LB4Me

I have UHC. The only requirements was a 5 year history of your weight and using a Center of Excellence doctor. They can refer you to one. My surgeon had more requirements. UHC will assign you a case worker and eventually a case nurse. They are very helpful and can answer all your questions. Once I met all my surgeons requirements, it only took a few days for "the approval call".

I had to cancel my original surgery date cause my blood oxgen levels were too low. I was sent for a sleep study and could not stand the mask. I am very, very clausterphobic. Unfortunately, I was told they would not operate on me unless I started using the CPAP. So it was back to doctor where a therapist worked with me for over an hour finding and testing masks that I thought I may be able to use. They even had me take nap once I found one I may be able to tolerate. The nostril pillows. I have to go back next week for another study with the new mask. Once the doctor showed me my breathing pattern without the mask, I knew it was pretty serious and I had to try to work with it. Here's hoping I can get through the study without panicing. I had a full-blown panic attack the first time. Did any of you who use a CPAP and already have had surgery, have any breathing problems in recovery?

LMAO. Needed a laugh today.

After months of doctor's visits and getting insurance clearance, I am now forced to delay my August 11th surgery. I had some pulmonary issues, was sent to a sleep study. Now my pulmonologist and the sleep study doctor have said that no anestesialogist will put me under until my issues are resolved. Back to more doctors, more tests, more waiting. I am so disappointed. It took me 3 years to get the courage and make the appointments. Nine months to get through the appointments and get approval.

Thanks! I appreciate the support. I hope to get this cleared up before I loose my nerve or my health insurance. My job is tenuous at best right now. I'm considering getting a jump start on the weight loss (and as a bonus help with the breathing) and go on another diet.

Welcome. I think it is very brave of you to do this while your husband is deployed. I don't think I could do it without my husband here to support me. But what a great surprise when he returns. I wish you the best if luck and hope to see you here often.

I've done it too. I'm trying to make sure I eat all my favorite things that I may not be able to eat again. LOL.

Welcome and congrats on the beginning of your journey.

I'm tentatively scheduled for August 11. I say tenatively cause my surgeon has it on hefr calendar and insurance has approved it (YEAH!), but I still have to do the sleep study and they are looking into an abnormal liver test. Hoping it is just fatty liver. Everything else is fat, why wouldn't my liver be too!

Terrific job! It must feel wonderful.

I'm tentatively scheduled for Agust 11th. I say tenatively cause I'm on my surgeon's calendar for the 11th and my insurance approved me for the date, but I still have a sleep study and there is an issue with my liver that has to be checked out. I am full of emotions. Happy, excited, anxious, scared. I've started a blog to keep track of it all and help me get through the emotional part. It will also provide my family with access to my journey. They are all a million times behind me on this.

I would do what gives you the most comfort. Even though I am married, I considered going "home" for the surgery. And even though my husband has reservations about it, I am very seriously considering having my mom here for the surgery. I love my husband, but sometimes you just want your mommy. I think this may be one of those times. But ask you doctor before making any decisions.

As long as you have this site, you're not alone. Do you have a date yet, or are you just beginning the process?

Did you have your surgery? Did you need the CPAP after? Not being able to breathe is a phobia of mine. I am so afraid of getting out of surgery and not being able to breathe.

So after 8 months and 7 doctors, I finally got clearance for the surgery and my insurance approved it immediately. I am scheduled for August 11. I still have to do a sleep study cause I have low blood oxygen and they want to get me a CPAP before surgery, if necessary, and a blood test found another issue that could compromise the date, so I have to see another doctor and have an MRI next week. While I am excited, I am also apprehensive. I sorta feel like the little yodelee guy on The Price is Right. I climbed up the mountain - but if I go any further I may fall over the cliff and not win the car. I want to win the car.

I know how you feel. I was feeling the same way. But even though I felt like backing out after reading the stories about the pain (I'm a big baby), I would look at the weight loss tickers and think - if i can loose that much - the pain would be worth it. I finally have my surgery date and I think I'm very happy about it.

Good job! I can't wait to wear cute jeans again.

I went into this relatively healthy. Just a bit of high blood pressure that was well controlled with meds. And of course that MO issue. My insurance plan is a terrific plan that covers everything and even helps you throughout the process. My surgeon is a well-known Center of Excellence doctor. No worries. Well since I began this in December, I have seen seven different doctors, had complete blood work three times, a c-scan, three different ultrasounds and now I am scheduled for a sleep study and an MRI. One doctor passes me off to the next. I'm beginning to think it is because my insurance is so good. LOL!

I have UHC as well. They wanted a 5-year record of weight, but no requirement for weight loss. In fact, that was their only requirement as long as you use a Center of Excellence surgeon.

I was waiting to introduce myself until I FINALLY had a surgery date. But I responded to a few posts this evening, and felt it was appropriate to introduce myself now. My name is Joyce, I'm from NYC and I will hopefully be banded by next month. I had no issues with insurance, mandatory diets or the other issues I've read on here. Everything was going smoothly until the PFT. They found I have low blood oxygen and now have had test after test to try to figure out why. I've been probed and stuck and scanned and I meet with the Pulmonologist again this week - and hopefully will receive clearance. Unfortunately, the repeated delays have given me more time to think about how this surgery will change my lifestyle, and I have weak moments where I change my mind. But then I try to remember that while the surgery may change my lifestyle, the quality of my life can only get better -- and I order more sample protein drinks.

Thank you for the suggestion.

Thanks for the encouragement.

I have to admit, when I was told no more swedish fish (by the psychologist - not the doctor) I had second thoughts about the surgery.

I've been lurking - pre-surgery - not quite ready to participate. But I felt I had to share this with you. My cardiologist took me into his office before my pre-surgery cardio exam and congratulated me on making a life and health-changing decision. I was blown away. He understood the surgery, explained the benefits from a cardio standpoint and asked me if I had any questions. Hopefully the next pre-op doctor you see will have their facts straight and be a bit more supportive.