SleeveToBypass2023

So I have BCBS of Illinois (PPO) and I had my normal $25 copay for the psych eval, my $40 copay for the surgeon visit, the dietician visit was covered, and my only out of pocket was the $500 deductible and $1000 out of pocket cost. I also didn't have many hoops to jump through. I had already tried a number of diets so my PCP was more than happy to do the clearance letter. I had to have the clearance letter from my PCP, bariatric bloodwork, an ECG, 1 dietician appt, the psych eval and either have a bmi of 35 with at least 2 co-morbidities or 40 and up with none (I am 40 and up with 2, so I definitely qualified). From the time I started the process on Feb 28th to the time I completed everything and it was submitted to BCBS it was 1 month. They approved it in 48 hours and my surgery is scheduled for May 3rd.

Before my company switched to BCBS of Illinois I had Cigna. They are FANTASTIC about approving things as long as it's medically necessary. For example, I have MS. I take 4 medications for it. ONE of them (Tecfidera) is $8,900 per MONTH. As soon as they had the docs on file that I have MS, they covered it no questions asked with just a $10 copay. My other 3 meds total $3300 per month. Same thing. They also covered my 6 x-rays (3 with and 3 without contrast) every 6 months, no questions asked, because they are needed for my MS. So if your surgeon submits everything to them and lets them know it's medically necessary, I can almost guarantee it'll be covered no problem.

I'm getting a sleeve on May 3rd.

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That's why I got variety packs of everything. I don't know what I'll like afterwards, so I wanted lots of options.

So my 1 week pre op liquid diet starts April 26th (surgery is May 3rd). Just ordered protein shakes, protein flavored water, and protein smoothies. I ordered variety packs of everything. I got Fairlife shakes (10 pack), Premier shakes (15 pack), Designer Wellness smoothies (12 pack), and Protein 2o Electrolyte protein drinks (two 12 packs). I got them all on Amazon. This might sound really odd, but even though I have my surgery date already, there was something about ordering my shakes and drinks that just made everything feel REALLY real. Does that make sense? I'm more nervous about the liquid diet than I am about the actual surgery LOL

I just got one. I got a tall. It's soooooo goooood!!!!! Thanks for the info about it!!!!

What size do you get? Is it sweet at all?

Hey surgery twin!!! Mine is the 3rd too!!!

Matcha lemonade? I've never heard of it. Is it good? Have you tried iced coffee? Maybe that would be less acidic.

I've seen that a few times on here, so I'm thinking....maybe? LOL Sorry, I know that's not super helpful.

YAY!!! Hi surgery twin!!!! We can be excited together

Awesome, thanks!!

What makes the malabsorption so different between them? Why is the DS's so much bigger than RNY?

What is the main difference between a RNY and a DS?

I didn't know you could be resleeved. I thought it was a one-and-done thing and if a revision was needed, you go to RNY or DS.

If you do that, not only will you make yourself sick, you will have wasted all that time, energy, pain, money. Maybe it would be better for you to work your food plan, get some therapy and grief counseling, and focus on making all the parts of you better. I don't even think you can stretch your stomach out to be the size it was. And hurting yourself trying isn't going to solve anything.

I do this a lot. I think how lucky and blessed I am to have good insurance that approved me right away, a wonderful support system, and doctors that really listen and want what's best for me and advocate for me. Any time even a sliver of worry creeps in, I remind myself of that, and I think about how healthy I used to be and how I'm a heartbeat away from getting my life back, and everything disappears. I'm left with excitement, joy, and gratitude. I know there are so many that want to be where I am and can't be. I'll never take that for granted.

Same. My dietician said to eat higher levels of protein, but other than that, watch my portion sizes and how often I eat and make sure my meals are balanced (so so many fruits and vegs aren't allowed with keto, and I'm excited to learn how to "properly" eat balanced meals again)

THIS!!! I did keto for nearly 8 months. Had REALLY good success...at first. But you can't live like that forever, and if you have a slip up...oh boy. It's like all the weight you lost finds its way back WITH A QUICKNESS!!! And you have to have some carbs, some fats, some calories in your diet to be healthy. Has to be balanced and in moderation, but trying to live on keto forever just isn't feasible.

My dietician said specifically that there's nothing wrong with caffeine as long as it's in moderation. Funny how every surgeon, and dietician, says something different lol

He would rather I smoke weed lol But when I refused, he said he could put me on a pain management regimen that happened to include Tramadol, which is a huge no no in my book. There's always pain, but when I'm in an active flare it's almost unbearable. I will be calling about the Celebrex tomorrow. I've been thinking about CBD oil for a while but there's so many different kinds and strengths out there that I get overwhelmed and forget it.

Are you guys nervous about going to Mexico for your procedures? How does that work with follow up care? Will doctors here in the US take you on if there's complications? Or do you have to go to Mexico again?

Are you nervous about going to Mexico for the procedure? How does that work with follow up care? Will doctors here in the US take you on if there's complications? Or do you have to go to Mexico again?

Thanks for this!! Even if I have to stop the Celebrex, I cannot stop the others. And it really helps knowing taking pills is possible with the sleeve. Do you think we can do multi vitamin gummies? If they don't allow as much of the vitamins to be absorbed, would gummy pre natal vitamins work? They have higher amounts so maybe we would have a better shot of getting the right amount in us. I have to take D3 for my MS (and at a higher done than recomended for wls, and they're small, so that's fine) and the B12 can be multiple ways that don't involve pills.