I've noticed that some surgeons require sleep studies and stuff and was wondering what all exactly did your surgeon require before surgery? Does everyone have to get the upper GI thing and stomach biopsies or is that based on medical problems they suspect? I'd love to get as much of this stuff done as I can while I'm still finishing up my 90 days if I can, so I don't have to wait longer than I'd like to between being approved and the actual date picking, but I don't want to go finding problems I don't know about already prior to surgery if I don't have to either. Like as far as I know at this moment I do not have diabetes so if a diabetes test is not required, I don't want to go out of my way to have one and get stuck on a meter and a diabetic diet plan on top of all of this too should it turn up I did have diabetes. Does that make sense? What if anything do you all recommend that I should do now that is like a 99% guarantee that I'll have to get done prior to surgery that I could be knocking out of the way right now?

@@Paula Kolarik All of those worries & concerns you have are normal I think! I have them too. I definitely have worked hard to get to this point and to be given this second chance is amazing. I can only hope and have faith in myself that I will not screw it up this time around!

This isn't going to be easy, but it's going to be worth it! Just think of all of the things you'll be able to do that you can't do now, even if it is something as simple as bending over to tie your shoes or painting your toenails. Use these positive thoughts as one way to help keep you motivated to stay off the path of old habits and I think you'll be just fine!!

I can't wait to see how you continue to progress on your journey!! xo

Edited August 26, 201511 yr by Nikikins

Thanks everyone for the loving words of encouragement, Anxioustobeme, I have my approval letter from my insurance company already, I just have to do all the evals and such that many of you have already done, I had to get my approval first! So the only eval I am worried about is the psych cause I've fought so hard for this that I don't want to lose my bypass chance due to an evaluation such as the psych cause I said something dumb or whatever...I would be crushed if I lost the bypass chance, I look at it as getting myself healthy like I dream of and I already have my gym membership been already doing small things that are required, sips of Water, chewing more, smaller bites, etc...reading, informing myself ....I just want to feel healthy again....to not have achy joints cause of my weight, etc...to stop the reflux for the most part, to feel this weight off my torso....I'm sure you all know what I mean my first appt is monday and it's a big one 8 hrs and hubby is required to be there, my support...just told my son about it and he is very supportive, knows I've been trying for this for years...so my children (adult children they are) and my husband and my closests friends are all highly supportive. I'm glad I found this group

@@WendyA YOU'VE GOT THIS!! Do not let the psych eval "psych" you out!! It will be ok Even if the psychologist felt like you had other things to work on, I don't think it would deter you from getting surgery, it would just mean you might have to go to counseling or something of the sort (of course, every insurance is different). I'd try not to worry too much about it and just go in and do your thing, be you and be honest!

Edited August 26, 201511 yr by Nikikins

@@Anxious2beme Sorry for the delay in response. For some reason, I am not being notified when I am mentioned in posts so I'm checking my notifications to make sure I didn't actually shut something off.

Yes, at the time of my post to you I had 2 weeks left for surgery. I am now at exactly one week out. Are they not sending the letter yet because you still have a pending appointment in September?

Feel free to send me a message at anytime if you'd like to talk, I'm an open book for the most part

@ I saw the Dietician yesterday and the Md yesterday. He sent me for my EKG, all clear and I have my mammogram tomorrow. He said from previous bloodwork he noticed that I am pre diabetic as well. I am shocked as I was never told this. He wants a couple more blood tests, for my b12 and the acid in my stomach. The MD did ask if they could submit it to insurance now and she said she was going to try. I only have the expertise specialist left to meet but that's not until October.

Meant to read exercise specialist. Lol

@@Anxious2beme Glad to hear your EKG was all clear! He probably took a sample of the acids in your stomach and your esophagus to make sure you don't have H. Pylori as well as the cells that would cause Barrett's Esophagus. (at least they did this for me, not sure if its routine to be honest)

The good news is, if you are pre-diabetic, the likelihood of not becoming a diabetic with this surgery (or becoming no longer diabetic) is pretty good!

Sounds like things are going smoothly. Hopefully they will submit and will approve based on you completing all of your steps, with others scheduled for the future. If not, you just keep trucking along and eventually you will get your day!

Keep up the good work and thanks for the update! Good luck on your mammo tomorrow!! xo

Edited August 27, 201511 yr by Nikikins

I need cardiac clearance and a sleep study.

@ thanks so much for the update on what to expect! I so hope I am approved. I am fully consumed with this and all I think about every single day. I do not have a wait period with my insurance and am curious how long it will possibly take to get an answer. I have BCBS IL PPO.

I have a six month waiting period so I have plenty of time to get clearances and some are already done by now (Entering month 4).

After a behavior modification class and my consult, I was scheduled, by the office, for cardiac and pulmonary. There was a echo and a stress test. Cleared that.

One NUT appointment and I was given blood work order. Had to go to a support group meeting too. Done there.

Next was pulmonary. Mostly cleared but at my BMI, surgeon requires a sleep study, despite a lack of symptoms. I still have a psych eval. Once that's done, I just wait for my medically monitored diet from my PCP, which ends in November.