JustBeth13

Anybody know if the injections are still used even when I already take blood thinners? My cardiologist says I don't need to be "bridged" (that is, switch from Coumadin to Lovenox before surgery). Instead he said I'd just stop my regular blood thinners a week before surgery and then restart as soon as the surgeons want me to. It may depend on how soon after surgery I'll be able to take pills again....hmmm......

well, not sure I can answer that yet - I'm still in the middle of the 3-month diet. As I understand it, my PCP has to file chart notes with the surgeon's office that clearly show the reason for my visit is (and only is) bariatric counseling. I don't think I have to actually lose weight for BCBS, but my surgeon is requiring at least 5% of my body weight lost before surgery. My surgeon's office did give me a piece of paper to give to my PCP that has the correct verbiage on it that her notes need to say. I don't have it anymore as I did give it to her. I have appointments set up every 30 days (so 4 appts total with the beginning one). I started on 2/12 and my final appointment is on 5/12. BTW, it's not a class or anything - just a weigh-in and about 10 minute appt with the doc. Hope that helps!

That would just be ideal for me....fingers crossed!

Can anyone tell me how long it took BCBS FEP to approve your surgery once everything was submitted? I'm trying to figure out if I'll be able to have surgery the week our office is closed in June. My last day of the 3-month medically supervised diet is May 12 so I'd have just under a month to get approval and scheduled! Yikes!

I can totally get what you're saying. I definitely find I have body issues. Am still pre-op, but when I took my "before" pics in underwear, I was just appalled. When I was younger and weighed a lot less, I thought I was huge and gross. Now I weigh 100lbs more and am surprised at how big I am. Could NOT believe the picture of me from behind - where did that ass come from??? I started thinking about what it will feel like to lose weight and I do understand the idea of feeling more exposed. I think I have this weight on me at least in part as armor to protect me somehow. Def think I need to follow your lead and get a therapist! Good luck. My advice is to listen to your husband more than the voice in your head right now!

This is exactly my worry. My ins co requires a 3-month medically supervised diet - which I'm starting this coming Thursday with my PCP. I'm worried that if I don't lose any weight, they'll decide I can't follow directions and not approve me but if I lose too much, they'll say I should just do this without surgery. I'm 150 lbs overweight (BMI of 47). Do you all think this is something I should worry about??? Forgot to say that my doc requires a 5% weight loss before surgery. I don't know how long before surgery that weight is supposed to come off. I have my first appt with the nurse practioner tomorrow, so I can ask.

Yeah, I figured it out when they started talking about the Speedo zone....

Thanks everybody! I really do appreciate hearing your stories.

Thanks everybody! I really appreciate your wisdom!

Definitely hear you about chocolate!!

I'm at the very beginning of this process and reading everything I can get my hands on. I've been concentrating on researching the surgical options. I was wondering if anyone would share the reasons they chose gastric sleeve over gastric bypass. Would you share your decision process? Are you happy with your decision?

I'm at the very beginning of this process and reading everything I can get my hands on. I've been concentrating on researching the surgical options. I was wondering if anyone would share the reasons they chose gastric bypass over gastric sleeve. Would you share your decision process? Are you happy with your decision?

Having trouble understanding all this. I'm at the verrrrrryyyyyy beginning of this journey - not even had a doc appt yet. My insurance (BCBS Federal Employee) requires 3 months doc-supervised diet prior to surgery. Just don't get the reasoning. If I COULD lose weight dieting, I would have already. So are they trying to prove that I really CAN'T lose weight or do I need to actually lose weight in those 3 months (which sort of proves i don't need surgery to lose weight). Sorry for rambling, but I'm confused by this!!

Thanks so much for sharing this. I am going to the info seminar at OHSU this coming Monday night - so I'm way, way, way in the beginning of all this. I'm so glad to have you there telling it like it is and giving HOPE. Thank you!!

I'm just starting out - going to an info seminar this Monday evening at OHSU. Would love to hear what you wished you had asked when you were in my shoes! Any advice about OHSU also welcome (heck, any advice about ANYTHING welcome!). VERY interested in joining a support group, if this ever gets going. I'm in Wilsonville, but can travel. How about churches? They often host groups like AA and NA.