JellyBellyNoMore

Nor Cal

I went back on the medication and started a boot camp class. Every muscle in my body hurts but I am down 8 lbs! I start my liquid diet next week, hopefully I will lose the last 10 by then. Thanks for your support everyone!

Congratulations and good luck!

Hi Megan - sorry about your band. I am getting the sleeve on 10/22 and I am both terrified and excited at the same time. I would love more buddies myself. I was keeping my surgery secret at first because of the reaction you get when people find out you're having WLS. But then I decided to embrace it. Peoples ignorance still amazes me. I still have coworkers (That work for a HOSPITAL) that try to talk me out of it. And who knows what my physical reaction will be when the next person tells me they didn't think I was heavy enough for WLS? Really people? A doctor prescribed it, a surgeon agreed to preform, and the insurance is covering it. This site has been a great benefit. Its good to know that although we all have distance between us together we are NOT alone.

You look amazing! Thank you!!!

My doctor didn't say anything about them.

Thanks everyone for the tips and support. Started my drugs again today. I also opted to walk to work instead of driving. I am feeling a lithe better about it now. Think I will just try to lose as much as possible and bite my tongue. Would hate for them to postpone my surgery.

Alright peeps, here's the dealio..... I lost my pre-op weight with my family physician prior to meeting the surgeon. That was in June at 191lbs. Authorization was obtained and surgery date is set. But I didn't notice the little line in my binder of paperwork that said I must maintain that weight. I now weigh 206, oy vey! My surgery is out of town so I have only met my surgeon once. Should I just keep my mouth shut and try to lose the weight quickly? If I don't lose the weight do you think they will send me away on my surgery day? As a disclaimer I was on a diet medication prescribed by my family physician. Once I decided that I was going to have surgery I went off of it. That's when I put the weight back on. At this point I can only pray that I lose weight during my 2 week pre-op diet. Any thoughts or ideas?

I was in the same boat! What the...... First you have to be an acrobat and jump through a million hoops only to sit and wait..... and wait some more. After two weeks I pressured the hospital to hurry up and submit my auth already. It was denied. I took matters in my own hands and appealed the auth myself. I faxed a letter and all my medical records. The insurance company called me the next day with approval and apologized. They said the previous request didn't have all the documentation. Now I tell everyone to be their own advocate. Good luck and feel free to vent to me whenever you want.

Insurance companies are a for profit business. They don't personally care about their members. The decision should strictly be a business matter. But weigh all options, don't just look at the surgery transaction alone. Take into account your deductibles, out of pocket, copays, can you pick your physician's and hospital, medication coverage, do you need referrals for specialist. Coming from the health care field I see too many patients who think they have coverage but it turns out it is only for catastrophic events. Now I am not advocating that you keep or drop your secondary coverage.... only that you do your research and not make an emotional decision. Good Luck!

I see nothing wrong with adding crystal light to your drink. I carry mine in my purse at all times. If anyone questions you just explain. I am sure they would understand.

I am 5'4 and 200 lbs. I have had the same question. When I post my before and after pictures I will be sure to put my height and weight on for the future girls doing the same search. If you find any please forward them to me!

My health insurance required me to have a medically supervised weight loss of 10% prior to getting my authorization. If I have leafed anything during this process it's to be your own advocate. Research your health insurance requirements on your own and ask questions when you have them. The questions still come to me. I write them down and call with a few at a time. Seems to work.....

What a cute idea

October 22nd! Would love to be your buddy. I am starting my nesting today. Researching Vitamins and Protein drinks, shopping online for comfy clothes, house cleaning, and looking for recipes. Am I missing anything? Any tips?

No surgery yet. But I like the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel. It provides excellent prevention and relief from chafing on my chub rub. I find Walmart usually offers the best price.

October 22nd date set! Getting nervous.....

My doc said NO, NEVER EVER.

Thanks everyone

Hi Everyone! Due to my insurance I will have to travel 6 hours away for my surgery. I am worried about the ride home. My surgon recommended hourly breaks to move and prevent blood clots. Any tips on how I can prepare for the most comfortable trip home?

I haven't had my surgery, or even the insurance approval yet, but I do know that you're not alone! If you can't talk to the people in your life, you always have this great group of people that are here. See you can still have that pity party, only in a smaller dress size!

My story is a little different. I am not in the same town as my physician due to my insurance network. So they tried to do everything via phone after my initial consultation. After my consultation my physician had me do all the pre-op work as well. I would call the office the next day to let them know that you have completed all the required testing and that you are ready for them to proceed. They have lots of patients to keep track of. It doesn't hurt to politely tell them that your ready for the next move. Update: after my physician requested my authorization it was denied. I wrote an appeal and it was approved the day after I submitted it. They even called me to let me know!

Oh the insurance dance! Every insurance is different. I have to say I am preforming the dance myself. At first I was denied because I wasn't sick enough for a BMI under 40. So I appealed and I am waiting for a response. I must say I am not bellow gaining weight to get a BMI of 40, but then I will have to start the whole process again! Including my 5% weight loss. I better get that authorization or you guys are going to get sick of my whining.

Thanks everyone! Now how do I remove this topic. Total newbie here

I try not to let ANYONE take my photo. But now I want one to compare to my after. I don't own a swimsuit. Any suggestions for great photo comparisons? My last photo that I took.....