I went to my first required support group meeting last night. I have to attend another one next month. It's not as easy as I expected to get the surgery done. I'll pretty much have to jump through hoops - one more meeting, then see a bariatric internist, then a nutritionist, then on to the shrink, thennnnn onwards toward surgery, but only after I lose at least 30 pounds on my own. AHHHG! I'm sure this is all normal stuff that everyone has to go through, but dang, they want a lot. If I can lose 30 pounds on my own, why do I need surgery? That's the part that gets me a little confounded. If it was so easy to drop 30 pounds, don't they think everyone would have done it already?!?!

There were some recent patients at the meeting. The bypass patients all looked pale, sickly, and shriveled - not to be mean, they lost the weight - great for them.. but the bandsters looked a whole helluva lot healthier. I also got to meet my surgeon, and he's sweet as can be. That was nice. Ok, well, I'm rambling.. just figured I'd pop in with an update. Hope everyone is doing well, two thumbs way up for the successful, *hugs* of support to those that aren't there yet (you will be!).

El

Yes, that old thing about losing weight to have surgery sure sounds dumb. I mean, I can understand shrinking the liver to help the surgeon, but 30 pounds!?!

I was self-pay, and at the time, the most experienced doctors were outside the States. Going to Mexico is great because you don't have to jump through the hoops. In one day, I did the physical, saw the shrink and nutritionist... Done in a couple of hours, at the most. Then went on and had margaritas and a nice dinner! Surgery the next day... Pretty easy...

Hang in there. Do what you have to do, but know that this place is the bomb when it comes to support...

It'll be here before you know it! Hang in there!

Elektralite- I am right there with you in the jumping through hoops..

I have my surgery scheduled for June 13th at this point. I called insurance and they said it was covered under my plan with nothing to hold me back.

Well, met my dr (ok, already know him.....we sit on the sidelines each week at our girls' :soccer: game). He is an awesome individual and calmed my nerves very quickly. We scheduled my date - hoping to do it the week after school gets out.....before summer school starts. (this date works best for me because I do daycare and my summer census is lower then than during the school year).

AND suprise suprise suprise....insurance slapped me with their conditions....First of all they complained that we didn't submitt the correct information. So, I did my psych eval and did my nutritional eval like they requested.....and re-submitted everything. (we are trying to ignore the 6 mo doctor supervised diet that they are requesting). We also got a letter from my regular doctor that says this is the only answer for me - she does not suggest any other diet or drug because of other health issues.

I have been to one support group meeting -- we are required to attend atleast 6 meetings post op. The group was small and very interesting -There have only been @ 40 LB surgeries at my local hospital - great success stories and very good after care :nanahump: .

I just talked to the bariatric nurse and she thinks if the insurance company can get off their lazy :tape: asses and reply within the next week or so .....my surgery is still a go on June 13th. (otherwise the schedule is now full through August)

I am extremely excited but starting to feel the crunch....If I am approved, I need to start my 10-day liquid diet about June 1st. That really isn't that far away. I also need to inform my daycare families about time off/get my mom to come for a few days to help with my three children, go shopping and the list goes on and on.

I just wish I knew what was happening. Good luck at your journey of hoop jumping -

Tracy

Hang in there, good things come to those who wait!