Toodie1974

Yes that's what my doctor told me....that's what got me so nervous because for the next 4 months they don't want me to lose anymore weight. As they said just maintain where I am at....so nerve racking

Hi Vfoster317, I think even with your BMI being below 40.....with your comorbidities you should still be fine. My current BMI is 37.4 but my surgeon is positive with my comorbidities I will should still get approve. I wish you the best of luck in her journey.

Hello All, I have a question, when you have the wls and lose all this weight and have sagging skin. Do your insurance cover the plastic surgery due to you losing the weight from your wls or do you have to pay out of pocket for these procedures? I know a lot of people say it all depends on how your doctor code the procedures. I just want to hear it from you all since I am pretty sure some of you had the same question.

Thanks for the replies.....38K wow that's a lot of money. I can't see myself paying that much out of pocket for plastic surgery either. Do anyone know if BCBS cover plastic surgery after wls?

It don't look bad on you at all. I just wanted to know if you had more sagging skin than we could see. Again from what I can see on your legs....it don't look bad....I would take that over being obesity any day....

Congratulations to you....you look GREAT....if I am not being too noisy....did you have much sagging skin losing 122 lbs.... Again congratulations on a job well done!!!!!!!!! Happy Surgiversary

Thanks everyone, I was just wondering because when I heard outpatient I kind of freaked out. The nurse told me it all depends on your insurance....for this procedure my insurance Highmark BCBS PPO has it as outpatient. I still have some months to go.....this 6 months supervised weight loss plan have my surgery date pushed back to I am thinking sometime in February 2015. I am patiently waiting because I know if everything goes well....summer of 2014 will be my last summer for me as an overweight young lady. I am going to take full advantage of this tool once I get it. I know there's a lot of things I don't like....cream of wheat and oatmeal.....but for a healthier me I will get use to them.

Congrats on your approval....wish you much success in your journey

Hello Everyone, I went and had my psych evaluation on Tuesday, August 19th. I was so nervous because I didn't know what to expect. Everything went well, as others said there is a questionnaire that I had to take which consisted of 500 questions. They questions was mainly of how you feel about things and your mental state. After that was done then I talked with the doctor; he was funny and made me feel comfortable. He was funny but at the same time he was serious talking to me and giving me insist on what to look for after having the gastric sleeve. When I checked my email this morning my psych report was there. I am happy to say I have been cleared mentally to have the surgery. I know this is only a tool and I know I will make a lot of life changes in order for my wls to be successful. I am not going through all of this just to have the surgery and fail at it. I am dedicated to make this changes for a better and healthier Wanda. Anyone who is nervous about your psych evaluation, don't be just be yourself and everything will be just fine. Have a good afternoon.

I hope I don't sound stupid but what is this EGD that you all are referring to? Just reading the responses are making me nervous.

Thank you sa1976....I am praying all will go well with you on September 11th.

GREAT.....Congratulations....everything will be just fine!!!

Hi Heav85, I too have to go through the required 6 months supervised weight loss plan per my insurance company. My first appointment is also Monday, August 25, 2014. From what I read overtime, they want you to lose some weight to show you are trying; but if you don't lose any weight, I've read where some say they don't want you to gain any either. This is just what I have read so I am not sure; but my plan is to try to lose at least 10-12 lbs. during these 6 months. I know losing weight will make it a lot easier when it's time to have the surgery. Wish you much success.

Thank you AlwaysVegas, I am definitely looking forward to this journey. I am going to do whatever I have to make this journey a successful one.

I am scheduled for my psych evaluation next Tuesday with Dr. Santavicca in Atlanta, GA. I was thinking this was going to be about a 30-45 minutes visit. But I was told today that the psych evaluation would be about 2 hours. My lord what in the world are we going to talk about for 2 hours. If anyone else have had Dr. Santavicca or had a psych evaluation, please share with me what the evaluation will consist of. I am really curious about what is going to go on. Thanks Ms. Toodie1974

Thanks everyone....I guess you all knew I was starting to worry about this evaluation.

Thank you all....I am always researching about vsg...I think the not drinking while you eat is going to be the hardest....but I am looking forward to that challenge....yes my husband is the best....he know me having the vsg will help my health in so many ways....

I have started this awesome journey that I know will change my life forever. On June 16, 2014, I finally started this journey with my husband by my side. I am kind of nervous but I know it's the best decision I can make for me. June 16, 2014 - First visit to Peachtree Surgical and Bariatrics in Atlanta, GA. June 28, 2014 - Started the required 6 months weight loss program July 31, 2014 - I met with the nutritional eval, had EKG and PFT. August 28, 2014 - Stress Test Scheduled Everything is moving right along; I know December will be here before I know it. I am just taking it one day at a time and looking forward to that day. Blessed and Highly Favored

I attended Dr. Titus Duncan (Atlanta Bariatric) seminar on wls three weeks ago. The only call I have received from his office is to verify my insurance member number. I know my insurance cover wls because I called and checked myself before pursuing this journey. The only thing left to say is either Dr. Titus Duncan staff is not doing what they suppose to, Dr. Duncan is just too busy or he is not interested in treating me. Either way I am not going to let this discourage me because I am on a journey to better my health and life. I am now looking for other surgeons to research and get you all opinions on in the Georgia. I feel I have wasted enough time waiting on Dr. Titus Duncan and his staff to get in touch with me. Please share your surgeon and experience in the Georgia area with me if you don't mind. Thanks

Thank you all for replying. I am trying to get some help on my journey and I am very thankful to you all. I am researching the doctors and centers now.

Wow I am so excited for you all. I am waiting to see if BCBS is going to approve my sleeve surgery. I pray I get approved on my first try. My current BMI is 38.9 with a blood pressure out of the roof. I just need help getting this weight off; I am tired of living like this.

I hope you are feeling better today.

I haven't started my journey and I will tell you why. My current weight is 222 lbs; I have lupus and high blood pressure. I went a couple of weeks ago to have scans done on my kidneys. Once I go to the doctor to get those results then I will decide on my next move. I wanted the lap band but having lupus I know that is not an option because my body would reject the foreign object. Now I'm looking into having the sleeve. I am just tired of the doctors telling me if I lose weight my blood pressure will be fine. They don't have a clue how hard it is to lose this weight. I don't want to have WLS because I'm lazy I just need some help. I'm tired of being tired and not having any energy to do nothing. I just need some help.

Hi jdillon, I understand exactly what you are saying. I was on the weight loss pills and got down to 198 lbs but as soon as I stopped taking those pills the weight I loss came right back and a couple more lbs. People think obesity people lay around and eat all day but that is not the case. They don't understand how hard it is to carry all this weight. I pray everything will go well with your surgery in July.

Delove32, sometimes you have to do things on your own. Everyone who say they are for you are not always for you. I have been wanting to have WLS for years now. Good luck on your journey.