Bypassjourney

My primary care doctor told me that there is a very high percentage of bariatric patients who become addicted to alcohol after surgery. He said that basically one drink for us has the same intensity of five drinks for someone without the surgery and that it is easy to become dependent on that. I don't know if he has any studies to back that up. But it seems to make sense to me.

Funkeechiggen, I had surgery four weeks after the approval. I went to Forest Park. It was not "in network" but they accepted the payment from Aetna as if they were. Summer from Dr. Kim's office is the one that explained that process to me. The only bill I received from them was for the pre-op, which was paying towards my deductible. Of course, I would have asked them some serious questions if I had received a bill considering they charged Aetna $65,000!!! Actually they turned in $100k but the negotiated rate knocked it down to the $65k. And I didn't have any out of the ordinary issues with regards to my surgery or hospital stay. Send me a message if you have any other questions about Dr. Kim and the process. Good luck!

Its great you are seeing the issue and putting a stop to it. I don't drink alcohol but we all have some sort of vice that we must let go of. Mine is sweets. Hang in there and keep putting one foot in front of the other one day at a time.

Mine went through with no problems. I did the three month route and as others have said, the main thing is for the doctor to submit all the right paperwork to them. I also had Dr. Kim. His office was so efficient and handled it all for me. Read the clinical policy bulletin on your Aetna website and just make sure you are covering everything. Good luck and keep us posted!

Jennifer, I am experiencing the same problems but my pain is more on the right upper quadrant! I too had my gall bladder out 10 years ago. I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy last week and all that was clear. I have my regular check up appointment later this week with my surgeon so I will discuss it with him. Keep me posted on what they determine is causing your pain.

I just attended my 25th reunion last month. I had a blast! I missed the 20th because I didn't feel comfortable with the way I looked. Never again will that happen! Get out there and reclaim your life and enjoy that reunion!

For me personally, I have told a few people that I just want to be healthy. But honestly, that was just because I think that little voice inside my head was saying (and still says) I shouldn't say I want to be a size 6 so that if and when I fail, I wont be as disappointed. The health benefits are great! But yes, deep down inside I wanted to look good. I am already amazed at the transformation in my body and feel great about the changes. So for me, I say it is a win-win....happy about the way I look and better health. Oh yeah!!!

I haven't told many people about my surgery. But I told one lady that I knew well at church a couple of months after my surgery because she is overweight and she was asking me about how I was losing my weight. Her husband works at the same company as I do so I knew her insurance would cover it. So I just felt it was right to tell her about the surgery. I said "I had WLS". Her reply "oh, my doctor said I am not near big enough for that". Mind you she is actually bigger than I was before surgery. I just replied "oh you would be surprised what they cover". Now when she sees me, she doesn't even speak to me. What it boils down to is I did this for me and nobody else. These less-than-true friends getting out of my life will leave room for new real friends.

I know that feels so great to hear! A few weeks ago as I was driving and had my arm out on the steering wheel, my 12 year old son said "your arm is so tiny!" You are right that it does make it even that much better when our kids are noticing. Keep up the great work!

We are all pulling for you and praying this will be resolved quickly. As we read so many success stories on this board, complications such as yours are rare. But God is watching over you and He is the ultimate healer. Take care and sending hugs and prayers your way.

My experience is a 10! I am four months out and have lost 58 lbs. I feel great and just amazed at the changes. I am starting to have the dreadful hair loss over the past couple of weeks. I think I may look into some hair extensions for now. I couldn't be happier!

It takes a lot of courage to walk away from a relationship the way you did so be proud of that. My one word of caution is to be careful that you do not jump too fast into another relationship until you have had some time to recover from the last one. I attended a class through my church called DivorceCare after my marriage ended. I went on to teach the class as well. While everyone heals at different rates and we all have different situations that lead to the break up, there are still alot of similarities in that we must allow ourself some time to heal. What I have found since my surgery is that my personality and outlook on life is changing rapidly as the weight is coming off. While the devastation and pain of my divorce is one of the reasons I started looking into weight loss surgery, I feel very grateful that I am indeed single right now so I can focus on me and my new journey.

Welcome to the forum! It has been such a wonderful source of encouragement and knowledge for me through the whole process. Progresso has a chicken enchilada Soup that I blended and ate quite a bit during that phase. I hope things continue to go well for you as you start on this new way of life. The sleeve is the BEST thing that has ever happened to me!

I have Aetna also. I had to pay my portion of each step along the way. My coverage is 85/15 so I had to pay 15% of each step (psych eval, test, etc). Then once I had my surgery in January, I met my out-of-pocket max so I am covered at 100% for the remainder of the year. I am SO thankful for insurance!

I have aetna. My BMI was less than 40. I had the weight history for two years that was required. I got the sleep study and had mild sleep apnea. That is the only co-morbidity that I had. I was approved after the 12 week nutrition, etc. Read through their clinical plan description (I think that is what it is called) and read all the fine print. I read and re-read that 38 page document multiple times so I would know every little possible thing they needed or required. Good luck with your appeal. Keep at it. It is SO worth it!

Julie, I can SO relate to this! I saw my ex-husband for the first time in nine months a few weeks ago. We did not speak to each other but the look on his face was priceless. Our marriage didn't end because of my weight, but he sure did bring it up and run me down about my weight when we argued. I did this surgery for myself and nobody else. But seeing him when I am down 65 lbs. from the last time he saw me was sweet justice to me.

I have Aetna. I had the sleep study done in September, 2011 and was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I did not have any other co-morbidities so I did not have two years worth of documentation on that. I did have the two years weight history. I completed my three month nutrition program in December. I was approved within two weeks and had surgery on 1/30.

You have to do what is best for you and your family. I agree with the post above that I would take the job and treat it as a private medical situation. If they can't hold the position for you while you are out, then you should be able to apply for unemployment benefits based on your other job ending due to the business closing. You are so close to the surgery so if at all possible, don't delay having surgery for anything or anyone. It will be the best decision you make in your life. I wish you all the best. Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

Great job! You are beautiful!

You look amazing!! What an inspiration you are!

Before picture taken day before surgery on 1/29/12. Now picture taken on 3 month anniversary date 4/30/12. What a difference 50 lbs. make!

What a great feeling! My nine year old son did something similar a few weeks ago. I was driving with my arm at the top of the steering wheel. He said "your arm is so tiny". Its an even better feeling knowing they don't have a clue how their one little comment makes us feel so wonderful! Keep up the great work!

I did not tell many people that I was having surgery (mainly my family) because I knew I would not have their true support. I am single so no support from a husband. I lived on this forum board and it was a life saver to me during that three month insurance approval process. No matter what my fear, anxiety, joy or any other emotion was, I could come to this board and rest assured that someone else could relate. Do your research, start setting your mind to make the lifestyle changes and the time will soon fly by!

I was completely exhausted the first few weeks. Rest as much as you can in between drinking fluids and walking I found that I was starting to get really exhausted and worn down a few weeks ago. I read all the material I got from the doctor again to see if I was missing something. I was not taking enough Vitamins, specifically Vitamin D. Since I have added that daily I am feeling much better.

It is great to hear of a long term success. I am only three months out but some of these lifestyle changes are becoming second nature. Thanks for sharing your inspirational story!