Beginning the journey...

[2muchfluff 1]

I was very interested in the band when I first heard of it, but when I read about issues that people had with it, (pain and throwing up), I put it out of my mind. I have had my share of gastro problems and was not in the market for more. Besides, at the time, insurance did not cover any weight loss procedure. Then in January, I met someone that had the band, and had lost 40 pounds in 3 months and was doing very well. So, I began considering it again, especially since insurance now covers it. I knew I did not want bypass because of the nutritional problems, etc. I contacted Bariatric Resources right away to get the ball rolling, even though I was not totally convinced that I would have any surgery. Then, I was in the doctor's office with my daughter and met a lady whose son had the sleeve and she was raving about how wonderful it was and how it was so much better than the band. I came home and started researching it, and it did sound much better than the band for me. Especially, since I have other health issues that require me to take a lot of NSAIDS at times. And my insurance, UHC, covers the sleeve now! I still hadn't made up my mind for sure until I came across this site. Now I am convinced that the sleeve is what I need to finally get this weight monster under control! I have an appointment for a bariatric Nurse to call me on 3/10 to begin the process and work out all the details. I was told that I could go ahead and get an appointment with a surgeon, but I am trying to figure out which one would be best for me. I am leaning toward one at Memorial Hospital at Savannah, GA. I know that I will have to participate in a supervised weight loss program for 6 months and do the psycological exam and the whole nine yards. That is my journey so far. I am so glad to have found this forum!:crying:

[Tiffykins 672]

Hey Fluff, and welcome ! ! ! Congrats on taking those first few steps to a new and healthier life. I absolutely sleeve, and I had the band. I'm a little biased because the band was literal hell for me. I'll probably bash the band until my last dying breath due to everything I went through.

Anyways, many cheers to you. Keep posting, and let us know how things progress with UHC. Best wishes ! ! !

[2muchfluff 1]

Thanks, Tiff. I had read on other posts about your band nightmares, and even though I haven't had any weight loss surgeries, the problems that you and others have had sound a lot like what I have experienced with hiatal hernia and other gastro problems. Part of the top of my stomach would slide up through my herniated diaphrgm and become trapped, sometimes for days at a time. I couldn't eat, sleep or even drink a teaspoon of Water sometimes without starting the agony all over again. The first time it happened, I thought I was having a heart attack. That is why I am so hesitant about something literally doing the same thing to me.

[Kabranda 0]

2muchfluff - My surgeon repaired my hiatal hernia when he did my sleeve. With the problems you describe with the hiatal hernia it sounds as if that would benefit you too.

[2muchfluff 1]

Yes, from what I have read, I am pretty much anticipating the hernia repair. Did you have a lot of pain from that repair?

[Lee 19]

Welcome Fluff! I got my Sleeve on February 17th. I didn't know I had a hernia, but the surgeon repaired it at the same time. I think the pain/recovery all gets rolled up into one. I was in the hospital one night and released the next day. Three days later I was up and on the treadmill, drinking 64 oz of fluids. The first couple days suck, then it gets much better very quickly. You'll do fine. What a great choice you're making to improve your health!

[educationrulz 18]

Hey 2muchfluff! It sounds like you and I are in pretty much the same boat. It also sounds like we have the same insurance plan. March is month 4 of my 6 month supervised plan with UHC and it's going smoothly so far. I can't believe how quickly time is passing and I am so excited about getting this surgery. I can't find anything else out there that I'm interested in. If UHC didn't pay for the sleeve, I'd find a way to finance the surgery myself.

I was initially irritated about the 6 month process, but I decided early on to use it to my advantage. I decided on individual counseling instead of support groups because I don't open up well in front of strangers. This forum has been a great support group. In my counseling sessions, I actually process alot of the things I have read about here on the forum and how I might handle similar issues. I've learned a lot of great questions here to ask my surgeon that I would never have come up with on my own. I feel like I will be REALLY well prepared by the time my 6 months is up.

I put off my initial consult with my surgeon for a couple of months because of scheduling conflicts, but I'm glad I went sooner rather than later. The main reason is because I had already started requesting medical records to be sent to his office but none of them had arrived at the time of my consult. I went ahead and filled out release of info forms for all of my relavent doctors so that the surgeon's office could assist me with getting all of that documentation collected ahead of time. I don't want any delays when it's time to submit my request to UHC. :crying:

If you need to research potential surgeons, check out the patient reviews on the OH (ObesityHelp) website. There's some great info there.

Good luck.

[2muchfluff 1]

Thanks for the pointers, Mary! I see that your surgeon is in Atlanta. Are you a fellow Georgian? Duh, I see now you are from Atlanta!

I tend to put things off, too. But, I need to get on the stick and make an appointment with a surgeon. I just didn't want to jump out there and maybe get someone I didn't click with and wish I had waited. I will go over to the OH site and look around.

Edited March 7, 2010 by 2muchfluff

[2muchfluff 1]

I called the surgeon's office this morning and was invited to an informational seminar on Wednesday. They will check out my insurance coverage and get me an appointment after that! Can't wait to get started!

[Lee 19]

That's great to hear. Good luck!

[YOLANDA240 13]

Hey 2muchfluff,

I have UHC and I'm just starting my 6 months of supervised weight loss. My doctor she's great she tried to get UHC to approve because she has been helping me with my weight loss for months, only we missed one month last November and it has to be consecutive I think she was more heart broken then me. It's a journey and becoming healthy is our goal.

Welcome!:tongue_smilie:

[2muchfluff 1]

Thanks, Yolanda. I asked about the previous tries at weightloss through a doctor when the nurse called me, and she said they would accept it, if it were 6 consecutive months within a certain period. I am going to the doc Monday, so I will see what the records show then.

I went to the informational seminar last night and was a little less than impressed. The surgeon was nice and informative, but very rushed, and when it came time for questions, he answered a few and then got a call and had to leave for a surgery emergency. Hmmmm..... Then when I brought home the paperwork that they supplied, it points out that they collect a number of fees up front even if you have insurance. I don't understand that. UHC has their own behavioral health outfit that has to approve any counseling etc., but they had their own counselor and dietician that they want to charge for. I know UHC won't buy that. They have to preapprove that type of thing. They charge for the support groups and everything. And they had all their fees for aftercare outlined that had to be paid before the office visit, etc. It was kind of disappointing, because it just smacked of money, money, money.

I am going to try to attend at another surgery center next week and see if come away with a different impression....