lehana

I have my final appt tomorrow with my PCP and then I get to submit paperwork for insurance approval. With any luck, I'll be a July sleever! I work for the school system so I really want to have it done while we're on summer break!!

I hope to be a July sleever. I meet with the surgeon next week and I understand it shouldn't be much longer after that consultation.

Wow. So glad I found this post. I have obviously discussed this with my husband who is 100% supportive. My mom knows and supports but has voiced concerns. My biggest thing is I don't want to share this with everyone. What do you say when they ask?? Why are you off work? Why can't you do this or that? I don't want to lie and I don't want to say none of your business but I don't want to share either.
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Humbled by your honesty. Hugs and prayers

So close!!! How exciting! I can't wait until I'm that close and ready to pick a date!
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I have a folder full of "stuff" to be done. I'm slowly checking things off and I scheduled my Jan. appt with my family doc.... I've got this! I guess it's part of the "its a marathon not a sprint" mentality that they're prepping us all for!

I had my very first consult with my surgeon last week. I LOVED HIM! He probably spent an hour or better just chatting with me about the surgery, benefits, complications, expectations, etc. It was a wonderful visit! That being said.... there is SO MUCH MORE paperwork and red tape and hoops to jump through than I ever imagined. I am a nurse so I have an insight to how insurance rules the world, but I had no idea!! For example, my insurance requires me to show proof of being followed by my family doctor for 6 months for weight loss.... Ok, no problem, we've got that. The catch is, it has to be 6 consecutive months, which I don't have, because my doc would see me and then say check back in with me in 6-8 weeks.... UGH! So, not knowing then what I know now, I have to start back at square 1 with the family doc for 6 months before we can set up surgery.......................... I just keep telling myself it's going to be worth it but DANG INSURANCE COMPANIES!!!!

I had my very first consult with my surgeon last week. I LOVED HIM! He probably spent an hour or better just chatting with me about the surgery, benefits, complications, expectations, etc. It was a wonderful visit! That being said.... there is SO MUCH MORE paperwork and red tape and hoops to jump through than I ever imagined. I am a nurse so I have an insight to how insurance rules the world, but I had no idea!! For example, my insurance requires me to show proof of being followed by my family doctor for 6 months for weight loss.... Ok, no problem, we've got that. The catch is, it has to be 6 consecutive months, which I don't have, because my doc would see me and then say check back in with me in 6-8 weeks.... UGH! So, not knowing then what I know now, I have to start back at square 1 with the family doc for 6 months before we can set up surgery.......................... I just keep telling myself it's going to be worth it but DANG INSURANCE COMPANIES!!!!

That is an awesome outlook! I'm totally stealing this and doing it for myself too! On that note, I called and scheduled my Jan. appt with my doc today!

I'm sure that's 100% true! Insurance truly does run the world!

One of the doctors told me that there's no medical need whatsoever for the six month requirement. The insurance companies just don't want to spend the money, so they make you wait 6 months hoping that either you won't complete the program, in which case no surgery. You lose interest, in which case no surgery. Or you drop dead, in which case no surgery. Any way they can save money is good for them.

Yeah, that's pretty crummy -- to basically have the six monthly visits in your pocket but not having them count because the months weren't consecutive.
I just keep telling myself, "This will be my last November at this weight," "The next time I Celebrate Christmas, I will be at a healthier weight," "This will be my last January at this weight," and so on. It has helped me to stay motivated the these last few months.

I had my very first consult with my surgeon last week. I LOVED HIM! He probably spent an hour or better just chatting with me about the surgery, benefits, complications, expectations, etc. It was a wonderful visit! That being said.... there is SO MUCH MORE paperwork and red tape and hoops to jump through than I ever imagined. I am a nurse so I have an insight to how insurance rules the world, but I had no idea!! For example, my insurance requires me to show proof of being followed by my family doctor for 6 months for weight loss.... Ok, no problem, we've got that. The catch is, it has to be 6 consecutive months, which I don't have, because my doc would see me and then say check back in with me in 6-8 weeks.... UGH! So, not knowing then what I know now, I have to start back at square 1 with the family doc for 6 months before we can set up surgery.......................... I just keep telling myself it's going to be worth it but DANG INSURANCE COMPANIES!!!!

Great, encouraging words! Thank you all so much! I'm very excited to get the call from my surgeon to schedule my consult. I did a lot of research on him before choosing which doc so I feel like I already know the answers to all the standard consult questions. I'm trying to come up with things to ask him at the first visit
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I am excited and nervous and scared and so many things. I have no idea what to expect but I also know it's time for a change. No more up and down weight, no more feeling terrible all the time, no more joint pain.... I'm ready for this journey and whatever comes with it. I'm not naive enough to think there won't be struggles but I am tough and I most certainly do not give up!
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I have been doing my homework and decided to pursue weight loss surgery. I got my referral from my primary today. I'm excited but nervous to start this journey! I stumbled across this app while doing online research and I have been reading topics for 2 days! I'm so glad I found it because it has answered so many questions I had! Stay tuned!!!
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@@lehana glad to have you aboard this wonderful journey! Sounds like you're doing the right thing in doing your homework and learning as much as you can to make the journey as smooth as possible. Please know that even when armed with all the knowledge/info as you can, you may still have some bumpiness to the ride, BUT, even your worst day post op is quite likely far better than your best days before venturing on a brave new way of life.
You seem smart and I'm sure you'll do great as you go along. Cheers!
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I feel the exact same way! I went to a support group meeting at the center yesterday. With all the different changes that will be happening...the more support the better for me! I just joined on here....looking forward to seeing what others have experienced and learning!
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I have been doing my homework and decided to pursue weight loss surgery. I got my referral from my primary today. I'm excited but nervous to start this journey! I stumbled across this app while doing online research and I have been reading topics for 2 days! I'm so glad I found it because it has answered so many questions I had! Stay tuned!!!
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Welcome!

Welcome and good luck. This site has a lot to offer and it is really awesome having support from a slew of knowledgable people!

I just turned my referral into the surgical center yesterday! This is an exciting journey!!
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