lovealways

ahhh saw the post that says "ignore" after commenting here. Hopefully this thread will be deleted...lol

is that a joke or is this serious? lol. I'm not going to lie and couldn't help but laugh when I read this. If this is the case, usually when we give up something important to us (like food) we usually substitute it with something else that provides somewhat of the same consolation to us. It's perfectly fine, whatever it is, up until it begins to interfere with every day life, etc.

Congrats on your journey and I'll be sending get well wishes your way! Here's to speedy recovery! Keep us all updated

What are you going to school for? I know how you feel but what you just said is so inspirational. When do you hope do get the surgery?

Hi guys! I'm not too far from you guys...I'm in Nassau County on Long Island. I'm only starting out and have the seminar this Thursday. What insurance do you both have?? I'm excited to have met other NYers

Ah, I know what you mean about constantly thinking about the surgery! Good luck to you!

You should be fine as long as your BPD is stabilized with either meds or therapy. I think any type of mental illness can increase in severity after this surgery if not kept in check before and after. Since you are self-pay, I don't think you should have too much of a problem. Good luck

Hi! Welcome As far as what I've been told, when you go to your required informational seminar, you can then make an initial appt with your surgeon.

Mental issues in terms of what diagnosis? If you elaborate more, I can help

Good to see some men getting sleeved as well!

...and perhaps one of the most important requirements for surgery.

I'm in the very beginning stages of VSG Surgery, but i'm so ready to get going and get this done in a timely manner! I start a very intensive grad school social work program in September and will also be interning 3 days a week. I'm scared of missing school/internship. I can take a week off if I need but no more than that. Is anyone else worried about surgery and college?

Good luck!

About how long did the whole process take? I'm hoping my insurance doesn't require the 6 month weigh in... :/

I can assure that all of us getting this surgery have currently or in the past struggled with patterns of binge eating. Aside from the physical aspects of WHY we're overweight, so many of us, if not all, have some type of emotional eating patterns. Take it from someone who has done psych evals personally...we want you to be up front and honest...we mostly want you to be able to demonstrate and verbalize awareness and insight into the reasons for wanting this surgery and how to mentally prepare for the future, etc. They're mostly looking out for you, and thank god they do it, too! Could you imagine someone with severe mental illness getting this surgery? Or some type of diagnosed eating disorder or substance abuse issue that has not been resolved? Any type of mental illness, if not stabilized, will most likely increase in severity after an extreme surgery like this. Keep your head up! I know you'll be fine!

My BMI is 44 with maybe 1 or 2 co-morbitities. Does united healthcare require a 6 month supervised weigh in/diet? I'm new to all of these, but I have my first info. seminar to attend on Thursday...then I can make my initial consultation

Hi sister!!!! Glad you won't be alone in this

I know i'm replying to this thread very late in the game...but i'll be getting my masters and interning when I get the surgery...will this be possible to get through? I'd only be allowed a week off.

Very cool! So you started in March and will have it done June 22nd?! That seems so quick! Thanks for the info about the bmi...that was very helpful to know. Good luck on your surgery and congrats!!

Which united healthcare plan? I have UHC community plan. What are the requirements? I'm nervous I'd be denied too

Thanks guys! So this is a stupid question, but I take it I can just get the 5 year weight history from my regular PCP? Would it matter if in between that time frame I dropped below a 40 bmi? So I take you there was no 6 month weigh in for you guys? Thanks so much!!! Can't wait to get things started

I too will have to worry about quitting smoking soon in order to prepare for the surgery. I'm only in the very beginning stages of getting the sleeve, but I know I need to quit smoking in order to even have the surgery, so I feel your pain. Are you quitting cold turkey or are you using anything to help you quit? Goodluck...5 days is great! Just think about the prize at the end of the tunnel...

Hi guys! I've been lurking around this forum and finally decided I'd join. This forum has been incredibly helpful so far in terms of helping me to reach my decision to pursue VSG surgery. I'd like to introduce myself, and tell a little of my journey. At the end of the post, I'd like to ask a few questions, if that's alright with everyone! You all seem so, so helpful and sweet. Well, I'm Jenn, I'm 27 and from Long Island, NY. I've always been heavy. I've been heavy since 5th grade, pretty much. I can't say that I haven't tried everything, because I've *literally* tried everything. I've always been a yo-yo dieter, constantly trying to find something, anything, that could work for me. I'd lose a bunch of weight each time, and feel great, but it was never long lasting. I'd always gain the weight back and then some. Losing weight was never the issue, it was always keeping it off. A few years ago, when I was 20 or 21, I actually made a consultation to have the lapband surgery. Luckily, things fell through, and at that time, I wasn't serious about committing to all the pre-surgery requirements. Now, my 20 year old sister is just waiting for her approval from Cigna. I've watched her struggle throughout the process, but her determination is inspiring. I wanted to do the surgery, but didn't have health insurance to help pay for it. To make a long story short, I now have health insurance (united healthcare community plan) and I've spoken with the surgeon and the insurance company, and I'm totally surprised they cover it! So, I'm about to embark on my journey. I have my informational seminar (required) on Thursday, and then I will make an appt. for consultation. I'm so excited, I can't even begin to tell you! I love the fact that (hopefully) my sister and I get it done and we can do it together. She's my bestfriend and having someone else close to you go through what you're going through will be a huge help. Here's the dreaded questions I'm hoping someone can help me with. - Does anyone have united healthcare community plan insurance (medicaid plan) and know what the requirements are? They were kind of vague when I called them and they only mentioned a 40BMI, which I do have. - I'm starting a very intensive masters program for my social work degree in September at a school in NYC. I will also be doing a very intensive 3 day a week internship from September till May. If I get the surgery relatively soon during school and internship, will it be possible that I can recover in time and not miss TOO much? How long did it take everyone to return to work or school, etc.? - Does every insurance require the 6 month supervised diet/weigh in? - My BMI is currently a 44. If I drop below a 40, which is doubtable, would I still be covered? Thanks so much guys and girls! You've all be so inspirational!