MIMISAN

To me this is strange but with my insurance which is UMR (United Healthcare Choice Plus) they do things oddly. First of all I had to talk to an insurance person that asked me questions and verified that I qualified for the surgery that I am requesting. Then they assign me a Nurse Case Manager. She called me for a telephone appointment and we talked about a variety of things like, what made me want the surgery, what I expected as a result etc, then she explained things that have to be completed before my paperwork is all completed and submitted to my insurance for final approval to go ahead with surgery. 1. I have to have surgery in a hospital with Center of Excellence approval 2. I have to have 6 months consecutive supervised dieting 3. Have to complete a psych evaluation 4. Have to have a Consult with a dietitian. 5. In my case I need to have a visit with my cardiologist to approve because I have supraventricular tachycardia. The funny thing is that I asked her what the insurance expected of the 6 months dieting. Another words did they expect a certain amount lost per month etc. and she said that it didn't matter whether I gained or lost I just have to show that I was trying????? Isn't that odd? Then I asked her about the possible problem of starting this journey in July with the possibility that my company insurance plan might change in January and if they cut out bariatric surgery after that six month wait I would be devastated. She was surprised and said she had never had anyone ask that question and I thank the board for that. What she suggested I do was get into my Dr. before the first so I would have an accepted June date stamped and then I would add, July, August, Sept, Oct, Nov, and should be able to get the surgery in late Nov or December. I thought it was great of her to try to help me figure this out. She also brought up some information about my thyroid medication that I will be discussing with my Dr. on Tuesday the 30th to get my 1st month stamp! All in all I really liked the woman and I hope it all works out and I get to talk to her more often, she made me feel good about my decision and about the insurance company.

Congrats! Hope I am saying the same thing in six months! When do you have to start your pre-op diet?

I understand what you're saying but I always do things totally the opposite. When I am going to do anything that people are going to want to talk about I talk about it LOUD AND PROUD. It takes the wind right out of their sails. I steal THEIR thunder. Examples: 1.Years ago I got pregnant before I was married and that was way before it was accepted, so one day at a function someone was digging at me trying to ask without asking and I announced it to the room. Joked about it and they had nothing to gossip about anymore. 2. I got a divorce after 28 years and I knew they would go nuts at work wondering WHY??? So one day I went into work and called a front office meeting of all my co-workers. I said...I just wanted to let you guys know that my husband and I are getting a divorce. Its a final decision, he's not cheating, I am not cheating, we just aren't happy. I don't want to talk about it but when I am ready you will know. Wow were they deflated. 3.About the surgery, I started talking about it and I am not secretive at all. Most support me, my family supports me and those are the important people. Its about your life and your happiness. Live it!

Fortunately I had already heard that many insurance groups require the 6 month supervised dieting so I wasn't shocked, but I was hoping that since I was older with great medical records that have gone through the same insurance company that I might be able to by pass that. In any case I am looking at it as a time to slowly get my other requirements taken care of and a way to get use to more restrictions. Nikkidoc you must be psychic because earlier today I ordered a sample kit of

On Monday I finally made the step towards starting this process. I met with Dr. Michael Seger in San Antonio, Texas. We discussed several options but decided on definitely going with the gastric sleeve. He feels like I am a great candidate for the surgery. Now the painstaking part slogging through insurance begins. Apparently my insurance will require six months of documented dieting to allow me to move forward (as if I haven't tried everything in the last 50 years) but ok....I will play. The insurance has assigned me a caseworker and I am going to be conferencing by phone with her on Thursday evening for her to lay out the program etc. I will also be meeting with a nutritionist on July 1st to actually set out the diet plans for the next month and I will have to meet with her once a month for the next six months. At the end of that time I should be qualified for the surgery and wouldn't you know it would be around CHRISTMAS? That shouldn't make much difference though since I will be dieting then anyway, I may be happy if I get the surgery prior to Christmas. Anyway guys....wish me luck and keep me focused!

One of the reasons I have put off weight loss surgery for so long is that I fear that I will hate how I end up more than I hate the fat me now, but I finally realized that even if I don't love the new me naked, I should still live longer and be around my family longer, so that's why I am finally moving forward. I think we all have a mental image of ourselves and it is hard for us to be realistic. You are losing weight you just may not be losing it where you want to lose it right now. For example I want to lose weight off my big belly first but I bet you $$ that my first weight loss comes off the BOOBS! LOL Just enjoy the loss where it happens and hope that in the end it all evens out.

I certainly feel for you. I like to complain about how I feel but after reading your story I feel guilty! I am in great help compared to your issues. I will pray that insurance helps you on the road to recovery.

I would have to say that although half of americans are obese at least half of those kid themselves into thinking they aren't. I have 2 granddaughters that could both qualify as obese. They are in their 20's and aren't embarrassed or worried about their weight. They wear tight clothes and seem to think they are kinda sexy? It stymies me!

Yes, this is what I was wondering. But then once you prepare this food you only drink of eat about 2 oz's right?

I know what pureed is but what kinds of foods are getting pureed? Are people making veggie shakes or steak drinks ? I wonder what they are drinking?

Exactly what foods do you eat pureed and how does that work?

I can't wait to see how you are doing. I am in the beginning stages of checking this out. I have my first appointment on July the 8th. Keep us informed on how your doing.

Hi everyone I am new to this forum and have not had any surgery yet. I am just set to visit the Dr. next week but I was hoping to get first hand answers to a few questions. I will be 62 in September and I worry that I might have waited to long. I work full time and have insurance that I am hoping will at least help with the costs. Have others had the surgery that late? I am a happily married female, we married when I was about 200 lbs but since then I have gone to 300 plus. I know my husband worries about my weight but he is far to kind to say something that might upset me. I am sure he would prefer me to be thinner, but he is also an enabler in his own way. For years I have thought people that went the surgery route were cheats because we should be able to do it ourselves but I have found I just haven't been able to do it myself. I can lose it and I generally gain it back within a year plus 5 or 10 more. I would love to be more active but when your as heavy as I am that becomes a vicious circle. When I try to be active, I hurt myself or become mortified and then I sit to recover and so on and so on. My feet, hips and legs constantly hurt and that also encourages me to sit on my butt and while I am there I might as well have ice cream. I know this is what has gotten me where I am and I am ready for help!!!!!!! One of my big concerns is hair LOSS. When I had my hysterectomy at 38 they had to put me on hormones to help me stop the hair loss. Even with that my hair is now fairly thin on top and I do not want to be bald or patchy. Is there a way to avoid this? My last concern is that since I am older and have been fat for much of my life, won't I just look like a defated bloodhound with skin folds everywhere? Will that be harder on me than fat? Any help is appreciated.