HealthierMe2017

Helllo! I have about 80 pounds to lose to be at a healthy bmi. I have my first appointment with the surgeon and nutritionists next week! That's awesome that you already have a date! I hope my surgeon gives me an idea of what I'm working toward! I have several health problems which is part of the push for surgery for me. Good luck [emoji4]

Okay! I definitely will! Thank you for your help [emoji4]

Thank you! That is what I found and couldn't figure out what the insurance rep said she couldn't find any of these requirements. Maybe it's something they give the provider and not directly to the patient. Thank you for your help!!

I'm in Maryland!

I have Carefirst bluechoice. I guess I just figured it would be a set number of visits before they paid for it. Do you know what the Bariatric team bases that on?

Hey everyone! My name is Katie and I'm just beginning this Gastric Sleeve adventure. I went to a required seminar and was given some questions to ask my insurance company. They were: what is the required bmi, how many nutrition visits are required and how many physicians visits. So the insurance company said that these limits didn't exist I just needed a pre authorization for surgery. I contacted the surgeons office to see if this sounded right and they said that the surgeon will tell me the required length or time and bmi. Does anyone have an idea if this sounds right? All the reading I've done I expected to hear 35 to 40 bmi, and 90 days or six months of nutrition and physician appointments. Does this mean my insurance might not have these limits or the surgeons office will tell me the requirements??

Hi Misty! My name is Katie, it's nice to meet you! Congratulations on your journey and welcome. I am still learning the forum also. I meet with the surgeon and dietitian on the 9th and 10th for my first appointments. Happy that you have found this app, it truly helps seeing real people going through all of the steps together!

Hello! I too am so curious to have all this info! My first appointment is on the tenth. I was given a list of questions I have to call my insurance and ask them. I'm curious to see if it's six months with the surgeon or if previous attempts count with my primary.. we have been trying different things to help me. I am a huge planner. I like to have a plan for everything and all the unknowns are eating me up! Good luck at your first appointment! I'm interested in hearing about you appointment on the eleventh since we're close to the same stages!!

You seem like your really qualified.. I personally don't see why you wouldn't be approved.. try to relax your appointments are around the corner. You are letting your anxiety get to you cause you want it so bad I don't have any other issues except me being over weight .. if anyone is going to get denied it's me I work really hard to stay healthy.. and I never thought there would be a day that being unhealthy would benefit me You are a couple steps ahead of me the are having time take the surgery overview class before the schedule any appointments so it sucks big time for me.. cause I don't even get to talk to anyone to feel out how they feel about my situation. Sure we can keep in touch Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App It's gonna be a long journey but one thing the time gives me, is time to think for myself. My family is trying to support me the best they can for those who know. You will get a lot of info at the general seminar it was pretty great and really pushed me forward.

I am right there with you nandy! I had the seminar to educate me about the different options and some of the process. I scheduled my first two appointments immediately. One for the surgeon and one for the dietitian for the 9th and 10th. I am incredibly anxious also, I just continue to look up different things about success stories or possible failures. I look up my insurance company information and have studied the surgeon also. I'm pretty young but I have pcos and several other health issues that would qualify me along with obesity.. it makes me nervous that I won't be approved but I just keep telling myself that everything happens for a reason and that I'm doing this to give myself a happier healthier longer life. I'd love to keep in touch on our journey since we're both close to the same steps!

I am also hoping to have surgery within the next six months! I meet with my dietitian and the surgeon in a week. I have started drinking a protein shake for breakfast and eating a protein bar between breakfast and lunch, I didn't eat in the mornings before so I started doing this to wake up my metabolism. Unfortunately (or possibly fortunately) my home scale died so I haven't weighed myself to see if noticed a good change. I feel like I've actually gained, no clothes are fitting me [emoji20] definitely discouraging. I'm curious to hear what they recommend for your diet!

Wow this was awesome to read! I'm in a similar boat! I have insurance now to begin the new year but my job will be offering it as of the first of the year so it may change. I think my insurance requires six months of dietitian meetings. I have pcos and really struggle knowing when to stop eating and losing weight. I hope to hear more of your journey! Glad we are at close to the same steps!

This was great to read and congratulations! I have my first appointment in a week and I just joined the app today! I have been in it non stop to read different stories and hear all the need to knows. I'm nervous but I'm very young and already on seven daily medications.. I also have PCOS. Thanks for sharing your journey definitely pushes me to push on!

NikkiCL it's awesome to your journey! I'm new to the entire idea of surgery, I attend an information seminar a couple weeks ago and have my first meeting with a dietitian and surgeon in a week. I am so nervous, I don't know what to expect or what kind of time line I am looking at. I'd love to hear more about your success as time goes on! Congratulations

Up4challenge, thank you! As for protein shakes and things I will find out when I meet with the dietician. I drink EAS right now and eat a couple different kinds of bars!

That is awesome to hear ocgirl15! Congratulations on your progress and improvements! Its awesome to hear from others!

Congratulations!

My bff disagrees that it's just the easy way out. But she came around and realizes it's my choice. No one understands what your going through except you! The expense of health insurance visits and prescriptions is something no one else knows until they experience it!

I am also new to this! I was diagnosed with PCOS about a year ago, I have tried several different things to lose weight and have barely moved. Now I'm continuously gaining . I am at the very beginning of the weight loss surgery journey. In a week I meet with a dietitian and the surgeon to discuss what's next for me! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My biggest push is that I will live a longer, happier and healthier life And for anyone who doesn't understand or care, you just have to think about your self and your close family that is supportive! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App