one. Insurance throws us hoops and loops and then we're sometimes asked for a 6 month diet or weigh in, and a ton of various dr. appointments we need to fit into our busy schedules. My question is...during that long process that seemed like it'd take forever, what convinced you to be patient and hold it out? Knowing that even after you completed all the requirements, insurance could still deny you, what kept you going?

2. If gastric sleeve surgery was completely out of the question...you couldn't self-pay, couldn't go to Mexico, and insurance kept denying you or didn't cover WLS...what would have been your plan B? Would you feel hopeless or maybe even hopeful?

3. We all have had our doubts before deciding on if the sleeve was a good choice for us or not Post-op and after losing a good amount of weight, was there a particular "ah-ha" moment that stood out to you and made you realize you made the right choice (or not)?

4. Now that you're post-op and (most likely) enjoying your new life...thinking back, is there anything you miss about your old life? The consolation of food, how you felt, etc.

Thanks! Answer 1, none, or all...I'm just really interested in hearing about experiences from a different perspective.

Wow!!! This is amazing! You

Are beautiful <3

Prior medical history in terms of what? (if you don't mind me asking).

Hi!

Good luck to my little sister on her journey...and inspiring me to finally start mine as well We'll be two hot (thin) mamas!

Hi

I live in Queens and was sleeved at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Ctr on March 27th 2012. My surgeon was Dr. Garber. The surgery changed my life.

This my first time replying. Yeah.....

Liz

Oh wow, Mery Hospital...I just graduated from Molloy College in RVC which is by a Mercy Hospital I should be having mine at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola but not for another 6 months. I'm looking forward to it and hope it goes fast!

I have surgery on Wednesday and my BMI is 33. I started out with a BMI of 42 but lost 50 pounds in the last 4 months. My doc said that since insurance has already approved my surgery that it was ok going under a BMI of 35 (you can have a BMI of 35 if you have co-morbidities).

Great! Thank you. When will I find out if my surgery will be approved by the insurance company? When I have my very first meeting with my surgeon? Congrats on the 50lb weight loss! :)

Thanks so much guys. I'll ask my surgeon. Some people say insurance goes by your BMI at the first weigh in even if it drops in the months thereafter...I hope that's true! Good luck to you both.

Hi guys, I'm new, so if this seems like a silly question, I apologize! I am in the beginning stages of getting the VSG surgery. Just had my informational seminar and have my first consult with the surgeon July 10. My BMI is currently a 44. I need to do the 6 month weigh ins/diet. 6 months is a long time and I can't afford to gain anymore because of my leg/joint pain. My question is...what if my BMI drops to a 40 during the 6 month period? I know I need a 40 to qualify, but would that ant of weight loss disqualify me? I don't know if I can lose weight, but I really can't keep gaining for health reasons. Anyone know?? Thanks so much

Just starting out too! Unfortenately I have to do the 6 month weigh ins. That seems a bit discouraging and just so far away. For those who have done this already, does the time go by fairly quickly? I'm so scared of gaining weight during the time between now and the surgery...yet I'm scared to lose because of my BMI going down. Ahh! I too am OBSESSED with this forum and the surgery! So happy I found this place

I have to do the 6 month supervised weigh in/diet too. It's so discouraging, because it seems like it'll take forever to actually get the surgery I guess it's good though, because it really helps to take things slow and make sure you're making the right decision. Good luck

Ahh that's so cheap!! Good for you!! Good luck

I'd say no! While those claim to be herbal, they have a TON of caffeine. I haven't had the surgery yet, but I assume after the VSG we can't have caffeine.

Hi CR. are you from NY? Just curious, because I also attended a seminar last night and am ready to begin the process. It is going to take a long time and it will seem overwhelming at times, but I think anything worth having is worth fighting for.

Hi! I'm from Nassau County in Ling Island and I'm pre-op

I would call and find out the exact requirements. Usually obstructive sleep apnea is recognized as a co-morb.