Heatgirl03

I literally just told them I was taking a week off for medical reasons. That's it. As a former HR professional, I know they can't ask for too much more info and I didn't feel comfortable disclosing,

You also could probably get away with telling people that you're having your gallbladder removed - typically it's a laparoscopic surgery with dietary restrictions afterward - and when I had mine out, I took 2 weeks off from work. Anyway, ultimately, it's no one's business, right? I can't ever keep anything to myself so I've been telling everyone. Only one person has said something like "oh you don't need that" and I just politely said that my health care providers disagree and moved the conversation on to other things.

Keep in mind that if you are required to fill out FMLA paperwork, some of this information will be on that paperwork and at least HR will know.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

If it's personal "it's personal"!i wouldn't say anything more
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm kind of in the same boat. I really don't want to tell anyone except my family. I don't want to lie but I also don't want to have all those discussions where everyone either tries to tell me I don't need it or tells me all the WLS horror stories. I've done my research, I know this is a right choice for me and I don't want to spend hours depending my decision. I can only swing 1 week off, so hopefully at my age, I can recover enough in 7 days.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I would not feel you need to explain your surgery. You will have cardio appt most likely. I am not one to bring my personal in. I did my medical appts because I had doctors appointments. When came time for surgery. I just said I have a minor surgery and will need to be off one week and work from home the next. I was not asked to explain although there was some light prodding.
It is not appropriate for employer to pry and if they do ask or find out and treat you any differently that could pose problem for them if you formally complain.
But if you work for very small employer your protections could be less and pressure higher to share. I would just say having some stomach issues and Doctor doing a hernia repair and that you will have significant dietary changes for healing and prevention but all will be fine.

I have a few health issues regarding my legs , swelling, putting edema, diabetic skin lesions, and neuropathy. I plan on asking my surgeon when I meet him tomorrow how many of those things will correct themselves. So if you have any health issues that are caused by ur weight maybe see what will happen once u start to lose. Ask if you will be forced to lose weight before he sets surgery. My surgeon requires it, and that's not from the pre op diet.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using the BariatricPal App

I found it was helpful to listen carefully and ask questions if you don't understand something. Keep asking until you understand.
If it is an experienced surgery practice then he or she should be pretty thorough.
Oh, and write everything down.

All questions I forgot to ask! Lol

How long is their process? What pre-op testing do you need? How long will you be out of work? If there are meds you take now - ask if there's a problem taking them post-op. Good luck!

(I am sure I will offend someone by saying this, but I just can't hold it in. Every time I read the title of this post, I think to myself 'that's what she said.' Giggle.)

Looking at this progress pic makes the apples and string cheese I am eating taste just as good!!

Thank You! I'm hoping that the Dr office will have someone I can go to within the office. My insurance company wants proof for the last 12 months.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My insurance Excellus BCBS required that I do 6 month supervised diet. I was hoping past Weight watchers, doctor's visits, etc would count. It took me a long time to work up the nerve to do the surgery, to have to diet for another 6 months seemed crazy! Also my BMI was just at 40, so I worried, what if I lost weight and then they didn't approve me?! And what if I didn't lose weight, would they not approve me for that?
The 6 month diet involved seeing a dietician that was right in the same office as my surgeon. It seemed like her main goal was to really get me prepared and ready to eat the way I'll need to after surgery. I was not required to lose weight. They did want me to journal my food though, which I bulked at since I've done so much dieting in the past. She wanted me to try to eat around 1000 calories a day and 100 grams of Protein and no more than 100 grams of carbs. She wanted me to start trying some of the Protein shakes, bars, foods, etc and start focusing on Protein as the #1 thing.
I thought it sounded awful to do the 6 months when I was ready back in November for the surgery. But, it did go by fairly quickly and got me used to eating the way they wanted. I only lost about 10 pounds. Some weeks when I went in, my weight was up a bit.
Hopefully your insurance won't require the full 6 months, but if it does, use it as a time to prepare for the new way you'll be eating.
Good luck on your journey!

Beautiful! Congrats and keep pushing!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I guess when I go see the Dr for the 1st time, they will let me know what to do. I just do not want to spend a bunch of money at another weight loss program. Thanks so much!!!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I went through the nutritionist at my program.

Different Cigna plans must have different requirements. My Open Access plan only required 3 months supervised, with no specific weight loss needed. So I just met with a doc 3 times and got weighed and talked about nutrition and choices. I also saw a nutritionist, but I'm not sure if that was because of insurance requirement or my surgeon's protocol.

@@Heatgirl03
A medical weight loss program can be pretty cheap. All that means is you are seeing a dietician or nutritionist and having regularly scheduled visit for weighs with a doctor. It will be covered under co-pays and help you meet your out of pocket.
Where are you getting this information? Have you picked a doctor yet? The office where you are going to have surgery can best tell you what you have to do. If you have a high enough BMI a lot of these requirements are not necessary. A good Dr office can help speed the process along greatly.

I think you should surround yourself with positive people/friends! You need support, not to be put down for making a life time change. Do this for YOU! I'm starting the process and my "close" friends are so supportive. Misery loves company!! Good Luck!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think you should surround yourself with positive people/friends! You need support, not to be put down for making a life time change. Do this for YOU! I'm starting the process and my "close" friends are so supportive. Misery loves company!! Good Luck!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You can call your insurance tomorrow and find out their requirements. No need to wait until you see the surgeon. Good luck!

I'm self pay and the program I'm going through i had to complete a lot of pre reqs and the process has taken just a little over 3 months. Hope to have surgery the end of July.

I also have Cigna Open access....they require 3 months. ????

Any number of things can motivate her comments about surgery. I won't speculate or analyze the woman you're talking about.
It's your own expectations that caught my attention, as you're the one who's here. Bits of background are missing from your account. Writing that you "know someone" doesn't sound as though she's one of your nearest and dearest. If she were, it would be reasonable to think she'd be on your "team." In such case, let her know that you're disappointed, but allow that she may feel disappointed in herself. If she's not an intimate, she has no reason to shake her pompoms. I think that you're feeling "crushed" may be more about you, not she.
I say generally that keeping reasonable expectations is the way to go. Count on the close people.
If I'm laboring under the wrong impression, ignore all the above. No matter what, you have exciting things ahead. Enjoy every moment.