FabNFit@40

Check with your insurance, I lost and gained the same 4-5 lbs during my 6months, it was the center that didn't want to send my paperwork into insurance because I had not lost any weight, which is part of the program's requirement but not my insurance. I meet the requirements with my BMI and sleep apnea for insurance approval. Good luck

I just got an email from the center's director so basically, since I had not met the weight target set by the surgeon, she had not submitted my paperwork and so depending on my weight loss, she will submit it. Not acceptable, lets just say she got more than an ear full from me. I understand they want you to lose weight but we are talking 5lbs. (seems like they don't want to leave me) and that's before I even start the Pre Op diet. Praying the paperwork is submitted by the end of the week so I don't hurt this director

Insurance required the 6 months diet and nothing is mentioning about gaining any weight, it's the surgeon I believe that wants the weight loss. I just had a planned timeline of how this would flow with my work schedule and this throws a monkey wrench in them. I'm going to stay on them. I mean I still have to do the pre-op liquid diet before the surgery but I can't start that until I get a surgery date, can't get a date until paperwork is submitted.

I had to play the insurance games, I have completed all the testing, paid all of the copays, met my out of pocket expenses/deductibles, 6 months of supervised dieting. I just called the center to speak to someone and of course the program director and nurse are out of the office. I live in a small town, so my options are limited on switching programs without almost starting over, not to mention the time away from work to make go to appointments. I am waiting on a call back. Just needed to vent, thanks for listening.

So I had my last nutritional visit on Sept. 15, and of course had gained back the few pounds I lost, which put me 2 pounds over my starting weight 6 months ago. The nutritionalist says the surgeon will not schedule my surgery until I have lost some weight. I have tried seriously I have, I can lose it comes back. I have counted calories and carbs cut the weekly glass of wine, and even bacon( the only pork I eat) out of my diet. Was diagnosed with sleep apnea and have used my CPAP every night since I have received it. I walk 3-4 miles 4-5 days a week. Anyway, the nutritionalist said they would submit my paperwork to the insurance company anyway on the 15th despite not having lost the weight but to keep trying . Well I call the insurance company today and low and behold, they have not received any paperwork at all. I am so pissed. I was shooting for the end of Oct. surgery since I have met my insurance deductible and may have to travel for my job in December. Just speechless right now.

10/23 is my birthday. I go for my final NUT visit next week, we are hoping if all goes well with insurance approval, I can have surgery at the end of Oct. I would prefer early Oct. so I can be ready for some NFL games I want to attend later in the year. Congrats to everyone!

Dr. Cannon out of Dothan, AL

WOW, You look Awesome. Thank you for posting pics. I really needed some inspiration today. I have one more supervised diet visit this month before my paperwork is sent to insurance for approval. I also need to lose a few more pounds before then. Your pictures just gave me the motivation I needed to stick with my pre-pre op diet.

I have an app on my phone(WATER DRINK REMINDER) to remind me to drink. It's a free app and fairly simple to use

I have UHC and they also require 6 months supervised diet. I will have my final appointment on Sept15. I have been on a low carb diet but admit I have cheated here and there. During this time, I had all the testing and evaluations done. I was borderline with my bmi to start but I have been diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea so that will hopefully help with the approval for the surgery. In these six months, I have lost and gain the same 6 of 8 pounds required for me to lose. I have buckled down and stopped with the cheat meals as I am determined to lose these 8 pounds by next appointment. I'm glad I had these 6 months to actually research and decide if this truly what I want. I not only want it but need it.

You are truly an inspiration. You look Fabulous. I too have realized that I self sabotage since starting this process. I know I can and will over come it. Thanks for sharing

I am in the pre-op stage but I use Myfitness Pal to track my food and water intake. I love it

Any one used or uses Syntrax matrix/nectar shakes? I love them

I'm going to see if I can do it for a week. Today has not been bad so far.

Good Luck, I started a trial liquid diet today also, to get my mind right. I have 3 more visits with Nutritionist and I will have fulfilled all of my requirements for my insurance.

As I was doing my research, I came across Alabama Weight Loss Surgery based in Birmingham, they were going to be my back up plan if my insurance did not cover the wls. They are offering the sleeve for $11,900. here's there link. hope this helps .http://www.alabamawls.com/

My PCP called me a fat heifer at my wellness exam. I was first in shock that a Doctor would say that to a patient let alone to their face. I explained that yeah I had gained some weight but was working on taking it off. Needless to say after that visit I had all these emotions going on, I felt embarrassed, mad, sad and of course depressed. I started eating more and exercising less. Then it hit me that I could no longer fit a lot of my "skinny" clothes. I had lost about 4 sizes and gave all of my "fat" clothes away. I knew then things had to change. I had went from 265 to 170 back to 256ish. Yep that did it

I most certainly will keep you posted. I was low on Vit D also and was on some supplements for 8 weeks.

Congrats- I'm in the middle of the process myself. My insurance requires 6months supervised diet which seems like forever. I have had pretty much everything else on my checklist completed other than the diet. My last visit to the nutritionist will be Sept. and I hope to be approved for surgery and have surgery the following month(fingers crossed). I wish you the best.

I have told only 3 people, my reason is simple. It's no one's business but my own. 3 years ago I decided to lose the weight and I did . I changed my eating habits and with exercise, diet pills and weight loss injections, I lost about 60lbs. I kept up the exercise but the eating habits slowly came back. I got 50 million questions on the weight loss and how I did it. I was honest, shared my tips and tricks. As I begin to put the weight back on, I got twice the number of questions and OMG the co-workers begin to talk behind my back saying things like they knew I wouldn't keep it off. Anyhow, it has taken me quite some time to decide on WLS and I have done my homework, research, and for now the best thing for me is to keep quiet. I am doing it for my health mainly because I can easily become like many of my family riddled with health issues. I'm taking control of my life and doing it my way for me. So do it for you, do what is best for you. People will always talk, let them. I just keep smiling and keep it moving

Has anyone in the South East Alabama area (Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark..) had surgery at Flowers Hospital in Dothan Alabama?

Thanks for posting. You look wonderful. I had questions others asked them already and you provided some great answers. I hope to have surgery later this year if my insurance approves. You just gave me confirmation that I can stick with and reach my goals. Thank you

I used them also. It was basic questions, and they submitted my paperwork the next day.

It just depend on the area and physician really, I did a cost estimate with my insurance and the average cost in my area is around 22K. My insurance will pay 80% once my deductible is met and 100% once my out of pocket maximum is met. I have UHC.

My insurance requires a 6 months supervised diet, I attended a seminar in March, 1st appointment with surgeon was in April. I'm just 3 months in on the supervised diet and in between this time I have had pysch evaluation, EGD, go for sleep study this week. I will complete the 6 months in September and praying the insurance approves would like to have the surgery in Oct/November if at all possible. So I'm looking at 7-8 months from initial consult to possible surgery day.