jwade77

I am 5 months out. If I get in 900 calories a day, that's a good day. Is that too little? I don't know if I could eat more. LOL.

Surgery was on 9/17 and I've lost 16 pounds. Been stalled for a week. How do you jump start it again?

Hello All! I started my gastric sleeve journey in January of this year. I have United Healthcare insurance which covers gastric sleeve. My BMI is 38. According to my policy, they will cover it if I have a co-morbidity. I went for my initial consultation at the South Carolina Obesity Center here in Columbia, SC. Dr. Givens recommended the gastric sleeve. Two weeks later I had a sleep study done and low and behold I have sleep apnea. So there is my co-morbidity. I was also instucted to be on a 3 month supervised diet. I went to every weigh in appointment and all the classes. On April 17th it was my pre op diet appointment with the dietician. My last hoop to jump through. At this point I am thinking...heck yeah! Just got a call today that UHC has denied my surgery due to the fact that my BMI is too low and I do not have a co-morbidity. I informed the pre-determination counselor that I do in fact have sleep apnea. She replies that she sees that and doesn't know why they have denied it but a peer to peer consultation is suppose to take place this week between UHC's Medical Director and Dr. Givens. Well I am a little down in the dumps. I know that it doesn't mean 100% no but its not a yes either. Has anyone else had any experience with this? Is it normal procedure for United Healthcare to deny on the first go round? Also, does anyone know if the peer to peer meeting usually goes well? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am really trying to keep a positive attitude. Thanks in advance!

So I was sleeved on Sept. 17th! I seem to be doing good. I am currently trying to get used to all the different signals my tummy is sending me. I do feel hunger pains all the time. However, according to the wonderful people on this forum, not only is it normal, but will go away with time. Thanks all of you who are keeping up with my tiny slice of cyberspace and let me know if I can help.

Thanks! It's nice to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. LOL!

From reading this thread, I am obviously not the only one having hunger pains. I am 7 days out from surgery. I drink water when I get hunger pains between meals and sometimes that helps. I truly hope this constant nagging by my stomach does go away at some point. It's a terrible feeling.

Good luck and sending good vibes your way.

Surgery date is Sept. 17th!! Now the liquid diet begins.

Thank you!! It really did!

I GOT APPROVED! Wrote my appeal letter and just heard today that I have been approved.

Well apparently it wasn't an appeal that Dr. Givens submitted. It was additional information. Well on 6/15 they approved everything but the actually procedure. So on 6/25, an appeal was sent in. I have 22 days to wait. Keeping everythhing crossed that it gets approved. I'm not giving up yet.

I have United Healthcare and I have a BMI under 40. I jumped through all the hoops, found out I had sleep apnea. My surgeon submitted everything...DENIED. Had a peer to peer and UHC upheld their decision. So now, my Dr. is appealing. I feel exactly the same way you do....depressed, angry...etc. I plan to appeal to the end of the earth. I am not going to give up and you shouldn't either! Keep your chin up.

UPDATE: Peer to Peer was held and United Healthcare has upheld its decision. We are now in the appeal process. I am going to read up on this site to see exactly what I should include in my appeal.

Thank you everyone for all the words of encouragement! I really needed it today.

Good luck Artsy! Let me know how it goes!

Thanks!! I will do that and I will keep everyone posted. Maybe what I go through will help out somebody else!