Hitorikiri

Any eastern PA, western NJ peeps around here? Would love to find some local folks to chat with about this journey we're all on.

I haven't been able to find much about them in this forum so I was wondering if anyone can share their experience with the surgeons and staff. Were you confident going in and did you feel your care was adequate? It's the closest to me and has been the only place I've been considering for surgery so any info you folks could offer would be great. Darnit, I meant to post this on the surgery forum. So sorry! Anyone know if it can be moved?

Well, I found out yesterday that my employer is changing insurance companies and the new company doesn't cover the VSG for someone with my BMI. It really makes no sense that riskier, more complicated, more expensive procedures get covered but my BMI has to be over 50 for the VSG. *facepalm* Anyway, after a few months of not being sure, it looks like I'll definitely be covering the cost of this on my own. I could probably try and appeal, but I really have no medically necessary reason to get the VSG over the other surgeries. It's just my own preference, so I'm doubtful any appeals would be successful. So I need to figure out how I'm going to pay for this. I have some savings, but not enough. Does anyone have any recommendations for loans? My credit is decent, and though I make good money, I'm only a temp and my employment is never really a guarantee. I still don't want to end up paying a 30% rate on a loan though. :/ Although the thought of blowing through my savings is kinda scaring the crap out of me, I've made up my mind about this surgery and I know it's something I need to follow through on. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

You look AMAZING in that dress! Congrats!

WOOOO! Congrats on reaching your goal! :Banane21: :woot: Best of luck towards your continued loss.

I live alone with my two dogs and right now I'm facing having to deal with my recovery period all by myself. I might be able to get someone to help out on occasion with the dogs, but that's not anything I can absolutely expect. Is it reasonable to think I can manage this on my own? I'm a bit worried to be honest. :ohwell:

Thanks for the update! I always enjoy seeing your posts. I can't tell you how helpful, inspiring, and educational they have been for a newbie like me. I can't see the pics but I'm going to take everyone else's word that you look great.

I have a pug as well! I do luckily have a fenced in yard, but I have to clean up after them right away or my pug seems to think she's got free Snacks out there. I suppose I should probably get some kind of scooper though so I don't have to bend down. I can imagine my tummy won't thank me for that.

Ooo, this sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing, will definitely have to try this!

Hi there Rose Marie! Definitely good to hear from PA natives as well! Though to be honest I wasn't actually born here, just lived most of my life here. But hey, we could all use the extra positive support, right? That's what we're all here for after all. :thumbup1:

So I've decided that I definitely want to go ahead with surgery. However, now I have a few decisions facing me and I could use some input. I have Aetna and they will supposedly cover my surgery 100% as long as I meet the criteria. The problem is, I'm worried I'll get denied because I don't have the adequate weight history, which means I would have to put off the surgery until the summer of next year. The problem with that is that I'm a temp and don't know if I'll even have the same insurance by that time. In which case I waited for nothing. :svengo: What I could do instead is apply for financing and get the surgery done in Mexico. In which case I would try to get it done sometime before Christmas or just after New Year's. What I'm having trouble deciding is if it's better to go through the three month hoop jumping to see if I can get approved with my current weight history at the risk of getting denied, just put it off altogether and hope I have the same insurance next summer, or proceed with trying to get it done in Mexico, and even there should I try for December/January (when I'll have a break from school) or use it as a last resort if next summer doesn't pan out. I think what I'm having most difficulty is with the idea of waiting nearly another year when I've already made up my mind. I kind of want to just get it over with, you know? But maybe waiting that long would actually be a good thing as it would give me tons of time to prepare. Basically, I'm conflicted and can use some advice. I'd like to know what would you do in this situation. :confused1: Any feedback you could offer would be most appreciated.

Wooo! Congrats! How exciting, just a week away! :scared0:

Is it possible to be successful post-op if you don't like to cook for yourself? I've seen tons of great recipes but I just really have an aversion to cooking for myself most of the time. However I know I can't depend on protein shakes either. Are there any options out there that will allow me to still make the sleeve work for me or is it just better to have more control over what you're eating?

Hi there Vicki, nice to meet you! I've only been to Pittsburgh once and it was in the middle of winter, during a snowstorm no less! Hasn't inspired any feelings to go back. :001_wub: I'm still very early on in the process, haven't even started any testing or anything. But I'm looking forward to moving quickly through everything. I can't imagine having to wait so long to find out if you're going to get approved, but I know insurance companies definitely like to lead us patients around by the nose. :lol0: Good luck with your approval! Hopefully you'll have some good news soon!

So many 32 yr olds! I'll be there next spring (31 now). Reading these comments have definitely brought back a wave of high school flashbacks.

Wow, Bryn, you're certainly juggling a lot right now! Good luck getting all the tests done and welcome to the board. This really is a great place!

Yay, glad to hear everything went well and you're feeling better!

Hey TSB! My appt with the RN coordinator is next Thursday. I recently heard from someone on the OH forum that self-pay at the hospital I'm going to is only $9700. I need to verify that but if it's true, even if I do get denied, at least I can still try and get it done in the country, which would be preferable. And thanks April! That was really helpful! I'm definitely going to try and do what I can to get approved. I mean, as a student, I really don't need the extra debt. :thumbup: Hopefully the weight history will prove to not be an issue after all *fingers crossed*

I'm sorry I can't offer any words of experience, but you definitely have my support. You'll be in my thoughts and hopefully this emotionally fragile time will pass as you continue to heal. *hugs*

Best of luck tomorrow, Diva!! I'm sure everything will be just fine. Can't wait to hear some updates from you.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I've been thinking I'll talk more with the RN coordinator to see what she has to say since I have an appt coming up anyway. If she thinks I have a chance, I'll wait the three months and see if I get approved. If not, then I'll start making plans to get the surgery done elsewhere. Lou, I was referring to Aetna's requirement that you have two years of documented weight history. I have 2007, 2009, and 2010, but no 2008. Plus I'm not sure if Aetna will count the summer 2009 record for the whole year or if that 2 years will begin on that date. I've been thinking about calling them, but haven't had much luck with their customer service being all that knowledgeable in that past, so I'm a bit doubtful I'll get a straight answer. :/

OH! LOL I feel silly now. I've heard of the movie but just assumed you were talking about a game. XD I've added it to my Netflix queue. :svengo: I personally found Dragon Age to be a lot more fun when I could play it on the computer and use a ton of cheat codes. That way I could focus more on the actual storyline and less on frustrations. But that's just me.

I've actually never played Battle Royale. I'll have to look into it though! I don't play too many live action RPGs and you've already mentioned Red Dead Redemption and Knights of the Old Republic. I'd also recommend Dragon Age if you haven't tried it yet (it's another BioWare game). If you like more old school RPGs, Tales of Vesperia (which still has a RT battle system) is fantastic.

I'm a gamer (not a sleever yet though)! :thumbup: I'm not much for MMOs (at least until FFXIV comes out) but I'm a huge RPG gamer and have a PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, DS, DSi XL, and a PSP. I love the FF games, Tales of series, Xenosaga, Suikoden, Shin Megami Tensei (especially Persona), and Harvest Moon games. I'm also a big fan of Fable II and both Mass Effect games.

I'm with you as well. Right now I've got 125 lbs to lose. Can't wait until my own journey gets started. I'm so ready to change this body for good.