I had my initial consult with Dr. Schmitt and everything went well. He talked to me about my smoking and encouraged me to quit, but didn't say that it was deal breaker. I definitely want to take this opportunity to quit, but I feel better knowing that if I slip, my surgery won't be cancelled. I have to do the following: psych eval, sleep study, support group, letter from GP saying I can go through with surgery; blood work, nutrition class; pre-op appointment with surgeon, surgery.

My surgeon is in Birmingham (about an hour and a half away from home). On the way home, I called and scheduled my Psych Eval, which will be Thursday at 4:00 pm. I also left a message at the local hospital for someone to call me back to schedule my sleep study. I then left a message for my GP's nurse, telling her that I need a letter from doctor saying I can go through with surgery and need bloodwork. I asked that she call me back and let me know if I have to make an appointment with doctor, or if he will just type up the letter and let me come by and get labwork done. I'm planning to go to the Support Group on 6/18/11 since they are only held once a month. I don't wanna wait until the end of July to go, since I can't schedule my Nutrition group or pre-op appointment until after everything else has been completed.

I asked how long this process would take and was told that if I have Sleep Apnea, it will be "at least" a month and a half. She said if I didn't have Sleep Apnea, it could be sooner. I'm not really sure why the month and a half if I have Sleep Apnea. If I go ahead and have the sleep study within the next week or so and have to be on C-PAP for two weeks (which I've heard can happen) prior to surgery, I could still get that done before a month and a half. I don't know. I'm just gonna try to get everything done ASAP.

He didn't talk to me about the pre-op diet, but the paperwork had information about it. I'm assuming that he will go into more detail during my pre-op visit.

Well, it's been a day. I had a car wreck 3 1/2 years ago and am still waiting for Workman's Comp to get me medical attention for a shoulder injury. Since I see a pain management doctor for my back, he's been trying to give me some relief in my shoulder. This morning (before heading to Birmingham), I got an injection into the front of my neck. It wasn't pleasant at all and since then, my right arm has felt really week. So, I'm gonna quit typing for now.

I appreciate all the prayers and support. I'm hoping that if I have to make an appointment with GP, I can do so this Thursday before Psych Evaluation so I won't have to take off from work another day. I'll keep everyone posted!

Great start! Looks like you're really on your way! Your insurance company doesn't require you to go through a 3 or 6 month nutrition program? Most companies do so you're very lucky.

My insurance company won't pay for the Sleeve and won't pay for me to have any type of weight loss surgery. One of the criteria is that you had to have had a BMI of >35 with co-morbids or BMI of >40 for the past three years. I don't meet this criteria, so I'm paying for it out-of-pocket.

At first, I was kind of upset. But, since they don't pay for the Sleeve, I'm glad that I don't meet their criteria for other types of surgeries. That way, I was able to choose what surgery I wanted instead of having to settle for one just because insurance paid for it.

I seriously was considering gastric bypass, but when I attended the Seminar, I knew the Sleeve was for me. It's a good thing I changed my mind- and did so before I found out the cost, which lets me know that I'm making the right decision. But, the Sleeve is $14,000 and the gastric bypass is $26,000! The hospital used by my surgeon has raised the cost by $10,000! Which if I was really set on the Sleeve, I would have gone somewhere else.

But, no. I only have to meet my surgeon's criteria.

Great start! Looks like you're really on your way! Your insurance company doesn't require you to go through a 3 or 6 month nutrition program? Most companies do so you're very lucky.