danaevett

My program has a $600 program fee that isn't billable to insurance it's just a total out of pocket fee. My surgeons coordinator states it covers the nutritionist and lifetime group membership.

Does anyone else have such a fee and if so how much?

Mine had a $1000 fee. I know, it sucks. The surgeon really should include these services with the cost of the procedure so that people like you and I don't have to pay that out of pocket. I would suspect that this is a way for the surgeon to immediately get $1000 in his pocket and the insurance can't touch it or refuse to pay part of it. Just my opinion. It still sucks.

Tried it. Insurance refused to pay. Waste of time for me.

I'm March 6th. Anyone else with that date?

Anyone use the Bariatric Protein Shakes for their pre-op diet? I'm drinking my first one right now. It's not terrible but It's not great. It's really thick and sweet tasting. Quite hard to get it all down. Very filling.

Dana

Here's my phone number: 555-123-1234. Just kidding. I'm about to go thru the same thing. My surgery is 3-6-14. Hang in there.

Finally found out the details of my Pre-Op Liver Diet. It will be 14 days long and consist of 5 Glucerna shakes a day and Clear liquids. Makes me think I'm going to be really hungry. I start on 2-20-14. Who else had a Liver Diet like this one and how was it?

Thanks,

Dana

Very pretty.

I'm on the 6th. Can't wait to get cut on. lol

Hello all. So I'm having a hard time adapting to the newfound attention. Obviously it's excited and flattering but a part of me is saddened by it. It's bittersweet that it took me losing 80 pounds to be treated so well. It took losing 80 pounds for women and men alike to compliment me. Don't get me wrong, I always had a certain presence and swagger (not trying to sound arrogant) but now it's quite ridiculous. I can't go anywhere without someone speaking to me, complimenting me, approaching me. It's overwhelming. I don't know how to receive it at times. I'm always polite and smile and say thank you. But sometimes I wish I could blend in a little. I wish people appreciated my brain, wit, sense of humor. I don't mean to whine. I'm just wondering if anyone out there can relate. If so how did you handle it?

Sorry Hon, but when you look like you do, you're gonna get attention. Enjoy it.

Anyone with the same date as me? (3-6-14)

Dana

When I was thin, I was a lion tamer!!! lol You look great.

It took exactly one week. The problem is that it can take them up to 10 business days after that to get the approval letter to your doctor. I called BCBS to check on my approval and found out that I was approved and had them to fax the approval to my doctor right then. Otherwise; it could have taken another two weeks.

Got my date yesterday. It's March 6th. Anyone else with that date?

will be providing eye candy, free of charge, in approximately 6 months.

dana

i've led a sheltered life

what the heck is eye candy??

good luck March 16th

see you in 6 months (before too I'm sure )

speedy recovery

kathy

Eye Candy is a person that is pleasing to the eye, such as a good looking man or woman. Hope that helps.

My surgery is scheduled for March 6, 2014. Who else has this date?

Dana

That's great I'm sure you're excited. Congratulations!!! I'm scheduled for 2-18. Yay!!!

I had the choice between 2-20 and 3-6, but 2-20 was just a little too soon. Congratulations to you!

I finally received my surgery date. It's March 6th, 2014. WooHoo. I just wanted to let all of the world know that I will be providing eye candy, free of charge, in approximately 6 months. LOL.

Dana

I finally got approved for my surgery!!!!!!!!!! Now I'm getting impatient because I dont have my surgery date yet. Got approved on the 27th. Can someone please tell me about how long it takes to get the surgery date???? Pulling my hairs out

I received insurance approval on January 16th and I still don't have a date. I'm going crazy too. It took the insurance company a week to fax the approval to my surgeon. Now the scheduler was out sick and the office was closed due to snow. I'm really hoping I'll receive my date early this week. Ugh!!!

Hello All:

It's been a few months since I've been on this forums, but all those who had gone through the VSG before me and gave me such wonderful advise and encouragement--I wanted to say THANK YOU!

I am at my 9 month mark post surg, and I have maneuvered through the maze of adopting a whole new relationship with "eating" and healthy lifestyle and I wanted to put myself out there for anyone who would like some encouragement or anyone who has questions about the procedure (positive and negative). According to my surgeon I am in the <10% who have experienced some unwanted effects of the procedure--BUT given even the (at times) struggle with those negative effects--I would do this all over again to LIVE this wonderful life I have now.

I have lost 76lbs, started at 222 and I am now 146.

From BMI of 39.4 to new BMI 25.2

From size 16 to size 6.

I no longer use a CPAP because I no longer have sleep apnea.

My back pain is (mostly) gone.

I can walk up flights of stairs w/o feeling like I was going to pass out!

If anybody out there has had the sleeve or is considering the sleeve--please use me as support!

I am still losing weight (I would like to lose 12 lbs more) and I am toning my body up.

I've attached a picture from my birthday in 2013 right before my surgery and a picture from Thanksgiving of this year (about 6.5 months post sleeve). I will try to get some more recent pictures taken.

:. Before

:. In progress

You look great.

Nice!

Called my insurance company today and I did get approved. I called the surgeon's office and they said that I would receive a date when they received the approval in the mail. Can't wait. I want my date so bad.

Hi Dana! Congrats on getting the approval. It'll come in the mail before you know it mister!! Hang in there and try to stay upbeat and positive. I know the anticipation is sometimes driving us guano. April

Thanks April. I'm so ready to get cut on. lol

Called my insurance company today and I did get approved. I called the surgeon's office and they said that I would receive a date when they received the approval in the mail. Can't wait. I want my date so bad.

I was submitted to insurance on 1-15-14. I have BCBS of Alabama insurance. Should receive my approval soon and then I will get my surgery date. I'm pretty sure it will be in February. I'm in Chattanooga, TN. We're kinda neighbors. I will have my surgery at Memorial Hospital. My doctor is Dr. Jaime Ponce. I would love to be your buddy. Message me anytime. We can share our journeys with each other.

Dana

Good job. I'm waiting on my approval. I was submitted to insurance 1-15-14.

Dana

Surgery wt: 231

Current wt:165

Goal wt: 140

5'3

:

I've seen some previous pics of you on here. You're quite the babe.