Crosby

Glad it went well.

Luckily I had found this link at the beginning of my research. However there are points that are vague and I was astonished that I could not get any clarification from anyone at Aetna. Thank goodness the billing person at my surgeons office new the answers right off. ( regarding the two year weigh ins..you only need one from each year.)

You look great. Makes me sooooo excited!

Insurances vary significantly but your company should have a document that outlines it's requirements including the timelines. I found mine simply by googling " Bariatric surgery and ( in my case ) Aetna". My insurance has a three month and six month timeline...mine is 6.

I too was set originally on the sleeve. After research and docs recommendation I am now going for RNY because of acid reflux. Initially I was disappointed. But after being real honest with myself I believe the sleeve would more easily allow me to cheat. Sweets are a big weakness for me. It is nothing for me to eat 6 very large donuts at one sitting. I need some consequences to help me long term and I think the dumping will be a good one.

So does that mean I shouldn't start drinking them early.

Wishing you the very very best!

She needs to talk to the financial person at her surgeons office. I had questions regarding my need for 2 years of weigh ins. I could not get straight answer from my insurance co but the billing person at my doctors knew right away. They are the ones who deal with the insurance requirements on a daily basis. Remember that insurance companies vary so you may get a variety of responses. For my company they accept weights from any medical person. This includes any doctor or hospital or testing center where one may have to weigh in. They also took official Weight Waters records.

I worked with a personal trainer when I lost 135 pounds previously. I stretched sessions out over a year and it helped significantly. He taught me do many simple things to do that helped build up muscle and tone overall. He also worked with me to deal with long term knee issues. I so miss strength training. Hopefully in the future.

Happy new life day....hope everything went well.

This is why I am so darned excited! Unlike my other attempts, including one where I lost 135 lbs, the certainty of this is nearly as exciting as the day I married.

Enjoy and congrats! Oh how I miss bike riding. Just three years ago I was mountain biking and riding 50 mile stretches after losing 130 pounds. Mountain biking is such a rush and became such a passion. But a hip injury and 80 pounds put an end to it. I am hoping after surgery I can be out there again next Spring.

Be aware that the time factor and even tests are in part dictated by insurance..and surgeon. Because of that you will get a wide variety of answers. From a few weeks to a year......from a endoscope to 5 or 6 different tests and ongoing nutritional meetings and counseling sessions. I am one of the longer waits. My insurance requires 6 monthly meetings with my pcp for weight management/weigh ins, several nutritionists appointments, and psychological evaluation. My surgeon requires an endoscope/ upper GI and nutritional appointments and h. pylori test. He can requires additional tests based on medical issues.

I am sort of in the same boat with my hip. I had surgery two years ago and reinjured it about 3 months ago..my guess is due to weight gain. I was hoping to put off even seeing the orthro until after RNY but the pain and mobility issues are dramatically escalating. However I really hope ican have WLS first and will wait if able. For each pound lost there is signicant diminished stress on our joints. Don't put off wls too long. GOod luck.

Wishing you the absolute best!

ITA. I do not plan to go into this unprepared. Frankly I am astonished at some questions being asked by some after surgery or questions that could have been answered with just a few minutes reading through this message board. I can't imagine not reading/researching in depth. I am halfway through the Big Book on Gastric Bypass and I have 5 months to go. I make notes to ask the doctor, nutritionist or further research.

Our best bet would be to speak to your benefits or HR rep.

Read this. http://www.bariatricpal.com/page/articles.html/_/relationships-dating-and-sex/how-to-deal-with-changes-in-your-relationship-after-weight-loss-surgery-r217 And to add anger is a normal reaction to loss.

I have never been banded but I am in my 50's and walking with a cane due to hip issues. Three years ago I lost 130 pounds with WW and was mountain biking, running and weight lifting...living like crazy. Then my hip was injured and I ate to deal with the injury and limited mobility. Hip surgery followed but so did 80 pounds. Recently reinjured the hip ( likely due to the weight) and I am sure I will need surgery again. That was my last straw. I can't wait to have bypass surgery and have very little hesitation. I know I will either physically die from obesity or emotionally die from my inability to have the life I want. I am diving into this opportunity full force. I know I can be successful and that is half the battle. Whatever you decide I wish you the very very best.

I just started my 6 months last month and know how quickly it will fly by. I am glad I will have surgery in the Winter.

I'm in Western PA but not with highmark. I am going thru Hope Bariatrics in Sewickley. Surgery is 5 months off for me.

Have a great new day! And happy birthday..it is mine as well.

What's a hida scan? It shows how well your gallbladder is working. Some surgeons actually will remove the gallbladder during wls because of high frequency of gallstones with big weight loss. Mine doesn't bother with it but I already had mine out.

You could ask but they gave me all the written scripts and referrals at the first appt.

Many variations depending on insurance requirements and surgeon. I have to do 6 months of monthly pcp consults due to insurance. Everything else could actually get done in a few weeks...but I am spreading themout over time. I had my gallbladder out a few months ago so test/ results.