Rena's got this

Try the Premier Protein shakes, they have 30 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar. Tastes pretty good to me, like chocolate milk. I haven't been sleeved yet, but it curbs my hunger.

You are NOT being petty. It seems to me she either has a narcissistic personality where she thinks the whole world revolves around her and heaven forbid that you get any attention, or she might see you as possible competition down the road for whatever. This isn't the type of person I'd hang around with a lot.

A date!!! How exciting, I'm so happy for you! I am so glad also that you didn't have to go through the appeals process by being denied the first go around. There is hope!

Couldn't you get weighed once a month in your doctor's office for documentation? It wouldn't even have to be a doctor's visit...just see the nurse and get it done? ....I'm a single mom, and pinching pennies wherever I can!

Four surgeries in Mexico! Were they all weight loss related?

You're right....I just checked and it is nearly half! I just sent weight watchers an email asking them to switch me to online only. Thanks!!!

I'm getting started with my 6 month requirement for a physician managed diet. Weight watchers was one of the suggested diet plans, but they are so expensive. Has anyone done one of these diets any other way which costs less?

From what I understand, a first time denial is almost standard practice with BCBS. Keep on with the appeals and good luck!

Ms.Junebug have you heard anything yet??? I'm sooo keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Thanks for all the comments ladies, I really appreciate them. I just found out that my sister in law is having bypass surgery in 25 days! We were both talking about it about a month ago, thinking that we might go this route, and now she has a surgery date for a bypass without having to do the six month thingy! (Tricare) I'm very happy for her, of course, but it is so soon! ....I'm so jealous!

Oh my gosh.... its going to be a busy month. I had my initial consultation with my surgeon and got the ball rolling. I've set up appointments with the nutritionist, the psychologist, with a physician for sleep apnea testing, and had my first weight watcher's meeting, beginning the six month weight loss management requirement (BCBS of Alabama). I felt really guilty during the Weight Watcher's meeting, knowing that I was just going through the motions, but who knows, maybe I'll actually lose more than 9 pounds this time. Looking back on my medical history I actually found that I'd been diagnosed with GERD in 2011, so that is one more co-morbidity that could help my case for getting my insurance to cover this surgery. I still have to get with my primary care physician and get her to monitor my 6 month requirement. She still doesn't know that I want to do this, and I'm afraid she'll try and talk me out of it. She is one of these tall willowy types, never ever been overweight, but she does make comments every now and then about my weight, so maybe....

I just looked back in my medical records and found that I was diagnosed with GERD in 2011. Still have it, lol. I think that was one of the co-morbidities listed on my insurance information sheet, so, keeping my fingers crossed and am going to go ahead with the 6 month weight loss management thingy.

My surgeon suggested that I have it tested, and he was leaning towards removal. My mom and sister both had theirs out due to gallstones, and both of them were not overweight when it happened. I'm pretty sure I have a good chance of developing gallstones with such a family history.

Anyone have updates on their status? I'm just getting started and have BCBS of Alabama. My BMI was 40.9 as of my initial surgeon's consultation. I go for a sleep apnea test on April 9th. I have not had the BMI at 40+ over the last 3 years, and my co-morbidities are iffy... pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, knee pain & surgery. I sure hope this sleep apnea test will qualify me!

It sounds like you have a good chance of initially being denied. Just appeal, and keep appealing until you get to the Peer to Peer review. I have BCBS of Alabama and am just getting started. I have a BMI of 40.9, (surgeon's office), but haven't been this high for the past 3 years. The only co-morbidities I have are pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, and joint pain. I'm going for a sleep apnea test this week. My insurance seems to only require one, so I might have a chance. The surgeon's office said that BCBS of Alabama is very nitpicky though, so I'll probably get denied initially. Let us know what happens.

Thank goodness you don't need it as a co-morbidity. I sincerely hope you don't get it. My primary care physician doesn't know that I want surgery yet. I went to a seminar, and then made an appointment directly with the surgeon. I'll have to talk to my PCP soon about it because she will have to be involved. I'm worried that she won't go for it though. She is one of these tall, slender types, who has never had a weight problem.

Well, in this case I hope you do have it....not something I'd ordinarily wish on someone. My aunt had it really bad and had to have both her legs amputated. She died 3 weeks later. Since I've been off Metformin for about 3 months, maybe the next time I'm tested I'll have it too. I don't know. I just know that if I don't get this weight off, I'm not going to have a chance of avoiding it.

I have taken Metformin in the past. On my last physical, my physician said my A1C was good, and she took me off them, but said she would keep me on them if I want. Diabetes runs heavily in my family ...3 grandparents, mother, sister, 2 brothers. Its just a matter of time for me.

Congratulations! Good for you! My insurance is like the others, but you have to have the 40 BMI for the past 3 years, or have the co-morbidities. I have 40.9 BMI as of this week, but not the past 3 years. I'll be going for a sleep apnea test next week, and I'm hoping that will do it. Pre-diabetes won't get it, and neither will the other health problems I've got.

I know they say that the MMR vaccine has nothing to do with kids developing autism or anything on the autism scale, but I think it can't be only a coincidence. Perhaps it has something to do with genetics and a pre-disposed sensitivity to the vaccine. I wonder if that has even been researched. Anyway, my son has a lot of residual social awkwardness, but otherwise he is doing well. He is working on his Eagle Scout designation, he plays french horn in the band and is going to Europe this summer on an invitation from some Alabama All State band organization. Looking back at how he was as a young child, I didn't hold out a lot of hope for all he has accomplished at this point. He can do nearly anything he puts his mind to. If I could do it all over, neither of my kids would be getting the MMR vaccines. My daughter was lucky she didn't come down with anything on the autistic spectrum.

I think my ex hubby is an aspie, but he wasn't ever diagnosed. He has some social awkwardness, and doesn't pick up on body language cues, but other than that he is a good father to my kids. I do believe it to be a genetic thing, although my son was diagnosed shortly after he had his 18 month MMR vaccinations.

Oh wow! I'll bet you are having fun with them. I'm going to be a breeder of Ragdolls. Mine come from purebred, championship lines, and not related. I have one boy and two girls, and they are all about 1 year old now. Still.... the boy just can't quite figure out how to, well...you know. So it might be a while before I get any kittens. But anyway, they are absolutely wonderful, precious cats... so calm and loving, I fell in love with them immediately! Oh... and I am an aspie mom also. My aspie son is 16 and just got his driver's license this week. I'll be getting a few more grey hairs now!

Congratulations! I also had my first appointment with my surgeon and coordinator today. My NUT appointment isn't until April 25th though. I'm going to have to schedule psych and sleep study, and lab work myself though. I'll work on that tomorrow. I have to do a 6 month weight management study though, so it looks like my surgery won't be until the October time frame....that is, if the insurance approves everything! We're on our way!

I just had my first consult with my surgeon today. Unlike you, I have six months of supervised weight loss to do, starting April 25th! Darned BCBS insurance! Not even sure they will cover it since I need some co-morbidities for the past 3 years. This year I am over 40 BMI, but not the past 3, so I might be denied.

I just got back from my initial consult. I officially weighed in at 242 lbs and 40.9 BMI. This was higher than I thought, but then, I was wearing all my clothes! I am very comfortable with my choice of surgeon and my only concern at this point is the insurance. I went over the requirements with the nurse, and she is also concerned. She tells me that BCBS of Alabama are very hard and fast with their rules, almost like they are discouraging people who try to get approved for this. My problem is that I haven't been at a 40 BMI the past 3 years. I don't appear to have definite co-morbidities either. I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, and given Metformin for a while, but am off that now. I have Gerd, and also went to the emergency room with one episode. I thought I was having a heart attack, but it was just a bad episode of heartburn! I was diagnosed with high cholesterol, but it is controlled through medication. So anyway, I am going to go ahead with the rest of the requirements. I meet with my nutritionist on April 25th, and that starts my 6 month weight management requirement. I'll need to set up some lab work that the surgeon wants to have done, and he also wants me to undergo a sleep study. This might help with my co-morbidity requirement. Oh.... I so hope that I'll get approved. I need this tool to help me get healthy!