Ladiec2

I use to do the same thing on other diets and will probably do it after the surgery. I think it's normal because we want to make sure we're eating the things with the right ingredients.

Be safe and good luck! Where are you ?

Congratulations!!! I'm excited for you and now am getting a lil anxious. Did you ask the nurse to submit your paperwork early? I want to try to do the same thing. I'm doing 3 months but as of next week will be only 1 month. I've completed all the ins requirements. I guess it won't hurt to try. What ins do u have?

Wow that is awesome. WHat were your requirements. I'm going to ask that they submit mine early but Aetnas policy is 3 months. If I get denied at least I'll know if there is anything else that is required of me. Congrats!!!

For those of you who have AETNA, be careful about your weight gain. I have AETNA open access and I called the insurance company to verify because I was told previously that it was ok as long as there is no net gain at the end of my 3 months. WRONG! There cannot be any weight gain during your 3 month or 6 month weigh-ins with your PCP or surgeons office. You will be denied. Make sure you have lost weight each time you go in to weigh-in. With that being said make sure you know what your policy entails.

Jess....your stats are very close to ours hers is: 5'2", current weight 190. My stats 5'3", current weight 197.

I will tell Her to reach out to you as well. She just joined BP yesterday so she hasn't gotten into really posting much yet Her surgery date is Dec. 20.

Hi Jess. My twin sister is having hers done over the Xmas holiday as well. Originally she was going to get it done in March but since she's off for two weeks during the holidays she changed her date. I'm not having mine done until probably early February. I would love to have mine done over the Xmas break too because my office is closed for two weeks. I'm depending on insurance and my 3 months won't be up until January. Her name is bams1220. Good luck

Also it gets thick if you don't drink it right away. I didn't like it once it got thick so I had to add more ice and put it back in the blender.

My favorites are the banana, orange cream, and vanilla; in that order. I haven't tried the strawberry yet. If u like coffee, you might like the ice latte. I didn't care for it. The chocolate was just ok. Try the samples first before you buy the bigger bag.

Congrats. Very excited and happy for you. Can't wait to hear what your surgery date will be. Let me know where you're having your surgery.

I am started out at 204, down to 195, 5' 3". Hope to have my surgery in Jan or Feb. 2015

Excited to be on this journey. @Tiff...looks like you're gonna be sleeved before the end of the year. Are you gonna be sleeved in Fairfax?

Hopefully Jan or Feb 2015. I want to try to schedule around one of holidays. It's a good possibility that it won't be until Feb. so I hope to be able to schedule it around the middle of Feb. I used 2% milk but I'm gonna switch to 1% for the surgery .

My surgeon requires them as well. They are not bad at all. My surgeon gave me samples. My favorite is the banana and orange cream. We have to buy them from the surgeon for $300 which includes the supply for pre and post op.

I called my PCP today and asked for a letter stating that I don't have any mental issues. I am just soooooo happy that's one thing I now don't have to do. As my nephew would say...O Happy Day!

Nope that is not a requirement for the surgeon.

Trying to stay on top of things that my insurance required and trying to get information on the approval process, I decided to contact AETNA. I asked them several questions and I told her that my surgeon gave me a list of AETNA's requirements. She asked me what they were and when I got to the psych eval, she told me that was not required. I start smiling ear to ear...yah!!!! don't have to go through that process. She also sent me the clinical note for the psych eval which states: For members who have a history of severe psychiatric disturbance (schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, suicidal ideation, severe depression) or who are currently under the care of a psychologist/psychiatrist or who are on psychotropic medications, pre-operative psychological clearance is necessary in order to exclude members who are unable to provide informed consent or who are unable to comply with the pre- and post-operative regimen. Note: The presence of depression due to obesity is not normally considered a contraindication to obesity surgery. I don't have a history of mental illness. So I contacted my benefits coordinator at the surgeons office and her response was that I was right, it is not required, BUT she has never submitted anyone's paperwork without a psych eval. She mentioned that I may need a letter from my doctor stating that I am not being treated for mental conditions. Should I go through with the psych eval (I really don't want to!) or just get the letter from my PCP? Does anyone have AETNA and didn't have to do the psych eval?

Good luck to you . Praying for a speedy recovery.

Good luck to you! Praying for a speedy recovery. Keep us updated.

Good luck to you and I'm sure you'll be fine...keep us posted!

Hi kimdlawson06 Wow…I wrote something similar to what you wrote about a week ago. I am in the exact same boat and our timeline seems to be the same. I have AETNA insurance and the requirements are 3 consecutive months supervised diet, nutritional evaluation, psyc eval., medical recommendation, 2 years of BMI 35+ and at least 1 comorbity. My surgeon requires, blood work, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasound, EKG, Chest X-Ray, and an EGD. I believe it all depends on your past medical history. I have completed everything except my psyc eval and EKG. I have to participate in a nutrition class in November and December. I am hoping my paperwork will be submitted to my insurance in Jan. I started this process a couple of weeks ago. After reading a lot of posts and talking to the surgeons office before my first visit, I wanted to be prepared. I requested copies of all of my medical records from my PCP, pulmonary dr., 2 rheumatologists, and endocrinologist. The only one I haven’t received my records from is one of my rheumatologists. When I went in, I had all of my records ready and gave them copies. I was so overjoyed that they didn’t have to wait to get these records. I happened to look through my PCP’s records and noticed that in 2012 my BMI was 34.7. I immediately started to freak out and prayed I wouldn’t have to wait 1 more year for this surgery. I sent an email to my benefits coordinator yesterday and am waiting to hear back from her. I am too hoping to have my surgery in January or February 2015. You mentioned 2011. I don’t think you have to go back that far. If you’re just beginning, then your weight should go back to 2012. Let me know what your doctor says. I’m going to call my insurance company today and see what they say. The suspense is killing me not knowing.

What insurance do you have?