KatieD6982

ACK!!! Why did this post THREE times? Sorry everyone!!!

I'm looking for advice on what questions to ask my surgeon when we meet. I am planning on asking which size "bougie" he plans to use and if it really matters. I also plan on asking what he does for patients who usually get sick (vomit) after surgery. When I had my kids (c-section) they had to give me heavy anti-nausea drugs so I wouldn't throw up. What else should I ask? TIA!

I'm looking for advice on what questions to ask my surgeon when we meet. I am planning on asking which size "bougie" he plans to use and if it really matters. I also plan on asking what he does for patients who usually get sick (vomit) after surgery. When I had my kids (c-section) they had to give me heavy anti-nausea drugs so I wouldn't throw up. What else should I ask?

I'm looking for advice on what questions to ask my surgeon when we meet. I am planning on asking which size "bougie" he plans to use and if it really matters. I also plan on asking what he does for patients who usually get sick (vomit) after surgery. When I had my kids (c-section) they had to give me heavy anti-nausea drugs so I wouldn't throw up. What else should I ask?

I go this week for my surgery class, more labs, and an ultrasound... I'm hoping the next visit will be it and I'll get my date! Come onnnn early March! This waiting for an approval and a surgery date is the worst!!

My final month is Feb, so I'm hoping late Feb or early March.

Just saying, I'm so jealous of you who have your surgery dates!!!

I guess I should get on the ball and decide which protein shakes I'm using.....eek! QUESTION: For those of you who got your surgery date, WHEN did you get it? I'm asking because I have to do a six month program for my doctor's office-not necessarily for my insurance co and I'm wondering when you actually learn of your surgery date?? I'm in month 5 of 6 and go on January 22nd for my surgery class, meeting with a doctor, an ultrasound and more labs. After that my psych eval is January 27th. I should be learning of my date soon right?

I have my Surgery Class, Meeting with Director of Bariatric Program at Hospital, Ultrasound and labs on January 22nd and then my psych eval on January 29th here at my local clinic. I think that counts as my FIFTH month so February would be my sixth month....so now I'm thinking I probably won't have surgery until March. But, here's hoping!!!

I believe she said the stool sample is for h-pylori? (sp?) It tests for bacteria.

Just an update: I had my LONG fourth month appointment this morning. I had to meet with my PA, the Bariatric doc, the Dietitian, and have lots of blood drawn. I got the Green Light from Nutrition! According to my checklist, I need to schedule and get the green light from Psych, submit a stool sample, pay the Bariatric program fee, schedule any last labs/ultrasounds, attend a surgery class and then I'll be ready to submit to insurance!!! I'm crossing my fingers for a Feb surgery date!!!

Thanks for your reply! I went in at 250, went to 249, back to 250, 246, 250..... I'm really nervous on what my nutritionist is going to say about it. I have labs and pre-testing in two days and then I'll meet with her. She said last appointment that I'm "right on track" so...here's hoping! Thankfully my insurance doesn't state that I HAVE to lose weight either.

I know I'm the odd one out but I am terrified that I will be denied because I haven't lost ANY weight on the supervised diet! Anyone else?

I will be sleeved the end of Feb or early March! (PRAYING I get approved!)

I believe I will be late Feb or early March. I go on the 10th for my 4th month visit-blood work, a bunch of tests, and meeting with my provider.

Welcome! My program is a six month program and I've just completed month 3.

I am so excited for you girl!!! Hopefully, I'll get a Feb/March date!!

I also have BCBS and I'm thinking I will be sleeved in February as well. I have my "month three" check-in this week and my behavioral class the first week of November. I still have to do a support group meeting and labs this month also. Add me as a friend, I would love to talk to others who will have surgery around the same time as me!

Good thought about the surgeon. We have to travel to a larger hospital about an hour away for our surgeries and they are rated the best of the best in bariatric surgery and have done many MANY bypass surgeries and sleeve surgeries. But, good point, I didn't even think of that as being an option. I truly think most people don't understand what the sleeve is. I'm wondering if they think it's like the lap-band. Thanks EVERYONE!!!

Wow, thank you for your info! Yes, I'm definitely leaning towards the sleeve as well. I'm so glad to hear you've done so well with it!

Thanks for weighing in, I really appreciate it. I guess I was just so convinced I was missing something.... Maybe people in my area opt more for the bypass only because it's what they are most familiar with? -K

I did a search on here in case this was asked before but I couldn't find anything... Can anyone tell me the benefits of having gastric vs the sleeve? Or, vice-versa? Here's why I'm asking. In my nutrition class, I was the ONLY person opting to have the sleeve, everyone else in the class was having bypass surgery. Some ladies looked at me in horror and I thought "Am I missing something?" To each their own, OF COURSE, but why do some people choose the bypass over the sleeve? I like the sleeve option because it doesn't involve the re-routing of your digestive system and there isn't malnutrition issues. I know the weight loss can be slower because the "pouch" is bigger than the "egg-sized pouch" of gastric bypass.... I'm wondering if people think you're more likely to stretch out the stomach if the pouch is bigger? Someone, please educate me Please and Thank you! -Katie

I'm back from my first appt! According to that office, BCBS Highmark still has the 6 month supervised diet pre-req. when I told her that I heard it was changed, she said she check to see if there was an updated policy. HOWEVER, even if my insurance doesn't require it, they do. Well, sort of. The timeline they gave me was spaced out into six months but I don't think it is exactly 6 months to the day until they submit. As soon as I have all my pre-reqs done, I should be good to submit. I was really hoping that I could possibly schedule a December surgery but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. My "homework" is to log my food and concentrate on one aspect I can do better this month-for instance-get in my water, or cut back on portions....and on September 17th, we'll go over my food log and I'll have my NUT class and hopefully I can squeeze in the Support group meeting next month too.

Ughhhhh, I went to my first visit this afternoon. According to my doctor's office Highmark BCBS still DOES have the 6 month requirement (also filed under "Highmark Select Blue BCBS") and even if it didn't, this particular doctor's office has a 6 month program. Darnit!! Hopefully I can get everything finished before the six months..... lol. They did say they would check for an updated policy for BCBS though.

My first appt. is today. I just read on here that someone that has the same insurance as I do, that they waived the supervised 6month diet. I'm hoping that means I can move through the process quicker than 6 months. Can anyone share how long it's taking them if the 6 month diet isn't required? -K