Texasmom65

If your plan pays for out of network 70/30% then you will only have to pay 30% of the allowable. Not above the allowable. Even though the doctor is out of network the insurance still will only approve a certain amount. If you did NOT have any out of network benefits it would be different. But since they are telling you they will cover 70% of it, you will only be responsible for the 30%. The best bet is to find out the procedure codes from your doc and call BCBS and ask them what the allowable is. They can give you an estimate. Plus if your plan states no matter what you are only responsible for a certain amount before they cover 100%, the the $2000 could be true. Just depends on how good your plan is. I have BCBS of TX and I have to pay my $500 deductible and up to $2000 out of pocket for co insurance. Since my deductible is almost meant I only have to may $2030 to the hospital, because my co insurance is 20% of the allowable. Then my insurance will pay 100%. The doctor will be afterwards if needed. Hope that helps.

Nancy....how much have you lost so far? I'm just not losing on this pre op diet. So I think the until surgery on Monday I'm going to do nothing but shakes all day, no more food.

I think Butterfly had hers today.

I found out yesterday in my pre op class we get one too. :-) I'm excited. Silly, huh?

Have you drink much since having your sleeve? I mean to know how it affects you. I will say, last year I had a mix of vodka and cranberry juice and it pretty much knocked me out. I think it was the vodka itself....it was a fruity brand. And I have not had the sleeve yet. Or maybe someone put something in your drink.....sure glad you had a friend with you.

Do they know what caused your levels to be so low? Is it because your not eating/drinking enough or vitamins, or what? I go in next week for my surgery and just want to make sure I do it all right.

Thank you everyone and Tiffykins. I know everyone is different and the docs just give us guidelines. So I feel a little bit better now. I'll try caffeine down the road at some point. But until then, I'm so sleepy every day. It's hard to function. I sure hope this passes. It's my second week of no caffeine. :coffee: I want to lose my excess weight and maintain it forever. So I will stick as close to the plan my doc gave me....98% of the time. I did order some samples of the Vitamins from Celebrate last night. I guess my hubby can have the adult gummies. LOL Only 4 days away :cheer2:

Congrats. You will do just fine. I've had all those feelings and still do. I go from excited, to totally scared to death. LOL

Heather, its funny how the info differs from doc to doc. LOL I think my doc is being very careful and knows for some people he has to be very strict and straight forward. It's like the people you give an inch and they take a mile or two. I get it when they say, every once in a while is ok. But for some, that once in a while turns into a daily thing and then they stall or gain.

Congrats, that is awesome news!

Tonight I added a teaspoon Peanut Butter to my chocolate Protein drink, blended well....and OMG...it tasted like a liquid Butterfinger. Try different flavors in your shakes, maybe that will help a little. I've added banana flavoring to my vanilla shakes. Yummy

Butterfly you will be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. You will do just fine. Can't wait to hear your story. Good Luck and big hugs. I had my pre-op class/nutrition class today. Wow, now I really feel overwhelmed a bit. Going to re-read the stuff again and let it sink in tonight. It's funny how surgeons differ on what you can and can not eat. I plan on making a post later tonight.

Congrats on your surgery date. Mine is next week also. You will be fine. Just read all you can on here. Tons of great advice.

LOL ok that is a weird dream. Good luck to both of you on your surgery's. Mine is next week.

It just depends on your surgeon. If you have everything your insurance requires, and your surgeon submits it to your insurance for approval, it could only take a few weeks. Once mine was sent in for approval it was only one week then my surgeons office called to set up my surgery date. Good luck.

Meg, How many carbs per day do you use? I know carbs are my downfall. I love bread to much. I also have fallen in love with greek yogurt, lots of Protein, but high in carbs too :-( And do most of you think the slow weight loss is due to our age too? I'm 46 and since turning 42, its been so hard to lose weight. And now I'm in menopause, its even harder.

What if you lose 140 lbs by this time next year.... What if you have to buy all new clothes SMALLER... Turn those negative "what ifs" into positive ones. I know what your thinking, I'm there with you...but I always turn it around to what its going to be like once I lose all this fat. Once I'm no longer "miserable" in this fat body. I just don't think life can get worse......it has to get better. In fact I know it will get better. We can do this....one month from now we will be telling another "pre-sleever" how wonderful it is and to not worry. Hugs,

My daughter has 2 children with Celiac disease. She has a great blog with recipes on it. I know, not just for sleevers...but maybe some ideas there for you. She also knows I'm getting the sleeve, so if you send her an email on her blog, she can probably come up with somethings for you. She has been asked to speak by the kids nutritionist at several events, because she really seems to have this stuff down. I'm so proud of her. She is always researching and making up new recipes. http://gluten-freefoodstorage.blogspot.com/ Hope that helps.

What day did you actually have your surgery...to be back at work today? I'm curious because I don't plan on taking off much time for this, if possible.

So no one else in the office schedules surgeries while she is out? That is crazy.

Welcome Manda. Woo Hoo only 6 more days!! :cheer2: Marilynn, good to know you have personal experience with this. You know what to expect since your hubby had it done. And I bet he is a great supporter as well.

2 daughters.....on my second vlog entry in my signature, I talk about what I'm drinking right now. I bought a few samples from "mybariatricpantry.com". I will say the Bariatric Advantage brand is good. I also bought some from GNC and its not bad either. I think the best way is to make sure you mix, mix, mix. I use a "bullet" type blender I got at walmart for $20. It's quick, easy and mixes in the same cup you drink out of. I also put a couple of ice cubes in mine. You can add flavorings also to make different type shakes. Here are some ideas from this thread. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/5906-a-huge-list-of-protein-drink-recipes/

Sweet dreams...I'm having my surgery at Baylor Plano. Good Luck. Only one week away. I'm excited.

Welcome, I'm having my surgery on the 11th also. I wouldn't say the pre op sucks, I don't mind the shakes, but with me, my first week I was on vacation, then we have the 4th and parties, and on the 7th is our wedding anniversary. That is what has been hard for me. I do get to eat one meal per day, so it hasn't been to bad. But I could have made better choices on a few of those days. But I'm losing, so it is working. Good luck. Only one more week for us.

Well I bought vanilla Protein powder today to try this week along with the others I have. I also got my decaf coffee, Vitamins and Calcium chews. So I think I'm ready :-) Hope everyone is doing well with the pre-op diet. Just another week or so and we will be on the other side. I can't wait.