Hello all.

I finally made the decision and started the process.

2/14/11: Verified with Saint Luke's Center for Surgical Weight Loss that my insurance would cover their program

2/15/11: Attended St. Luke's Seminar

2/23/11: Attended first pre-op Dr. appointment. Sandy explained that I would need a 1) sleep study, 2) appointment with their nutrionist and exercise specialist to begin a three month supervised diet/exercise program, 3) psych eval, 4) letter of medical clearance from my GP, and 5) copies of notes from any doctor I saw in 2009 and 2010 showing my current weight. I would also need to attend at least one support group meeting. My appointments for the psych eval and diet/exercise specialists were set. I briefly met Dr. Price.

2/24/11: I received a call from the St. Luke's Sleep Lab to schedule my sleep study.

2/27/11: Completed sleep study.

2/28/11: Received call from UHC. They explained that my policy does not cover Saint Luke's Center for Surgical Weight Loss . In addition, my policy requires a 6 month medically supervised diet.

You might imagine my reaction to this news. I was devestated and furious at St. Luke's for assuring me that my insurance would cover everything when they clearly had NO IDEA.

2/28/11: Reserved a spot in the upcoming seminar (3/7/11) at the only local program my insurance does cover, The Bariatric Center of Kansas City at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. All I can do now is wait to see what my earlier mistakes will cost me and try to move forward despite them.

I'm going to Dr. Kelly in November. How did everything go for you? I'm nervous of course but very excited also.

Husband and wife south of Blue Springs would love a local group. Feb. 1, 2012 with Dr. Hoehn. Counting the days!!! Wish you all would update your progress!

Congratulations and welcome to the loser's bench!

I had surgery 6/21/11 and am down 115#! I was an out of state patient though. I live 20 minutes south of Belton, MO.

Husband and wife south of Blue Springs would love a local group. Feb. 1, 2012 with Dr. Hoehn. Counting the days!!! Wish you all would update your progress!

115 pounds is incredible! Congrats!!! Are you still working down or on maintenance?

Thanks. I still want to lose another 30# to get ti my final goal of 125#. I', 5'3" (used to be 5'4#)..... guess I have shrunk so I changed my original goal from 135 to 125# because of that. I'm not saying its been a total cake walk because I have had to really work the sleeve and stay on the correct way of eating. I cheat occasionally but usually just as a treat. Holidays were a bit more difficult of course. I hope to be at goal in the next 3 months. We will see. It gets harder the closer we get to final goal.

115 pounds is incredible! Congrats!!! Are you still working down or on maintenance?

I'm trying to get into the social group you all have set up but it's asking for a password...help!

I am also using Dr. Hoehn and I have UHC. I just finished my 6 month diet on Feb. 17 and everything has been submitted to UHC so just waiting for them to stop driving me crazy with all this waiting and give me an answer..lol. It will depend on your health but the only thing Dr. Hoehn required me to do was a scope and psych eval. I initially chose Hoehn because UHC didn't cover St. Luke's cause I wanted to use Dr. Price as well just because a friend of mine used him and loved him. Then two months after I had started everything St. Lukes started taking UHC' date=' but I'm glad it worked out the way it did. I've met Dr. Hoehn a couple times already and he is always very attentive and most importantly non judgemental. I was frustrated at first when I found out about the 6 month diet, but now I'm glad I had to do it cause it gave me a chance to talk to a lot more people and do a lot more research. Hope it all works out for you and don't worry the 6 months goes by in no time!

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I am also using Dr. Hoehn and I have UHC. I just finished my 6 month diet on Feb. 17 and everything has been submitted to UHC so just waiting for them to stop driving me crazy with all this waiting and give me an answer..lol. It will depend on your health but the only thing Dr. Hoehn required me to do was a scope and psych eval. I initially chose Hoehn because UHC didn't cover St. Luke's cause I wanted to use Dr. Price as well just because a friend of mine used him and loved him. Then two months after I had started everything St. Lukes started taking UHC' date=' but I'm glad it worked out the way it did. I've met Dr. Hoehn a couple times already and he is always very attentive and most importantly non judgemental. I was frustrated at first when I found out about the 6 month diet, but now I'm glad I had to do it cause it gave me a chance to talk to a lot more people and do a lot more research. Hope it all works out for you and don't worry the 6 months goes by in no time!

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I know this is an old thread and everyone is sleeved now. Just wondering if any of you are interested In a meeting? I would love to meet other sleevers and since I was sleeved in Mexico, I do not have a Dr. Or hospital sponsored support group. I live in Pleasant Hill.

We need to get our group back together in Lee's Summit or even somewhere else would be nice.

I would like this as well! I live in Cleveland, MO which is 30 min south of KC. I had my surgery down in Dallas, and so I too don't have any local support groups. I could use the extra support from fellow sleevers due to going through some very difficult things with work. It's scary how fast the weight can come back when I'm not staying focused!!!

Lee's Summit or preferably South KC would be best for me. I will do my best to join up if its not there. Evenings during the week are not good at least during the winter months.

I say, let's see how many people are interested, figure out where we all live and try to pick the most accessible location from there.

There's a group of us that have met at a coffee shop in Lee's Summit a couple of times and they have the Fit Frappe by Big Train. It tastes just like hot chocolate and now I make it at work all the time. It's my new favorite protein drink. I'm up for meeting anywhere in the area.

How's about Saturday, February 23rd at the Bean Counter Cafe in south Blue Springs? Please email me if you might come.

lschieszer@comcast.net

I am up for meeting anytime. I will be gone Jan26 - Feb 3......cruising I will make it happen where and when the rest of you can be there. . I have a friend that I would love to have join us, she is not sleeved yet but it is in the plans for March or April. I prefer meeting on Sat. Since I work all week.