Rucamama

So I'm shooting for a late Nov early Dec. GBS. I am close to being finished with half of the appointments... but I'm just getting excited for this new adventure to take place in my life. A few things I'm looking forward to is buying some cute clothes, being able to work out At the gym I will have access to when I have the surgery. Feeling confident and sexy! Maybe even getting to wear a cute two piece swim suit... fitting in a carnival ride with my kids. Not being squished into a airplane seat... ooo and how about this!!! When people say "you are so pretty for a big girl... you seriously could be a plus size model" thanks ass but u ain't small either 🤣

your friend sounds like a b*tch.

So I have only told a couple people about going through this process immediate family and few close friends, and I feel like ever since I told my girlfriend she has been acting different. When I told her she said she was jealous of me, and now when I bring it up she doesn't really say anything I was hoping for a little support from her. So now I don't want to tell my other bf bc she has made comments about her cousin who has had the surgery like "look at her Fb she posts all these photos of herself in skimpy clothes... she did it the easy way" I think she says it out of jealousy... so now I'm afraid to tell her this exciting news. Is it wrong to let her think I've lost the weight naturally? Has anyone else experienced this? I haven't had the surgery yet but it will happen in the next couple of months... should I just keep it to myself?

I'm hoping for surgery by December, it seems that the program I'm going through is booked like weeks out and if there is one day available I have to take it! I'm excited and nervous. This will be a big change in lifestyle... (mostly food).

UPDATE
Now down 127 at 7 1/2 months and feeling great.
Hw 395
Sw 356
Cw 229
Gw Zen
Surgery date 12-27-1

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WHAT IS EVERYONE'S FAVORITE Protein?
BEST TASTING?
MOST PROTEIN?

Have you and your spouse talked about the surgery and everything related to it? WLS was a several year goal for me and when my insurance finally offered it an option I asked to go through the process to see if I qualified for it. By that point we had discussed it as an option for several years. But when reality hit it was time to discuss everything and make sure this was what we both wanted. He assured me that he wanted to grow old with me. As a heavier woman that wasn't in the cards. I was then 41 with a heart condition that would kill me within 5-10yrs. Weightloss surgery was seen as my best option long term. He adores me and makes sure I try to stay on task with my eating. And I manage his diet and blood pressure, and such.

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As usual, [mention=213093]James Marusek[/mention] is spot on and a genius.
On the inside, I am still the same person. I am a bit more confident for sure which makes me a bit happier but nothing vastly different.
Doing things is easier, shopping is more fun. But basically same old person.
But, your mileage may vary.

I'm going for my first consult so I am new to the process, but I'm curious to how you felt before and after surgery? I've read a lot of articles about how people's lives have changed for the good or the bad. Do you think these changes would have happened regardless of surgery? I think the surgery will be good for me but then I have my doubts afraid it will change me. Is this normal?

Same here! I'm hoping for a late October/early November surgery date [emoji4] This will be my early xmas gift to myself this year.

Hi! So I'm a ball of emotions with this process. I finished the seminar sent my paperwork in, now have my first consult with the surgeon Aug. 23rd. I'm wondering what will happen at this visit? How do you all deal with the idea of changing your eating habits for life?

I've got BCBS of IL, PPO through work. I also did the cost estimate on the BCBS website, and it basically said I only had to pay my max out of pocket for the procedure. I then checked my policy and confirmed that gastric bypass is covered. When I reached out to my insurance, these are the requirements they gave me in order for them to review my submission for approval. You'll notice that BCBS IL did away with the 6mo required diet back in Feb. 2012 (I pulled the current BCBS of IL medical policy on bariatric surgery and it notes when changes were made at the end of the policy). I've attached the policy PDF with the predetermination information at the beginning.
"For a member to be considered eligible for benefit coverage of bariatric surgery to treat morbid obesity, the
member must meet the following two criteria:

1. Diagnosis of morbid obesity, defined as a:
   • Body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40 kg/meter (* see guidelines below for BMI calculation); OR
   • BMI equal to or greater than 35kg/meters with at least one (1) of the following comorbid conditions related to obesity that have not responded to maximum medical management and that are generally expected to be reversed or improved by bariatric treatment:
     • Hypertension, OR
     • Dyslipidemia, OR
     • Diabetes mellitus, OR
     • Coronary heart disease, OR
     • sleep apnea, OR
     • Osteoarthritis; AND
2. Documentation from the requesting surgical program that:
   • Growth is completed (generally, growth is considered completed by 18 years of age); AND
   • Documentation from the surgeon attesting that the patient has been educated in and understands the postoperative regimen, which should include ALL of the following components:
     • Nutrition program, which may include a very low calorie diet or a recognized commercial diet-based weight loss program; AND
     • Behavior modification or behavioral health interventions; AND
     • Counseling and instruction on exercise and increased physical activity; AND
     • Ongoing support for lifestyle changes to make and maintain appropriate choices that will reduce health risk factors and improve overall health; AND
     • Patient has completed an evaluation by a licensed professional counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist within the 12 months preceding the request for surgery. This evaluation should document:
       • The absence of significant psychopathology that would hinder the ability of an individual to understand the procedure and comply with medical/surgical recommendations, AND
       • The absence of any psychological comorbidity that could contribute to weight mismanagement or a diagnosed eating disorder, AND
       • The patient's willingness to comply with preoperative and postoperative treatment plans."

I'm sure your surgeon has an entire program already put together to meet pretty much all of these requirements. My surgeon is Dr. Jonathan Wallace at Suburban Surgical out in Hoffman Estates, and their practice is a pretty well-oiled machine at this point. I just had my initial consult with Dr. Wallace on 8/9, and I've already had my insurance confirmed by them and multiple appointments set up (first set of labs, psych eval, and two required nutrition classes).
Hope this helps! I'm just starting my journey but I've done a TON of research already, if you can't tell [emoji4]

Current BCBS IL medical policy on bariatric surgery as of 3.15.17.pdf

I am one week Pre Op. I know its the silliest of concerns, but what have you told people that you just dont want to share with? People that
you are social with? Drink with , eat with and go out with weekly? Told my close family, but just dont feel like advertising or sharing with others.
any input is appreciated.
Thank you

Do you have type 2 diabetes? If so, how long have you had it and are you on insulin?
Do you have GERD?
Do you have a food addiction?
What is your BMI?

So I'm leaning towards Gastric Bypass, but interested to know your thoughts on the sleeve? I'd rather not do the band. Tell me your ideas on the pros and cons of each?

Hi everyone!! I am excited I did my seminar today and received all my paperwork to fill out and send back to centegra WLC, they will run my insurance and see what is covered and costs will be. Does anyone have this plan and trying to get GB? I'm hoping to have my stuff done and ready to have surgery before the new year just in case insurance gets ripped apart again... which I hope it doesn't because I love the plan I have. And is anyone going thru the centegra system? I am hoping to get in with Dr. Heydari but they did say he has a 2 month waiting list to be seen... but in the mean time does that mean I can see the nutrionalist and do the psych eval?

Thank you everyone for your replys! I went today for the seminar, just filling out a stack of papers to fax in to get the ball rolling! Also I have Bcbs il ppo, a bmi of 50, was wondering how your process went with insurance will they require a supervised diet before approval? Trying to get surgery done before the new year... just in case insurance is picked apart and pre existing conditions become worse for us.

Hi everyone I am new here, I'm going to my seminar to start the process for WLS tomorrow. I want to hear from people who are addicts/alcoholics who are sober whom have gone thru the process. I'm afraid that bc of my past history and medication I'm on for opiate addiction I will not qualify or my process will be harder. I'm a recovering addict for 3 1/2 years, from heroin addiction and currently working a program and on suboxone. This has worked for me. I had a c section a year ago I was on subutex during my pregnancy and under the knife. Which it was fine for baby and me baby healthy and no w/d . I'm worried that I will be judged and told to get off meds completely when I know what is working for me and what can work for surgery procedures... such as 3 days prior to surgery lower your dose and conitinue to take that lowest does with the opiates the dr has prescribed for a few days after surgery, and when u feel u dont need them then to conitinue to take your subutex like you would have pre op. I've been reading that cesections are much worse pain than haveing GBS but yes I know everyone is different. I am just wondering how your process went? I've also read up on people switching food addiction for drugs/alcohol/ gambling/ or having too many cats ... 😜 J/k but I would like to continue on the subutex after surgery bc I've been down that dark lonely road of addiction and don't want to do it again. Also I've read articles about after having GB that patients whom taken suboxone that the naloxone isn't processed into your body. I know this is a lot and I may be all over every place I guess I'm afraid I be honest with these people and get treated like I'm a drug seeker. Or if my dr is uneducated on the medication. But at least I know the experience I had before and how I felt the last time. I will hope and suggest that to them. Please tell your stories!!! I can't stop searching the web on WLS!! 🤗