Hi everyone! OK, so I have been approved for a consultation with a surgeon in Oakland, CA. The surgery (if approved) will be possibly in November. I've already jumped through several hoops for my insurance company which is HealthNet &Hills Physicians is the Med. Grp. Anyway, before I actually have an appointment with the Surgeon I've gotta go to a mandatory informational meeting and fill out all kinds of paper work then lose 10% of my body weight. Now I currently weigh 286 lbs. So I'm gonna have to lose 28 lbs before Nov. OMG I have trouble loosing 5 lbs and keeping it off. They said they'd include the weight I lost with the nutritionist (one of the hoops) but I only lost 5 lbs and it always comes back. So does anyone out there know if they will also include the weight I lose durning the pre-op diet in those 28 lbs? Also any suggestions on losing weight fast. I don't want to miss out on the chance to have the surgery in November. Thanks for any suggestions:smile2:

Hi everyone! OK, so I have been approved for a consultation with a surgeon in Oakland, CA. The surgery (if approved) will be possibly in November. I've already jumped through several hoops for my insurance company which is HealthNet &Hills Physicians is the Med. Grp. Anyway, before I actually have an appointment with the Surgeon I've gotta go to a mandatory informational meeting and fill out all kinds of paper work then lose 10% of my body weight. Now I currently weigh 286 lbs. So I'm gonna have to lose 28 lbs before Nov. OMG I have trouble loosing 5 lbs and keeping it off. They said they'd include the weight I lost with the nutritionist (one of the hoops) but I only lost 5 lbs and it always comes back. So does anyone out there know if they will also include the weight I lose durning the pre-op diet in those 28 lbs? Also any suggestions on losing weight fast. I don't want to miss out on the chance to have the surgery in November. Thanks for any suggestions:smile2:

YES, they will include the weight in the pre-op diet. I am on day 13 of 14 and have lost 12 pounds. I will not be down the 10% they asked as I gained 10 pounds before I started loosing. They said that is not a problem it will not postpone the surgery, which is Monday. Of course if I had it all to do over again I would have started out by not gaining. GOOD LUCK!

YES, they will include the weight in the pre-op diet. I am on day 13 of 14 and have lost 12 pounds. I will not be down the 10% they asked as I gained 10 pounds before I started loosing. They said that is not a problem it will not postpone the surgery, which is Monday. Of course if I had it all to do over again I would have started out by not gaining. GOOD LUCK!

Thanks so much for the info Tena. It's very encouraging. Wow 12 lbs in 13 days you go girl. Great job! Wow if you can do that just imagine what you can achieve post op. Good luck to you too. Let us know how the surgery goes. God be with you.

What insurance do you two have? I currently have Blue Shield HMO but have to switch to Aetna PPO in 2009 for work. My BMI is 50.5 right now so I won't have a problem with the BMI requirements. I'm committed to do whatever it takes to get insurance coverage and want to make sure I do it right!!

What insurance do you two have? I currently have Blue Shield HMO but have to switch to Aetna PPO in 2009 for work. My BMI is 50.5 right now so I won't have a problem with the BMI requirements. I'm committed to do whatever it takes to get insurance coverage and want to make sure I do it right!!

I have Healthnet HMO with Hills Physicians as the medical group. I feel the same way about doing everything it takes to get this surgery. The first step I took was calling my insurance and finding out directly from them what to do and what steps to take. Then my PCP and staff are very helpful so that helps a bunch. Not sure exactly how PPO will work. Good luck.