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Hello! I am a new member of the forum but have been reading posts for a couple months now. I can honestly say that some of the things I have read on here helped me to make the decision to go forward. Initially I was embarrassed that I needed it and now I know that everyone is different and this is not the easy road.

I am hoping to have surgery in January or February. So far I have started the process with my insurance company and have been on their program for a little over a month. With the diet my doctor put me on I lost 7 pounds already but the blood pressure medicine she put me on is giving me bad headaches so I want to get off of it but I'm affraid that will disqualify me for surgery.

The insurance company is making it difficult, but I'm determined to get this and have it covered by them. They told me at first, in not so many words, that even though I'm morbidly obese I'm not sick enough to qualify. I'm having a hard time finding a surgeon they will cover that isn't a total jerk and I am also wondering how much fills costs and if the insurance typically covers them or not.

I think it comes down to the fact that I want and need this and I feel like they are working against me. I would appreciate any advice. I am with Pres in New Mexico.

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Hello Deb welcome to LBT!

Congrats on you choice to be banded. J I’m sure you will do really well. Just keep in mind the bandster rules and you will get really far!

All insurances are different, but if you have Blue Cross/Blue Shield, I do know that they only require a 15 dollar co-payment for fills.

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I sincerely hope everything works out well for you with your insurance coverage. Insurance requirements can be overwhelming.

Donna

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the blood pressure medicine she put me on is giving me bad headaches so I want to get off of it...

Check with your doctor. There are many kinds of blood pressure medicine--it might take some time playing around with different meds and doses to find one that works well for you.

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Hello! I am a new member of the forum but have been reading posts for a couple months now. I can honestly say that some of the things I have read on here helped me to make the decision to go forward. Initially I was embarrassed that I needed it and now I know that everyone is different and this is not the easy road.

I am hoping to have surgery in January or February. So far I have started the process with my insurance company and have been on their program for a little over a month. With the diet my doctor put me on I lost 7 pounds already but the blood pressure medicine she put me on is giving me bad headaches so I want to get off of it but I'm affraid that will disqualify me for surgery.

The insurance company is making it difficult, but I'm determined to get this and have it covered by them. They told me at first, in not so many words, that even though I'm morbidly obese I'm not sick enough to qualify. I'm having a hard time finding a surgeon they will cover that isn't a total jerk and I am also wondering how much fills costs and if the insurance typically covers them or not.

I think it comes down to the fact that I want and need this and I feel like they are working against me. I would appreciate any advice. I am with Pres in New Mexico.

hey deb, you are fighting the good fight...one which I see lots of people win when they really stick to it. Just like everyone else said, it differs from place to place and from insurance company to insurance company. I have BCBS as well, and I just pay my standard copay when I get a fill, which is $35 for me. But with my doc, my fills are free, no charge for the copay, for the first 3 months. That was nice! Holler if you have any questions--Amy

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HI i am new to, my date is Nov 25,I know day before Thanksgiving. I have been overweight most of my life and diets just dont work anymore. I am also scared as I have a large umbilical hernia that also need repaired. So we start pretty much together. Sorry this is so long.:confused:

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Thank you for all of the supportive words. I'm still trying to figure out if the insurance will approve me or not. If they do I'm hoping for either a late January or early February date. I wish I could get it done tomorrow though and start my new life. Thanks again everyone and good luck!

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Hey Deb! I'm also hoping for a February date. Insurance can be rough from what I've heard, so just hang in there and do whatever they ask you to do. Jumping through hoops can be frustrating, but sometimes it's the only thing you can do. Good luck with your process!

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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!
      · 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.

    • CaseyP1011

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