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I just got my approval from my ins co (Aetna). My Nut had told me at our first meeting, Aetna uses the starting weight from my first consult with my surgeon. I could not weigh more than that or Aetna would not paid for surgery. At that time my BMI was 38. I was able to lose a few pounds and my BMI is now at 37. I have high blood pressure and sleep apnea, which made me qualify. Before I met with my surgeon, I called Aetna and asked about their requirements. Good luck starting the process. I am sure it will all work out for you. Keep us posted on your progress.

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I have my initial consult on Thursday and I am worried about the same thing. I have Anthem BCBS. Can't wait to get all of my questions answered! I hope everything goes okay for you!

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I'm in a similar boat. I now have my PCP support and his recommendation. My insurance also requires 6 months dr supervised diet. They will also accept Weight Watchers if I have my stamps and doctor support to do WW. I had 4 months of WW April - Aug last year and we're trying to get it to count. Then he wants me to see his nutritionist for 2 months and focus on some of the new eating rules now. Meaning quitting diet soda, fast food, and sweets. Getting used to Protein first now (and water) during this 2 month period. I think this is a good plan. Good luck and let's keep moving in our new right direction.

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@@IMS1985 I wanted the lap band at first too! But after going to the seminar and hearing what they had to say and also hearing a lady that was there talk about how she had the band and it was awful and didn't work made me change my mind and want the sleeve instead! Not looking forward to the wait but I can't wait to get started! I meet my surgeon tomorrow!! Yay! :)

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@@donnag53 that's good. I don't have any comorbidities (yet) so my BMI has to be above 40 (which it is, 43) I have my very first appointment tomorrow so I'll ask him all that good stuff. @@bncbabe2015 I can't wait either! I wrote down all the questions I could think of to ask him! I hope all goes good for you too! :)

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@@KS123 wow that's a great idea I didn't think of that! I was part of weight watchers last year too so I'm going to try to see if my insurance accepts that as part of my 6 months. I contacted weight watchers and got my records so I could bring them in with me to my appointment tomorrow. I hope that it can count towards my 6 months that would be awesome! Thanks soo much for the suggestion!! Has your insurance accepted the weight watchers for you?

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@@portuguesegal10 Good luck tomorrow. Let me know how you do. I'm off the Cardio for my last test. Hope he will clear me for surgery today.

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@@donnag53 thank you! Wow that's soo exciting! Good luck!

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Good Luck. Your surgeon's office will probably have an insurance specialist. They are usually very helpful. Insurances commonly count from when you start the program, however, not all do- so you are wise to find out all the facts now.

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That is awesome girl I can't wait either! I actually meet mine tomorrow too, I decided to go with MGH so I cancelled my apt with the other surgeon today. I have already met with the nutritionist and psychologist there too!

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@@IMS1985 yay! I hope you like your surgeon! You're more ahead of me I haven't done any of that. Only thing I did was go to the seminar. And meeting my surgeon at 3:30 today, that's it. Hopefully I can schedule a bunch of stuff today though!

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You need to call your insurance company and ask them. They all vary in requirements. Mine does not care if you lose or gain during the 6 months... the BMI submitted for approval (at the end of 6 months) has to be at least 35 with comorbidities or 40 without.

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@@IvyLeagueNP ok I will do that thank you!

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When I first went to get my weight and BMI, I had a BMI of 42 and had the same fear as you. The nurse told me that she wanted me to stay about 40 BMI and gave me a goal of only losing 10 lbs and told me that you just need to show that you are making an effort and that even just few lbs lost and maintaining should be enough.

I just did my second CO test this morning and passed so I am all done with all appointments and I just started my 2 week pre-op diet this morning to shrink my liver. I get sleeved on the 3/25 and I'm very excited.

Good luck to everyone!!!

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@@moonlitrose25 wow that's awesome! I'm so excited for you! I can't wait until I get there! Let us know how surgery goes! Good luck!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
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    • Doughgurl

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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