nymetzfan11

Tawnya that's awesome that you've lost weight so far. Think about when you feel well enough to do some exercising how fast it'll drop then? I will probably be in the same boat. I used to love to work out and then I hurt my back a million years ago and since then just have gained and gained weight. Mostly my fault but this surgery is going to give me the tools to get back to that.

I thought about that after I'd hit send already. LOL and don't be discouraged. Your time will come soon enough and then you can rip off all your clothes for all the RIGHT reasons. LMAO!!!

I haven't lost any real weight yet. I haven't even seen the dietician yet. I imagine after that visit I will start following some kid of diet.

congrats! that's awesome...you are indeed moving right along. You're ahead of me now dang it! LOL Did he say everyone has to have that procedure? I suppose it's one more step I don't mind taking

Great...more money out of pocket for me then. I don't understand why he needs to see patients so often? I mean I understand he's the director of the program...well I guess he is the only doctor outside of the surgeons and the other specialties you have to see so maybe it does make sense. LOL i'm just venting I suppose. haha

Thanks for the info momma....they have all seemed so nice so far. I'm so ready to get in there and get this thing done so I can focus on the weight loss part and becoming who I'm supposed to be.

Ok now we are on the same page. LOL

Are you talking about the psychologist part? I think she tried to get it coded under something but when the it comes to bariatric evaluations they still say no. I've tried to beat the system but I can't. I don't think Dr. Kirk can even refer me to anything because he's in no way affiliated with my insurance.

go it...thank you so much!

My crappy insurance won't cover anything related to bariatric procedures of any type. She actually called my insurance company and asked them about it. It's ok though. I can handle a few hundred bucks up front to save me a ton of money after all of this.

awesome! LOL I sure hope the initial charge covers all those visits. Otherwise I may get a little angry. LOL

I sent you a message with my email address...hopefully you got it. LOL and i hear ya about telling people. They just don't understand what it's like to be where we are at. It's not as simple as eating salads and walking a mile every day. If it were we'd all be skinny and healthy. I'm doing this for ME and me only. I've only told a select few friends and some of my family members. They are all supportive so far. We'll see when I get an actual date for the surgery.

I guess I should clarify about Dr. Kirk...even though he talks a lot and made a mistake I still like him. He made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. The problem I had was my dad went with me to the appointment so I would have someone else there to ask questions that I know i'd forget and my dad was more upset about what he told me and harped on me yesterday to say something and I told him to relax and it wasn't that big of a deal so maybe I came off a little angry. I am happy with Dr. Kirk and he seems like a good doctor. I am not going to be happy if I have to see him 2 or 3 times more and pay $200 each time because that's BS for what he does...know what I mean?

And thank you so much for getting that price sheet to me...that'll help a lot!!! you rock!! haha and of course let me know happens today at your appointment. I'm digging having a conversation with someone in the same situation as me...makes it easier to talk about it. You have me nervous about the psychologist now though...LOL hopefully they won't commit me after my session LMAO!!! kidding of course

I really like him, he answered any and all questions I had, didn't ever seemed rushed with me. I have my two month follow up appt. with him tomorrow. Dr Kirk is a little too talkative for me, I had a large co pay and I didn't see the need to see him 2-3 times before surgery just to hear him talk about himself or non surgical issues and have to pay the fee for that. Wasn't fond of Dr. Worley, the pulmonologist either because he took so long to read my sleep study results and get the cpap ordered because you have to have two weeks of downloadable results from cpap machine before surgery.

I feel the same way about Kirk. He's VERY talkative and gets off topic quickly. He also told me some things that ended up not being true. Not a big deal but kind of annoying really. I don't have to see Worley because I'm seeing a doc in my insurance network. And I already have a cpap so no sleep study needed just a clearance for surgery is all I require.

Awesome!! Thank you so much Tawnya71!!!

I don't smoke but I do dip and smoke cigars rarely (which is smoking right? LOL). I'm quitting all of it the day after thanksgiving though. Wanna smoke one last cigar with my dad after dinner. Kind of our thing.

I live in tulsa so I guess the owasso one is closet for me. I'll probably just go there next month. I'd like to keep going as much as I can because I have a feeling this is going to be harder than I think and having people who've been through and that are going through this will help.

I have only scheduled the session with the psychologist and will have to schedule the test another time because she didn't have time for me on the day I could see her. 500 questions? Dang that's a lot. Another small price to pay I guess. I'm seeing dr. Fritz in tulsa unless the overall cost with woods is cheaper. I have to pay for the test out of pocket. If you don't mind could you private message me how much dr. Woods cost since you are self pay as well? If not, I understand.

As for weed or drugs I'm good there. Been several months since I've smoked any weed. I do take prescribed pain meds for chronic back pains but I don't see that being an issue since I listed them on my meds sheet for dr. Kirk.

I already have a cpap machine and yuck is correct. It has helped me though. Had it for almost 3 years now. I'm hoping that goes away after the surgery.

I'm praying all goes well for you on the rest of your appointments. I'm also praying for myself!! Haha

I hope we can keep in touch since we are along the same timeline it seems. I'll friend you.

So now it's my turn to say sorry for the book. Lol

I chose Varnell as my surgeon as well. I would also like to know what you think of him. I meet with him next month. I will have all my preliminary appointments out of the way by Christmas. So I'm on track for January for my surgery!!

My question would be...how would they know? I had to pay for the psych eval out of pocket; but the surgery was covered by my insurance...it's too bad they are not with the times; especially since Morbid Obesity is a MEDICAL condition according to the Medical Society now... I do think they need to re-evaluate themselves...there is always the miracle that they will in time for your surgery

The only reason they would know is because I have to have a psychologist that specializes in bariatric assessment so that's where they can get me...I am trying to find away around it but who knows....i'll get there though!

Thank you Elode!!! I'm so ready! it's just stressful dealing with insurance companies. They are such a racket and really are worthless in most areas!

BigGirlPanties I couldn't agree with you more...it's an epidemic in this country and although the surgery isn't a "cure" it's certainly way freaking better than pumping meds in to a patient for years and years and creating more issues due to the side effects of those meds. It's insane for sure. I am sure everything will work itself out and if I have to pay out of pocket for the psych eval then so be it. It would just be nice to save the 400 bucks...cause i'll need that for new clothes!!!! yaaay! LOL

Well I had my initial appointment on 11/17 and have officially started the program/process and am aiming for a January surgery date!!! I'm very excited and very nervous but I know in my heart this is the best decision for me and I'm sooooo damn ready!!

I'm doing self pay due to my crappy insurance company that doesn't cover bariatric surgery because they still consider it cosmetic. How stupid huh? Anyway, the place I'm going to is awesome because they are allowing me to actually use specialists within my insurance network to do all the pretesting!! I've run in to a snag though...my insurance company is saying that I can't go see a psychiatrist that specializes in bariatric evaluations because that would be considered bariatric surgery related which they don't of course cover. Was wondering if anyone has had a similar issue and if so what was the resolution? I guess I could pay the nearly $500 out of pocket but I'd like to avoid that especially since it should only cost $45 with my insurance.

Anyway (again...LOL)...I've rambled enough but I hadn't had an update in a while so what the heck!!! Wish me luck fellow sleevers and sleevers to be!!!

Cota1262....glad to know someone is going through this at the same time/place as me. My appointment went well. Dr. Kirk certainly is a talker. I've found the experience so far pretty good. I thought being self pay would be easy and it is so far. Thank goodness they are allowing me to see doctors in my own insurance network outside of Bailey's so that's going to same me quite a bit of money. I go see the cardiologist tuesday and i'm still waiting to hear back from the pulmonary doc and the psychologist but i'm well on my way now. Actually had my blood work done today at my regular doc and she's going to fax over all the tests that Dr. Kirk requested so that part is cool. I'm starting to get a bit nervous now that things are actually happening and it's REAL now. I'm still excited as hell but the nervousness is setting in too! LOL are you planning on going to the support groups as well? If so, do you have to sign up for them somewhere or do you just show up? I can't find on their website any kind of sign up page just gives the day/time of the group meetings all over the state.

I don't smoke but I do dip tobacco and smoke cigars occasionally but I know i am going to have to give that up too since it's nicotine no matter how you ingest it. LOL but that's a small price to pay for getting my life back. It'll be hard to do but I know I can do it!!!!

oh one last thing...what kind of deal is the psychologist part? do they just see if your mentally fit to go through the surgery itself and the life style changes that follow? Just curious is all...never been to a shrink before

I'm not worried about the naysayers and the judging. They can say what they want. This is MY choice and mine alone. I'm ready and willing and am moving forward with or without them. I'm just glad all of you are here to support me and I am here to support you as well.

Well I had a little set back last week with the financing part of it but that's all been worked out and now I can move forward with no more obstacles. I'm very excited. Still have a few weeks yet before my 1st appointment and have no idea how long after that I'll have the surgery but I hope it's quick! thanks all for the words of encouragement!!!

Just wondering if anyone in the Oklahoma area has used Bailey Bariatrics in Owasso and has or is having the VSG and what their experience is/was? I am set for my first appointment with Dr. Kirk on 11/17 and am a little bit nervous and a lot excited. I'm self-pay so I think the process is a bit easier but just wanting to get some idea of what to expect...any help is appreciated!

Thanks VSGPapi...I admire you courage as well. Looks like you've just begun your journey and are on your way to the new you! I'm excited for you and we are all here to help you if/when you need it! Yes, i've done lots and lots of research (my head hurts from reading..LOL) but I know i've made the right decision and am ready to make the changes needed to be successful...it's all over but the waiting at this point!