Raven21

Buplee, I have to complete a 90 day program before I can even submit for approval.

They said the psych visits were to prove the behavior modification counseling.

I'm just so nervous about checking all the right insurance boxes. My first appt was with the bariatric center coordinator type person. She set me up for the following week with nutrition and psych. I finish with that and they ask if I've had the exercise eval yet. Nooooo. So they set that up. I asked if there was anything else and they asked if I had my other 2 psych appts scheduled yet. Noooo! I'm just afraid I'm not asking about something I'm going to end up needing!

The nutrition person (who my friend who had WLS 5 years ago says was crucial to her success) was very brief. Said it was no big deal and she'd have me out of the appt in 20 minutes and do the next apt over the phone in 10 minutes. I thought the nutrition stuff is important?

So after my 2nd psych appt I asked the front desk person about the process for submission, etc. She tells me about the meeting with the doc and pre-op testing, which can be done in a day. Except for the thing where they put you to sleep and stick the tube down your throat (her exact words) which takes 2-3 weeks to schedule but maybe I could schedule it in advance but she's not sure.

I have my heart set on getting this done in 2012. Not to mention my insurance co-pays start over on 1/1/13. Everyone seems to have just a bit of the info., but not the whole story.

So I called Aetna. 4 different people couldn't even tell me if 90 days meant 90 calendar days or 3 months. They referred me back to my doc!

Arghhhhhhhhhh! Maybe this should have been posted in the "rants" section!

I hear what your saying about "forgetting" to eat. And to think, I used to get pi**ed when someone would tell me they "forgot" to eat. I could have throttled them..now I get it!

I'm still waiting for surgery and no matter how many times I read it, the "forget to eat" comment seems ridiculous! I can't wait until I understand!

What a bunch of crap. Seriously.

Thoughts and prayers coming your way for a speedy approval!

Buplee, what were the minor technicalities with Aetna that got you denied?

Arghhhh! I can't even submit to Aetna until November 17th! It's already killing me!

I understand "leaving room for the Protein we need," after surgery bc theres so little room. But you're saying it's not good for non-WLS people to drink Water with meals? That I don't get.

Depends on the insurance company!

Mirena! Best thing ever! Don't even know its there and it works for 5 years. Can be taken out earlier if desired. I had crazy light or no periods after bleeding heavily for many years.

Interesting, although I wonder why it doesn't work like that pre-surgery? I can drink a ton of Water with my meal and I don't think it makes me hungry any sooner or later. Actually they say to have a glass of Water before you eat to help curb your appetite. It doesn't just flow through.

I thought the reason for no drinking and eating was because you need to get Protein in and if you fill up with liquid, you won't be able to get enough in?

Hello everyone! I'm 51 and can't wait to join your ranks of success! Im jumping through insurance hoops until early December.

I love hearing about knees that don't hurt anymore and sweat NOT pouring out after a flight of stairs. Just wish I had done this at 41!

I know the feeling! I decided on July 30 after talking with my doc that this was right for me. Now I'm jumping through insurance hoops hoping for a December date!

I have been trying to drink more Water, walk more, started yoga and Water exercise classes and eat healthier. I figure any weight I can lose now will be less I need to lose later and help me to goal that much faster.

My nut told me only about 1% of patients have noticeable hair loss. Based on what I've read on this site, I'm not sure I believe her. My friend had R&Y five years ago and never had a problem.

Are there any others on here who didn't have a problem?

I'm hoping we're only hearing from the ones who do, but the majority don't?

It's not going to change my mind about WLS, but my hair is the ONLY thing about me I actually like right now.

Cookee, I HATE The Biggest Loser! It's not motivational to me. Maybe it is for some people, but not me. I just see a bunch of obese people put on display so people can laugh at them.

Maybe I'll feel differently when I'm thinner, I don't know.

Great point June13! Maybe for some of us it is the easy way out (hopefully it will be for me!) Certainly easier than living the way I am right now!

And if there was a pill to cure cancer, would you take it? Or would you be prouder to say you bravely struggled with chemo, radiation, etc? Give me the easy way any day!

I'm not telling many people, not because I'm afraid they will think I took the easy way, but because I don't want them to know I was actually fat enough to qualify. Like they can't already see that! I know they can. I just prefer to maintain my delusions!

I'm in the midst of it right now.

I'm required to do 90 days of a multi disciplinary program which includes 3 psych, 3 nutrition, 3 PCP visits, and an exercise consult.

I've had one of each so far.

I should be done and able to submit for approval on November 17th.

I'm hoping for a December surgery date!

Did you not have this same process?

I'm saying I'm having surgery to repair a stomach ulcer. For some time before the surgery, I have to have a liquid diet to prepare. After the surgery, I have to wean myself slowly back to solid food while the stomach is healing. Oh and hey, I'm losing weight. Nows a good time to add in exercise and a healthy diet...

My nut told me the percentage of people 100 lbs or more overweight who can take weight off and keep it off is virtually nill. It's statistically almost impossible.

Bravo to us who have found an effective way to avoid blood pressure meds, diabetes meds, heart attacks, joint replacements, etc. We should be congratulated!

NSAIDS include Motrin. I thought we could take Motrin because there are no issues with malabsorption like there are with R&Y.

I recently heard a woman talking about people who say surgery is the "easy way out" for the obese. We, on this board, all know this isn't going to be easy!

She mentioned people who are having double, triple, even quadruple bypasses, hip and/or knee replacements, diabetic related surgeries, etc. Aren't they also taking "the easy way" by having surgery instead of losing weight on their own and preventing the need for the surgery?

Think about it! How many surgeries, medications, testing, etc. could be avoided by people losing weight? You know the insurance companies wouldn't be paying for WLS if they didn't believe it to be true!

Remember this the next time someone infers you are taking "the easy way!"

What kinds of things can't be done or can't you be given?

Let's hear 5 purely positive things you are looking forward to doing/trying.

Things that will reward you for all your weight loss struggles that you will have finally overcome.

Things like - "going sledding with my kids."

NOT - "Not having to watch my kids go sledding without me because I'm too fat."

Get it?

Here are mine:

Going on a long overdue trip to Vegas with my husband.

Having sex, with him on top.

Riding bikes with my kids, if they can keep up with me!

Spending too much money on clothes because everything looks great on me, even light colors!

Buying big bulky cable knit sweaters because I so often get chilly.

It is the weight your bariatric center submits. I verified this repeatedly and they promised me the only weight they will submit is the one from the initial consult.

I don't think the insurance company specifies bc I have Aetna also.

How long did your approval take?

Hahaha yes! My daughter calls them my back boobs. Sure won't miss those!