JenSul

Had my first appointment today. Went great. Anyone else surgery going to be in November?

You're going to do great! And they'll be there in spirit for you. Congrats on starting your journey!

Thanks for your support knitlil09! Means a lot

Have my first consult appt. tomorrow after waiting a month!! Yay!!! However, my two most important support people can't go. My husband has an emergency at work and my mom is out of town. So it looks I'm going by myself. Oh well! Still excited!

Tell me my sleeve gurus... Have you taken measurements and kept track?

Let's see those stats!!!!

How often after being sleeved did you find yourself having to purchase new clothes? Just trying to prepare myself

Thanks

Thanks for all your opinions!

Looks like their not so great

JenSul - anytime The policy should state exactly what the requirements are. They may differ by employer. But I hope yours is a simple as mine - for BMI of 35-40 one comorbidity and NO supervised weightloss plan. When I told the NP who I have for insurance, she said they're wicked easy to work with. Didn't expect any problems.

Mine is the same

Wow! I'm so sorry! That doesn't even make sense! Not medically necessary? Did they not even look at your file before they denied it? I can see why you are tired and have had enought. I really hope you can find it in yourself to continue. Best wishes from MA.

Hi I have BCBS-MA. They were very helpful and informative when I called to inquire about bariatric coverage and promptly emailed me the relative policy which I brought to my consult. I was told at my consult that they are extremely easy to work with. They also base their approval on your starting weight. Unlike some insurance companies that go by your weight the day of surgery. This would be relevant if you are at a 35 BMI and just qualifying - you would then have to be careful not to dip below that. Not with BCBS-MA. I've had lots of appointments/tests going through the program, and they've paid for everything (minus appropriate co-pays). That's about all I've had to go through with them so far.

Amazon- thanks so much for the information. Are you from MA also? I have a BMI of 35 with sleep apnea so that makes me feel better.

Thanks so much!

Has anyone used/ tried it? How is the tastes? I can't find the sugar content on it, was thinking of trying it if it didn't have too many sugars.

Thanks

Jen

I am 3-6 months out.. not sure when. Hoping to find out at my first appt on July 22nd. My insurance isn't the problem it is the clinic. They require certain things. We shall see. Love to be a support

Anyone have this insurance? If so how was your experience? I know they don't do the 6 month supervised diet, which I am thankful.

Thanks

Hi Mac!

Congrats to being so close to goal! How was your expire emcee with UMass? Can you answer a few questions for me? What did they do at your first appt, with surgeon? how long was it about? I have mine July 22nd. How long was it from first appt to surgery? Was it long because of insurance requirement or hospital?

Thanks so much and congrats again!

Hello I am from Douglas and had surgery at UMass. Currently down 130 pounds and just 2 pounds from goal.

Hi Mac!

Congrats to being so close to goal! How was your expire emcee with UMass? Can you answer a few questions for me? What did they do at your first appt, with surgeon? how long was it about? I have mine July 22nd. How long was it from first appt to surgery? Was it long because of insurance requirement or hospital?

Thanks so much and congrats again!

Hello I am from Douglas and had surgery at UMass. Currently down 130 pounds and just 2 pounds from goal.

[/quoteHi JenI had a terrific experience with UMass and continue to do so. Dr Czerniach was my surgeon. Absolutely terrific! The surgical appointment was made when the Weight Center submitted my package for insurance approval. My first appointment with him was Nov 18. I met with Robin, the Nurse Practitioner first, then with Dr Czerniach for about 45 minutes each. They talked about the surgery and answered my questions. Have you picked your surgeon?I had BCBS of ILL for insurance. It took about two weeks for approval. While at the Surgical appointment they made additional appointments for an upper GI test at Memorial and a pre surgery physical at the Jaquin Building. My surgery was on 12/23/13 and was about 5 weeks after initial meeting.The post surgery support has also been excellent. I have been attending the post surgery group on the first Thursday of the month and the open discussion group on the fourth Thursday of the month. Both have been very good.I would be happy to answer questions as you think of them. Good Luck?

Thanks so much Mac! Hope I can go that fast.. so ready for it to be here already. I have BCBS of MA hopfully they will be easy

to work with

Wish I had words of wisdom for you but I don't. Just wanted you to know you took the words right out of my head. I feel exactly like you. You are not the only one. I am not sure when I am going I be sleeved yet could be a month from now or six months from now but I understand exactly what you are saying. Hugs and best wishes.

Hi Mac!

Congrats to being so close to goal! How was your expire emcee with UMass? Can you answer a few questions for me? What did they do at your first appt, with surgeon? how long was it about? I have mine July 22nd. How long was it from first appt to surgery? Was it long because of insurance requirement or hospital?

Thanks so much and congrats again!

Hello I am from Douglas and had surgery at UMass. Currently down 130 pounds and just 2 pounds from goal.

Wow, thanks so much for all the info. Im So glad you are doing so well. I am dreading the liquid diet as well. I can't stand Water and Protein shakes... Blahhhh!

I know I keep wanting to rush this but I know I have to get my brain in a better place. I am such an emotional eater. Keep in touch!

I'm doing alright! It's a tough stage for me since I really dislike Soups, broths of any kind and Protein shakes/shakes in general. I'm basically living off of food that I absolutely can't stand. Other than that I'm doing OK. Honestly the gas pain is the worst for me, but walking around as much as you can really allieviates it. Every day I wake up and feel like I'm inching toward feeling better. First appointment to surgery was about a year. It wasn't my hospitals requirements, but my health insurance. I needed to complete a program with Nutrition as well as with behavioral medicine involving group meetings and single meetings. At first it was annoying to have to jump through so many hoops, but now I am so grateful to that program. Without it there is no way I would have been prepared for what it's like after surgery. I'm still struggling, even with all the knowledge I have from sleevers in my group. As for the hospital, I didn't really choose it, it was chosen for me, but it would have been my preferred hospital regardless. I had a great experience witha speedy overnight recovery and was able to go home the next day.

You will have to send me some names see if I know them. My brother is a full time paramedic for Dudley as well. Everyone knows him.

Hi, Jen! My dad's family is all from Dudley--my sister just moved from Dudley to Texas last week, and she's a Jen too.

Vix- I'm from Dudley

I'm from Oxford, MA but living in New Bedford for over 25 years. Sleeved 7/1/13 at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. My surgeon was Dr. Kruger. One year out, and only 1 lb from my goal weight. Very happy with my sleeve!

Update: Had a long talk with my husband... we are on the same page now.. he was just scared. Thankfully he is on board more now

Anyone go through with the sleeve without the support of your significant other? I have only told a few people my parents, brother and sister in law and of course my husband and kids. I have everyone's full 100% support except I think my husbands. He says he will support me but doesn't agree with it. I really don't think he thinks I will do it. I am determined and know I want this more than anything. I am hoping when it gets to be time he will be there completely like he has been with every other aspect of our lives. However, I will do this with or without him hopefully with tho. Lol

I'm in Worcester. Was just sleeved on July 1st at St. Vincents/ Worcester Medical Center.

How are you doing? Feeling? How long did it take you from first appt to surgery? I BCBS of MA and they don't have any pre-op requirements. I know UMass/Memorial has months worth

How was your experience with that hospital? Why did you chose that one? Thanks

I jut went on the website and filled out the do I qualify info. They faxed a prescription to my dr office and I let my dr office know and asked them to sign it. They sent it back and insure nutrition deals with your insurance. My insurance approved it... -MM

Thanks!!

You look like a totally different person. How well did your tummy skin shrink. I'm worried about my tummy the most.

Tell me how one gets insurance approval for this and when does it start?

I didn't know they did it at St. Vincent's. Wonder how long the it takes compared to UMass