DaronB

I'm currently battling the decision myself of: Bypass? Sleeve? Bypass? Sleeve? I've been, and currently continue, leaning bypass, but am getting a small pull toward Sleeve. I, too, think that the sleeve is good for people that want to look better and lose weight, but it seems that the full bypass does it all: helps you lose the weight AND improve health. I'll continue to battle back and forth between the decision, but in the end, I'll likely end up going with bypass.

I'm not telling very many people while I'm still pre-op because I don't want to have to deal with the naysayers. When it's appropriate for people to know, I'll share it with them. Not going to forever keep it secret, but in the last few weeks headed toward surgery, I'm not telling anyone.

I love steamed brocolli and can see it as being soft and easy to purée. I also love grilled/steamed squash and zucchini.

Same here, tpinto. I've got three appts left before insurance submission!! So excited. I too was on track for November surgery, but now should be sooner!

Are you sure it's kidney and not muscle?

Anyone else with me? I'm still in the early stages, as I still have 5 more PCP visits as well as my preop testing, but things will definitely start accelerating next week as those tests begin. I'm excited about what lies ahead, but a little nervous as well. My BMI is flirting with 40, and I do have comorbidities, but I'm afraid of insurance rejection. Still, though, I'm going to push forward and see what happens. I have big plans for myself post-surgery and can't wait to see where I am a year from now!

You got this and you're not alone. You have support here. I have felt oppression from close family and friends in this process but I keep on keeping on. Good luck with the approval! Pray about it and it will all work out!

I'm closing in on this part and am not looking forward to it. Is 2 weeks liquid diet something EVERYONE does before surgery or does it vary by surgeon?

Some of my coworkers know. Others, including management, don't. I will tell them before I have the surgery, but not until I've been approved by insurance. My main reason for waiting to tell is I know they'll try and talk me out of it, but I'm not going to let them. Especially knowing I've spent $2700 already! I'm not afraid of repercussions at work, but I expect to hear "I can't believe you're doing that".

Welcome and best of luck!

My nutritionist visits was free without any copay but my physiological visit was 30 $ I only have to have 1 NUT visit and 1 psych eval. Not sure of copays. But I should be ready for insurance submission Aug 12. Excited, but now I'm concerned for a cruise I'm supposed to be going on in October. I'm worried about the timing.

I'm still pre-op. Supposed to go on a cruise with my job the second weekend of October but may be having my surgery at the end of August or early September. I was just wondering if I'd be cleared to travel in time or is that cutting it close?

Thanks, @@Ginger Snaps. I'm gonna talk to my surgeon and see what he says. Ideally, I'd love to have the surgery and still be able to go on the cruise, but, unfortunately, putting the surgery off is still a possibility.

I'm glad they changed it, it should make my approval a ton easier. My BMI is a 40.7, which should guarantee surgery regardless, but, my sleep study found moderate sleep apnea, I'm on blood pressure medication, have high cholesterol, and elevated a1c.

Glad you started this topic. I'm still pre-op but was having this conversation just this evening that I'm afraid I will still get hungry after surgery. Some people that I know that know people that have had surgery tell me these people still get hungry and eat. One person was even gaining weight back. I agree, though, I think everyone reacts differently to everything. I think you just gotta find something within healthy means that works for you. Add more Water, more Protein, try to stay active and don't even allow yourself to think about eating when and if you know you shouldn't be.

That's great Right ? I would ask them if someone cancel see if they can give you call if you are available ? It is great! I've heard different places giving multiple nutrition visits so I'm thrilled with only one! But I'm just going to leave it that day, I also have my psych eval that same day.

I checked with my surgeons office, I only have to have to have 1 nutritionist visit, but it's comprehensive. That visit, along with the psych eval, is August 12.

I've got to meet with a nutritionist at my surgeons office. I'm wondering how many times I'll have to meet with him?

Yep, so excited about this change! I just completed my 3rd PCP visit but knowing I don't have to do the last three is FANTASTIC! I only have my gastroenterologist visit, which is next week, my psych eval and nutrition visits left! Getting close!!

I'm quite surprised that BCBS NC dropped the requirement for a 6 months supervised diet. I emailed my case manager to see what exactly will happen next and how this affects my pre op.

I live in NC and have BCBS. I've been posting about how I'm on track for an October or November surgery, but I think a new change in insurance policy may have just worked to my advantage and enabled me to be able to have it much sooner. This is the quote I found under the revisions section of the Policy for Surgery for Morbid Obesity section of BCBS NC dated 7-15-2014: "Requirement that patient be an active participant in non-surgical weight reduction program for at least 6 months prior to surgery removed." How exciting is that. I started the process in March and am supposed to have 3 more monthly PCP visits, however, if this change completely removes the need for those visits, then my last set of appointments is mid-August.

What do you need done to finish them ? I have a visit with the gastroenterologist on July 22nd and visits for the psych eval and nutritionist on August 12. So hopefully mid to late August I'll have them wrapped up and will be ready to submit to insurance.

So this is the quote I found under the revisions section of the Policy for Surgery for Morbid Obesity section of BCBS NC dated 7-15-2014: "Requirement that patient be an active participant in non-surgical weight reduction program for at least 6 months prior to surgery removed." How exciting is that. If that means I don't have to finish out my PCP visits, then I'm on track to finish my pre-op tests and submit to the insurance sometime in August or early September.

Uh oh! Sorry to hear that! And that's funny, you can detect when they're trying to get included lol. I've not told a lot of ppl about mine but if those that do know want to come, I'm fine with that. I may tell more ppl as I get closer to surgery time, but now I'm being picky and cautious.

Your family and boyfriend should respect your wishes, but their resistance is understandable. They just want to support you! As for me, I love being the center of attention so for those that I HAVE told can feel free to be there when I have it done lol.