Fran

I am scheduled for surgery next Monday. I thought I was really motivated, wanted this weight off, was tired of it. Now as the surgery has gotten closer I find that I'm either stalled or stalling. Haven't found a house sitter, haven't purchased the food I need when I get back home, haven't finalized a work schedule. All these are doable in the next few days but why haven't I done them yet? I went to get my tests done today and canceled them when I found out that the clinic couldn't guarantee the bill would not be submitted to my insurance co. This is a big deal to me as I am private pay and don't want my insurance company to know about the surgery. I don't want to give them any reason to raise my rates. I can still get them done the day of the surgery when I get to the hospital but that's cutting it awfully close. Am I overreacting? Can my insurance co refuse to cover me for any reason because I've had bariatric surgery? Now I'm worried about complications and whether I might end up in the hospital with a huge bill. My surgeon has a lower fee because he sends his patients to a hotel for two nights(with day visits to the hospital for tests) before they go home. He doesn't offer BLIS insurance because it would raise his fee to much so I can't get that. I checked and his rates of complications is low....but I still worry. Then I worry about the pain and recovery and is this really worth it??? I just worry, worry, worry. Am I making anyone laugh yet? I can't be the only one who has felt this anxious.... I could really use some help and a good talking to from those who have experienced this. Fran

A couple of months ago I read a suggestion that private pay patients use complicationinsurance.com if their doctor did not carry BLIS insurance. I went to the complicationinsurance.com website and can't fine where it says it covers vertical sleeve surgery. Does anyone know if this is still available? Thanks.

Thank you all for your responses. I think as my surgery date gets closer I get more anxious. I watched a movie last night about a group of women who were starting over in their lives and it made me realize that this IS a big deal for me. I think I've been trying to skirt that issue and just get it done. I have been feeling like I barely remember the thinner me anymore .....made me realize how much I want that back. Despite my fear I want to go through with it. All your support is very appreciated.

I am getting more nervous as my surgery date gets closer. I had a first appt. with my doctor, his nurse and the anesthesiologist last week. This was a 4 hour drive for me and, because of back pain, I left before confirming my scheduled surgery date(Oct. 25th) with their scheduler. They were aware of this and told me it was fine and to call in and confirm. I called two days later and left a voice mail to confirm. They didn't return my call for three days. Because I was already feeling anxious this didn't help in terms of their support(which they had offered wholeheartedly). I received their return call on MY voice mail stating that I was scheduled and that they would get back to me with information. No apology for the delay in calling. That was two days ago. At this point I feel like a cog in a machine and am having second thoughts. I had a BMI of 36, high enough that I really want to do this. Tonight I read that those with a lower BMI are less successful with this surgery. Does anyone know if this is true? I was not told by the the nurse and doctor, both of whom thought I would be a good candidate. I would love to hear from sleevers who have not had previous WLS and have a similar BMI. Were you successful? I'd also like to hear anyone's thoughts on what I've described. Part of me knows I have valid complaints, and part of me feels like I could be sabotaging myself. My plan is to call them tomorrow. Thanks, Fran

I have been considering this surgery for about a year. I've finally made my first appt.....and I'm really scared. Scared about what my life will be like, how will I deal with my stress when eating is not an option? Can I make it? Can I deal with the new me? What if I wake up from surgery and decide I made a mistake? What if one week out I get depressed/anxious when I can't eat? What if...what if...what if. I suspect my fears must have been experienced by others. How did you deal with them? I really don't like the way I look and I'm tired of avoiding mirrors, friends, events....I want to live the rest of my life in a healthy manner. Any feedback or personal stories would be helpful to me. Thanks.