LadyPol

On Monday I received my approval letter from Aetna (yay)!!! Then we contacted the clinic to schedule and the surgeon is booked until the end of January and I am in a play that performs in February ... Sooooo ... my date for surgery is now officially February 25, 2013!!!!!!! I am on my way!

My girlfriend is almost 2 years out from her VSG and she had Dr. Nagel (at GHP, right?). She has all positives to say about her experiences with him and with GHP. The total care at GHP is wonderful ... I am looking to have my surgery probably in February, now.... I am going with Dr. Kemmeter.

I met with my surgeon back in September, not long after I began my 14 week insurance required prep program. At that time, he told me that there should be no problem getting the surgery scheduled in December (which would be nice financially, as we have met our deductibles for the year). Fast forward to this week .. my 14th week of the program. Called the scheduling person to mention again that we were hoping for a December date and she informed us that Dr. is booked through to the end of January. I had been mentally preparing myself for an end of December date and now it looks like it will probably be in February or so....pending insurance approval. Not a big delay or issue ... just a small disappointment and rearranging of the thought process. Continuing to read here on OH and learn everything I can! Blessings!

I will ask about that when I go in for my final prep appt on Thursday! It's doubtful, though ... but it's a good idea! Thanks!

So, on Monday morning I met with the Behaviorist and the Surgeon. Both meetings went extremely well!! The Behaviorist feels I am a good candidate, no forseeable issues psychologically and the surgeon appreciates that I have been researching and learning a lot all on my own regarding VSG! He went to tell me about a website and I had to admit "Ohh, I already have been visiting OH for the past few years in my Quest to learn." LOL! My insurance required 14 wk medically supervised "diet" will end the last week in November ... the surgeon says he will do whatever he can to fit me into his schedule THIS calendar year ... provided the insurance company doesn't take it's allotted 4 weeks to give approval. So ... still reading, lurking, learning, praying about VSG! Be blessed!! Sandra

I am struggling a lot, lol! Tomorrow I start week 6 and as of yet, I haven't lost anything. *sigh* I have 8-9 weeks left to prove my sincerity! Let's encourage one another!

neener - I am going with Grand Health Partners ... do you have Aetna insurance? I have to do a 3 month weight thing (called the Aetna Prep program .. it is actually 14 weeks). I set up my appt with GHP and met with the internist - had my EKG and exam and then had bloodwork done. Today I had appointments with the dietician to set up my plan for the Aetna Prep and also met with the exercise physiologist to discuss and exercise plan. As part of the Aetna prep, I must go to weekly "classes" at GHP and document everything I eat (Aetna is very strict about it). On the 17th I will be meeting with my selected surgeon (Dr. Kemmeter) and with the behaviorist. Once I complete the 3 month program and have all the other testing done (psych eval, etc) then and only then with GHP submit everything to Aetna for approval. Once the approval is given, THEN I will get a surgery date! I will PM you my email ... we can chat a bit more, if you would like! GHP is FABULOUS, btw. My friend is over a year out from her VSG through GHP ... and I did try the medical weight loss program (very low calorie diet) back in 2010. They are so kind and knowledgable there ... you will like it! Blessings!

I am only just beginning the whole process ... my PCP is totally on board and very excited for me. I have my first appt with the internist at Grand Health Partners in GR on August 16. Here we go! LOL I live in West Michigan, near Holland. Nice to "meet" other Michiganders here! Please feel free to add me as a friend, as I am new to this site and would love to get to know you all! Blessings!

A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and I have taken that step! Saturday I attended a surgical information seminar and today I called Grand Health Partners (bariatric clinic) and have my first appointment scheduled! I meet with the internist on August 16 to review my history and then she will order labs/testing to get this process started. I am excited! I am NERVOUS! I am ... I don't know what I am, LOL