HeroOfThisStory

Can't offer much advice but ill keep you in my prayers!

Yay so glad you had a great experience! Speaking with your benefits department will definitely clear everything up better for ya! Keep us updated!

Good luck!!

I'm glad you liked it. I made one a few months ago and about threw up. I thought it was so gross lol. Pinterest is amazing but I won't be using that recipe again!

I think it's really just going to depend on your surgeon. I get my date after necessary insurance requirements are done. They send the date to my insurance company for approval. If its approved and if I finish all my pre op tests before surgery, it can be bumped up. So basically, pending approval and pre op tests I'm given a tentative date after my last 6 month appointment.

Your insurance company is going to send you the same EOB they send the doctor, sans check. If your EOB shows the insurance company paid, the doctor has to issue you a refund or credit. I'd watch your mail closely and read the EOB's even closer.

I'm from Northern VA and go to Dr. Anez just outside of DC. It isn't at a hospital, it's Obesity Surgery Center in Herndon, VA. My surgery will be at Fair Oaks Hospital.

Oh I'm definitely quitting. Only at about two cigarettes a day and fully intend to have none by June. I'm too scared of ulcers and slow healing as they are both common for smokers after surgery, per my surgeon and research.

I'm not sure about my doctor but my insurance does. I work for my insurance company so no way around "pretending" to quit but it's for the better, I suppose.

I'm not sure about my doctor but my insurance does. I work for my insurance company so no way around "pretending" to quit but it's for the better, I suppose.

I told a couple close friends, my fiancée and his parents and my parents and sisters. Everyone is so supportive and I haven't had anything negative as of yet. My dad is worried like crazy but he has promised me a complete new wardrobe when I reach my goal. I'm only 23 so they want this for me to be healthy the rest of my life. The people I didn't tell are the people who I think would have negative comments, which could be jealousy, and I don't want to deal with that. They don't live my life or know my struggles. I'm an adult and I'll make my own decisions without negativity.

Glad to hear everyone likes Fair Oaks. I live in Winchester but work in Ashburn so I go to Dr. Anez in Herndon. Absolutely love him! Won't have surgery until the end of the year but my dr. said Fair Oaks has its own bariatric floor. Exciting!

Cool! Amazon has it for $26 I think. Not a bank breaker but when you think about that much on a water bottle it seems expensive. I don't own one but my sister has it and is obsessed. She got it around Christmas and I haven't seen her without it since.

Agreed. Not something to play jeopardy with. If you go to the ER they should be able to assist you with the bill.

My insurance company has "revision" guidelines for WLS as a completely separate benefit so that may be something to look in to.

I currently work for my insurance company which is good and bad. Good thing is I know what needs to be done and the process of approval a little more firsthand. Bad thing is, I actually KNOW the people who will make the decision. With HIPAA I'm not worried about my business being spread but more so with a decision being based on me personally. I qualify completely and once I meet guidelines Ill submit for a decision but has anyone else had an experience like this? They can't base a decision on "We saw you eat a chip at the work party so you aren't committed" type of deal, right? Just looking for input. Thanks!

Good luck everyone! Although I'm just starting I enjoy reading all your journeys!! Gives me something to look forward to (and be scared about). Haha can't wait to get this next 6 months over!