UpandAtom

I think having the blues after surgery is very normal. The drugs make us that way. Each surgery I had I was very weepy from the pain meds. Plus our friends just don't know how to take this surgery. They haven't done the research we have and don't get it. They'll come around, hang tough.

I really appreciate all the replies here. I am keeping Mexico as an option. I just bought an Obamacare insurance plan off the exchange and if they approve me I'm going to have the surgery here in Chicago. If not, I'm off to Mexico.

Thanks everyone. Your responses are greatly appreciated. I should probably say that I'm afraid of these questions because I'm afraid of being denied! I have heard of folks "failing" their psych evaluations for various reasons including the possibility of crossover addictions and alcoholism. I feel like this is my last best chance to get this done. My work insurance won't cover so I bought an exchange plan and want to get this all approved as quickly as possible.

For us yanks, how much is a stone?

Hi everyone. I am going to see my surgeon for the initial visit on 2/1. As part of the prep paperwork for that visit I was given a "bariatric psych evaluation" question list to fill out and bring with me.

It has lots of things that scare me about answering! First thing is it asks about past diets, how long, how much weight lost and WHY I stopped doing it. Has anyone had this? How did you answer? My honest answers are pretty complicated and there is no room to explain myself.

Also, it asks a lot of questions about alcohol and drug use. I am a recovering alcoholic and addict but have been clean and sober for six years. Any advice? Answer honestly?

Then there's the questions about depression, anxiety, etc. I think I'm pretty normal here and I certainly do have bouts of depression, particularly in the winter and then there's the usual depression associated with being obese, depression associated with chronic pain (knees and ankles) and then there's the fairly typical isolation and depression about not being able to do certain things with my friends and family. How do I explain these things, particularly when there is SO LITTLE space to respond! Any advice?

I feel like the truth is that I have become obese and failed at multiple dieting attempts largely because I've been addicted to food! However, when I got sober I addressed many of the issues that led me to self medicate. AA has got me on a path towards recovery and self healing. I quit drinking, drugging and smoking. About two years ago I felt ready and able to address my food addiction. I started excersizing and going to OA. I lost 80 pounds "the old fashioned way". Then came severe knee pain and a subsequent knee replacement. I stopped riding my bike, stopped my long walks, swimming etc. I ballooned back up to 365. That was thirteen months ago and my knee won't heal, largely because of the weight.

Thoughts? Help?! Sorry for the novel...

@ that is exactly what I want to do! I am thinking that since my state requires WLS as a medical necessity that the insurance exchange should cover it. What state are you in?

Nicole, I have to keep my work insurance so that my wife and kids have coverage. I can not afford a family plan on the exchange.

Do you think I should call someone to ask? I am a bit afraid to tell them I'm buying specifically for WLS in fear that they'll deny me or jack up premiums. Like King David I will not get any discounts or special considerations for income level.

Be blessed!

You should really talk to this friend. Text messages are SO easy to misconstrue. Maybe she is worried about you, maybe she just can't believe you had the courage. Maybe she's being a bitch but you need to find out in first hand conversation before writing off a friendship! Stay strong and do what feels right to you!

Hi, I am hoping someone can help me. My work insurance has a specific exclusion for ANY weight loss surgery or programs. Not covered, no way no how. I thought I would buy an Illinois Insurance Exchange plan because they all cover Bariatric surgery as required by the state of Illinois. Unfortunately, since my work offers an insurance plan, an exchange plan for me and my family is too cost prohibitive - like $1300 a month or more for a good plan. What I am wondering is: if I buy an ADDITIONAL exchange plan just for myself, while leaving my work coverage in place, will the exchange plan likely cover the procedure?

I had read somewhere that if a "primary" plan excludes coverage, then a secondary plan is likely to as well. If anyone has done this or otherwise knows anything or has any advice, please let me know!

Thanks

Wow thank you everyone! Great replies and you have given me a lot of hope.

Totally otally normal! Been there, done that! I haven't had WLS surgery yet but I had a knee replacement last year and was on oxycodone. I cried-a lot! My sister gave me a pretty mundane Christmas gift, a coffee maker, and I started blubbering with thanks. A very emotional time. I was also continually sending very introspective texts and notes to my loved ones. I think they thought I was nuts!

Hi Everyone,

Been lurking for a little while. Actually joined some time back but rarely post.

I am looking for any and all folks who have had surgery in Mexico to weigh in and help me out. Here's a little background: I am 48 yo, 6', 365 with a high of 380. My health is deteriorating, particularly knees, hips and ankles. I had a knee replacement 1 year ago and have not healed properly due to weight. I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure and variable high everything else. If I am "good" for a while, my numbers fall into line, but they quickly swing the other way when I am not. I am always short of breath, can not run, jog and have difficulty with stairs. I can not climb or descend stairs without a handrail.

My insurance specifically precludes ANY type of weight loss surgery, drugs or treatment. I am at wits end and desperately want to be able to hike, canoe and ride a bike again. I want my kids to look at me like a regular person and not be embarrassed (they are 16 and 13). I want to feel good. So, I am looking at self pay for VSG here in the states, or in Mexico with Dr. A. (Good Dr. A).

Here are my biggest concerns:

1-Complications. How are they handled and what about follow up care. If I have issues after coming home (like infection, bleeding, dumping, severe reflux, etc.) how do I receive the care I'll need if my insurance will not cover it. Has anyone had problems? How were they addressed?

2-Was the experience clean and safe? Did anyone have problems due to lack of sanitation or lack of follow up care?

3-How did you convince your family to support you even though they are aghast at going to Mexico for surgery?

4-generally looking for detailed experiences both good and bad.

Please help guide a scared and deperate newbie.

Thanks!

Sorry! I see I quailed this wrong as well. But FOB means friend of Bill W.

I agree with #3. The scale can only bring disappointment and resentment in the long run. As far as friends/co-workers asking me how much I had lost, I would tell them, "I've lost 500 pounds! Can you believe it? You would have never guessed I weighed that much before!" (I was around 300# when I started) They would look at me like I was speaking another language and they never asked me again. They got the point.

Hey PDXMan. Are you a FOB?

Thank you all for the replies. My plan is a group plan offered through my small company employer and they excluded this and other procedures to get a cheaper plan. I will keep on with the process and switch to my wifes plan in July. In the meantime, it's back to trying once again an my own.

Hi everyone,

I just found out today that my insurance plan will not cover any type of WLS - there is "a specific exclusion" for all of them. I am totally bummed!

They did say I could try to appeal with a physicians letter of pre-determination. Has anyone had any success with this? My insurance plan is UHC Choice Plus. Not so choice if you ask me!

Hi everyone. I'm brand new here and so glad I found these forums on Bariatric Pal. I was only considering the band and when I had my initial surgeon consult he indicated that he hated the band. Too many problems and low long term success rate. So okay, sleeve it is!

My question is, how did you all find out what hoops your insurance company was making you jump through to get approval?

I have heard of people needing six months of supervised diets (ugh been there done that), people needing various tests, wait times, psych Evals and god knows what!

How do I find out all this? The surgeon or nurses mentioned some testing needs but not the rest and my insurance company said I was covered but that the Doc had to call first for approval. So how did you all find all this out before going to far?