seeingme

I waited two months to get my insurance approval for surgery. First it was submitted incorrectly (new person from the clinic handling submissions, and had I not been calling my insurance pestering them, nobody would know and I would still be waiting!) Next week I'll meet with my doctor one last time, then set a surgery date. Of course, its holiday season! Trying to figure out the best time to schedule it. I really don't want to wait until December but realistically thats probably what will happen. For those who've been there, or are there, which is your favorite shake? I've been using Premier. I also like ShapeUP, but I have to add Protein to it since its a little low. Edited to add: I should clarify. I'm not nervous about "surgery" or anesthesia and all that goes with that. This will be my 16th surgery in 2 1/2 years. Some of which are the reason for me having THIS procedure done! I'm nervous about my ability to stay on target with my eating. I have a good friend who was sleeved in February. He has lost over 100 lbs, but he did not have any pre-op counseling. He is living off junk. I don't want to do that. I to be successful. I'm also extremely anxious to get a bit of my life back.

I am 5'4 and was 209 the day I met with my surgeon for the first time back in March. I have severe Obstructive sleep Apnea, and that is what qualified me with a BMI of 35.9. I just got insurance approval for surgery, hoping to schedule the first week of December.

Well...I called BCBS to see if that approval letter is coming soon. They claim they haven't even received the request! My doctors office verified it was sent on 9/27. So they're sending it again, which pushes me out another 3 weeks. I still have to have the appointment with the surgeon (after approval is received) so I can get on the surgery schedule. I guess it won't be the beginning of November. I try...try...try and try some more, to remind myself that everything happens for a reason, even scheduling problems. Still hard not to get frustrated when you spend months in preparation with a goal in sight!!

I'm also with BCBS of MN, and mine was submitted on Sept 27th. I haven't heard anything yet. The waiting was killing me. I was shooting for surgery the first week of November, but that's not likely to happen now. GAH!

My BMI when I met with the doctor for the first time was exactly 35, but I didn't have any diagnosed comorbid conditions, though I suspected I had sleep apnea. My reason for wanting to do the sleeve was because of my history of breast cancer. My doctor got me set up with a sleep specialist, but made it clear I *COULD NOT* lose any weight until after I was weighed in for my sleep study, or I would not qualify for surgery. However, he also did not want me to gain any weight either. Oh yes, I have very severe OSA and am basically dying in my sleep 100+ times a night. I spend 80% of my sleep time with my oxygen sats below 82%. Nice! No wonder I'm freaking exhausted all.the.time!!! Anyway, I just have one more visit with my dietician then I will be submitted for insurance approval next month. I'm hoping to have my surgery done in early November.

I'm in Minnesota, and the 6 months is required by BCBS. I just had my 5th visit with the dietician and finished my psychology assessment. My last dietician visit will be spent going over pre-op liquid diet and post-op care. I had to laugh a bit at my psychology assessment. Their main yellow flag for me was "You may not take the time to take care of yourself because you're taking care of everyone else." Well yes, I have 6 kids with disabilities in my house. My role is caretaker!!! LOL I am really trying to do a better job of taking care of me though.

My BMI is 35.5. I have a hernia that was caused from my ovary removal 18 mo ago. My bariatric surgeon said he will not be repairing. I'm a little irritated by this because now I'll have to have another surgery, when I have had 14 in the last 26 months! My hernia is very noticeable and I worry it will be even moreso after surgery.

Great idea! I'm new here, just logged on for the first time today. I am 49 years old and mom to 11 kids. Five are adults are on their own, 6 still at home. The 5 youngest were all adopted internationally over the last 5 years. All 6 kids at home have Down syndrome. I have 5 grandkids. Two years ago I arrived home from Serbia with one of our newly adopted kids, and the next day went for my routine mammogram. I ended up being anything but routine, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I ended up having a bilateral mastectomy and going through chemo. I had 14 major surgeries in 20 months. In my spare time I ride my motorcycle, unfortunately it hasn't left the garage in two years. I was hoping this would be my year, but life is still in the way. I love to do crafty things, like clay sculpting and oil painting. I'm not very good, I just like doing it. Chemo did a big number on my body, but through it all my weight has stayed pretty much the same. I've gone up a little, but nothing exciting. I just can't move anymore. I have chemo-induced arthritis through my entire body. But my cancer is estrogen fed, and fat holds/produces a small amount of estrogen when I don't what a single cell of it in my body! My oncologist wanted 60 lbs gone as soon as I could do that in a healthy way. Unfortunately the stress of being told I "have to" lose weight sent my scale the wrong direction. I just finished 6 months of the dietician visits my insurance requires, and received approval from the psychologist. Now I just need insurance approval and hope to be on the surgery schedule early November. So who am I? I am am wife, mother, grandma, biker babe, breast cancer survivor, warrior b***h!