donbie

Wow! You look fabulous!

Thank you both for the info on UHC. I guess I'll just try to be patient. Not my best quality, however, I will try. Congratulations Penpen! I hope everything is going well for you!

Had my final diet visit yesterday and then went straight to the surgeon's office. He reviewed my paperwork and then sent me out to his assistant. I asked her when the paperwork should be submitted and when I should call my insurance company to check up on it. I think I hit a nerve. She went into a 5 minute diatribe on how I should under no means contact the insurance company. She stated that in her experience it just slowed up the process and caused problems when the pt called insurance. She was VERY, VERY adamant on this. She then told me that it was taking on average 4 to 6 weeks to receive approval. So, what are your thoughts/experiences on this? Why would she have such a strong reaction? I have UHC and from reading on here it seems they are decisive and quick. It's got me wondering if the 4 to 6 week time limit is due to the doctor's office's sluggishness on submitting things and she just doesn't want me to discover this or what??! Does anyone know if it will show up on My UHC site once they receive the packet? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Monday will be my last visit with the nut. I go from there straight to my surgeons office, who will then submit for insurance. Oh my, the butterflies are kicking in. I'm not sure what I'll do if they turn me down. I can't remember the last time I felt THIS strressed... grrrrr. I have UHC, so I hope it doesn't take too long to hear. How did you keep from going crazy during this period? Any advice on how to survive the wait? Oh well, at least my hair is overdue for a color. I'll just hold off so as not to add new greys to a new color job!

I too was told by the nut. that it is six classes not necessarily six calendar months. It's a special program for bariatric surgery, so they've submitted lots. I feel confident with their answer!

She probably is...due to night work I DVR everything, so I'm notorious for fast forwarding through the commercials. I was aware that Valerie Bertinelli had become a spokesperson for Jenny Craig. She's looking phenomenal! Then again, I always thought she was a very pretty woman. Hope she keeps it off. Poor Kirstie Alley...now she should be the poster child for the diet carousel (lose, gain, lose, gain more, round and round). Kirstie could be the queen of my world and I one of her followers..sigh. But, that's soon to end...come on August!!

Congrats! You look wonderful! I have the same problem with the bad knees (and feet), just curious how much pain relief has the weight loss provided? I'm hoping for tons of relief, but have been told by others not to expect too much...sigh. You're an inspiration to me and my chubby knees! =)

Let me clarify that he's not an inexperienced surgeon...not at all...just this procedure is new to him. He's done more bypasses/bands than he could count. It's only vsg that's new to him. He said that of the six he's not had any leaks yet. He explained that there can be leaks with bypass or sleeve, but that the sleeve leaks tend to be more serious. I personally know patients of his who have been extremely pleased with his bypasses. Would competent bypasses equate to competent vsg? I mean, with insurances just starting to pay for this procedure...aren't many surgeons going to be kind of in the same boat?

I had my second visit with my surgeon today. I verified that he DOES in fact perform sleeves. However, he stated that he's only done 6 of them to date. Now, mind you he's had extensive experience with bypass and the lap band. So, my question is would you feel comfortable having him do your procedure? I mean someone's got to be the "firsts", right? Do you think that he'd be even more wary/alert because it's a new procedure to him? Just curious to get others opinions.

Mmmmm...yeah, but no. When you are a celebrity it's the people's interest in your life that keeps you a celebrity. When no one cares anymore they just become, well...me, lol. Seriously though, she wants the attention and it was such a drastic and sudden change, she's getting the attention. I just don't understand why all the subterfuge and misdirection. I mean, pancreatic cancer came from somewhere...all the major news channels reported on it. I think this would be much less of a hot button topic if SHE hadn't created it. Perhaps she's using it to put herself firmly back in the public eye.

My first thought, upon hearing her interview, was she may not have had bypass, but she definitely had bariatric surgery. I just don't get why she feels the need to stay in the closet about it. It will be nice for all when these interventions are taken for the wonderful medical advance they are and the stigma is removed. I'm the type who tells everyone and can care less what the naysayers have to say. Once I arm myself with the facts and make up my mind to do something it's a done deal. So, it's hard for me to understand the people who want to hide it. I respect their wishes, just don't understand it. On a side note, there was speculation that Jennifer Hudson went that route too. Jen's story was a little more believable to me than Aretha's. Although, others are not as convinced.... http://www.bittenandbound.com/2010/04/01/jennifer-hudson-weight-loss-before-and-after-photos-video/

Congrats! I'm so happy for you!

I thought it might be due to a medical problem, but then....in an interview with E! she said that her doctor told her she would "lose a ton of weight and feel 15 years younger". I'm no doctor....but, I can't imagine one saying that with any kind of cancer surgery. She went on to say that her cousin had gastric bypass and "turned green, then passed." Aretha adamantly stated she would never do that "bari..ar..at... I don't even know what it's called gastric surgery." Does she protest too much?

So, what do you think...sleeve or lap band? She admits it was "A surgery" but, VERY adamantly denies gastric bypass.

You can totally see a difference already. That's awesome, you are off to a fantastic start. You go girl!