Silly Phylly

Funny how things happen, I am a teacher as well as a nurse! Took a radicle sabatical from nursing, which was contributing to my food addiction, due to the depression and anxiety involved with the particular position I held. Child's school found out I had stepped down and contacted me in less than a week to fill-in for a teacher leaving mid-year. That was 5 years ago and now I am the science department! Love teaching, but it has its own stress that does not help my addiction either. However, my worst days at school are still better than the stress I endured while nursing. I just wish so bad I could have gotten my surgery this summer so I could enjoy this upcoming school year while getting healthier. I have got to get a better attitude about my situation before August 6th when I go back! This 6 month diet because my BMI was 39.18 instead of the 40 has got me very depressed. If I knew for sure I would be approved in the end it would not be so bad.

Certainly, Carb intake should be taken into account! Many ways to do it without blowing the carb count. All green veggies are awesome for you!

Thanks for the heads up! Looks like I am going to have to read that book too. My mother of all people bought it! With all the chatter going on about it I suppose it might help me get my mind off of me and this 6 month diet! Some distraction huh?

Have the juicer, but not that kind of husband! Don't get me wrong I love my hubby, but he is just not the nurturing type. That's why he married me! I may go get the old juicer out and try it some during this blasted 6 month diet period.

It is so awesome you have a husband that obviously loves you enough to be concerned about your nutrition! As a former nurse I would highly recommend you stick with it as long as he is willing to buy the the fruits and veggies and prepare them for you. What a gift! This will positivley effect your longterm health more so than anything. Cut your cancer risk greatly! Wish I had that kind of support and the means to be able to do it daily. I am actually teaching all sciences at my child's Christian school, therefore I do not make nurse money anymore. Juicing can be quite expensive! If he is willing drink it baby! Make sure he drinks it with you to keep him healthy! You need to keep him around for many years to come!

By the way, mine was diagnosed by ultrasound and was having issues with abdominal swelling.

You would think my bcbs would recognize fatty liver as a comorbidity for surgery, but apparently my doc does not think it is good enough. He says you have to have HTN, diabetes and sleep apnea along with any others. I'm Ms. 39.18 BMI and having to do the 6 month diet as a result. 40 BMI and I would have been good to go! Swift kick to the old gut and spirit!

So sorry to hear your news, but I for one appreciate you posting the issue. It helps others to know what to be aware of. I had a big disappointment as well. Informed by Doc that my BMI was only 39.18, so 6 month diet and frustration here I come! Sooooo upset! Hopefully yours is just some red tape and oversight that will be corrected soon. Continued good luck to you!

Thank you so much for your reply! I am still cautiously hopeful!

I dang sure wished I would have downed a double super sized cheeseburger before I went in! Thanks for the support! This site really is awesome!

I actually thought about putting a rock in my bra between my big boobs! This is what I get for thinking such!

Once it is initially and officially posted on my docs notes, will BCBS even consider it if I go up? I go tomorrow to a sleep clinic to attempt yet another sleep study. The one I had before said that I had apnea, but not enough to justify a c-pap, which I actually wanted! I just wanted to feel better! I know this will all work out, but I need you guys to allow me to vent and give me some encouragement in the mean time. By the way, I am on Metformin for pre-diabetes and according to my Doc that is not good enough for a comorbidity. It has to be full blown diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea! Dang, they need to take my BP right now!!!!!! Looks like I'm gonna have to get sick to get better. You would think they would see this as an opportunity to help me avoid illness and eventually save them money in the long run!

Know of anyone turned down after going on the 6th month diet? Just curious! Went to seminar and asked if that was BCBS way of prooving you can do it on your own to turn you down and Doc answered no. He obviously is as frustrated as we are about it. Chime in if you know of any circumstances.

I am at a BMI of 37 and have the same comorbidities as you! Coverage remains to be seen,but I am hopeful. I am 45 years old and the way I see it this old dog is not capable of learning new tricks, so long as there is a grumbling, growling bear inside of me. I have got to render food powerless over me! With the sleeve binge eating should not be an issue since the sleeve will stop me. Let's start a prayer chain for all the up coming and previously sleeved patients. We need all the help and support we can get with our individual circumstances! Good luck to you and God bless! Keep us posted on your progress and experience!

One word, MEN! They were not wired to nurturers! Call on your Aunt since she volunteered. Will be a great opportunity to deepen your relationship!

Danville, Alabama you need to join our Alabama and MS group! Only a few of us, but we need to represent! By the way Roll Tide or War Eagle? LOL! That's important info you know!

Good question! I am a newbie too and just getting started on my journey to being sleeved. We need to learn all we can upfront! I actually was wondering about this earlier. To keep from stretching or prevent sickness from overeating we need to be able to visualize an appropriate amount. Kinda funny that this eating expert is going to have to learn how to eat! Let's see if some of our advanced experts will give us our answer!

Ok Auburn girl you need to join our Alabama and Mississippi group! There is only a few of us, but we need an Auburn fan in the bunch! You know we got to have some fun along with all this! See you are headed to Alvarez! He is my plan B if insurance does not pan out. I am going to B'ham to Dr. Miles right now. Congrats on your August date! I don't expect to know anything for 6 months as I am a BCBS of AL patient. Such a bummer! I will have to do the 6th month diet to satisfy BCBS requirements. Ughhh!

With you sista! Just starting the journey! See doc for first time this next week! Excited to get the ball rolling! I, like you, have tried my darndest to hide my depression and weight related symptoms from my family, hubby especially. He is a firefighter and 5 years younger than I. My weight has been a constant source of entertainment and discussion in my family for years. I let it go in one ear and out the other, however a couple of weeks ago my mother said something that just hit me in the wrong place! She was as serious as she could be! It was after our church homecoming for which I had bought a new dress, which I thought really good on me considering. The only compliment that she could muster up was "you are so sexy from yours knees down". Needless to say, that very comment, along with having a good friend that just had bypass in May made my mind up right then and there! By the way, my mother is over 300 lbs! Has been all my life! She has been very hard on me about it because she did not want me to be like her. I understand her, therefore I guess I need to be glad she said it, as it was my epiphany moment. My husband has been the food police etc.... for as long as I started my weight struggle after having fertility issues and finally having his child. Will never forget those words, "I ain't having no fat wife"! Well tough dude! You got one, for better or worse! But, now that I have the power that I need to change it, by golly I am going to do this! I was touched that he actually went with me to my seminar. However, when I asked him if I had his support his answer was, "I guess, but I ain't paying for it!" So I guess a skinny wife is not that important afterall! So be it! If insurance does not cover, I have already decided to get a credit card and go to Mexico. There is no stopping me now! They better look out, because they have one determined woman on there hands now! I can't wait to be healthy and happy!

With you sweetie! Sat through my seminar saturday and cried the whole time. I was happy for the opportunity to actually take charge of my health, I pictured myself a year past surgery, I rejoiced with those that had already made their decisions and achieved success! While Doc was giving the pep talk for those that were still unsure, I was mowing over people to be one of the first in line for my initial doc appointment. Because I am BCBS of Alabama I am required to go through 6 months of physician monitored weight loss program. I am going to be fit to be tied before it is over! I can't wait! I know it will be one of the hardest things I have ever done, but oh so worth it! Been planning a trip to Alaska for a couple of years and I am determined that I am gonna hike Denali National Park and be able to keep up with my firefighter husband that is 5 years younger and my preteen daughter! I hope with my surgery's help I can make it happen next summer too! Got to jump these insurance hurdles first! Ughhh! God is good and He will see us through girl!

Anyone been to a weight loss clinic such as Physicians Weight Loss and it was covered by Blue Cross? I know they don't cover Weight Watchers etc... Just trying to decide what program to pursue for this 6 month BCBS hurdle! As you know money is an issue! Got to try to do something covered by insurance if I can!

Just curious if any of you gals know of any cases where someone was actually turned down after completing the 6 month diet? Went to seminar at St Vincents East saturday that was conducted by Dr. Miles. I asked him if they made you do this to proove you can in order to turn you down and he quickly answered a resounding no! He said "don't get me started"! He obviously thinks it is ridiculous that they put us through that.

With you dude! I am just getting everything together myself. Hope to know something before end of year, because I would like to have my surgery during Christmas. Merry Christmas to me! Hopefully I will get approval, otherwise Dr. Alvaraz here I come with another credit card in hand! ( Pray that it does not come to that, but never hurts to have plan B!) I have several comorbidities so I am hopeful!

I am a newbie too! Good questions! Maybe someone will chime in soon!

We are human! We want it and we want it now! Just like I have made up my mind to do this and I am going to be forced to wait on insurance approval and jump through all these hoops first. Having been a nurse, I just imagine that your metabolism is going to have to kick in first. Once you get more energy and start moving more, things should speed up. Best of luck to you!