Melissal

Wooo Hooo! Way to go! Congrats!

I am way too obsessed with getting this surgery. I won't even have insurance coverage of any kind until June 1st, but today, I made my husband get the group number from his employer so that I could contact the insurance company that he will have to ask them if this procedure is covered or not. I'm not exactly the patient type. LOL But stupid me, instead of calling, I sent an "online information request form" and I'm waiting for a response. If I don't get one by tomorrow afternoon I guess I'll just call. In the meantime, I can't stop reading forums on the subject, and looking at YouTube before and after videos, etc. I just can't even imagine how happy I would be to be thin again!! Keeping my fingers crossed that insurance will help cover the charges~

Wow! Congratulations and good luck to you.

Congratulations! That's wonderful news! You are very motivating!

Nice work. Not boring at all! I love reading people's blogs on this stuff as I am a while out from actually being approved for the surgery myself. Thanks for posting!

Thank you so much feedyoureye. I just read that whole thread. Scary stuff. At least I know to avoid coconut and celery.

Hello. I'm wondering about Aetna's insurance coverage for the sleeve. I have read the posts about Aetna, but here is my dilemma. I don't have insurance yet. My husband will be getting insurance through his work, but that won't be until June 1st. I wonder if I can call them and ask about our plan before it starts. No problem in trying I suppose. But what I'm really wondering is if I can start the three month pre-approval process before they even cover us? It's about 3 months until our coverage starts, so I was thinking during this time, I can get a jump on the process, by seeing a nut, doing exercises, logging my food, etc. I guess I just have to call them to find out all of this stuff.

Thank you to you all for your responses! I really appreciate it!!

Congratulations on reaching wonderland! I can't wait to make this statement myself one day. And sorry about the pain from the drain. I hope you're feeling better soon! Melissa

Ok. So I am really starting to think that I'm actually going to get the sleeve gastrectomy so I thought I would start my blog early. This will be a reminder to me after I lose the weight of why I never want to gain it back again. I hate my self image. I have a daughter that is turning two in a couple of months, and I have only a handful of pictures with her because I can't stand the way that I look. I am embarassed to go anywhere in public. I have barely any friends left because I'm too ashamed of how I look to see them again. I never shop for clothes because I can't stand the clothes that come in my size, so I wear sweats and anything baggy that I can find. My blood pressure is high. My knees hurt all the time. My back hurts all the time. I get winded doing almost anything. I can't keep up with my daughter. I'd love to play with her more often and be able to run after her. I snore terribly and I think I have sleep apnea. I'm sure I can think of a million more reasons why I want this, but for right now, I'll move on. I'm 34 years old, married, mother of one. I was skinny my whole life until I turned 28, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and medicated for it. Since I started the medications, the weight started to pile on. Year after year I grew bigger and bigger. Dieting, exercising, etc. did nothing for me, or if it did, it wouldn't last and I gained the weight back and more. Common story, I know. I am ashamed to say it, but I am 5'7" and weigh about 236 lbs, which is a BMI of about 37. For the last few weeks, I've been doing a ton of research, reading forums, etc. on WLS. I initially thought that the lap band was the surgery I wanted, but now I'm sold on the sleeve. I spoke with my PCP about the idea of getting it done and he's all for it. The only problem, and it's a huge problem, is that I currently have no insurance. My husband should be getting insurance through his work, but not until June. Ugh. So I've decided that until June comes, I'm going to try to prepare myself as much as possible, and hopefully once he gets insurance, maybe they will approve the surgery and things will hopefully go quickly. I am going to my first seminar next Tuesday night. I can't wait. I'm really feeling like a sponge now and trying to soak up all the information I can about this. That's going to be at one hospital, that is well known and established as a great hospital. Then there's another seminar, on March 1st, for another not so well-known hospital that's closer to me. I figured I would meet both surgeons, etc and decide from there which way I would go. Of course, I guess my insurance company will have some say as well. I guess I did enough jibber-jabbering for now. Will write again soon.

Thank you all for your quick responses! I really appreciate it!

Hi. I know about the liquids, mushies, etc, but I'm talking about a year, two years down the road. I thought I read somewhere that you cannot have red meat. Is that true? Obviously I'm in the initial stages and haven't met with a nutritionalist or anything yet, as I'm sure he/she would go over this stuff with me. Just thought I'd ask though. Thanks!

Congratulations on getting your date! Keep us posted on your journey!

Hello. I just wanted to say that don't let yourself feel guilty. If you miss a few practices/games for a few weeks, I'm sure you will be upset about it, but think about what you are doing for your future. It's just a few weeks (I would think and hope) but think about how you are increasing your health so that you will be around that much more. I don't know. I haven't been sleeved or anything, but I'm thinking about it and I understand how you are feeling. My daughter is younger, and doesn't have practices, etc, but I worry about not being able to pick her up for the first few weeks, and how she might think I'm rejecting her. But then I think that down the road, I will be even better to play with her, etc. (She's just under 2 right now). Take care and keep us posted with your journey! Melissa

Hi all. I'm newer to the site and wanted to see if you guys are still on here. I'm originally from Willow Grove, PA. I moved a few years ago, and now I'm moving again to East Stroudsburg, PA in a few months. I'm curious to hear how your journeys are coming along. Melissa

Hello. I am considering VSG and of course I'm doing the wrong thing in reading all the posts in here. LOL. I love reading the success story posts, but the ones in this section scare me. Are there any updates from those who were suffering, or not losing, to tell us how you are doing today? Do you still regret getting the sleeve? Thanks everyone! Melissa

Hello everyone. Has anyone had any experience with Northeast Bariatric Center in Hazleton, PA? I live very close to Hazleton, and would love to go there for my surgery in case of any problems, etc, I would be so close. Has anyone had any experiences here, with Dr. Bono? Thanks all!

Way to go! Well done! I'm so happy for you!

Congrats on your approval, and best of luck in your surgery tomorrow. Keep us posted with how it goes!! Did you have a hard time getting approved through Aetna? Thanks! Melissa

Thank you all for your feedback. The more I look at the insurance hoops you need to jump through, I myself and considering Mexico as well. I've read a ton of great stories about Mexico and their surgeons on this site. The only problem is that my husband insists on me not going to Mexico for surgery. He's being very close-minded. Does anyone have any suggestions for what I can say to him, or any websites we can look at together to help open his mind? Thanks!!

OK, so I know this is a dumb question, but why is everyone going to Mexico to have their surgery done? Is it for financial reasons? Also, is anyone here from PA - particularly Eastern PA that could recommend a good surgeon? Thanks!! Melissa

Thank you both for your responses. I really appreciate it. I do have another related question. Should I bring all my questions to the seminar, or should I wait until I have an appt with a surgeon? I am pretty sure there would be a Q&A at the seminar, but I don't want to hog up everyone's time. LOL I scheduled my seminar for Tuesday the 22nd. I can't wait to go!!

Hello everyone. My name is Melissa and I am in the very beginning stages of deciding whether or not to attempt getting bariatric surgery. Right now, I have no insurance, but my husband just got a new job and will be getting insurance in a couple of months. I have no idea if they will approve me for the surgery or not, but I am going to do all the research I can up until he gets it so that I'm prepared. My BMI is about 36, but I also have sleep apnea and high blood pressure. I spoke to my dr yesterday and he's all for the surgery. I was thinking lap band at first, but he suggested the sleeve, which I started leaning towards the last few days anyway. The only thing is that I have Questions galore and I'm hoping to get as many responses as possible to help me with my decisions. First of all, I have a daughter who will be two in May. To mothers who have had the surgery, how long was it after the fact that you were able to lift your child/children again? I worry about the recovery time and lifting restrictions. Also, I'm worried about the psych evaluation. I am bipolar and I don't know what kind of questions they will ask, and if I will pass this section. And I guess the most important question is to everyone....Would you do it again?? Thanks to everyone for any input. I hope you're all doing well, and I'm glad to have found this site to help with some of my questions!! Melissa Oh, and one more question (for now anyway) has anyone had the surgery at Lehigh Valley Hospital in PA? If so, could you tell me about your experience? Thanks again!!