reachbree

Omgsh that's horrible!!! Hope you get better really soon!

kinda reminds me of when I had C-section 9 yrs ago, about a month out I couldn't tolerate the pain from my gallbladder so went right back into surgery and to have that removed....was the best decision ive ever made!!! Once you heal you will feel great.

Wow, I haven't had surgery yet (6/16) but I imagine mine will be same as yours. My grandmother has told me several times throughout my 14 years of marriage that "If you loose weight your hubby will never leave you" thanks grandma! until this day, I feel a pain in my heart every time I think about it. Sorry if this is a lil off topic.

My surgery is scheduled for 6/16. I am hoping to only take a few days off although my surgeon recommends 6 weeks. Iam trying to avoid going thru the turmoil to get FMLA....its there for me to take but I went through it 2 yrs ago with my baby. I work at a desk all day and its mostly on computer. That makes me fill a bit better but we'll see how goes.

Thanks for your response

as time goes on my feet are slowly landing back on the ground and I am feeling more calm, especially coming here and seeing success stories such as yours. Did you really loose 96lbs in 10 months? that's crazy and amazing!

Of course, it wouldn't be normal to not be nervous. As I have said before, I just put it in my head that this had to be done like having my gallbladder out. I didn't think of it as elective, I thought of it as a medical necessity and then I was not as nervous and did not even consider backing out. I am almost 10 months out and would do it all over again in a second. Good luck

Congrats! I was just approved and scheduled on today as well...my date is June 16th. I am nervous as heeeck! I didn't think I would be scheduled so close in date so I think that's why its hitting me like a ton of bricks. Hopefully I will wake up in the morning feeling more excited, less nervous and stunned

Good Luck to you and journey!!

I honestly have been floating all day because I'm in such shock that I've been approved, if you have seen my previous postings about BS/CA then you know why.

Needless to say, while I'm ecstatic about this, my nerves are on an all time high! I don't know what's come over me, I just suddenly feel nervous almost to a point where I want to back out. I'm asking myself "Are you SURE you want to do this???" Will I be another successful story? or will I fail? I am also afraid to tell my family (mom, dad, sisters) because I know they are against any wls as they live, GF, fat free, sugar free, vegetarian, lives....so they wonder why I cant as well. While my goal is to use this tool to eat better and get to a somewhat healthy weight, they don't get it.

Also I still haven't gotten down to the final weight my Surgeon set my goal for before surgery. I explained to them on today that I was concerned about that and felt that I needed more time before scheduling the surgery but I was assured that I am fine as long as I haven't gained weight, they wont turn me away on surgery day.

My date is set for June 16th, pre-op June 8th.

Has anyone felt like this before, prior to surgery?

I'm shaking as I typed this lol

Best of luck to u!

What was their reason to deny the first time around?

So do you have to start your 3 months or did already during this battle?

My surgeons office require 3 months anyway as well so im coming up on that last month.

Through this process The first few reps I spoke with from BSCA all said 6 months is required. I got a good push from this forum to not give up until I get the CORRECT infO. I called bsca and finally got someone who informed me that the policy DID in fact changed and there is no 6 month requirement. Unfortunately i didnt get someone who was willing to contact my surgeons office to tell them that. So I supplied surgeons office with a copy of the UPDATED Policy and auth form and they looked it over and STILL insisted on the old policy requirements..they got tired of hearing me say "that is not the updated policy requirements" so now theyve agreed to let me complete the 3 mo then submit.

Seems as tho all the staff at my office have attitude issues..major. I realize they are not there to be my friend but they can be a little kinder. ..they have ALL had a type of bariatric surgery and if bariatric surgery makes you such an angry person im not sure I want to go through with it. Funny becuase the surgeon, whom by the way did NOT have bariatric surgery is very kind or atleast normal!!!

I hope the remainder of your process is smooth as butter!

THIS right here, is exactly my same situation. Seems like they even have an attitude about it. I have 1 more NUT visit to fulfill my surgeons office 3 months requirement then we will submit, all while they are shaking their heads at me saying "Its 6 months"......

So the insurance coordinator finally received the right information regarding my insurance but now says they are going to use the recommended 3 months from initial consultation before sending approval anyways. The surgeon said NOTHING about that. He said if my insurance didn't require weight checks I could be ready in a matter of a couple months. I think she is punishing me for knowing more about my own insurance than she did and I was persistent in getting the information to her.

I need to call the office to clarify but I am so angry I am afraid I am going to say something that will just piss her off and she will prolong my process even more. I really like this surgeon but do not know if I can deal with this person.

So sorry that happened to you OP. I would be livid as well. Everyone's work environment is different. Some work in places where their coworkers are like family/best friends...very close. Others work in places where your coworkers are just that, people you are thanking God you are not related to, THAT being said, Im not even telling my whole family about the surgery so I definitely don't want my coworkers knowing with the exception of 1.....My point being...different strokes for different folks. I would not appreciate that happening to me, this does sound like a violation that was done by someone who was not properly training on HIPAA. In my place of employment which is for the County I live in, violators are made to retake the HIPAA course and test for first violation.

Update:

Thanks so much for the responses!

I had my NUT appointment earlier today and it went rather well. Despite only being down 1 more pound the RD assured me that I was doing well and that she and my surgeons office focus is really that I not gain any weight during this period and so far I've managed to go down, instead of up. She said she was putting in good notes for me and clearing me as a last appt and ready for surgery! I am going to take every tool and tip that she has given me and shoot for success! She has given me yet, more hope so Im hanging in there and looking forward to this.

Now it's time to submit that pile of paperwork! (is it really all that much?)

I wanted this badly! All this time I've been so concerned about insurance requirements and whatnots but I've already failed at loosing the measly 10lbs my surgeon asked me to loose before surgery....For 3 months now Ive been through NUT visits. The 2nd visit I was down 5lbs. Tomorrow should be my last NUT visit and Im still at the same weight I was before less 1 stinkin lb!!!...why? well trust me...I've been getting in my Protein, Water, and veggies. But after doing that for 5 days straight, I tend to head towards the junk side of food on day 6, then back to 5-6 days of clean eating....then another day of junk. I cant seem to stop this pattern/cycle.

When I last visited my surgeons office, the NP told me I needed to go strictly on liquid now and said "Its time to get serious" (Mind you, I was told to do this when I don't even have a surgery date) I'm sure she was thinking "YOU'VE ONLY LOST 1 LB???" Needless to say for the past week ive been drinking Protein shakes, Water and tea, with little steam or grill veggies...and yet, Im only down 1lb since my last NUT appt. Ive also began walking during my breaks at work (30 mins, 3 days).

The Dr didn't seem concerned with my slow weight loss and actually gave me hope, but the nurse practitioner was...Plus I am afraid that my Nutritionist will be too on tomorrow. Im so embarrassed to even go in there tomorrow. I was hoping to have this surgery approved and by end of Spring, but by the looks of my lack of success I don't think I'll get that far.

Ive completed all of my insurance and surgery requirements, have had all testing and required procedures done...yet Im feeling like a total failure and wondering if I should just give it up.

I know how you feel! I personally HATE photos of myself....and I get tired of people saying "OH you look GREAT!" which is bee ess...because what I see in the photo has to be real. I also have issues with the mirror..I always think I look a lot smaller in the mirror than I do on photos or video.

I finally told myself that I had it and it was time to change for good.

On another view, obesity is not always a choice. A close cousin is 125lbs....however her diet is slightly worse in that she ALWAYS eats out (burgers, fries, pizza, fried foods etc) while I'm home eating homemade salads, chicken breasts, green juices and veggies) Yet, she stays at 125lbs and I gain 15 (Surprise, Im up to 225lbs!!). Something's not right about that and while I don't know all of the scientific stand behind this, I just see it as a problem and sometimes a curse but regardless of the reason I am at the weight I am, I've gotta get rid of it! It just doesn't seem fair that my body does not work like others (who are at normal weight) works....

Hmmm, I guess it just depends on your insurance. I have BSBC CA and was told to start pre-op diet early on and to loose 10lbs.

I am very borderline BMI,(40.3) as of my very first apt with the Surgeon. Now that ive lost a few lbs it is under 40....still no comorbidities. However, I was told by my surgeons office that the insurance companies take the weight of your very first appt with the surgeon...not the last.

1 more nutritional visit then my requirements are all done and my paperwork goes off to Insurance! Can you tell I am excited??

I saw someone's youtube video and she was sadly denied by her insurance because her BMI was not over 40 for 3 straight years. Is this the case with most insurance companies?

I fall into the category of borderline BMI (40.3) and no co-morbidities and my BMI has only been at that level since September. Before that, it was below 40 for about 4 yrs prior, then over 40 before that.

It was below during those 4 yrs because I had managed to loose 25lbs and was able to maintain that lost though I could not loose anymore.

Just wondering if its common for insurance companies to deny the surgery if your BMI hasn't been up for a # of yrs.....

So I have been seeing my nutritionist/dietician around the middle of the month..my last appt was on 2/17 and the one before that was on 1/13.

She is only in on Wednesdays and the soonest my next appt can be schedule is Wed 3/30.

Is there a chance the insurance will throw this visit out and not consider it a monthly since its 2 weeks over? How exact on the date do they want you to be?

Thanks Liposuction68, sounds like you have been through it. Fingers crossed everything goes smooth this time around!!

2 goldengirl...Yes, its me again! I had spoken with BS/BC CA rep and she laid it straight that they no longer have that 6 mo requirement and she pretty much said the same as you regarding other reps not looking into the updated policy.. Will definitely ask for a manager next time, maybe they have another suggestion as far as getting my surgeons office updated on that policy. Nonetheless, my surgeons office said they would go ahead and submit paperwork when i'm ready, just wish they would stop looking at me like i'm making this stuff up.

I've completed everything except the Upper Endoscopy which for whatever reason is taking 3 months to schedule (I don't get it, I really don't get it).

My last NUT apt is coming up. this week. I have learned that BLUE Sheild CA no longer requires 6 months of supervised WL diet so I have done 3. My Surgeons office is STILL insisting its still 6 months with Blue but say I can take my chances and they will submit after 3, however to prepare for a decline

Trying not to think negatively byt Im so borderline on that BMI and have no medical issues at all...I have/had pcos but my OBG took me off of Metformin after my son came 2 yrs ago and said the cyst on my ovaries are disappearing..somehow, plus my cycles magically straightened themselves out after baby came. Anywho I don't think insurance will accept that as a medical problem now.

Has anyone else been accepted/declined in my situation? Would love to hear your story, short or long

I am trying to put things together to prepare for the surgery and time for recovery. I'm mostly hearing that patients tend to take anywhere from 1-6 weeks although 6 is recommended (at least from my surgeons office) so that's what I am planning to take.

How long are you planning to take off from work to recover from surgery? Also, Will you be going on state disability?

That's another thing...I have maybe 1 week of sick time saved up and another week or 2 of vacation and personal holiday time. Im hoping to not have to use all of it. Im still trying to recover from having to use %100 of my time when I had a baby 2 years ago. However, I work for a county they require you use %100 of ALL time to receive state disability.....

Tomorrow will be my 2nd nutritional visit and weigh in.

I had my upper GI done this morning and had to swallow 3 different types of liquids for the procedure. One was a heavy solid white liquid...literally heavy. Im wondering if this hindered my weight of I havent digested it all yet.

I ate pretty healthy today ..lots pf Protein..veggies and Water. To be exact I ate a 20gm Protein Bar for late Breakfast, 26g Protein chicken breast pattie with spinach, walnut salad for lunch with vinagrette, 2 dried mango slices and yogurt for snack...30g Protein shake for dinner and tons of water.

I just stepped on the scale and I am up 3 lbs in 1 day. .WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED???

You would think that I pigged out on junk food but I kid you not, i had no junk today.

Needless to say I am quite nervous about my nut appt tomorrow. ..if i step on that scale and weigh only 1 lb less than what i did at the first appt...or worse ..weigh more..that cant be good. Im getting so close to completing everything I need and would hate to go backwards at this point.

HI Ladies-

I'm going through the approval process and just collecting as much info, knowledge and wisdom I can get before having surgery.

Simple question...how has having WLS (gastric sleeve in particular) affected your monthly cycles, pms and everything that comes with AF?

Thx for the wealth of responses! My concern are the friends who are eating unhealthy foods from what I see, on a regular basis. It may not be my business but I certainly don't want to see them go backwards after so much progress and success. My hopes for myself and anyone who has wls is that its successful and long term. However I do realize that not all are mentally or educationally prepared for this. Although, shouldnt alot of it be common sense???? At the same time thats why changing eatting habits strictly during the first yr is so important...it will help to keep that craving horomone at bay...and teach you how to make better choices (Eat This, Not That!).

The fact that a high percentage of wls patients gain %50 of weight back, is quite scary.

This is an honest question. Most of the people I know who have had this surgery eat whatever they want just smaller portions and of course they may not be able to tolerate everything they had before.

By my understanding this is not how this surgery is supposed to work for you by just causing you to eat smaller portions and BAM your weight drops. A big part of it what you put in your mouth no matter how much or little it is.

Ive been going to the NUT visits and being taught that the pre and post diet is pretty much the way I should be eating the rest of my life, a lifestyle change. That's really what I'm trying to prepare myself for because i know if I ever went back to my old habits..my weight would increase FAST.

Is it that they begin eating other foods when they've gotten to their ideal weight and they want to maintain or even gain a little?

I have my reasons for wanting this surgery. My main concerns are developing all of the health issues my father and his mother has and are struggling with. Im currently not suffering with any health issues but im 36 and if the weight keeps up i feel like its only a matter of short time. I dont want to wait..

On a less concerning note....Im really not looking forward to having a ton of loose skin...I have about 75lbs to loose. I carry alot of weight in my tummy...the rest of course is spread evenly between arms, thighs.

I feel like I will go from one insecurity (being overweight) to another (hiding lbs of saggy skin...dreading to wear short sleeves, be clothless around dh....)

I seriously doubt that I would have any cosmetic surgery because I simply do not make that kind of $

Just wondering if anyone else worries about this.....

It shouldn't matter what your BMI was, only what it is. The policy doesn't say you must have had a BMI > 40 for any timeframe.

As far as the documentation, remember this: your surgeon submits the request. They do this all the time. They want to get paid, so they want you to be approved. They will ask you for anything you need.

and yes, you did spell "comorbidities" correctly!

LOL!! Thanks 2gg

So true, the policy wording is so important!