orionburn

Ran into the same problem. I started mixing Benefiber into my Protein shakes.

I have Anthem as well and I had no issues with insurance. I'm sure it varies depending on the individual plan. I never had to submit any photos as proof. There was a requirement that you had to be above a certain BMI and they would refuse surgery if you got below that during the 6 month period. I know, it seems kind of stupid to think of not being able to lose *too* much weight in order to get the surgery. Our clinic nurse said Anthem was usually one that turned approvals around pretty quickly, but I got caught up in the end of year rush along with the Thanksgiving shutdown for most places. It probably took 3-3 1/2 weeks to get my approval when it typically only took a week for others at different times of the year. Once I was approved the clinic called me back in a few days to schedule the surgery. I had some delays due to other events/conflicts so I'm just not getting my surgery next Wednesday despite being approved back in December. Outside of my arthritis and back/sciatica problems I had no other health issues that I could really relate to the justification surgery. I would think with Anthem you should be in pretty good shape. Like I said the only red flag I recall was that you did have to be over a certain BMI and you were required to do the 6 month program.

I started my 2 week on Jan 11 and am down at least 12 pounds now. What used to be my comfy jeans (weren't too tight on the waist) are now getting way too big. The stress/fears of the pre-op diet aren't near as bad now after seeing the results. It's got me excited now and am feeling the difference.

Day #10 here. Still doing good. I have come to hate the Protein fruit drink mixes I got from my clinic. Luckily the Soups are good for the most part, and the shakes are really good considering there's nothing added in. I go in this morning for my last blood work test prior to surgery next week. Trying to keep myself busy this weekend so I don't think about food too much. It's easier during the week being at work.

My pysch test wasn't that bad. Was only about 10 minutes of talking with him then the rest was a nearly half hour survey. And the survey is one of those that are clear cut on how to answer. I wouldn't worry about it too much, but I would say that it's better to be honest if you struggle with depression eating. I battled serious depression for years as a late teenager and through my early 20s. Going through counseling was the best thing that I did to put things to the past and look to a future without all the baggage. I was honest my with my pysch guy - told him of things that had happened but it was Water under the bridge. He was kind of taken aback that it didn't bother me and pretty much said I have my crap together...lol. Maybe don't look at it as so much as matter of saying the right things to get approved for surgery as it is another step in doing the things to be successful. Isn't that uncommon for people to have struggled with depression at some point, but if you're in a better place then that's something to be proud of.

Pretty much had to do the same thing. The support group/class was optional, but it made it easier to get insurance approval and saved some money on other tests that had to be done.

Mine was the exact same thing.

Congrats! I got caught up in the end of year rush so the insurance company was slow to approve mine. I felt the exact same way. Excited to get the call along with a big "oh crap!" moment when that meant this was really happening!

Thanks all for the words of encouragement. I know it doesn't mean life comes to a screeching halt afterwards. It's a good thing I've become a beer snob because I enjoy making a drink last, so I know eventually I'll be able to periodically enjoy a good ol' Hefeweizen in due course @@JamieLogical - the "slider" food helps explain that a bit more. For the past few months I've heard so many stories of people having surgery and gaining the weight back and I had a hard time understanding how, but that makes more sense. Deep down that's probably a fear in everybody, especially since I have been so back and forth all my life. This is something I'm set on doing. For the past three years I've debated it but the weight has got to come off. The arthritis in my back causes terrible sciatica, so this is my last hope before being forced into back surgery, and even then the doc said the weight has to come off before they would even consider it. I managed to get myself up to nearly 400 lbs in my 20s, became a gym rat and got down to 265, then the weight came back after I quit smoking and the arthritis killed my working out. My doc said that he's always more concerned with the people that don't have any fears going into this so I suppose he'd be happy with me getting the jitters...lol.

I started the same way. Thought lap band would be what I wanted but that was short lived and opted for sleeve. I went to my first seminar in May of last year. Both the clinic I am going to and my insurance required a 6 month program. To be honest I'm happier for the delay to get mentally prepared for it. My surgery is next Wednesday but really should have happened in December. My paperwork got caught up in the end of year rush and by the time it was approved there were no more dates available in December. The length of time might seem discouraging, but it goes by quick and it was good preparation for the road ahead. Good luck to you!

Thanks for the welcome I go in on the 25th. I know it's an entirely different journey on the other side, but will be glad when this part is finally over with. There will be ups & downs, but hang in there. I honestly am used to it now and while I miss the act of eating I'm not "mourning" like I was this past weekend. There were some nights where it was like screw it I'm going to bed because I didn't want to think about it anymore...lol

Figured another new guy would join in. I'm on Day #9. First few days were rough. I think days 3 & 4 were the hardest, but once I got over that hump it hasn't been near as bad as I thought it would be. For the past couple of weeks (when I was eating regular food) I would substitute some meals with chicken bullion and a couple of saltine crackers. Personally that helped me mentally prepare a bit more for it. I'm down almost 10 pounds since I started last week so it's paying off. Less than a week to go until my surgery.

Been lurking a bit and finally decided to post as I'm going through the pre-op jitters. I'm on day #9 of the liquid diet and scheduled for the 25th as well. Went to may first information meeting on surgery back in May of last year so ready to finally cross this bridge. Good luck to all!