MeMeMEEE

LOL glad to hear it - I am an International Claims Examiner so I work in Blue Card and do claims for all four states from members who had a claim internationally. Always interesting for sure. I am a little freaked about that $5000 copay but I know many groups have their own rules so maybe it isn't corporate - and hopefully if it is I will be sleeved before then! hehe! Good luck to you as well - hope you have those 6 visits within 24 months that you need!!

oh I hope so!! I have BCBS of IL (I work for Health Care Service Corp which is BCBS of IL, TX, NM and OK) and I know the med policy reads that way but for some reason my surgeon's program will only submit once they have 6 consecutive - I will look forward to hearing if they approve you - maybe I can go to my program and ask them to try - I had one month (January) where I didn't see the Dr so that makes me not consecutive - BOO!

whoa!! very scary! Do you have to do the 6 months of supervised weight loss? Or can you get sleeved before September? Glad they were able to tell you this far out to expect that though.

I am so glad you are getting things taken care of close to home now, so important and it all could have turned out so much worse - thankful for a competent doctor here who did not turn his back when someone needed him after another surgeon performed the initial surgery. I am concerned that you don't mention who the Dr is - I know there are some on here who tout their Mexico Surgeons as never having a leak or complication - no one is perfect and unfortunately we have to rely on word of mouth about foreign surgeons and hospitals to know their good and bad. I am actually an International Claims Examiner for BCBS and it seems very common for hospitals to demand payment before allowing you to leave (and many times a deposit before they treat you at all, even emergency) - which is usually doable for a few hundred dollars but I have seen claims upwards of $200,000 - how very scary that would be! Not just Mexico but Europe, Canada, Asia, everywhere.

My nutritionist says eating at 3-4 hour intervals - I can't imagine not having snacks - even if it is a protein bar or drink? I'm not sleeved yet, just going by the nutrition class for after.

I agree - not a fail or cheat - sounds like you did great!

Glad you asked - I have been wondering for when I get to goal I want a tummy tuck!

Congrats on your weight loss!! and ps. I LOVE your icon - Jasper is HAWT

I am not yet sleeved, hoping July/August. Right now I weigh myself every morning and I am fine when losing or maintaining but get a little stressed when it moves up, even .2. So I am wondering it anyone put the scale away before surgery? Maybe used a different measure such as clothing? Also I am wondering about possibly just having my husband give me the scale once a week and keep it hidden otherwise, Just wondering what some have done!!

Congrats!! I can't wait to get my sleeve!!

I can't get in, I guess because I use firefox?

I am in Central Illinois - it would be great to have a meet up if you are ever interested! I am hoping to be sleeved in July/August!

you look awesome!! congrats!

I have (and work for) BCBS of IL and was told specifically that it has to be documented by a Dr each month. The medical policy isn't clear as it doesn't really say and trust me, I have waaay more than 6 months of WW over the last 2 years so I was hoping...but no go. I am still doing WW as well as my Dr visits each month. I also have a Health Coach (which is through BCBS too) and she also told me that is the biggest thing she sees people get hung up on - they think they don't need to see their Dr each month if they do WW, Jenny Craig, etc.

Sorry to hear you are going through this but glad you are getting the care you need! Sending lots of prayers!

I have seen some people say this, especially alot that go to Mexico are able to eat whatever they want the night before. I think all Dr's have different opinions. Just got my pre-op diet info today and I can have unlimited veggies, liquids and some things like applesauce and hot cereal which seems to be more that alot of people!

OH!! And I forgot to mention - there were 5 other sleevers in the nutrition class! So exciting since RNY seems to be the most popular here! Hoping there will be a nice size support group when I have mine - apparently only one lady goes right now so she is lumped with the RNY group.

I did get the Vitamin list - and she was able to give me a sample of the Bariatric Advantage chewable today and also a Calcium chew sample - glad to have them and will be making a list very soon of what I need! It seems so much more real even though I am still about 3 months out! Congrats on your surgery date!!

is this something everyone is tested for? the upper GI thing and all? It hasn't been mentioned and I am just wondering...

Valentina - my surgeon has done just 14 sleeves in a little over a year and I know no one personally who has had it. I was able to meet up with another of his sleeve patients just a few weeks ago, I asked the program person if she could find me someone to talk to in person and they did. It was great to meet someone so positive - she wanted the sleeve but was going to settle for the RNY because her insurance didn't cover sleeve - a week before the surgery she received word that insurance now covered sleeve and so she was able to do it!

I don't think it is a wrong reason. I personally can say my reasons for not choosing bypass are 1) malabsorption issues and 2) the whole rerouting thing. Recovery time isn't something I have looked at - I know of people who have been back to work with both in just a few days. My surgeon requires a longer hospital stay for the sleeve than bypass because, I believe, it is a newer procedure to them. From what I see and read, weight loss is similar with both.

Great site!

I am 4'11'' and my height says I should be 99-124. I was 130 at one time for a year and that felt right and put me in 8-10's. I can't imagine myself smaller.