Hello all,

I'm new to BP, I started the process last year but was scared off and told myself I would do it on my own well here I am a little over a year later hating that I didn't go through with it then. Deep breath-sigh, but here I am today super excited because I met with my PCP during lunch and she was totally on board. She actually almost had me tearing up because of how far I feel like i had to come just to be were I am. I left feeling really good about the decision and the journey.

Note: My regular PCP wasn't there so I met with another doctor and will be switching because she was so energetic and open whereas my regular doctor is really hard to talk to.

Next steps:

I need to get my blood work done to check thyroid, diabetes and all that stuff-hoping it all comes out good but it's nerve wrecking. It will also suck because I called to make an appointment and apparently my last insurance rejected a bill and now i have to pay 175 before I can even get "started". It's apparently 5 years old and I'm barely finding out now so UGGGHHH

Good Stuff: New Dr. wants me to see a pulmonary specialist for my asthma since shocker-NO ONE else ever requested one! I'll get to shoot two bird with one stone, take better care of my asthma and get the clearance that my insurance needs.

Next: She's going to call me with the contact for a cardiologist from my insurance since she knows the Bridges Center doesn't have one. Hoping to get cleared there too and begin meeting with the nutritionist soon.

I also have a seminar with Bridges Center (Where I will be getting cut) next Saturday and will probably meet the surgeon a little after. (I met with Dr. Juarez last year and feel that I want to stick with him this round)

That is all for now...I have a calendar with the insurance requirements and "goal" dates to finish steps so it feels reachable.

Good luck on your journey. I am also just starting out. I went to my initial session at Banner Gateway last week and I have my first appointment with the surgeon on May 24th. It will be interesting to compare our journey. I almost went to Bridges but I picked Banner just because it was much closer to my house. My insurance company requires the 6 month supervised diet thing so my surgery won't be until November or December.

Hello Rosestara,

Yes it will be great to compare especially since we are both from AZ. I was originally going to try to go to the Weight loss Institute but my insurance said they weren't on the list so I went with Bridges. It's a bit of a trip for me since I live near Avondale but my jobs downtown so I just go to my appointments after work.

The paperwork that Bridges gave me for my insurance says either 90 days PCP AND Nutritionist or 6 months PCP but when I was reading the policy it only says 6 months so I'm going to double check over the phone with my insurance. I wouldn't mind doing the 6 months because I want to learn as much as I can but I think either way I still want to see a nutritionist monthly.

Good Luck on your first appointment!!

Hello Rosestara,

Yes it will be great to compare especially since we are both from AZ. I was originally going to try to go to the Weight loss Institute but my insurance said they weren't on the list so I went with Bridges. It's a bit of a trip for me since I live near Avondale but my jobs downtown so I just go to my appointments after work.

The paperwork that Bridges gave me for my insurance says either 90 days PCP AND Nutritionist or 6 months PCP but when I was reading the policy it only says 6 months so I'm going to double check over the phone with my insurance. I wouldn't mind doing the 6 months because I want to learn as much as I can but I think either way I still want to see a nutritionist monthly.

Good Luck on your first appointment!!

I also received my insurance requirements from Bridges and couldnt understand the 90 days w/PCP & NUT vs 6 month supervised. I started on March and will just continue thru my 6 months and hope to get sleeved in Sept. It seems so far away but i know it will be here before i know it. I would for sure like to keep in touch with you guys since we are all in AZ. I live on Glendale.

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

Good luck on your journey guys! Have you checked out your insurance yourself to see what it requires? It seems odd that if would have 90 days w/PCP and Nut vs 6 month pcp. Seems like one or the other. At Banner, I know they require 3 months for everyone even self pay people then if your insurance requires more time then you do that. My insurance requires 6 months. I have my first visit with my surgeon and nutritionist on Tuesday! I already got an email from the nutritionist with some general diet stuff. They said that their office requires all patients to lose some weight at every visit or else they may make you start over again. They expect 1 to 2 pounds a week. I'm really excited to get started!

Good luck on your journey guys! Have you checked out your insurance yourself to see what it requires? It seems odd that if would have 90 days w/PCP and Nut vs 6 month pcp. Seems like one or the other. At Banner, I know they require 3 months for everyone even self pay people then if your insurance requires more time then you do that. My insurance requires 6 months. I have my first visit with my surgeon and nutritionist on Tuesday! I already got an email from the nutritionist with some general diet stuff. They said that their office requires all patients to lose some weight at every visit or else they may make you start over again. They expect 1 to 2 pounds a week. I'm really excited to get started!

Bridges says you can choose one or the other but I looked at the policy for my insurance and it says 6 months so I feel like it'd just be best to do that. Plus since the surgery only helps with 70% of excess fat it can't hurt to help that number right? I think 1 pound a week is more than reasonable, when you are so excited haha. Hope your appointment went great today!

Hello Rosestara,

Yes it will be great to compare especially since we are both from AZ. I was originally going to try to go to the Weight loss Institute but my insurance said they weren't on the list so I went with Bridges. It's a bit of a trip for me since I live near Avondale but my jobs downtown so I just go to my appointments after work.

The paperwork that Bridges gave me for my insurance says either 90 days PCP AND Nutritionist or 6 months PCP but when I was reading the policy it only says 6 months so I'm going to double check over the phone with my insurance. I wouldn't mind doing the 6 months because I want to learn as much as I can but I think either way I still want to see a nutritionist monthly.

Good Luck on your first appointment!!

I also received my insurance requirements from Bridges and couldnt understand the 90 days w/PCP & NUT vs 6 month supervised. I started on March and will just continue thru my 6 months and hope to get sleeved in Sept. It seems so far away but i know it will be here before i know it. I would for sure like to keep in touch with you guys since we are all in AZ. I live on Glendale.

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

Yes the more the merrier...I sent you a friend request on here but not sure what that really does lol. Have you attended the 101 and 201 classes yet?

We don't have classes at Banner. Today I had my visit with my surgeon and I like him a lot. I also met with the nutritionist. So since my insurance requires 6 months of visits, they let me schedule appointments for the next three months. I also was able to schedule a appointment for my psych evaluation since they are in the same building. My appointment is in two weeks. i will also need an egd and cardiology appointment but I don't need to do those until later. We are also required to attend just one of the support sessions that are offered every week.