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Hi I'm Christy and I'm a newbie to this site. I've finished my pre-op tests and I'm waiting on insurance approval. I'm a low BMI bander, just at 40, I'm being banded by DR. Greene in Rockville MD and I can't wait.

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Welcome Christy! I'm just starting my process and I'm also a low BMI person 5'7" and 255 with just barely 40 bmi, but with horrible degenerative lumbar disk disease and high blood pressure (which is totally controlled with medication). I'm still waiting for authorization to see the bariatric surgeon which hopefully will come today then it will be all of the tests before they will submit to Healthnet for final approval. Please let me know what you've been through, and Good Luck! I will keep positive thoughts for you...... April (in Northern California)

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April

I began researching WLS about a year ago and finally made up my mind and went to a seminar on March 23rd and had my consult with Dr. Greene on March 27th. I finished my pre-op tests, psych consult, nutrition counceling, and exercise classses this week and now I'm waiting for them to put it through to the insurance. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I don't have any major health problems just back pain which I've had since I was a teen, way before the weight issues started, so I 'm not sure if that will go away or not.

Do you have to do the six month diet? I do not with BCBS Federal.

Edited by busymama

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Hi Christy! I found out this afternoon that my PCP submitted for approval to my medical group and not to Healthnet which is required. The patient coordinator at the surgeon's office called and left a detailed message for my PCP and then emailed me what she had done. I'm just in awe of her because I haven't even been approved to be seen at their office yet! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for both of us - I know the waiting is just horrific. I don't know about a diet - they are still playing tennis with my paperwork! As soon as I find out, I will post, and please let me know about your progress too.

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Good Luck!!! I also have a BMI of 40, with sleep apnea. They can't deny you if you meet all guidelines of what your insurance company requires. I have Aetna HMO. Search you surgery requirements with your insurance company. I also live in Maryland, I'm getting my surgery at GW with Doctor Moazzez on 5/29/08. I was feeling just like you until I read all of Aetna's requirements, and of course support from thsi site.

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    • 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!
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    • 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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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