Hi everyone! I am hoping to find someone on here that is at the same stage as me or close. . I had my seminar a week and a half ago. I am approved by my insurance so that is good. I have my consultation on jan 15th. I already have my appointments scheduled for the cardiologist which is Monday, the psychiatrist and the pulmonologist. Things are moving quickly for me so that is a good thing.

Hi Ladies, I am a newbie also. Went to the Seminar in December and I have my first consultation with the surgeon on January 10. I believe my insurance covers bariatric surgery when medically necessary and I have a BMI over 40. I just hope I don't have to do the 6 month weigh in, keeping fingers crossed. I will follow up when I meet with surgeon and know more about what my requirements are. I have great support from my family, friends and co-workers! Good luck to all.

Hi Islandgal! The weigh in/preop diet depends on what insurance company you have. Some require 3 mos, some 6 mos and I have even heard of 12 mos! Mine wanted 3 mos so I guess I'm lucky there. I am so glad you have great support. I still cannot decide about telling my coworkers or some of my family... Are you having the gastric sleeve?

I'm also a newbie...I went to my last medical supervised weight management with my MD appointment. Fed BCBS demands that before they will cover the sleeve. I have done all my testing and now just have to wait for my surgeon to send all my completed task to BCBS....I have done everything the have required! It took about five months....I'm scared to death for some reason the will deny me. All the appointments between the psychological eval , pap, mammo, barium swallow and labs plus the four month long weight management appointments. My thing is I have nothing wrong with me. My blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar levels and sleep habits are all normal. I do have a BMI of 43..so they say that will work....still nervous. Anyone else out there with same insurance and health (non) issues?

Hi there. I also have Fed BCBS and am currently fulfilling my 3 months of dietician supervised diet. I have been told that BCBS will cover the gastric sleeve... I may have more weight to lose than you as I need to lose about 150 lbs. I also have diabetes and high blood pressure so more medically compromised than you are. Keep me posted!

Hi Sasha287, yes I am having the Gastric sleeve. I have Oxford Freedom Plan and I live in NY, and from what I have read they are pretty good when it comes to WLS. You were lucky to only have to do 3 months. Do you have a surgery date?

How are you ladies doing as far as losing weight pre-surgery? I must tell you, I'm not doing too good... I keep thinking, this is the last time I can have Pad Thai, this is the last time I'm going to have cake, etc... Is that common? I do want to try to start following a post-surgery diet so that I will be ahead of the game. The goal is to lose weight right? Not gain some before the surgery! :-)

Hi Sasha287, yes I am having the Gastric sleeve. I have Oxford Freedom Plan and I live in NY, and from what I have read they are pretty good when it comes to WLS. You were lucky to only have to do 3 months. Do you have a surgery date?

No, not yet... I have to fulfill the 3 months of dietician visits first. I'm an instant-gratification girl, so waiting is HARD!! lol.

Hi everyone? I have been reading all your posts. I'm so happy to see all these responses!!

I don't have to wait with my insurance so I feel lucky! I am impatient so I would hate waiting 6 months or even 3 months!

I hope we all can stay in touch throughout this whole process! It is so nice to have this app and all of you!

Hi everyone, it's very interesting to read everyone's experience. Mine seems to be a little different, probably because I am in Canada. I think the longest anyone has been on the diet first is one month, most people do a liquid diet for 2 weeks first, I think. The sleep apnea thing is really bothering me, I hope I don't have it. I haven't been sleeping well for years, but I never thought that could be what I had. Sasha287, I definitely understand what you are going through. I'm having a hard time dieting too, I will try it again this week though. I bought some protein shakes and will try to start replacing at least one meal a day with it to get used to it. I'll let you know how it goes.

Hi everyone? I have been reading all your posts. I'm so happy to see all these responses!!

I don't have to wait with my insurance so I feel lucky! I am impatient so I would hate waiting 6 months or even 3 months!

I hope we all can stay in touch throughout this whole process! It is so nice to have this app and all of you!

Hi sbailey1, what insurance do you have? That is great that you don't have to wait. I am also impatient, I am going for a consult on Friday the 10th and I am hoping I hear good news!

Hi everyone, it's very interesting to read everyone's experience. Mine seems to be a little different, probably because I am in Canada. I think the longest anyone has been on the diet first is one month, most people do a liquid diet for 2 weeks first, I think. The sleep apnea thing is really bothering me, I hope I don't have it. I haven't been sleeping well for years, but I never thought that could be what I had. Sasha287, I definitely understand what you are going through. I'm having a hard time dieting too, I will try it again this week though. I bought some Protein shakes and will try to start replacing at least one meal a day with it to get used to it. I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm going to try to do the Protein Shakes starting next week too. Let's compare notes!

I'm a newbie too. I have my consultation in the 16th as well as my diet class, support group and seminar. I ha blood work today and tomorrow I am scheduling my chest X-ray and my Psych Evaluation. I still need to schedule my endoscopy and that should be it!

hi I am also a newbie, I'm in California. I started all this in September, hopefully surgery the end of February, beginning of March, I have met all the insurance requirements, met with all the doctors, approved on everything. My insurance requires 6 months, portion / diet. that's the reason for the wait. I'm not nervous, kinda jazzed. I'm 54, 110lbs overweight, and permanently disabled due to weight related issues, I want my life back, yo-yoing just doesn't do it for me. looks as if there is quite a few of us for the same time frame, I hope the best for all involved, this site has been great for me, I read all the different post, recognize myself in a lot of them, and learn quite a lot, and it's really helps to keep me motivated these 6 months. gook luck everyone

I'm also new here. I'm in the beginning stages of getting approve. I have roughly 120 to 150 to lose. I'm really and excited and have a ton of questions.

Hi All, I am new too! in fact, this is my first post. I will be having my VSG on 5 Feb 2014 (5 weeks from now). Really scared but filled with hope for a fuller, healthier and better life ahead =)

I am glad to find bariatricpal as the country where i come from, Singapore, still views weight loss surgery as a cosmetic one. Although my boss and colleagues are sympathetic, they still think it is a beautifying surgery. I am glad I can have the chance to read all the posts here and be encouraged.

To all of you, a better 2014 ahead!

My doctor determined how much I needed to lose prior to surgery. I only had seen him two months prior to surgery. I had started "officially" another month earlier with a nitwit from another bariatric clinic. I was approved instantly. My surgery was delayed because I had gotten a nasty ear and sinus infection. My primary physician had prescribed prednisone - which is a no no prior to surgery. Therefore, I had to wait an additional three weeks for surgery. During that time, I lost the remaining goal that my surgeon had given. Prior to surgery I had the psych evaluation, physical, ekg, lab work, structured weight loss. During the EKG, it was discovered I had an abnormal heartbeat. So I ended up with a echo cardiogram also. All came back good. So I am five days out. I have lost 6 pounds since the surgery and 27 pounds since I met Dr. Jeff Baker in October.

Islandgal65 I am on Medicare and Medicaid. I am 41 but am on disability.

I can't believe they don't require a waiting period but they don't which I am so happy about.