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I'm starting fresh, I have been without insurance so I have been waiting. Self pay has been so expensive!

Not from experience, but from reading on here insurance companies can be tough to deal with. Hopefully you get approved, I think you will!

I also have a wonky thyroid. Hypothyroidism

I have seen BCBS updated their policy on the website, however I haven't seen a timeframe for that! I have seen the timeframe for tests and such, but none about a supervised diet

I know on the website for Bariatric Specialists of NC they do notify you of changes if you have BCBS about a 6 or 12 month program, but it's not in the policy. It confuses me, but I will find out eventually! Hoping it's not a 12 month thing, I can live with a 6 month program lol

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

*wonky thyroid solidarity fistbump* - I was diagnosed as hypothyroid about 6 years ago, levels have finally been steady for about a year...I feel best if my TSH hovers around 1.8-2.5...if I go higher than that I feel like dirt

Self pay is SO expensive...I was self-pay for my first procedure because even though my BMI qualified, I didn't have at least two comorbidities that my insurance required for me to be approved. Being self-pay definitely made it more challenging because all my fills were out-of-pocket...any support services. Hindsight being what it is, I'd have chosen a different route....but you live and you learn right?

Do you know of any WLS support groups in the area? I know the Duke program has them in Durham and Raleigh but I'd love to also find something closer to where I am (holly springs area).

Over the years my TSH levels have been checked, they were normal to slightly elevated at time, nothing that concerned anyone until July of 2016 my TSH was 27!!

Self pay was terrible! I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. But you definitely live and learn, it taught me how valuable insurance is and I'm so happy to have it!

I have not checked into any information other than the facility and insurance info. I'm in Sanford. Apex and Cary aren't too far, I'm going to try to see if I can find any in that area

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Holy cats 27! Mine was only 6.8 when they caught it and that was already absolutely awful....I'm not sure I'd be functional at 27! :blink:

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I'm starting fresh, I have been without insurance so I have been waiting. Self pay has been so expensive!

Not from experience, but from reading on here insurance companies can be tough to deal with. Hopefully you get approved, I think you will!

I also have a wonky thyroid. Hypothyroidism

I have seen BCBS updated their policy on the website, however I haven't seen a timeframe for that! I have seen the timeframe for tests and such, but none about a supervised diet

I know on the website for Bariatric Specialists of NC they do notify you of changes if you have BCBS about a 6 or 12 month program, but it's not in the policy. It confuses me, but I will find out eventually! Hoping it's not a 12 month thing, I can live with a 6 month program lol

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

*wonky thyroid solidarity fistbump* - I was diagnosed as hypothyroid about 6 years ago, levels have finally been steady for about a year...I feel best if my TSH hovers around 1.8-2.5...if I go higher than that I feel like dirt

Self pay is SO expensive...I was self-pay for my first procedure because even though my BMI qualified, I didn't have at least two comorbidities that my insurance required for me to be approved. Being self-pay definitely made it more challenging because all my fills were out-of-pocket...any support services. Hindsight being what it is, I'd have chosen a different route....but you live and you learn right?

Do you know of any WLS support groups in the area? I know the Duke program has them in Durham and Raleigh but I'd love to also find something closer to where I am (holly springs area).

Over the years my TSH levels have been checked, they were normal to slightly elevated at time, nothing that concerned anyone until July of 2016 my TSH was 27!!

Self pay was terrible! I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. But you definitely live and learn, it taught me how valuable insurance is and I'm so happy to have it!

I have not checked into any information other than the facility and insurance info. I'm in Sanford. Apex and Cary aren't too far, I'm going to try to see if I can find any in that area

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Holy cats 27! Mine was only 6.8 when they caught it and that was already absolutely awful....I'm not sure I'd be functional at 27! :blink:

I recently found a PCP and my TSH levels have went down, 2.48 currently. I don't know how I functioned then honestly

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I have BCBS NC and had my surgery last year. I would say that the safest bet is to figure it will cost whatever remains on your out-of-pocket maximum if you have a plan that includes separate company's (which typivpcally do not count towards your out-of-pocket costs) then add that copay in as well.

I used the cost estimator but don't remember if it was accurate. If it had been wildly inaccurate I'd probably remember, though, so I'm guessed NC it was correct within a couple thousand$ or so.

If you go to a Center of Excellence (which I highly recommend), then they usually have a person who can help you figure up your costs.

Avoid getting your surgery in late Dec if you can. I did it Dec 29 and had complications which sent m back to my local ER on Jan 2... which started a whole new deductible year! We will be paying off those medical debts for a loooong time :(

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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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.

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