I thought I would start a thread with a timeline that I can reference back to as I go through this life changing event. Outside of this community, I have chosen to only share this with my wife. I have battled the belly bulge since I was a young kid. I was physically active, but always large. I managed to get to my lowest weight when I was in the Peace Corps (213#) however, since my return, the weight came back up. I yo-yo dieted over the years and neglected my health. I went 5 years without seeing a doctor, mostly because I didn't want to hear, want I already knew..... lose weight! I just turned 35, my wife is pregnant with our second child and is due in November. I guess all of these things were a wakeup call. my uniforms were getting smaller and I refused to buy a larger size. enough is enough. by happenstance, I found this website, which led me to the revelation that wls was covered through my insurance, blue cross blue shield federal employee program. Found all the requirements to get approved for surgery and started hitting it hard. First step was to find a new PCP since my other 2 are no longer around (one died, one retired). Today August 11, 2014, my wls office is submitting my papers for approval. I am the most nervous I have ever been. I have jumped through so many hoops to satisfy all the requirements, and now I wait. here is the timeline of events thus far. Thanks Bariatric Pal for all your knowledge, advise, and kind words. I will continue to add to this as my journey continues.

5/14/14 Joined Bariatric Pal Forum

5/22/14 found and met with new PCP who recommended and referred me for WLS

6/10/14 welcome group meeting, EKG, Blood work

6/12/14 meeting with NUT and NP (1st month of medically supervised diet)

6/24/14 Meeting with Psychologist

6/25/14 REE metabolic testing (metabolism is slow 81% of expected expenditure)

6/26/14 meeting with PT

7/7/14 consultation with Dr. Valerie Halpin

7/7/14 sleep study (no sleep apnea)

7/18/14 Upper Endoscopy (found out, have GERD.... never thought I had any problems with reflux)

7/18/14 meeting with PT and NUT (2nd month of medically supervised diet)

8/8/14 meeting with PT and NUT (3rd and final month of medically supervised diet)

8/11/14 Doctors office submitting paperwork to insurance for approval. (now I wait to hear back from insurance)

I have BCBS of Louisiana they don't cover the surgery I'm sure they will after I pay cash but I'm not going to worry about that. I'm ready now.

I'm being sleeved 9/10/14 after a year of supervision which was an insurance requirement.. Good luck!! And congratulations

6 days into my pre-op diet and I am down 6 pounds. I have been given a pretty relaxed diet compared to several others I read about on here. the main concept is clean eating, high Protein, low carb, low calorie. This is how we should probably all eat anyway right? anyway, the diet is going great so far. I haven't felt too much hunger, nor have I been really tempted with anything sinful. I want to get my liver to a nice comfortable size so my surgery is a lot easier on my surgeon. The easier it is for her, I assume, the easier it will be for me on my recovery. I need to get out of reading in the pre-op diet forum and get over into the post-op diet forum and start getting ready for my big date on the 10th of Sept. Oh, I am so ready to be healthy, active, thin, energetic!!!

(Grinning!)

Congratulations, Rovobay.

Love, love, love your attitude.

in exactly 7 days, I will be sleeved. I am down 12 pounds in 14 days on the pre-op diet. Things are good I am getting pretty excited.

only 20 more HOURS until I am in the hospital for my VSG. Getting things ready at home. I am stoked. not nervous at all. Still working on getting insure nutrition and my insurance to cover shakes, scar cream, and Vitamins. I have BCBS federal. Talked to Dr.'s office this morning, they said they signed the script and sent it back!!!

I have bcbs federal also. I am getting sleeved on 9/22. Do they cover the shakes and other things? What has to be done for approval? I had no clue. Best if luck with your surgery!

@@sbeltermann I am waiting to hear back about shakes. in pre-op waiting room now . Ready to go !!!

_{Good luck today, I hope everything goes smoothly. Let us know about your surgery experience. Mine is in two weeks and the days seem to be flying by.}

I'm sleeved! doing just fine sleeping a lot! walking a lot ! In write more when I'm not so tired .

Congratulations! Glad everything went well!