Smiley79

Hi! Anyone use BlueCross BlueShield of Texas, Health Select? I am on my husband's insurance plan and need to know if it will cover the cost of me having this surgery. I'm a newbie in North East Texas just starting the process. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

Congrats!! Keep us updated! I look forward to following your journey! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Hi Kathy! Happy Tuesday! Is it Friday yet?! I LOVE water aerobics. I have been taking two hour water aerobic classes, twice a week in the evenings for about a couple of years now. BTW, 81 degrees!! GET out! That would be like a cold front for us here! LOL!! It was 108 here in Texas yesterday, even hotter today, up to 115 with heat index! Wake me up when it is October!! Have a FABULOUS day! Hope you enjoy water aerobics!!

I quit drinking soda/pops 1 1/2 years ago, so glad I did. I don't crave it or miss it at all.

How did surgery go? Update plz! How are you feeling?

Congrats! Way to go!! That must feel amazing!! 6 days out? How are you feeling?

Congrats! Way to go! That must feel amazing!!

CONGRATULATIONS on your new little blessing!! You are gorgeous!! Thank you for sharing your journey with us! I am just starting my journey (no vsg date or surgeon selected yet) and your story is truly inspirational for me!

Hi! Anyone use Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Health Select to cover the cost of their surgery? I am on my husband's insurance plan and need to know if it will cover the cost of me having this surgery. If it doesn't cover the cost, I will have to be a self-pay. I'm a newbie in North East Texas just starting the process. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

AMAZING!! Congrats!! What a wonderful NSV!! I bet it feels great!!

LOL!!! Funny! Love it!

Absolutely LOVE this!! She is adorable!! Let her words encourage you today, where ever you may be on your journey!

Zumba is an aerobic dance program, set to fast-tempo Latin music. Zumba's choreography incorporates hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, martial arts, Bollywood, and belly dance moves. Squats and lunges are also included. It's FUN!

LOVE Zumba! Can't wait until I can do it again!

Yep, unfortunately. So self-pay it is. Still researching different surgeons.

Copied & Pasted from the BCBS of Texas - Health Select/ERS Website: http://www.bcbstx.com/hs/bariatric_surgery.html Bariatric surgery is also commonly known as weight-loss surgery. To qualify for bariatric surgery coverage, you must meet all the requirements listed below. Checklist of Requirements: You must be an active employee or a return-to-work retiree* with five continuous years of Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) employment with no breaks in G.B.P. coverage. No breaks in coverage can include years of coverage with an H.M.O. in the G.B.P. ****The benefit is not available to dependents, retirees not enrolled in active employee benefits, or H.M.O. members, even if they have other insurance that covers bariatric surgery, such as Medicare. You must undergo one of the covered bariatric surgical procedures at a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery®. You must have at least one other condition considered a co-morbidity, uncontrolled at maximum medical management, and which is generally expected to be reversed or improved by bariatric treatment to include, but not limited to: Diabetes; Hypertension; sleep apnea; Dyslipidemia; Coronary heart disease; Osteoarthritis; or Any other co-morbidity related to obesity that has not responded to maximum medical management and that is generally expected to be reversed or improved by bariatric treatment. You must have been evaluated by a licensed professional counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist within the 12 months before the request for predetermination of benefits. You must have medical records documenting a five-year history of Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 40. You must have documented active participation in a comprehensive, non-surgical weight reduction program (for example, the BCBSTX weight management program) for at least 12 consecutive months during the 24 months before the date you apply for surgery. After surgery, you must provide documentation that you have participated in a medically supervised lifestyle management program for maintaining weight loss and health goals (such as the BCBSTX weight management program) for 12 consecutive months after the date of surgery. If you have questions about bariatric surgery coverage or benefits, contact Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) at (800) 252-8039.

Thank your for sharing your experience! I look forward to watching your progress!

Thank you so much!!

Congrats!! I am considering Dr. Nicholson as my surgeon. Good luck and best wishes! I will be following your journey.

Thanks!

Thank you!!

Kickboxing! IMPRESSIVE! I cannot wait until I can do stuff like that again!!

Dooter, that is very impressive and inspirational! Congrats!! Can I ask if there was anything that has really surprised you about this journey? Also, do you have loose skin?

Thanks for the information! Would Water aerobics do the same as using weight training?

Thank you! You seem to be doing amazing! Did you have any complications?