donbie

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!

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!

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!

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

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! =)

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.

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?

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?

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

Hi tink76! How exciting that your final weigh in is so close. I still have 4 months of classes to go. I wish you lots of luck and look forward to taking this journey with you!

Attended the second managed weight loss meeting today, and now only have four more to go! After the next one I will be halfway there, yay! It was an interesting class. Ended up being more like a group therapy session. After the meeting, I was talking with a couple of ladies and one said to me "you're not THAT large." I didn't think much of it until after I left...but, I did on the ride home. I told my husband I'm a woman without peeps!! I'm too fluffy for the skinny gals and not fluffy enough for the fluffiest ones...sigh. Have you ever had anyone make a similar statement? Did you take it as a compliment or dig? In your mind what size is TOO small for WLS? I meet the NIH criteria and I've been shopping in the plus size department for years now, so I personally feel it's time. My high blood pressure, bad back, knees and feet tend to agree. All the way home I kept thinking "well, dang how large would you like me to get". It seems every year I find another diet followed by another 20-30 lbs gained post diet. Is it wrong to want to nip it in the bud? Meh! I am, however, getting very excited about the future. Went shopping the other day and found that I have NO desire to buy any more clothes at this size. I found that I was window shopping for what I'd like to wear in the future...man, I can't wait!! =)

Keep up the good work! I look forward to following your journey, you're off to a great start.

Oh my, you go girl!! I hope to someday have as dramatic of before and after pics! You're an inspiration to us all, congrats!!

I'm new here, my name is Bobbie. I am a 45 year old wife and mother of 3 (two are still at home). I'm an ED tech and will be starting clinicals for RN in May (very exciting). After researching ten ways to Sunday, I have decided on the sleeve to get rid of all the extra weight. I've slowly gained weight as I aged, then along came peri-menopause and I crossed over from "healthy" to chubby. Once I quit smoking I packed on from chubby to OMG child we've got to do something about this. I'm at 37-38 bmi depending on how close I am to that once/twice a year period. High blood pressure and osteoarthritis in my knees and feet make me eligible for insurance covered surgery. I have UHC and they will cover everything except my 10.00 dr visit copays. Pretty darn lucky ain't I...and I know that I SHOULD feel it...it's just that every FREAKING time I call the insurance company I get a different answer to the same question..grrrrr. First three calls went like this...Me: Am I required to participate in a six month weight loss program? Them: Noooooooo. The next two calls went like this.....Me: Am I required to participate in a six month weight loss program? Them: Yes OR two programs for three months, one of which can be Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. Last phone call... Me: May I please have the paper mailed to me that outlines the one for six/two for three month diet program(s)? Them: What two for three? You must do one for six. I'm pulling my hair out and becoming depressed. After this last call I've decided to take it as fate/God/whatever wants me to have the surgery in SIX months, FINE. So...August it is, I had just hoped to not have anymore fat summers...ah well, I already have the chubster bathing suits! Okay, so really I am not usually this much of a whiner or baby! I'm usually the "class clown" and the glass is half...hey are you going to drink that...can I have it? kind of gal. I'm looking forward to a VSG so that I can get my mojo back, look in mirrors (without wondering who the hell that person is) and be in some pictures with my family (before the kids leave home). As You've probably guessed patience is NOT my forte. I've read and researched so much. My new favorite past time is looking at before and after pictures, LOVE THEM. In fact it's gotten so bad now that as I go through my day and see people I label them in my mind..."she's an after"...."oh, she's definitely a before". I may be going round the bend. Anyhow, I love reading the posts and gleaning information from you all and YES I've seen ALL of your before and afters...way to go!! Bobbie

Today was my first visit with the surgeon AND my first diet class. When I called my insurance to inquire about bariatric surgery I was given a list of requirements to obtain a pre-authorization. They did not mention a six month monitored diet and when I specifically asked I was told "the list says nothing about a six month diet." Soooo....I had hoped that with the visit to the surgeon this could be confimed/denied. The surgeon's nurse told me to go to the diet classes b/c sometimes my insurance requires it and sometimes they don't, lol. She did say they would submit once all the pre-tests were done. That should be by the end of March. I guess I'll find out then if we can get this party started or if it'll take another 4 months...Grrrrrr. I also got word two nights ago that I was accepted to start RN clinicals in May! I sure wish I could get a handle on the timeline for the surgery so, I'd know what to plan for school wise. I plan on taking two weeks off of work, but will not be able to miss any school. The clinicals are going to be part-time, one night a week lecture and one clinical..so I hope I can be banded and return right to class without missing a day. OR best case I don't need the full six months and I get banded BEFORE I even start. Oh my,,,I'm gonna be crazy before this is all over!

That would be wonderful and the best possible outcome! My insurance is UHC Select HMO. Four days doesn't sound bad at all. I think I could work around that if necessary. I am such a planner and every time I get too tied up in plans God/fate laughs at me and changes them all up. Oh well, you meet a lot of nice people on the side paths, lol.

Congrats on the approval! Did you get your surgery date?

I've found myself doing the same thing. I feel confident that when the pre-op diet time comes that I will be ready to discipline myself, but I just wanted to taste some old favorites one last time. The funny part is that I haven't eaten at some of these restaurants in years due to my attempt to lose weight. I see the surgeon on the Feb 14th and once I get my "marching orders" I'll begin my new diet for life!

Hi all, I'm new to this whole thing...I found the forum while researching options. I've attempted to lose weight for ...ummm...EVER with varying success. After quitting smoking two years ago I packed on an additional 30 lbs and have developed several medical problems. I mentioned (half jokingly) to my PCP recently that I'd even considered WLS and he immediately did some calculations. His response was "You definitely qualify, check with your insurance and let me know what you want to do, I'll back you up 100% with whatever you need." He's been my doc for 12 years now, so he has tons of my med hx and knows of my fight with weight loss. I checked with my insurance (UHC select EPO) and was told they will cover it 100% if 40 or > BMI or 35-40 BMI with 2 or more co-morbidities. I presently go back and forth between 36-38 BMI. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and get cortisone shots in both knees and feet on average every 6 mos. All of my docs feel WLS would help all of these conditions! Today I again contacted the insurance company to inquire as to what exactly they would need for pre-authorization. The customer service representative put me through to the pre auth department. I was informed that they would need: age, height, weight, BMI, co morbidities, and 5 yr documentation of obesity and any non-surgical interventions which have been attempted. I specifically asked if there was a six month monitored diet period and was told, "no, it says nothing about that." (happy dance) So, tomorrow I go to my PCP again armed with this information. The woman who handles their referrals is AWESOME and I have high hopes of things proceeding quickly. I'm praying that the co-morbidities I have will be enough. I would imagine this surgery would be cheaper than replacing two knees which is where I'm heading...sigh. I am a little worried because the well span site (I have to stay in network for 100% coverage) has info about a six month monitored diet. I'm hoping that is just to please insurance companies that require it! Do some surgeons require it also, regardless of insurance? Because THAT would suck. Sorry for the dissertation. I'm just totally excited and feel as though I've been handed a new chance/lease on life! I don't wait well...that's not my forte, so here's hoping things go quickly and smoothly! Love the site and look forward to meeting a bunch of you and sharing this journey's ups and downs together. Bobbie (from PA) P.S. would love to hear any stories/experiences with UHC or wellspan etc. thanks!