Hi y'all! I have my initial surgeon appt next week and I'm about to burst at the seams with excitement! Okay, that's an understatement. I'm obsessed with it now that I've decided this is the best for me. It's what I think about when I go to bed, wake up, and all day in between I'm researching, reading and preparing. My dr's coordinator said after initial appt my surgery will be scheduled and will be about 3-4wks! I'm trying not to get my hopes up and trying to stay "normal", but wow... Reminds me of that line in "When Harry Met Sally" where he says something like the minute you know you've met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with that you want the rest of your life to begin that moment. I'd go tomorrow if I could! Ahhh!!!

Trust me, I went through the same thing! I think 90% of us do!

Hi y'all! I have my initial surgeon appt next week and I'm about to burst at the seams with excitement! Okay' date=' that's an understatement. I'm obsessed with it now that I've decided this is the best for me. It's what I think about when I go to bed, wake up, and all day in between I'm researching, reading and preparing. My dr's coordinator said after initial appt my surgery will be scheduled and will be about 3-4wks! I'm trying not to get my hopes up and trying to stay "normal", but wow... Reminds me of that line in "When Harry Met Sally" where he says something like the minute you know you've met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with that you want the rest of your life to begin that moment. I'd go tomorrow if I could! Ahhh!!![/quote']

hi, I am new here. sorry if im posting wrong. Im on my phone and cant figure this app out yet! Lol. Im looking to get the sleeve and I saw my regular doc and she sent off a letter to my insurance co. I havr state medical so not sure if they will approve or not. Should I have seen a surgeon and had them send the letter? Im confused on how to start the process! Any advice?

Yep, me too! Congrats, it IS exciting!

I was Super duper couldn't sleep excited! Congrats!

hi, I am new here. sorry if im posting wrong. Im on my phone and cant figure this app out yet! Lol. Im looking to get the sleeve and I saw my regular doc and she sent off a letter to my insurance co. I havr state medical so not sure if they will approve or not. Should I have seen a surgeon and had them send the letter? Im confused on how to start the process! Any advice?

It may work differently. I had my reg Dr. refer me to the bariatric center. There I saw a surgeon, a few nutritionist visits, psych exam, which was all covered by my insurance from the referral of my primary care physician. Once that was done, the bariatric center sent to my insurance to get approval for my surgery.

Hi everyone! Newbie here! Im 35 and looking to get the gastric sleeve. I could use some advise on how to get the ball rolling. I live in illinois and have harmony health ( state insurance) my reg. Doc sent off a letter to them trying to get approval. Should I have seen a surgeon first? And do you have to obese? Im 5'6 and 214lb, my bmi is 35, I have high cholesterol and have been on numerous diets without much success. Any advise would be helpful on what I can do to make this happen! Thanks

I am feeling the same way. I scheduled my appt with the surgeon for the end of the month, when I could take off work without my students missing instruction and I want that date to be here already. I hate to wish time away, but I am counting the days until that appt. I'm hoping that the paperwork will be submitted to the insurance company after that appt since I have completed all lab work. #crossingmyfingers

It may work differently. I had my reg Dr. refer me to the bariatric center. There I saw a surgeon' date=' a few nutritionist visits, psych exam, which was all covered by my insurance from the referral of my primary care physician. Once that was done, the bariatric center sent to my insurance to get approval for my surgery.[/quote']

See, my doc told me to contact my insurance and see what they say about covering it. They said they do but I have to find a sergeon that takes my insurance, so I did. Then found out my reg doc sent off a referral letter to the insurance so now im just waiting. Should I call the bariatric surgeon and try to set up appointment? I dont know how this works.

I am feeling the same way. I scheduled my appt with the surgeon for the end of the month' date=' when I could take off work without my students missing instruction and I want that date to be here already. I hate to wish time away, but I am counting the days until that appt. I'm hoping that the paperwork will be submitted to the insurance company after that appt since I have completed all lab work. #crossingmyfingers[/quote']

I havent even had any lab work or anything. I am very fresh in this. Im afraid they wont approve me cuz im not obese. I do have a high bmi and high cholest. But no major health problems. Think im gonna call the surgeon I found who takes my insurance monday and see what we can do to speed up the process, if he agrees the sleeve will help me.

I can't wait!!!!!!!!! May 17th is my surgery date and all I think about is this! I am evening dreaming about it!

My employer has an obesity exclusion on our policy, so I'm self pay. I'm refinancing my first home (2yrs into mortgage) to get this done. I considered Mexico as I could have paid for that with my savings, but the fear of complications and no real follow up terrified me. So this is it... I'm thrilled, scared & soooo excited!

Dont blame you, I would be worried about that too! Too many horror stories on t.v. about that stuff. Im still waiting to hear if my insurance will cover it for me. Im tired of the roller coster ride with weightl loss! Gain 30 lose 20! If I could get help losing with the sleeve I know I can keep it off!

I am definetly obsessed too! My surgery is in May 10th and I have final exams coming up and cannot even concentrate to study! (now that is bad lol).....mommy4, I am having surgery in Mexico, I have done tons of research and now I know that for mei would go to Mexico even if my insurance had covered it. The sleeve has been done in Mexico for about 7 years and the USA has only been approved for about 3, so the experience level of some Mexican surgeons is greater than most here in the USA. I was afraid at first too but like I said after all of my research that fear banished. I would however be very careful of who I go with, those horror stories are real, but unfortunately they happen here too! So regardless of where your surgery is do your homework and decide wisely on whose hands you will put your life on. Good luck!

Oh ya definatly! Ive seen the mexico add on the web. Havent looked into that because I cant afford the airfair. And I was also worried about follow ups. I have illinois state med. And checking into surgeons here. Im not putting it down at all having it done in mexico. You are right, there are horror stories everywhere when it comes to any kind of surgery. Good luck with yours! I would be excited also. Ive just begun my journey and im already excited, knowing I could be shot down by insurance, but keeping posative!

i am beyond obsessed. reading the success stories which i love, especially make me soooooo anxious!!! I have finished everything and am just waiting for my appt with my surgeon to be set up and once I meet him, I should have a surgery date. I have been lucky in that I didn't need to do any supervised diet or anything too time consuming (made this decision sometime in mid january and first seminar feb 5th). i just want this to happen sooooo badly i cant think of anything else. i am shooting for may 15th ish and hoping nothing stands in my way. good luck everyone!