cls8402

I am so excited I can't stand it!!! Best of luck to everyone!

Possible TMI alert!! I am on day 6 of my preop diet. It is both liquids and foods from the docs office. I have diareah on and off all week. Its horrible! Anyone else experience this? I am not too concerned about it, but its annoying when I have to make a mad dash to the bathroom!

I thought about that, but the dietician told us it is not true and most will have trouble with constipation. Maybe I am lucky...? Lol I'm going to ask when I call on Monday.

They should tell you when you see them before the pre op diet. I took my own multivitamin, and they had me stop and take theirs (much stronger, and lots more vitamins than mine) plus an iron supplement. Every doc will be different though.

I'm a May 6th girl too! Message me if you want to keep in touch!

This week I had my pre-op appointments. We met classroom style with someone from exercise, as well as the dietician. Exercise talked about why we need to start now, and the steps we will go through. Nutrition was a TON of information, as well as the purchase of the pre-op diet food. For two weeks we have an 800-900 calorie diet we have to follow. Then we talked with the PA about surgery. We're supposed to go back for another appointment the week before surgery, but I can't take any more time off work, so the PA did that exam as well. It was just a basic look over, and then went over all the surgery stuff. She gave me all my paperwork to sign, and the hospital info, everything. I also had to purchase my 2 week post-op food. So, 3 bags of groceries later, I AM READY FOR SURGERY!! Diet starts Monday. Two weeks from Monday my new life begins ! YAHOO!

I've been overweight since I hit puberty. I've tried diet after diet to no avail. In 2009 I decided to try surgery. I was told my insurance covered it, so I started the process. After tests and appointments they came back and said it was NOT a covered benefit. I was devastated. Not only that, but I had racked up some hefty medical bills. I continued trying to lose on my own, only to let myself down each time. Things began to change in the fall of 2011. My boyfriend and his sister were both sleeved in October of that year. Seeing their weight loss, I was motivated to try weight watchers again. I did, and lost about 30 lbs. I was the happiest I had been in a very long time. Things went down hill from there, and I gained it back- plus some. Seeing how successful those two have been with their sleeves, I finally got the courage to look into having it done once more. I changed insurance plans as of 1/1/13. I attended the informational meeting the beginning of January, and had my first appointment on March 18. I received fantastic news at that appointment. BCBS (MI) now accepts weight watchers as your 6 month diet! FANTASTIC!! I was set. My behaviorist & surgeon appointments are March 27. It is feasible I could get a surgery date next week, and be sleeved in May. I am SOOO excited!!! (And nervous!) I hope to document my journey here, not only for you- but for myself too! I am not telling many people, so I don't have many people to talk to about it. I am so glad to have found this board. Best of luck to everyone!

Aww, you can't throw away all that work! Did you get the letter from your doctor submitted? What about being the squeaky wheel? Call and bug them every few days. Bcbs that is. Talk to as many people as you can. If they said that is all you needed then it should be pretty simple to get approval! I am sorry you are going thru this. Just don't give up! Things will all happen in His time, remember? Keep preparing yourself in the mean time. You may get a date that is super close once approved! Continue or start exercising, cut your calories down, etc. It will help prepare you for things to come. Keep your chin up!

I know I'm lucky, but at the same time I kinda wish we had to get pre-approval. What happens if they turn in all my bills after surgery, and they refuse to pay? Then I'm stuck with a massive bill. That is what I am afraid of!!

I'm also with BCBS of Michigan.

Do what you need to in order to feel comfortable. This is a big surgery! Research and ask lots of questions. I don't blame you for using that cop out. I work in an office full of big mouthed opinionated women- and have male bosses. I told my boss , and I am going to need to speak to the owner. (Ugh, surgery is 2 wks before my anniversary/more vaca days!) My mom doesnt think he'll ask... But I do. He has all daughters so I dont think female issues will scare him. I do worry though bc he has a big mouth too. Oh well. Everybody is going to realize something was done when we start dropping weight so fast!!! Woohoo! :-)

I'm scheduled for May 6. I'm so excited!!! Best of luck to everyone!!!

I'm the same way- just excited for it to get here. I see you have Dr. Foote... are you having surgery in Grand Rapids? I'm goign through Mclaren in Petoskey and having Dr. Baker. I've tried a few times to enter his name onto my profile, but the darn thing just won't save! Good luck to you too- I'd love to keep up with both of you!

I haven't told many people either. My immediate family knows, one friend, and my boss. Everyone else will see our results soon enough! Yay! Good Luck!

I GOT MY DATE!!!!!!!! MAY 6! Holy cow! They had scheduled it and didn't tell me! Haha... too funny. My pre-op apt is April 17. Things are flying now! Keep up your good work everyone. Your times will come before you know it!!

Navyma, I am so sorry to hear that!! Isn't it horrible that insurance companies have so much control over our health? Get your letter and try again! You'll get approved once you do I'm sure. My first appointment with the surgeon's office was cancelled on me. The next available apt was 5 weeks later. I cried my eyes out, and just about gave up. Now look how fast things have moved for me. You're so close! Keep your chin up!

I just need to chill. This process has gone pretty smooth for me. I just started in Mid January with my seminar. I guess I'm just worried it went too smooth! I hope you ladies get your dates soon!!

Today I met with the surgeon and behaviorist. The surgeon was happy with everything and said I'm a perfect candidate. Yay! He also told me because I have a lower BMI I will only need to do a 1 week pre-op diet. That was good news. The behaviorist was happy with everything as well. She only suggested that I get a letter sent over from my PCP saying that I am stable on one of my meds. Now, it's time to wait. They're supposed to call me to set up surgery. I'm happy, but not over the top yet because I still don't have a date. I'm sure it will be a few days before they call. Time for the infamous waiting game!

I choose the sleeve, because to me it seems less invasive. The way I see it, with the sleeve they are removing your stomach. With the bypass, they are doing that AND rearranging things. During the seminar I attended Dr. Baker actually talked about how he'd recommend the sleeve over the bypass for most people. There were a couple reasons he'd suggest the bypass,but I'm healthy overall and none of them apply to me. It also helps that I know people who have had it so they can tell me what to expect.

Adargie, I'm going through McLaren in Petoskey. They're the same office you're using. Dr. Baker did the seminar I went to, and he's also the surgeon I am seeing next week. I'm not sure if I will have him, or one of his partners. It all depends on what dates are available. My job is flexible, but the first week of the month is off limits. We'll see!

I've only had an EKG (because I've never had one) and the bloodwork. Good luck with your surgery!! :-)

Haha! This is awesome! Now I am going to have to search the internet.... Hehe

I'm just starting the process, but it's going to happen. (Whether I can get it approved now or have to go through another year of diet!) I am not telling many people. My family (brother and parents), my grandmother (I live with her), my boyfriend and his family (he and his sister also had it done), and one friend (who lives far away and has nobody to tell). That's it. I'm not even telling my best friend. She's thin, athletic & healthy. She doesn't understand why I just can't lose it on my own. I'll tell her the day before probably, just so she can't try to talk me out of it. That's more or less why I'm keeping it to myself. I don't want people's opinions. I've done my research and know my stuff! Our HR lady at work knows I want to have it done, simply because I was asking her about the coverages. I plan on telling my boss when I am ready to schedule surgery in case of complications. It's a personal decision. This is hard for me. I'm an open book, and tend to tell everyone everything. I have to bite my tounge sometimes!

My insurance (BCBS of MI) requires 6 months of physician supervised diet. What qualifies? My doctor is aware I've been dieting forever. I've gone around and around on Nutra-system, Weight Watchers, perscription appetite supressants, calorie counting, Adkins.... His records note all of this. Will that be enough? Does anyone have experience with this? I'm just in the beginning of the process, and I'm afraid they're going to make me do another 6 months!

Thanks all.... It seems like it depends on the ins co. I'll just have to wait and see I guess. I wish there was a industry standard to get coverage.