Sleeve Goddess

He seemed so confident with his weight and I never thought it was an issue for him. In a recent interview he talked about a meeting with a Dr who liken WLS to surgery to remove a disease. Most don't look at obesity as a disease. They just see us as fat overeaters. Good for him.

Whether or not your insurance will cover your surgery will depend on the type of coverage you have with United Health Care. Give them a call I'm sure they will quickly put your mind at ease. Today is seems like most insurance companies are following the same rules. Here is a link to one of their booklets about Bariatric Surgery. The key is finding out what type of coverage yo have. https://www.unitedhealthcareonline.com/ccmcontent/ProviderII/UHC/en-US/Assets/ProviderStaticFiles/ProviderStaticFilesPdf/Tools%20and%20Resources/Policies%20and%20Protocols/Medical%20Policies/Medical%20Policies/Bariatric_Surgery.pdf

It really depends on the maker of the clothes. Some designers cut there close small and some cut them big. I'm definitely with you on this that a lose of 47lbs should net you more than one size down. Are these new clothes your wearing or is it something you already had?

I think its normal to be a little obsessive about a life altering event. I had been thinking about the lap band on and off for some years but since I wasn't morbidly obese I knew my insurance wouldn't cover the cost. By the end of 2012 I had developed several aliments that required constant doctor visit, testing and xray. Some of the medication I was taking caused me to gain weight, which affected me mentally. I start talking to my PCP about my weight and she mentioned that the requirements had changed for insurance to pay for weight loss surgery. She referred me to Dr. Salamah and he thought I would be a good candidate for surgery because of other preexisting conditions. I saw him on April 1, 2013. His office has lots of experience with my insurance company so they gave me the run down on everything that I would need to get their approval. The biggest roadblock for me was the 3mo nutritional visit. This sent me in a tailspin. There is no way I could wait until July for the surgery. My obsession was taking a toll on me and I begin to have problems sleeping. My PCP prescribed me some ambien to help me sleep. Since I didn't meet the general insurance requirement of morbidly obese. I had to complete a 3 month supervised weight loss program and have a bmi of atleast 35 with a comorbidies. As I continued doing my researched I remember the local weight loss clinics that I had to help me lose weight. I spent at least a $1,000 buck over a six month period buying B12 injections HGC, and Phentrimine. I contacted the bariatric nurse and asked if the records from the weight loss center would be acceptable. She indicated it might be acceptable if they documented my weight, provided nutrition counseling, recorded by blood pressure among other things. Next step was contacting the weight loss clinic and of course they were not happy with me requesting my medication records. They wouldn't accept the request over the phone or by fax. I had to come into the office and complete their form. To top it off I was told that it would take 30 days to receive the copies, which I would have to pay for out of pocket. Although this was a set back I continued on with the other requirement. Like the Psych evaluation and the 1st visit with the nutritionist. I got a call from the Wieght loss clinic about a week later on Friday at about 5:00pm while I was driving home. They informed me that they found my records and it would cost approx. $35 for the copies. I said fine when could I pick them up? I was there before they closed to pick up the records, which had all the information, needed. First thing Monday morning I faxed them to the bariatric nurse. She call me back a few hours later to tell me that she had everything and she was going to submit to the insurance company and tentatively schedule my surgery for May 8. I was in shock I hadn’t even told my family what I was considering. For the first time in my life my semi- obsessive behavior paid off for me. I was officially sleeved on May 8, 2013. If I had to wait until July I’m sure I would have drove my doctor, his staff my family and friends crazy. My heart goes out everyone going through waiting phase right now. Once it’s done you will have no regrets

Wooohooo.....you are hott. Keep up the good work.

I was sleeved on Weds 5/8 and still have cravings. Since I must remain on the liquid diet for two more weeks than I can do anything about my craving for lobster and spaghetti. To kill my crave for ice cream i just take a protein shake and put in in a blender with ice. The sugar free popsicle are the best.

I'm 48 hours post op and been experiencing some serious food craving. I recall for the lecture and the informational material that most lose there craving after the surgery. My cravings have been out of control. I'm on a liquid diet for the next two weeks so I'm a little nervous that my cravings may win. When I turn on the tv there is food everywhere I'm here craving thing i don't normally eat. I do understand the VSG is the tool and I'm going to have to do some work to lose the weight. Can anyone offer any insight into the craving? Have you experienced any food cravings, if so how did you deal with them;

Congratulations and Good Luck

That's not bad at all.. You must have awesome insursance coverage, huh?

They gave me morphine yesterday but I didn't like the way it made me feel so I didn't ask for anymore. I've been trying to tough it out.

It's been a little over 24 hours since I was sleeved and will stay another night in the hospital for additional observation. Early this morning I had an upper GI X-ray with contrast to test for leaks and everything was closed up tight. The contrast the had me drink was horrible especially since I was already feeling nausiated. Overall my experience has been good. I'm up walking around as much as I can to help with the circulation.

I'm feeling more pain than fullness upon consuming the clear liquid diet. The Dr. says the pain is because things are tight which is causing the pain towards the upper chest area. I'm still having cravings for my favorite foods and thought they would go away.

Awesome, such an inspiration o so many. Thanks for sharing

Good look, looks like we wil be sleeve sisters mine is scheduled for noon on 5/8.

I'm scheduled for VSG at noon tomorrow and allllllll day I've been on a clear liquid diet. Since I'm so anxious I thought going to work and keeping busy would help easy the pain. After my first cup of chicken broth I knew I would not make it through the day. Since I was going to be out for the next two weeks I scrambled to get my team together for a last pow wow. My stomach was rumbling so loud I was so embarrassed. Like most I've wanted along time for this life changing event and now that it's here I'm so nervous I can't even sleep. This board has been pretty helpful usually after some searching I can find answers to some of my most burning questions. If before I realizes I have a questions someone post the exact same problem I'm experiencing. Im nervous cause I don't know Santa will bring tomorrow especially since I haven't been good on the one week liquid diet. I probably stuck to it about 75% but the other 25% I did Protein and veggies. Although I lost about 10lbs Im way nervous. If you have some some please send some luck, a prey or well wishes my way.

Hey Rebecca there is this little thing called Karma that knows everything. Soon enough the chips will fall were they may and you will be standing in front of both of them lookin healthily, happy and fabulous. Stay focused on you and you will make it "this to shall pass"

I had my 1st visit on April 1st and completed all the requirements. Then I was just waiting for the call. While waiting I was trying to figure out my option if the insurance company denied my request. This past Friday I got the call that I was approved and my surgery is scheduled for May 8th. I now scared, excited and nervous all at the same time.

I share your fears but I know that we can do it. The end result and the start of a different life will be worth it all. A year from now I'm sure you will be glad you went through it all.

I just got the call today before I left work that FEP BLUE approved my Gastric Sleeve. My surgery is scheduled for May 8 2013. I am elated, excited, nervous and scared at the same time. My first visit was on April 1 where I didn’t know what to expect. I had been doing research for years on the Lap Band which is the way I was leaning until I met with the Dr. Everybody at the office was extremely nice and welcoming. They answered all my questions and didn't seem annoyed with my type "A" personality. I had already had multiple discussions with my primary care doctor about my consideration for weight loss surgery and she recommended me to my current doctor. My insurance doesn't require a referral so this worked out great. I arrived early for my appointment with all the forms signed and completed. When I met with the doctor i explained that I was aware that I am not morbidly obese however my BMI was currently at 36.2 and I had several comorbidities. After talking with him for 30 minutes he agreed and explained the three-month nutritional visit rule. By the end of my appointment with the doctor he was confident that I would have no trouble getting approval from the insurance company. The nurse came in to go over the requirement including the nutritional counseling, psychiatric evaluation and medical release from the primary doctor. During our discussion I if any counseling that received at the local strip mall weight loss clinic would be acceptable. She said possibly depending on the information that the recorded on each visit. I told her that on every visit the check your weight, blood pressure and discussed reduced caloric diet. It took be about 15 days to complete most of the requirements including the four-hour psychiatric evaluation, visit with the office nutritionist, get my records from the pay loss clinic and meet with my primary doctor for clearance. Everything was done all I had to do is wait……26 days later I’m approved as schedule in less than 10 days.

You look really awesome, i only hope to look that great.