GeauxForIt

Thanks everyone!

I'm pre-op and wondering how long I will be unable to drive after surgery. I have a long commute!

O...M...G...NO CAFFEINE?!?! :o I have 3 small children, I work full time and I have an hour+ commute one way to work. Suffice it to say that I drink A LOT of caffeine every, single day. A lot! It would probably given the average person a stroke... That's going to be tough for me. You're right..,I'd better start the weening now!!

One more thing...no coffee?!?!

Thanks for such a great response, Mina!! I've actually used My Fitness Pal in the recent past and think it's great. (i was counting calories on my own for several months, then got frustrated and quit when I only lost a few pounds.) Your post has some really fantastic advice/ideas and I really appreciate your taking the time to answer. I think if I'm *doing* something in preparation for life after surgery, I'll be able to better tolerate the waiting. Upping Protein and cutting out bad carbs, finding a protein powder/drink I like and starting to exercise are wonderful places to start!!! Thank you so much for your response...I can't WAIT to hear how your surgery goes!!

I'm wondering how long to take off, too. I have a desk job, but I do have to climb pretty steep stairs to get to my office and I commute just over an hour each way in heavy traffic. I was thinking one week off and one week working from home but I'm really worried it won't be long enough...

Does anyone else have Aetna?

Baton Rouge here!! I'm currently starting my 90 day hoop-jumping for Artna. I'll be using Brent Allain.

Are you attending support group meetings? If not, that's a GREAT place to start. The hospital where I'm having my surgery has a free, monthly support group. Check with your HR person to see if you have an EAP at work, too. Hang I there...it's still so soon!

Until I'm approved and surgery is scheduled, I'm telling only a handful of people...husband, best friend, one friend who's had it done, my boss and 3 work friends. Once I'm approved, I'll likely take out a billboard and tell the world! LOL I'm one if those "open book" kinds of people and I'm sure I'll blabber to anyone who'll listen to my story. I struggled with infertility and chose to be really open about that too. It was amazing how many other people shared their own stories bc I did. I like to think I'm helping educate some people and let others know they aren't alone. However, to tell or not is a private decision and there is no right or wrong answer.

Thanks! I NEVER would've figured that out!

Hey Y'all! I'm a newbie just starting my 90 day 'hoop jumping' and I have a few questions about Aetna. My surgery will be covered at 100% after deductible (YAY for great insurance!!) but my surgeon will only be covered at 70% after deductible. As for the labs, upper GI, phsych eval and physical therapy appointment...will they be covered at 100% b/c the surgery is? Were they covered for you or did you pay out of pocket? I have everything scheduled (upper GI tomorrow, YIKE!) and I'm wondering if I'm going to have to pay out of pocket. I appreciate any insight! Thanks for sharing!

I hope you feel better soon!

Do you have a history of deprssion or is this all new fir you? Have you had any other surgery before? I've found that anesthesia and pain medicine cause me to feel depressed and teary for up to a month after surgery. Getting outside and in the sun helps me as does upbeat music and funny books/movies.

Fan-friggin-tastic!!! I'm a newbie...what dies NSV stand for?

GREAT THREAD!! YES to everything so far! Plus... - to weigh less than my husband!! - not to be embarassingly out of breath after climbing a flight of stairs - to not sweat so much in the summer - to see my cheek bones again...I know they're in there somewhere - to not make jokes about being fat to make others less uncomfortable - to be comfortable enough to do some "porn star" sex moves with my husband - to not be the fattest person in the room - to play on the beach with my kids and not be horribly self conscious - to renew my wedding vows on my 10th anniversary (Feb 2014) in a sexy, red dress!!

Well, I spent my lunch break getting an Upper GI w/ Barium Swallow. Let's just hope that I don't ever have to do that again. GROSS!! Thankfully, it didn't take very long and that's one more thing I can cross off of my Aetna "To Do" List!

For some crazy reason, there are no in-network bariatric surgeons within 80 miles if me!

Ok, so I've had my 1st consultation with my surgeon on May 15 (last Tuesday). He's wonderful, thinks I'll do great and I'm scheduled for all of my appointment except the physical therapist already! I have Aetna which will cover the surgery at 100% after my (very low) deductible of $250.00. Great, right?! Well, here's the frustrating part. There is not an approved in-network provider in my area to do my sleeve surgery. (My surgeon is in-network for general surgery, but he files bariatric surgery under a different tax id.) Aetna told me that all they need to cover his fees as in-network (100%) vs. 70% after a $1250.00 deductible is for the insurance contact to call and submit a very simple form. The insurance contact flat out REFUSES to even call them!! I'm shocked! Why wouldn't she even TRY to have the surgery covered for me? We're talking about ~$3000.00 out of my pocket versus $250.00!! I can't understand this...any insight? Anyone else have a situation like this?

This is her email to me today, "After talking with my office manager, she said you have to use your out of network benefits since we are out of network. Sorry, let me know if you need anything else!" I have the $%^& form...it's one page with about 5 blanks. That's it! I wanted to scream!! If I change surgeons, will everything I've done so far "count" towards my requirements for Aetna? I'd hate to change b/c I trust this surgeon, but $3000 is A LOT of money for me to come up with. I have my 1st official appointment in the 90 day process on June 19...should I talk to him then or try to get an appointment sooner? Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks so much!

Does anyone have any experience with or feedback on Dr. Brent Allain in Baton Rouge? He's affiliated with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center as 1/4 of a surgical group that performs bariatric surgery.

Dr. Brent Allain; he did my gall bladder surgery in 2009. That's how long I've been considering WLS and now that I've decided, I'm SO impatient!!

Quick question...for the "exercise therapist" portion of the pre-approval hoops, did you guys see a physical therapist? Thanks!

Hey y'all...mind if I join? I'm in the Baton Rouge area and had my 1st appointment with my surgeon last week. I'm currently fighting with Aetna to have him covered at the in-network benefit since there in no 'participating' provider in Baton Rouge. Can you believe that?! I'll turn 43 in a couple of months and I too have tried for years to 'do it myself' to no avail. I've been thinking about this surgery for 2+ years now and I'm at peace with my decision. Now if Aetna would just cooperate!!