Kate27

Have you lost any weight yet? Im curious about not being able to drink with meals. I know your not on solids yet but let me know how that goes. Thats going to be the hardest thing for me I think.

Great to here that you are doing well. Cant wait to hear more stories from ya. I have so long to wait.

Everything went well I found put they will fix my hiatl hernia while they are in there. Its looking like I will be a sleever in Nov or Dec Merry Christmas to me!

Anyone have to come up with co-ins upfront. Even with my insurance coverage Im going to end up owing about 2900 up front. I just hope they take payments. At least I got 6 months because I have to do the diet plan. Anyone else going to DesPeres hospital in StLouis Mo? The also want a 75.00 fee upfront that's not billable to insurance? Im a medical coder and Im sure this is legeal just seems like money grubben? Any thoughts?

At my first appointment today! 6 months to go.

Fyi Im on my phone please ignore typos.

A rep called me the other day from doctor mMinkins office. They want co-ins upfront plus 75. Deductible later considering they do not know how thart will be processed. I go see Dr Minkin on the 30th. I hope a qaulify for the sleeve! Alsio Im going to if I can put 500 down then pay off the rest later.

Thanks for your replies eveyone! Im realy hope I can work it out. It makes sense but it sucks too!

So got to know how did it go?

Well thats good to hear. I have high cholestrol if that counts? I just take fish oil for it. Im sure I may have sleep apnea. I just got my forms from the insurance company today. So the process begins.

Kathy, You lost that 50lbs during the 6 moths? Good to know, I know this sounds silly but I was worried if I lost too much I would't qualify. I mean I know the goal is to loose but I've never had a problem loosing it's been keeping it off! Gene, I haven't picked a doctor yet just going to the seminar and then I will go from there. Probably whoever has the most experience with the sleeve. Thanks guys look foward to sharing my journey with you and hearing about yours.

Hello, Saw that you were from St. Louis thought I would chime in because I am a St. Louisian too! I live in Union just west of St Louis. I am a beginner as well. My first appointment is at Des Peres Hospital in two weeks. I'm hoping that I meet the requirments for my insurance to cover it otherwise I will be out of the picture. So far after looking at what is required I think I will fit the bill! The only downsde is I have to wait 6 months but that is fine by me, plenty of time to get healthier for surgery! Good luck and keep in touch local friend! P.S. I gotta get a pic up here!

Thank you everyone for your support. I did talk to my primary care physician today and she would like me to keep seeing the dietician in the mean time. Which is no problem for me because my company requires 6 months of physician diet anyway before surgery. She also would like me to keep the appointment for the bariatric seminar. I'm not sure if she is thrilled with the idea yet. I have been looking everywhere online and in documentation sent by the insurance carrier and I realy think this is the surgery for me. I do have a strong drive when I set my mind to something but when it comes to weight loss I also seem to gain it back. I know this is a head issue I need to deal with too. I think the surgery may help me hold myself accountable. Delta_35: thanks for the advise about telling people I have been kinda leary about it anyway. So far it is just between the doctors my husband and my mother. Thanks again everyone! Glad to have joined.

Hello, First off I want to introduce myslef. I'm a 32 year old working mom in charge of a 6 yr old boy and a husband . I just recently got a new job working from home which is great! My stress level has gone down but not my waist size! I have been struggling with weight my whole life. When I was a kid I was chubby during puberty then leveled out to about a size 12-14 in high shcool. Still back then I felt huge all my friends were tiny little things. I've never realy had an much of an image issue. I had several friends and boyfriends and just felt it was okay to be the big girl in the group. I was big and proud of it. Until after I met my husband my weight creeped up and I was a size 22 when I got married. At one point in recent years I was up to a size 26 weighed 293. I am 5'8" so that is big for my size. I went on Atkins-lost 70 lbs.- got pregnant and gained it all back plus some. I've done the diabetic diet, south beach, Micheal Thurmans, Boflex. It all works but then eventually I gain it all back. I am by no means looking for a quick fix but I think this may help kkep the weight off. I just recently discovered bariatric surgery is covered on my insurance plan. I have always thought in the back of my mind if I could do it I would. Now that I have health issues along with it I want to more than ever. I just recently found that I have Fatty Liver Diese. I am taking Metformin because I have PCOS. I also have GERD and pain in my lower back. They also think I could have Sleep Apnea. At 32 I should not have all of these problems! One other thing we bought season passes to six flags this year and I am afraid to even try riding some of the rides because I'm afraid I won't fit! Luckily my son isn't tall enough to ride most of the big rides so he won't know that embarassement of mommy not fitting on the ride. I want to get healthy and I want to ride rides with my son! . My current weight is 267 and I am wearing a 24. Sooooo.....I have been studing all of the surgeries out there and I think this is the one for me! The risk is scary but I just think this will fit me perfect. I am currently doing weight watchers and seeing a dietician so I hope that helps with this process? I go to my first Baratric appointment May 8th which is actually a siminar. Just wanted to see what I should expect and thought if I joined this group it would help me along the way. Thank you everyone for reading my story!