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Thanks! All these are really helpful! I had my last appt with my surgeon today and feel much more prepared! It's happening!!!!!

I'm doing the same. My surgery is midweek and I'll be back to work the Monday following. But I have a very sedentary desk job, and they're super flexible about me taking walks and stuff. I'm optimistic! I see lots of people take much more time, but - like you - I don't want to burn through all my vacation time! Good luck!! Do you have a date yet?

March 15th for me!!

Thank you all for the support and shared excitement! I've been giddy all day at work! I'm getting the RNY bypass. My doctor is amazing and I'm feeling just on top of the world! I was originally worried, because I have Blue Shield California, and the requirements used to be a 6 month waiting period, but they changed it last year and a lot of offices hadn't gotten the change, so when I went in for my first consultation, they still said 6 months. I found the updated surgery requirements document from a lovely gal on this site, who ran into the same snag, brought that into the doc's office, and now, about 2 months later I'm almost ready for surgery!! SQUEE!! Also happy early birthday to you, too!!!

I haven't had surgery yet, but I'm very close and have completed most of the pre-surgery homework... but I just wanted to share a pretty awesome moment I had recently! In my excitement to start my weight loss journey, I've tried to get in much more exercise in, since I'm feeling VERY gung-ho! I'm playing tennis more regularly, I went on a backpacking trip, and I just joined (again) a Cross Fit gym. ....A little backstory: I've gone up and down and up and down with my weight over the last 15+ years, yo-yo dieting and trying every exercise and eating trend in order to fight the obesity disease (sound familiar?) losing 20 or 30 pounds using these diets and workout trends, just to gain them back and more once I slip. And I don't think that people who haven't been overweight understand this, and assume that every challenge can be solved with white-knuckling the problem and often stigmatize and judge tools like weight loss surgery, rather than the traditional "just work out more"... So, anyway, back to me joining this new gym. I really liked the vibe, the trainer was totally not a "bro" trainer, he was very nice and encouraging, and the gym was filled with a variety of body types and ages. MUCH different than the last CF gym I'd gone to! I was excited! But then the trainer told me he was going to do everything in his power to convince me out of surgery (which I'd disclosed to him earlier, privately). It was like there was a spotlight on me and my choices and my weight and my seeming choice to take the "easy way out". And my social anxiety almost had me tucking back into my shell like a turtle. But here's where it gets good. OLD Sarah would have slunk down and maybe even quit the gym out of embarrassment, or worry that I'd be pressured into changing my mind on a very personal decision I've already committed to and gotten excited about and am completely ready for! OLD Sarah wouldn't have said a peep. This time, I spoke up for myself and told him that while I totally hear him, and appreciate the encouragement, I won't be changing my mind, but I WILL be trying my hardest to teach my body how to work harder and do better with his class. And then I asked, "Deal?" Right then and there I cut off the judgement and the opportunity for this (well intending) trainer to think he gets to decide for me what's best for me, instead of me! It doesn't seem like an enormous moment, probably, to most people. But I have such a confidence issue that it was a shining light into my future of even more confidence and I'm really really happy about that. So I thought I'd share it! Have any of you ever had people try and chime into your decision, try to talk you out of it, or make you feel bad for this decision? I've largely kept it pretty private, with the exception of my husband, my boss and a few close friends, because I don't want others to think they can proffer their opinion about it, when it's not their deal, it's mine! Ahhhh! Anyway, that's my pre-op non scale victory!!

Thanks!! That makes me feel that much better about it! Very excited! And very happy for you both, as well!! <3

Hey all! I've seen this answered in a lot of different ways online, and different recommendations as far as how many weeks it takes to get back to work after surgery.... Here's my question: If I work in a very sedentary office job, where I self-manage my time on my projects with very little moving around, basically just sitting on my buns all day in front of a computer, how long realistically until I could come back to work? My mother had the surgery and said she felt better and was up and moving around after a few days, and I really can't take much time off of work, so I'm hoping that's the case for me. I am relatively healthy, only just barely at 40 BMI, and 32 years old. Do you guys think that if I had my surgery mid-week I could take a few days off, the weekend, and return to work the following Monday? Is that realistic? I don't know what kind of pain I'll be dealing with, or mobility issues. What do you lovelies think? Terrible idea? Or doable, given my circumstances?

Hi @ORseleeveMom , Can you clarify what a "liability estimate" is? I called someone at the surgery facility (whose number was given from my surgeon's office) and was given a liability estimate. Is that typically the estimate for the total cost that the patient is responsible for? Have you found that there is much variability in the estimates versus actual bills? Thanks!!

I am pretty sure that the no drinking before and after meals is once you go to more solid foods, since the Water tends to wash away the food quicker, thus making you less full feeling... but I am not completely sure.

Wow, that's so soon! Good luck!!

Awesome! I'm so glad you've heard good things about her. I love her, and it was basically her whole attitude and vibe at that first seminar that really solidified this for me. Thanks!! It doesn't quite feel real yet, since it's still a bit far out from my surgery... well not that far, OMG!! :)

@prettyCali916 I have Dr. Laura Machado. I love her attitude and she has been very great during the consultations, and I'm pretty happy with her. The only complaints I've seen out there are of her office and admin staff, which I'm fine with, honestly. But I was just curious Congrats!! That's wonderful! Good luck on your new life!

PrettyCali916 that's been about as long as I've quit and it feels amazing, honestly! I see that 916 is in your title. Are you in Sacramento? I am, and was wondering what surgeon you have, if you don't mind sharing! Also, it sounds like you must have just had your surgery pretty recently, so congrats!! I don't have a date yet but probably March-ish

Thanks for this post! I also have this worry, as it's one of the things my husband and I love to do together and I don't want to lose it. I've heard that the trick is drinking your calories while backpacking after WLS. VSGAnn2014, do you have something of a meal plan you stick to on your trips? I'm not a veteran backpacker to your extent, but typically do 3 or so nights at about 12-15miles per day. I'm curious what the meals would look like, as well as Snacks, since they'd have to be lightweight, and I imagine MountainHouse is out

Thanks for this post! I'm pre-op, and one of the things I've worried about was the possibility of losing out on backpacking. I also go on a few backpacking trips a year, and it's become one of my husband's and my favorite things to do together. But I was so worried about how I'd realistically get the nutrition and water in. hopaloa67, did you ever go on your trip? If so, how'd it work out for you? Any tips?

I have to say, this was such a challenge for me so long! I have been legit addicted to Diet Coke for years now, getting extreme headaches when I try to go cold turkey. So I've tried the "moderation" thing... and for me, to be honest, this was a total trainwreck of a plan. Because the first day you'll have just one. The second day you'll have another one, because what's one more? By the end of the week you're full on back to it being the primary drink of choice, which is what it was for me. (I seriously only drank Water when I exercised, otherwise Diet Coke!) I'm happy to say that I've kicked it completely, going cold turkey. I waited out the headaches. The first days were excruciating. And then I realized I didn't have the headaches anymore, and when people would drink a soda in front of me - something that should have been torture - I realized I no longer wanted it! In fact, I was mad at it for putting me through so much! So, if my experience can help you, I'd say DON'T try and have just one a day. Try to replace it entirely. If you need the caffeine, try tea or coffee. If you need the carbonation, try carbonated water and berries or lime. It's tough, but I have to be honest that I feel so much better without having soda every day! Good luck!

reachbree YAY!!! I'm so glad you finally got through the frustrating channels and now have what you need to move forward! Glad to hear that with persistence they're finally able to give out accurate information! (although it shouldn't have required NEARLY as much persistence, as it should have just been correctly given to you by the first rep you called.)

2goldengirl, I actually am a CA resident. I made this account a long time ago and was hesitant to put my actual info in, but yes, I'm CA. reachbree, I haven't gotten an official answer from BSCA, in fact they told me when I've called that the only way they give out requirement information is direct to the provider upon pre-authorization, which has been frustrating. And I was pretty surprised the surgeon's office was able to look at the policy and determine that it would probably be okay and that we'd go ahead with the three month recommendation. I'm sure that they will need to confirm this, and likely will run into the same issues yours did. But I think they feel like they policy clearly has changed and were pretty confident that we'd be able to go in this direction. Now, I will be pretty bummed if we do this process and 3 months pass and I am denied and need to start back at month 1 of 6, making it a 9 month process. But I am taking the moment to feel optimistic, because my surgeon was so optimistic and confident! I don't think they'd go down a route that wouldn't be approved if they though it was unlikely. But then I have no idea. It's a sea of different answers! Don't give up! Think of how long you've been having difficulty with your weight. Even if it is 6 months, that's a blip! You can do it!!

Hey, okay so I have an update. I met with my surgeon today and the administrators did default to the "6 month" answer at first, but then I showed them the link to the pre-authorization form and the policy revision (provided by 2goldengirl) and with that, they thought it was sufficient to get the ball rolling on the 3 month suggested timeline, as per the new policy outline. Which I thought was awesome, and good for them for being good advocates for their patients!! So it seems that I am going to go through the process as outlined in the new policy, they will include that in my paperwork, and then submit for approval in three months! I just wanted to share, because I was ready for the worst, based on some of the stuff I've been reading. This was a pleasant surprise, and I'm very happy to report that - as it seems today - I won't have to jump through a million hoops! Talk to me in three months if I'm declined

Hi Bariatric Babes! Does anyone know if BSCA uses the weight from before the 6 month supervised period, or after? I'm worried that I will lose the few pounds that qualify me, but I want to commit to the program. Does anyone have experience in this? I wasn't able to get an answer from my insurance company yet because I've only started the journey. Thanks!!

I've been following this conversation intently, because I worry I'm going to face the same hurdle. I have my appointment with my surgeon tomorrow. I've printed out the pre-auth form and policy update, and have links to each in case they need to go to them directly. But I worry that they will run into the same issue when they call if Blue Shield CA isn't giving out current information. 2goldengirl, did you have to go through the grievance process? Or was your medical group or surgeon able to figure out the revised policy? Or do you know anyone who did have luck where someone was able to verify through Blue Shield CA the policy change and say "yep, that policy was revised! No more 6 months!"? As far as I can see on these forums, everyone is having difficulty with this. Thanks so much for all your knowledge on this! (Also, I know I should, but I don't know what my medical group is versus my insurance provider versus the surgeon. :/ )

Hi! Same boat here! Do you know if this is the same for H M O as it is for P P O? Nothing I've read seems to make a distinction between the two. Thanks! -S

Hi 2goldengirl, thank you so much for this information! The medical group I'm starting with also said there would be a 6 month weigh in period prior to authorization. This will be great to be able to bring in and help facilitate the ball to roll a little faster! I'm having trouble finding the exact section regarding the change in the document you included. All I've been able to dig out of it is a portion that states on 7/31/15 there was a "policy clarification update"... but I am totally lost on a lot of the more administrative side! Can you help me find in the document where specifically it talks about the change? Again, thank you SO much! I was dancing across the room when I found this thread!! -S

Does anyone know if BSCA uses the weight from before the 6 month supervised period, or after? I'm getting started at a gastric bypass center and they told me that I'd need to do 6 months of nutritional check ins, but I didn't get a clear answer (in hindsight) regarding whether my starting weight would be now, before I go through that program, or after. I'm worried that I will lose the few pounds that qualify me for coverage, but I do want to totally commit to the program! Does anyone have experience in this? Or advice? I wasn't able to get an answer from my insurance company yet because I've only just started this momentously exciting journey! Thanks!! Go team!

I should clarify that I've gone to a Bariatric Center and they've told me that for my health insurance I need to do a 6 month nutritional program, which I can do there. I didn't get a clear answer on whether I'd still be covered if I lost weight during that time, but I'm hoping that my starting weight (today) will be what is used for my bmi for qualification, since -as with most of us- it's easy to lose 10lbs but then it just comes right back anyway!