PJ333

thanks for the update jenn! I'm sorry you had a bad experience Hopefully everything will work out with the insurance. I'm still a bit far out for my eval. Things have been crazy over here. We've put an offer in on a house - close March 3rd. I was in the ER yesterday with a kidney stone. *ugh* Good news though.. I've had my 1st visit with Peggy - the nutritionist. Now, 3 weeks later - I've lost 10 pounds!

Thanks Tabatha!

Hiya Ara - I'm in the Houston area :tt1: First - Call the 1-800 # on the back of your insurance card and ask them if your particular policy covers the surgery. Just because you have BCBS-TX insurance unfortunately doesn't mean that your policy covers it. Just in case it does... Here's some info from the BCBS-TX website: http://medicalpolicy.hcsc.net/medicalpolicy be sure to scroll down and click "I agree" then on the next page in the search box type in "morbid obesity" - click GO. a there will be a link for "Surgery for Morbid Obesity" click on the link. This page gives all the parameters that must me met in order to be considered. It does require a 6 month medically (Doctor) supervised diet that includes a nutritionist and excercise program. I'm on day 1 :tongue: Good luck with your quest!

Thanks for the info jenn! I have my appt with Peggy Wednesday. My next appt with my GP is next week. I need to find out if I need to reschedule it because it will only have been 28 days between visits. Heaven forbid I don't want BCBS to reject me because my visit was 2 days shy of 30 days.

I'm using Peggy as well. I've left a msg for her to call me to set an appt. As soon as I get rolling with her I'll be set. As for the psych eval, If you could post the info I'd appreciate saving the $75! BCBS-TX req's the entire 6 month thing... you are so lucky to only have 3 months! We are out on 242 a few miles for now. Our house in TN sold.. so we're house hunting :rolleyes2: Hence.. watching the pennies!

Just an update: I went to my seminar Monday and have chased my tail all week to find a nutritionist that would be covered under our insurance. Alas, nutritionists are only covered for treatment of diabetes. I am not diabetic, so.... it's all self-pay. $75 a visit x 6 visits for the 6 month diets program. Good news though, this nutritionist also does an excercise program! There's also the Dr visits, which should total 7. 7 visits x $25 for the med supervised part. And there's the psych eval which I've not found out if it's covered or not, the Dr that was recommended is $175. So... total up front out of pocket before surgery = $800. I guess I wasn't expecting so much up front. It'll be worth it... I keep reminding myself!!! Has this been anyone else's experience? (Nutritionist not covered?)

Congrats on your success! Your story is encouraging to me! - 38 lbs in 3 months! WTG! I'm just starting my journey, myself. I'm going to a seminar tonight

Don't beat yourself up. I think I slew this dragon awhile back by reminding myself that the band is not the end all and be all of losing the weight. I still have to follow a healthy diet. I still have to exercise. The band is a tool. Cheating on a diet is not following the rules. I've not seen any rules that say you can't have a band. I've decided that the mentality of having a band is "cheating" is crazy. Just because someone else can eat a truckload of whatever they desire and not gain an ounce while another person can see the truck coming down the street and gain 20lbs is not a device that can be learned. If so, we'd all be able to eat a truckload and be Twiggy. Either your body works that way or it doesn't. I've not seen my scales stop at 150 lbs since I was 15 years old. If a band will help me get back toward that area of the scales. So be it. There should be no shame in wanting to improve your health, extend your life, and enjoy being alive. If someone else dosen't see that point of view, I have to wonder what their motive is for wanting you to not want to acheive your goals. It may be harsh but others may: - be jealous of your success - be angry that they can't do it themselves for whatever reason - be fearful that your personality will change after the weightloss - be fearful they will be left behind or left out of your life afterwards This sounds like to me it's the other people with the problem, not you. All you can do is reassure them and then do what is best for you. *stepping off soapbox* P.S. I think part of me needed to see this in writing myself

Congrats on your decision, Babs! I'm just starting the process, myself. I've found this community to be a wealth of information and support - Welcome to your new life!

Jenniferann6: Thanks for your offer.. I just might be ringing you up for pointers in this strange (but nice) new land of Texas! Glad to hear from someone else using Dr. Wilkenfeld. I'm going to his semminar this coming week. Is your insurance making you do the 6 month diet ..etc?

Congrats on getting your date! Concentrate on the end results... that is something worth being happy for sure!

minpinmom: Is the support group for Dr. Spiegel's patients only? Have you met with him yet? What were your impressions? on a side note: We have a 3 year old minpin all of about 7lbs. Rust and chocolate... like peanut butter and chocolate.. we call her Reese-Pup

LoL that would entail wearing a dress...and I am such a jeans and t-shirt kinda girl. I guess losing the weight might have me reconsider my wardrobe though

This is all encouraging news! I don't want to get my hopes up but man o man... it's tough! It sounds like it's all a game of "hurry up and wait!" Hey YoYo.. guess we're going to have to start wearing heels

JuliaF I sure hope that my prev attempts will be accepted! Thanks for the encouragement! (My hubby is former Air Force and is from Indiana... just a weird coincidence!)