MsDebi

Well, my cardiologist's office just called and said I was cleared for surgery and he will be forwarding a letter to my surgeon. Whew...Another item checked off the list. So I call Dr. Bellanger's office (my surgeon in Baton Rouge) and Tracy tells me that United Healthcare sometimes takes 20 days or so to get approval. YIKES!! Now I'm starting to get anxious. I've done everything I can do from this end so now it's a wait and see thing.... I wouldn't mind that too much if my insurance wasn't changing at the end of the year!! Sending up prayers that United Healthcare will be speedy!! Lord, let me get this done by the end of the year!!!

Today was my psych eval in Baton Rouge. My parents came and went with me, so it turned out to be a nice day. The eval really wasn't exactly what I was expecting. The setting was comfortable, easy conversation...really nice. My psychologist actually has had the VS done as well... Which was really exciting to sit and talk to someone face to face who has had the procedure. Glad this step is finished. Getting closer every day!!!

I'm sorry you are having problems...I've heard BCBS is really "sticklers" about the pre op process. One thing, I was thinking...have you had any nutrition training due to your DM? Sometimes insurance companies will accept previous nutritional training. Maybe check into that? Hope it helps!! God Bless!

Hi! I'm 46 and new to the site. I have my consultation on Friday and am really excited, but would really like to visit with some sleevers who are around my age. Anybody out there in their 40's? All responses really appreciated!!

Ok...so today I had my appointment with my internist and it went really well. He is supportive in my decision to have the gastric sleeve and thinks that I will do well. He did tell me not to take my appointment for my psych eval too lightly. He said it is an important step and it is very important to be honest about any problems with depression in the past. I guess I'm a little nervous about that. The possibility of dealing with depression after surgery. I've had my fair share and really really don't want to go down that road again. Hopefully, if I go into it with the full knowledge of the chance of it, I will be ready to deal with it if it arises. Anyway, I feel like I am another step farther along in my journey. Tomorrow is my psych eval and I'm excited to be getting that step done as well. On we go!!!

So today I made my appointment with my internist. I see him tomorrow at 3:15. Then I made my psych eval appointment in Baton Rouge on Wednesday at 9am. My cardiologist office called and just wants me to come in for an EKG and he will clear me. Things are moving right along! I love progress!!!

I just thought of something. I have a problem posting a pic of myself, looking at pictures of myself, or even having my picture taken. I know it is my weight, cuz I'm always thinking how fat I look in a pic. Posting my pic here is actually kinda freeing...kinda a relief. That's me; that's how I look. AND ITS GONNA GET SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!! This is the beginning of a new attitude!

INSPIRING!!!!

I don't think you are being selfish. I, personally, wish I had done this years ago. I'm not sleeved yet and don't have my date yet, but I do think that it will not only make me healthier and happier...but feeling better about yourself help you be a better person, mommy, wife, daughter...everything. Think about it. How many activities have you avoided because of your weight? Because you feel frumpy and fat in anything you wear? I think if had had this tool years ago, when my children were growing up, I would have been a lot more active with my kids. So look at this as something you are, once again, doing for your family. Because they WILL benefit, too. God Bless!!

Wow! It's Sunday morning and things are great! I told my parents yesterday and they were so very supportive! I'm so glad, cuz I was worried about how my mom would react. She said she would do it if she could. LOL So now, all I have to do is get letters from my cardiologist, and internist, and then wait for insurance to approve, which shouldn't be a problem. I am so freakin excited! The prospect of having this wonderful tool to help me get to and keep a healthy weight actually makes me emotional if I sit and think about it! I WILL BE THIN!!! I WILL BE HEALTHY!!! Yeah, Me!!!

Thanks so much for responses! I'm really having fun with this site and enjoying reading about everybody's success!! Please feel free to message me with your stories! It is so very encouraging!!!

So bright and early today, at 8am I was in Baton Rouge for my orientation and informational consult. I'm 5' tall (short) and I weighed 186.7 lbs. BMI = 36.5. Ugh. Tho I'm not at a BMI of 40, my CAD, arthritis, and asthma, qualify me. I honestly didn't learn anything that new...this site is so great that I have already learned so much about the sleeve. But, I did learn that my surgeon does NOT require a pre op diet of liquids! Yeah!! He asks only that you start cutting your calorie intake 2 weeks prior to surgery and nothing to eat or drink 12 hours before. He explained the fatty liver thing, but said that, tho his group is the minority, they find no real difference in difficulty manipulating the liver with either diet. So, for that I am glad, tho I think I shall go to liquids at least 2-3 days before. Anyway, all I have left to do is get a clearance from my cardiologist and my internist, and then have the psych eval and I'm set! I'm excited, but a little nervous. I've told both of my kids, and my son is completely supportive. My daughter, surprisingly, doesn't seem thrilled, tho she won't say anything. My son has my weight issues and my daughter is thin like her daddy. Does that have something to do with it? My husband is so very supportive. He is wonderful. Whatever will make me feel better and make me happy. I love that man . I've talked to my sister and she is wonderful. She understands completely. Now I just need to tell my parents. I guess we will do that tomorrow when we go to visit them. I must admit that I'm a little worried about how my mom will react. My dad won't say anything negative to me, but my mom is not the "hold back" kinda person. HA! I love that about her. I just really need her to support this. I guess it goes back to that need for her approval? Hmmm....something to think about. Anyway, it was a good day, and I feel as if I am at the starting line for my new journey now. Yeah!!!!!

I was trolling thru your posts...was wondering...you are from Covington. Where did you have your surgery? I'm planning on having mine in Baton Rouge. Was hoping to find someone who is familiar with the area...my doc and such.

Thank you so much for the help!! I'm really excited about this and can't wait to get started!

OK...so I've decided that I'm gonna be totally honest during this journey of mine. Ya know what I mean...sometimes we tend to only tell the parts that put us in a "good light". Well...It's time to push those cares away...time to be honest...time to be real. So today will be my first honest admission... I can not freakin get food off my mind! It's like...all I can think about now that I have made this decision to have WLS. I wake up hungry, and while I am eating breakfast, I think about what I will eat next. So embarrassing to admit, but it's the truth. I know that I am rationalizing, in my head, that I'm going to lose weight, so why not? Geeesh...that's so lame. Even right now while I am typing this, I'm thinking about how the McRibs are back at McDonalds and I want one for lunch. Pathetic. Pathetic. If this is my attitude, am I gonna be able to do this? How do I fix this attitude? Ugh!

So today I made an appointment for Friday morning at 8am in Baton Rouge. From what I understand this appointment will basically be a "group" meeting with other people interested in having WLS. After the informational meeting with the doctor, he will meet with us one on one to answer questions. I am excited, and only a little nervous about the prospect of having surgery. I suppose there is a part of me that feels a bit like a loser...having to "resort" to surgery to lose weight. I guess I should move past that thinking. Bottom line is, being "naturally thin" is just not in the cards for me. But...just because I have to go about it a different way, doesn't mean I can't be, or don't deserve to be thin...Right? RIGHT!! I'm gonna be thin, and feel better, feel healthier, be healthier... :smile1: . Also...I called my insurance company and I found out that they will cover my surgery. It looks like my co-pay will be only $325. for my surgery. Not bad considering the total cost for surgery is over $8,400. I'm not sure about all the pre-authorization jazz...but, hopefully I can relax a bit about the cost. I really hope I can have the surgery before the end of the year. I would like to have it in November, but just the fact that I am finally actually "doing something" about my weight makes me feel so much better.