TexasTeacher

I'll be glad to answer any questions I can! I'm using Dr. Wade Barker in Dallas.

If it makes you feel any better, my doc submitted on Wednesday and when I called this morning---Friday---Blue Cross had already approved and mailed out the letters! Much, much faster than I had expected!

I am so happy, I got my approval! My doc's office submitted it on Wednesday and they approved it on Thursday! Just so stunned it was done so quickly, I don't even know what to think! After all that I'd heard about Blue Cross, I was expecting a denial.

I am *hoping* for December 20th! My last appointment is November 8th, then they submit to insurance. The insurance guy at the bariatric center thinks it will be perfect for the date I want--school teacher. It still seems a long way off, so I've not really gotten excited or nervous, yet!

Aghhh! Hypothyroidism---not as fun as it sounds! Here's the thing, I had Graves disease--severely hyperthyroid--my internist performed a radioactive iodine ablation and *BAM* instant hypothyroidism. That was 19 years ago. While it's true that the medication MAY help you lose weight, your doctor may be hesitant to put you on enough of the medication to ever have a normal metabolism. Do some research online and you'll find a much more medical explanation, but simply put, they are so grateful to see you at anything in the normal range---by this they mean LOW normal---they are done. Some folks never get to anywhere near normal. I'm sure it's frustrating to be losing more slowly, but this is not a condition you really want to deal with the rest of your life.

Hey Melissa, I'm taller than you at 5'8, but am dead on a bmi of 35. I'm curious, as well, as to how folks do with a lower bmi having the sleeve. My surgeon says I'll do great because of it, but still a little trepiditious!

KKB, That is fabulous! I'm using Dr. Barker---1st visit last Thursday, have done the sleep study, and have the 2nd visit scheduled for 10/18. I'm hoping to qualify and have the surgery done right before Christmas. I'd love to hear more about your experience with him!