CrazyJaney

I have Aetna and I go tomorrow for my LAST nut appointment. I can't remember if you have to have the documentation OR do the 6 months supervised. I have done the 3 month plan but I had to struggle to find documents from 2011. I did eventually but it's handwritten on a progress note. I'm afraid they might not accept it. I will scream bloody murder if I don't get approved. I'm a nurse and our insurance is Aetna through Vanderbilt University Medical Center. I'm having everything done at Vandy so I'm hoping this helps. I have been told many other Vandy nurses have been approved. If I find out something tomorrow at my appointment I will let you know. Keeping my fingers crossed for both of us!

Thanks for all the info. I knew others had probably researched this. This was also my concern about the use of those blocking weight loss. I've heard that can happen. Seems like I've been ingesting way more sugar free products than before I started this journey - pre-packaged EVERYTHING. I was mixing up SF Jello and got to thinking about food dyes and artificial sweeteners and just kinda thought how much I'm eating. - yogurt, jello, Protein bars/drinks. I don't love sweets. I love the carbs in bread, Pasta, etc. pizza is my crack. I drink coffee with cream only. If I start drinking cokes, I'll want more though and I feel poorly after drinking diet soda. Once in a while I'll crave choc or strawberry. I have a strong family hx of cancer. Not sure I want to loose weight by filling up on low calories chemicals and food dyes (although I will do what I need to post op liquid phase with jello, etc). I'm not militant by any means, and I'm sure I can't avoid it altogether but wow - just seems like it's too much. I bought some stevia. I have used Truvia on Cereal. Thanks all for input!

I'm not a huge fan of artificial sweeteners. They taste ok and I'll use them but I'm fearful my consumption of chemicals is gonna go way up post op. My pancrease is happier I'm sure but I'm having a hard time reconciling all the other stuff in the "sugar free" versions. I'd have chosen the coke over diet coke preop (before preop I guess) because of the chemicals but now I'm too conscious if the calories. I usually just drink water anyway but I'm just using that as and example. For those who have studied this, what the word? Is there a safe one (or safer one)? Do you limit?

I was gonna say the same thing about intimidation. We use it to protect ourselves from others - not intentionally. - but it's sometimes what we big girls do. I definitely think that holds some back. Shouldn't hold back your besties though. Work people, yes but good friends, no.

Rev - you do stir up the best conversations! Roo - you just put to words my deepest fears about this journey. I have always been the big girl with the pretty face and great hair. At 45, weight falls off differently. I've only lost 20 preop but I can tell my skin won't hold up. My face is already sharper with more lines. I've had many a moments like feeling like Jabba but I've also been the pretty girl with a fair amount of attention. It's scary to think there won't be that one shining moment where you go "Yes - this is it". For me, I think those moments might come when I am DOING something I wouldn't do before. It's the freedom that health brings, not so much the beauty. Butterflies are Free aren't they? But what a thought to think you do this and no one SEES it. Ugh.

Tons of us have done the sleep Study as it is often a criteria for insurance approval. Search for threads on it because there are many posts about it. Good luck!

Governor of Sparkly Princess Land!

Welcome!!!!!

GMan - I love your posts. I really do. This is one of my all time favorites!

You just hit the nail. This is exactly why I'm not fully going "out". I can deflect a certain amount of unsolicited comments, but after a while, it's a distraction and becomes exhausting. When I lost 40 pounds (was only 30 from goal) many years ago I felt like I was under a microscope. I work in a hospital. One of the housekeepers made a comment EVERY SINGLE DAY. She was a bit "simple" and loved to talk. She was one of those people you'd want to avoid in a crowded waiting room. She'd go on and on and on about my weight loss. I didn't even know her name. We weren't even acquaintances. It drove me nuts. Anyway, your posts nailed it. It's about authenticity. I can't wait to have my butterfly moment but I'm still me. Don't make me think less of you because you're a shallow person who only sees my weight loss (or gain). Madame, you are smoking hot regardless of the number on the scale - I think your group probably sees the overall hotness you exude. Just saying.

"Patience Butterfly". New favorite quote.

Absolutely amazing. Just stunning! I'm down to 304 preop and I entertained the goal of 140 but then I think I'll never do that. I'm 45 so in reality, 160 or 170 is probably more realistic. I imagine you feel great! Congrats! Very inspiring!

I just found Chicken Sausage and can't wait to try it!

Headphones and music. Air freshner. Internet shop for new bathing suits. You're still so early in the healing process. Today is a crappy day but these days will pass. I'm preop so what do I know but that's what I plan to do! Lol

No expert here by any means. Please get help soon! Body dysmophic syndromes mean we don't always have a good reality of what our bodies really look like. Much like the anorexic, I think it affects us similarly. I love my curves. I hope they never go away. But my HEALTH is suffering and that's a reality. Focus on the unwritten chapters and where your body will take you! Get a massage, a haircut, some new makeup, try a new exercise regime or yoga. Love your skin you are in! I am sending prayers for peace of mind and comfort.

My doctor said success is gauged over the first 18 months, and then hopefully maintainece. I also agree that age plays into this. I've lost 20 pre op but is so slow at 45. My joints are killing me from exercising. How I wish this surgery had been around 20 years ago! I'll take what I can get though. Glad to read some success stories from the early weeks. I want to get back to work without too much difficulty. I have a busy, stressful job. Very worried I will be distracted, weak, in pain, not meeting intake goals and constipated - all at work!!! Glad to hear it's going great for some!

I have a sister I'm very close to. I'd be so hurt if she felt that way. But I agree with the others. It's her baggage and crap. Not yours. Remember these words: THE BEST REVENGE IS A LIFE WELL LIVED. Not that you're in the business of revenge but.... Go live your very best life. Seize the day! Find your true you and be HAPPY. She may never find hers. Your transformation is perfect for you. But my heart aches a little for you because those digs sting. No one knows how to push a button like a sister.

I got it about a week after my test. Find out which medical supply company your doc uses and who takes your insurance (only 2 companies in a 60 mile radius of Nashville took Aetna - crazy, I know). Call tomorrow and set up an appointment for early next week. I see a lot of posts that people don't have to take their CPAP to the hospital since it's a short stay but I'm now at the point I don't sleep well without it. Do they say why they would delay it? I thought it was more for insurance approval rather than needing to use it. Good luck!

Nurse manager of a cardiac unit and 2 ICU's in TN. Stress is my middle name. Can't wait to get this done. Sometimes I fantasize about career changes or going into Bariatrics when I'm to the "other side" of this journey. I believe the medical profession causes something in the brain to overeat. Nurses are often guilty of putting ourselves last. All that conditioning to "put patients first" - it can become pathological for some of us "do gooders". But I'm truly just trying to take this one step at a time. Last preop apt next week. Next stop - per approval.

I think January has been harder to eat clean and low carb than December was. You'd think the holidays would be worse. I've posted before about my experience and injury with a personal trainer. It's so frustrating. If I ever get another again, it's going to be someone who rehabbed from WLS and became a trainer. Now that's an untapped market! Our joints are not ever going to be the same as someone who has been mildly obese, or unless you are in your 20's. From what I've read, pain from arthritis is erased but not the structural damage. I hope you feel better soon. Everyone around me is in a mid winter funk. Me included. You are one of my biggest inspiration CGJ so hang tough. You've got this!

Congrats! Very inspiring!

Lol! I love this post!

My doctor (practicing in a major University hospital) is not a fan of the band either. Too many complications. I was interested in it a few years ago, even got as far as an appointment. Glad I waited. Nothing is fool proof or perfect but the data does not bode well for the band.

Amazing! Such an inspiration!

I had mine today too! It was gross. So glad that's behind me! I didn't drink enough water today, noemi paranoid I'll get constipated. :-(