sooo great news! i went to my first appointment today. Everything went great and Dr. Gerhart seems amazing. so looking forward to this. I'm going for my first appointment on Monday March 19 for a Gallbladder ultrasound. I am required to join a gym.. The local Wilkes Barre YMCA has a special $99 for 3 months for bariatric patients.

At my appointment today the scheduler called both the Psychologist and the Dietician.. just waiting on both of them to call me back. I have to get the Gastroscopy (EGD) done on April 3. Routine bloodwwork a week before that.

After that it should lead me back to my 6 week follow up with Dr. Gerhart. He said I could have it done by 8 weeks.. but of course there is a setback. my insurance company requires nutrition and exercise program must total 6 visits or more in 6 conseceutive months (( Sooo i guess i'm looking at a Sept surgery date.

Does anybody else have Blue Cross Anthem out of CT?? the paper they printed out for me today at the office says Higher Mark Policy on the top of the paper.. it doesnt say Anthem anywhere on it.. could this be different?! I know there are many different parts of Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

side note: I've been battleing strep throat since Sunday.. only good thing is i'm down 8lbs! on my way to my consult today.. dad goes.. sarah maybe you won't need this surgery now? trying to make light of the situation! thank god for supportive parents, family and friends!

Hi Sarah, I'm new too! I have not yet seen my surgeon officially but I know him well as I worked with him several years ago when I worked at a hospital that specialized in WLS but did not provide the benefit for employees. Go figure... At least I know I am approved to have the procedure with my current employer.

Anyway, I've got my appointment set for 3/31/12. My insurance requires 3 sessions of nutritional counselling over 3 months and a psych evaluation. The good news is, I only have to meet the $400 deductible and pay 20% for the surgeon and psych eval. The hospital and nurtitional consults will be covered at 100%. I am looking at a total out of pocket of around $1000 or so give or take.

I don't know when all the other testing is going to be done, it will all fall into place after I see the doctor.

I think the one thing I was worried about most was tolerating the Protein drinks. I bought my first whey Protein powder tonight and discovered I liked the flavor. chocolate Peanut Butter. But then again I like any thing with Peanut Butter.

I think the information she had given me about the 6 months of exercise evaluation was wrong! i found this link online:

http://www.anthem.com/medicalpolicies/anthem/va/policies/mp_pw_a053317.htm

I have to meet $250 in deductables and could pay up to $2000 out of pocket. :/ I'm so excited and looking forward to this. I heard the Lean shakes from GNC are good http://tinyurl.com/6o39l6d .. and they recommded them at my dr's office. Also she gave me a sample of a clear Protein drink called Natures Best Isopure Zero Carb (has to be zero carb ones!!!) http://tinyurl.com/7vy5nd2 i haven't tried it yet.. but she said it was really good. I absolutely LOVE Peanut Butter.. what brand?! did you mix it with Water?

It is body fortress super advanced whey Protein. I bought it at Walmart. I think it was 18 dollars and has 26 grams of protein (140 calories) per scoop and you can use either 1 or 2 scoops. I mixed 1scoop in 8 ounces of cold Water, though it says you can mix it with milk.

I did not anticipate liking it and figured since I need to get as much protein in as I can at 26 grams per scoop it was a decent bang for the buck.

i just researched that protein.. everyone raved about it the walmart reviews! i checked out the other nutritonal information.. looks good.. my paperwork says to limit the fat & sugar to 5g or less per serving.

The fortress is

26g protein, 2g of fat & 2g of sugar for 1 scoop

52g protein, 4g of fat & 4.5g of sugar for 2 scoops .

Welcome to the VST family!

I drink the GNC Lean 25 shakes and they are awesome!

awesome. I just bought them! the swiss chocolate one. haven't tried it yet.

I bought vanilla and mixed berry. I blended the mixed berry one with ice and stevia and fresh raspberries...man oh man it was good. And, if ur a coffee drinker, I have mixed the vanilla one withmy coffee and added stevia instead of creamer and calories that aren't needed and it was awesome as well.

Welcome!!

I found this blog on pinterest.com today. You may want to check it out. http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com/

Welcome!

hello.. im new here too.. im doing all the requirements right now as well i go the 29th of this month to submit everything .. i am so excited!!!! i cant wait for my surgery date : )

Im also doing requirements..I just have to get the psych letter from my psychiatrist.one more support group(I needed 3)...do a stress test and heart echo.

Im going to my surgeon on the 29th to see where im at. I really hope to have the surgery by may but who knows

im hoping i get it in april/may as well : ) i go to my last visit to the psychiatrist this coming week to get my letter ... im pretty much all done after that....

It feels like its taking forever:(