Well, I had my first doctor's appointment yesterday! I am excited, anxious and nervous about the future, but I know it's the right choice. Apparently my insurance, UMP (Regence), is pretty good about approvals, but I have to do the 6 months pre-surgical plan first. The clock started yesterday. I am going to Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Everett, WA, and my doctor is Dr. Michaelson. He was great in our consult, and explained everything very thoroughly. I had already done a ton of research and decided that the sleeve was for me, but he concurred and stated that it would be best for me, considering my age, lack of diabetes, and no tobacco use. I will have to lose 5% if my weight over the first six months (11 lbs), and my BMI is 43.4 right now, but they will be looking over the last 2 years of my medical charts. The insurance coordinator stated that if my BMI was below 40, they may be looking for co-morbidity and will send me for a sleep study. I do think over the last two years my BMI did drop below 40, so not sure how they will deal with that. Pre-Op is a 10 day/10 lbs lost diet, I will find out more at my next appointment with the RD in 3 weeks. I cannot gain weight now over the next 6 months, but obviously can lose prior to surgery. My out of pocket won't be more than $2500 as that is the max, and I'm saving my FSA amount to pay that out of pocket. I don't know how those that pay the full amount do it! I also have to schedule a psych appointment as part of the 6 month criteria, and will have the endoscopy closer to the end of the pre-surgical period. My final appointment will be 7/31 and they will submit for insurance approval on 8/1. Excited but a little impatient too!

Take advantage of that six month period. I lost 99 pounds (from 397 to 298) during mine. It prepared me for the surgery and a very successful post-op life better than anything could have. Plus, it felt great to get on a positive trajectory from the beginning, and made the early stalls post-op (that EVERYONE has), much easier to handle.

Good luck!!

Oh a fellow Washingtonian! Hi! I'm excited for you!

I was self pay, but I went to Tijuana because my insurance wasn't so great with approval and they kept running me in circles for a few months before even starting the 6 month plan so I got impatient. But honestly, I regret nothing. I had an amazing surgeon with a great recovery and no issues at all. I only paid $4399.

It sounds like they've got you going in the right direction, and that's great! My suggestion would be to start keeping a food and exercise log now (if you aren't already). This will help when you need to identify something that could impact your weightloss. It's a pain in the ass, but helpful.

Hey there! I just started my journey as well. Had my seminar 2/1, starting my PCP supervised diet 2/6, & 2/14 I have my first real appointment with the clinic. Fairly certain Dr Ahuja will be my surgeon.

My bmi is 44 & I'm worried about losing too much on this diet as I'm not sure I have any comorbities. The only thing I've been dx'ed with is Degenerative Disc Disease which causes sciatica. Believe I am pre-diabetic too, but that may go away with a bit of weight loss. It's weird wanting to lose weight, but telling yourself not to lose x amount or you won't qualify.

Anyway, excited to finally see someone starting the 6 month journey at the same time. Good luck to you! I hope it goes by quickly

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I am in the early phases of my journey. Had my first nutrition class last month. Next week is my 2nd. I have lost 14 pounds so far. Have to do 6 months of nutrition classes then send off for insurance approval. Psych eval done. Fingers crossed surgery will be July!!


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