Hi. I live in Federal Way and have surgery scheduled 31May. I'm very excited. Anyone else having surgery soon?

Hi Kadie, I'm in Seattle and just starting the process, so I'm at least 4-6 months out still. But I'm very excited to learn more about the surgery! Any tips or things you wish you had known at the beginning?

Hi Kadie, I'm in Seattle and just starting the process, so I'm at least 4-6 months out still. But I'm very excited to learn more about the surgery! Any tips or things you wish you had known at the beginning?

Hi! Congrats on starting the process. I think the best thing I have done in preparing for this surgery so far has been to learn what I can from research and testimonials of folks who have completed the surgery before me. Like you, I found bariatric pal early in the process and I have found just reading different topics to be useful. When I'm feeling low motivation, I look up sleeve before and after stories to motivate me to move forward towards this life change.

The biggest challenges I have had were 1) pre-op weight loss and 2) my insurance company. I initially started this process in August of last year. It was recommended that I lose 25 pounds prior to the surgery. I reviewed insurance requirements and consulted with my insurance company and did not see any barriers to disapproval. I was able to lose 15 pounds in the first two months but then it got rough (I need this surgery because I can lose weight but have trouble maintaining diets and weight loss over time). Then, my insurance company disapproved the surgery! They used an inaccurate measure of my height that was taken at a specialty care appointment and had me nearly two inches taller reducing my BMI below the 35 needed for approval. So, the other advice I would have would be to closely examine the insurance requirements and the data in your medical record, especially if you are near the borderline to meet the requirements.

Now, that I resubmitted and have been approved the diet is going much better because I have a set surgery date!

Best wishes to you and feel welcome to ask any questions as you go through this process.

I am post-op, had surgery just this past Friday. So, I'm not really part of the group you are looking for, but I'm in Kent, Wa.

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I am post-op, had surgery just this past Friday. So, I'm not really part of the group you are looking for, but I'm in Kent, Wa.

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I love to hear from folks who had the surgery! How did it go? How are you feeling? Who did the surgery (if u are ok saying)?

Another Seattlite here! I don't have a surgery date yet; should be in about two months, after I complete all the tests and (ugh) the two-week liquid diet. I've been reading lots of journals, food diaries and messageboards (mostly this one). Would very much like to hear about Kooky and Kadie's journeys so far!

I am post-op, had surgery just this past Friday. So, I'm not really part of the group you are looking for, but I'm in Kent, Wa.

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I love to hear from folks who had the surgery! How did it go? How are you feeling? Who did the surgery (if u are ok saying)?

I had my surgery done in Mexico with Long Term VSG. Today marks two weeks since my surgery, and I am still dealing with a bit of swelling. I have a few more days left on a liquid diet, then I will transition to soft foods.

How many days were you off work? How's the nausea? Is it difficult to get your liquids in? Are you glad you did it? Anything pre-op that you are glad you did, or wish you'd done differently? Thank you!

Hello, reading what you post I was woundering what I said a bout u had to lose25 pounds prior before the surgery. I had to lose 20 I list 10 due to me having congestive heart failure and it is hard for me to do the requirement the Insurance want is ok but what do I do when I go see my doctor and I haven't lost the 20pounds I'm freaking out thinking he will not do the surgery. Can u give me some advice

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^{Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I have my initial consult with a surgeon on Monday, and I'm a little nervous that my insurance won't approve because I am slightly under a 40 BMI and don't think I have any qualifying co-morbities. Does anyone have any experience with UW Med or FepBlue insurance?}

Hello, reading what you post I was woundering what I said a bout u had to lose25 pounds prior before the surgery. I had to lose 20 I list 10 due to me having congestive heart failure and it is hard for me to do the requirement the Insurance want is ok but what do I do when I go see my doctor and I haven't lost the 20pounds I'm freaking out thinking he will not do the surgery. Can u give me some advice

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Keep me posted on what your doc says. My assumption would be because of the congestive heart failure that losing 10 pounds will be good and that they would proceed with the surgery. But I'm no doc. Would love to hear more about your journey.

^{Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I have my initial consult with a surgeon on Monday, and I'm a little nervous that my insurance won't approve because I am slightly under a 40 BMI and don't think I have any qualifying co-morbities. Does anyone have any experience with UW Med or FepBlue insurance?}

Hi I had FEP as well. Keep us posted on the outcome. My guess is that your surgeon will be able to identify at least one co-morbidity in your health history. FEP did not approve my surgery initially bc they thought I was below 35 bmi but they eventually approved when I resubmitted. I would assume as one gets closer to 40 BMI that they would be more willing to approve. Keep us posted!

^{Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I have my initial consult with a surgeon on Monday, and I'm a little nervous that my insurance won't approve because I am slightly under a 40 BMI and don't think I have any qualifying co-morbities. Does anyone have any experience with UW Med or FepBlue insurance?}

Hi I had FEP as well. Keep us posted on the outcome. My guess is that your surgeon will be able to identify at least one co-morbidity in your health history. FEP did not approve my surgery initially bc they thought I was below 35 bmi but they eventually approved when I resubmitted. I would assume as one gets closer to 40 BMI that they would be more willing to approve. Keep us posted!

Sooo I had my initial consult with the surgeon, and I ended up clocking in at a 39.3 BMI. I am a bit disappointed that the nurse insisted my height was 5'3, when I think I'm closer to 5'2 and have been measured at that height multiple times by my PCP and other providers. The inch difference would have meant that I probably wouldn't need to prove co-morbities. But, oh well.

The appointment itself also was not what I would have expected...the surgeon and resident seemed surprised I was interested in surgical treatment of obesity. The resident also commented that I was smaller and healthier than the patients he normally sees in the clinic. I didn't really think that was a compliment nor helpful. They seemed to get it a little more when I explained my rational that I want to get this surgery to help me lose weight before I develop diabetes and other weight related health complications. The surgeon ended up enrolling me in the pre-surgery program, so I am happy about that. Now I just have to wait and see if my insurance will end up paying.

Anyways, I see your surgery is coming up fast, @@kadie777! Are you excited? Nervous?

^{Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I have my initial consult with a surgeon on Monday, and I'm a little nervous that my insurance won't approve because I am slightly under a 40 BMI and don't think I have any qualifying co-morbities. Does anyone have any experience with UW Med or FepBlue insurance?}

Hi I had FEP as well. Keep us posted on the outcome. My guess is that your surgeon will be able to identify at least one co-morbidity in your health history. FEP did not approve my surgery initially bc they thought I was below 35 bmi but they eventually approved when I resubmitted. I would assume as one gets closer to 40 BMI that they would be more willing to approve. Keep us posted!

Sooo I had my initial consult with the surgeon, and I ended up clocking in at a 39.3 BMI. I am a bit disappointed that the nurse insisted my height was 5'3, when I think I'm closer to 5'2 and have been measured at that height multiple times by my PCP and other providers. The inch difference would have meant that I probably wouldn't need to prove co-morbities. But, oh well.

The appointment itself also was not what I would have expected...the surgeon and resident seemed surprised I was interested in surgical treatment of obesity. The resident also commented that I was smaller and healthier than the patients he normally sees in the clinic. I didn't really think that was a compliment nor helpful. They seemed to get it a little more when I explained my rational that I want to get this surgery to help me lose weight before I develop diabetes and other weight related health complications. The surgeon ended up enrolling me in the pre-surgery program, so I am happy about that. Now I just have to wait and see if my insurance will end up paying.

Anyways, I see your surgery is coming up fast, @@kadie777! Are you excited? Nervous?

Hi. It's so interesting to read on your experience, thanks for sharing. Different surgeons seem to have different approaches. I'm currently at your BMI and my surgeon thinks I'm a perfect candidate for gastric sleeve. I do have co-morbidities, however, but apart from severe sleep apnea the others are mild. My goal, like yours, is to get a tool for making a lifestyle change so as to avoid more severe co-morbidities as I age. I'm currently 46 and am facing some major risk factors if I don't make changes soon. My surgeon was completely understanding. I'm glad you got referred to the pre-surgery program and hope your team can be more understanding and less dismissive.

Because I'm reasonably healthy and my weight is equally proportioned across my body, people too have questioned me needing to seek surgical solution. However, when I read the literature on morbid obesity and the fact the dieting only successful for 2-4% of the obese population, it makes sense to me to look for something more effective rather to continue to diet and fail. Sleeve gastrectomy, with low risks for complications, has demonstrated an average loss of 65% of excessive weight loss for people who are obese. Wow!

It's interesting too the issue you raised on height measurement. I was initially denied by FEP because of a height in my chart from a specialty care appointment that was 2 inches above my actual height. I had my primary care doc verify my height and then we resubmitted with a letter from my doc about my height over time. So, get all your med records that have you listed as 5' 2" so that this can be submitted. Ask your PCP to write a letter with a reading of your height and bmi, and if possible, their support for your having this surgery.

I'm more excited than scared. I really feel like this is going to be so beneficial for me. Thanks for asking. If you want, I'm happy to follow-up after the surgery to let you know if I feel the same way!

Yes, please do follow up and let me know how it goes, @kadie777. Lots of luck and good vibes today!

Will do! I'm actually sitting in waiting area for surgery. I'm a bit annoyed as I have been here for 6 hours. They had me come to the hospital today at 0500 am only to learn that my surgery is not until this afternoon. I had been informed that I was to come early so they could get me on fluids but alas I am in the waiting area. My new advice in scheduling surgery is to ask to be scheduled on a date when you can be first in.