Like2Lose

I have my 1st consultation w/the surgeon tomorrow. (It's my 1st appt. period). Aetna Open Access HMO (for Federal Employees), just told me that they will not pay for a dietetian unless you are diabetic. I was going to cancel my appointment, then I decided I'm going to go ahead and talk with this doc to see where I stand. If this visits sounds promising and he thinks I'm a candidate, etc. Perhaps I'll just look into self-pay for the dietitian. Anyone have any estimates they made have paid monthly to see a Dietitian?

Hi Neighbors... I was invited here by Soniacan {thanks}. I'm new to this forum ~ will have my first meeting w/Dr. Kushner this Tuesday. I'm a wreck wondering about what he'll have to say, insurance approval, etc. I'm going to continue reading here - hoping I can ease my mind a bit. Thanks again for the invite.

Hello from Chicago! I just realized that I posted this in the wrong place earlier... so here's a repost. I have been reading, researching having WLS and came across this forum. I knew I was interested in WLS in Jan. ’06; I visited my PCPat Northwestern Mem. Hosp. on my birthday in Jan. '06 - she told me to purchase a rice cooker and to cut back. I joined WW {again} in March, ’06 - lost approx. 20 lbs. & here I am again in Jan. ’07 with more weight than I had this time last year. This happens every year – diet/lose/gain +. I have my first appt. with Dr. Robert Kushner at Northwestern’s Wellness Group 01/30/07. I’ve read a lot about his WL approaches; he’s written a book on WL - his Northwestern profile list his areas of interests as: Nutrition/Diet Counseling, Obesity, Weight Loss / Management. They have sent me paperwork to turn in for my initial visit. They ask you to ensure your Insurance will cover visits w/Registered Dietician & Health Psycologists. The receptionists says I'll have to attend 4 classes (1 month apart). I began an excel spreadsheet listing all weight loss attempts since 2000. This is my first time being at 40 BMI, therefore, I won’t have medical documentation to show 5 yrs of 40 BMI. Almost all previous doctor’s appt., have recorded the times after I’ve lost weight. I’ve never been under a supervised diet. I began this week documenting EVERYTHING I can remember & will from this point on, because I have a fear of dealing with my Aetna Open Access HMO. Since 2000, I’ve been on slim fast, medifast, WW x2, south beach, nutrisystem. I know HOW to lose weight… haven’t learned how to keep it off. So, if things don’t work out with getting approval for WLS {I’ll be completed crushed}, yet I’ll be ready to work with the Wellness Center on to assist me w/losing & learning to keep it off (hopefully). Currently, I’m not diagnosed with anything. I’ve had a hysto surgery in 2000; Vag. Prolapse surgery in 2004 & hemmie surgery in 2006. I snore loudly (wake myself up) wouldn’t be surprised if I actually have sleep apnea. Both my sisters have been are diagnosed. Wish me luck and give me advice... Thank you!

I have been reading, researching having WLS and came across this forum. I knew I was interested in WLS in Jan. ’06; I visited my PCPat Northwestern Mem. Hosp. on my birthday in Jan. '06 - she told me to purchase a rice cooker and to cut back. I joined WW {again} in March, ’06 - lost approx. 20 lbs. & here I am again in Jan. ’07 with more weight than I had this time last year. This happens every year – diet/lose/gain +.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I have my first appt. with Dr. Robert Kushner at Northwestern’s Wellness Group 01/30/07. I’ve read a lot about his WL approaches; he’s written a book on WL - his Northwestern profile list his areas of interests as: Nutrition/Diet Counseling, Obesity, Weight Loss/Management. They have sent me paperwork to turn in for my initial visit. They ask you to ensure your Insurance will cover visits w/Registered Dietician & Health Psycologists. The receptionists says I'll have to attend 4 classes (1 month apart).<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I began an excel spreadsheet listing all weight loss attempts since 2000. This is my first time being at 40 BMI, therefore, I won’t have medical documentation to show 5 yrs of 40 BMI. Almost all previous doctor’s appt., have recorded the times after I’ve lost weight. I’ve never been under a supervised diet. I began this week documenting EVERYTHING I can remember & will from this point on, because I have a fear of dealing with my Aetna Open Access HMO. Since 2000, I’ve been on slim fast, medifast, WW x2, south beach, nutrisystem. I know HOW to lose weight… haven’t learned how to keep it off. So, if things don’t work out with getting approval for WLS {I’ll be completed crushed}, yet I’ll be ready to work with the Wellness Center on to assist me w/losing & learning to keep it off (hopefully).<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Currently, I’m not diagnosed with anything. I’ve had a hysto surgery in 2000; Vag. Prolapse surgery in 2004 & hemmie surgery in 2006. I snore so loud that I wake myself up – so, I wouldn’t be surprised if I actually have sleep apnea. Both my sisters have been are diagnosed. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Please wish me luck and give me any / all advice possible. Thank you