SassyTink

You are a riot! I wish I was a friend of yours because you would really entertain me.

Last appointment on October 23 with surgeon, nutritionist and physical therapist. It has been a long six months. Paperwork goes in to insurance on that day. I am so anticipating an approval and November surgery date. P.S. Who cares about turkey it is over rated!!!

I take a +50 Multiple Vitamin, B12, & D

My BCBS of Illinois required 3 meetings with the NUT & NP, beginning, 3 months and 6 months with weigh in. They also required an EKG, Psych evaluation, sleep Study, and a REE Test. I will be finished with my last visit on October 23 (First visit April 17). On October 23 I meet with my surgeon for the second time. After the initial deductible was met and out of pocket was paid everything has been paid at 100%. The surgery will be $0.00. My policy is a 6 months mandatory. It has been a true test of my patience. The anticipation is building and I am truly excited. I have been chipping away at the llbs over the last 6 months because of the weigh ins. My Blue Cross specifies no weight gain while in a Bariatric program. My company must have bought the BCBS policy with ISSUES of CONTROL~

Elgin that is fantastic news. They have been great for the last 5 months. I hope mine goes through that fast. My Dr's office is pretty efficient..........yippee!!! They said probably with 5 business days. 3 would be fabulous.

My Bariatric Center said BCBS takes anywhere from 5 business days to two weeks for an approval. They are fast compared to other insurances.

I do! Fire away with the questions...............................

Do you drink plenty of water prior to the draw and pump that arm? I have a squeeze ball that I use and it works every time. )

Life changes are always scary and it is normal to mourn the old you. I have those same feelings, and I haven't had the surgery yet! Seeing your body melt away is a powerful thing. Are people going to treat you differently? Is your personality going to change? Is the weight going to stay off? All of the changes are going to be difficult to comprehend at first. Keep your focus, your goal is to be healthy. One day you will discover that the old you and the new you have merged into one terrific healthy, strong lady. CONGRATULATIONS YOU LOOK ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC~

Amy I am going to keep an eye on you. We are about the same age and have the same goals. I hope to be 205 at the time of my surgery. I have been cautious on the weight loss as to not go under the BMI at my final weigh in October 23. Can you imagine being denied at that stage?

To Newbie, "I hoping for early Nov!! Couple more hoops for me! I also live in NorCal ... Chico" I am a grad of Chico State!!! So many wonderful memories of college life in Chico. I know all my weight problems started from working at the Italian Cottage. I loved those Beef Dip's with pepper cheese!!!!

Amazing transformation. You look like the old you's daughter!

I have BCBS of Illinois and they required everything that you have listed above, plus a six month waiting period. You must see the nurse practitioner and dietician three times. Beginning, after 3 months and exactly six months. After the last visit at 6 months, with the surgeon, nurse and dietician the request is sent to BCBS for a final okay for the surgery. My office said that can take from a week to three weeks. BCBS has been great so far and paid for everything after my deductible was met. (Met early on by the sleep study). The time flies by. October 23 is my 6 months thank goodness.

My last appointment with the dietician, nurse practitioner and surgeon is October 23. The scheduler said give insurance a week or two after your last appointment and then we can schedule your surgery. I sure wish I would get that date. They assured me that it will be within a few weeks of 23 October. I am hoping for mid November. Fingers are crossed!!! I want to be in the November group.

Of course you are scared. We are all scared that haven't had the surgery. It is really, really normal. I can't even watch the Youtube videos of the surgery because is scares me to death. This surgery isn't just about vanity and looking good, it is more about having a better quality and longer life. If you have not experienced the following health issues yet, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, planter fascitis, sleep apnea, the chances are you will eventually. Unfortunately, I waited too long to lose the weight and have severe arthritis in my hip, sleep apnea and I am pre diabetic. Now is the time......when I get scared I think about all of my health issues that can be reversed with this surgery. The health issues immediately reminds me that it is too scary not to have the surgery. The great news is you quit smoking. How wonderful is that?

Everyone is so right about the waiting time being a time for soul searching and information gathering. In the beginning, I was going for the Lap-Band because it was the only option that I really knew about. I knew of successful "Banders" that were pleased with their results. After the information seminars and meetings with the staff at my Bariatric Center I switched to the sleeve. The 6 months prepares you emotionally and physically for the changes that are about to occur. I definitely agree, you need that time to prepare.

Yesterday, I purchased a new robe for the hospital. (On sale at Target) Hopefully, this will be the last XL I ever have to buy. Thank goodness I never threw away some of my darling size medium blouses and sweaters. Seriously, I still have some size 8 dresses from 2001 and a beautiful chenille robe from Nordstroms that has never been warn. My cedar chest is full of Anthropologie sweaters. I am really get excited to wear clothes that I like and are stylish and not just because they fit. Didn't I tell you all that I was excited? No more black in a few months. I ordered six unjury Protein Powders yesterday. I bought the GNC, Gold Standard last week to try and hated it. I hope all the glowing reviews for Unjury are justified. Has anyone tried the Unjury chewable Vitamins? The final treat I bought myself, which is ridiculous and over the top, was a stuffed monkey at Build a Bear, that will serve as a cough pillow. The last time I had arthroscopic, gall bladder surgery I really could have used a small pillow to hold against my stomach. The coughing was a killer. This little monkey, dressed in surgical scrubs will be my companion and cough pillow. She is just the right size, firm, and will help me stay in a good mood. Mostly, the scared part happens when I actually think about what is going to be done to my body. This is a big deal, and was a very difficult decision for me. I had a hard time justifying the cutting of a healthy organ in half. What sold me was the bottom half of the stomach is what is standing in the way of a healthy me. It took me from April - August to decide on the Sleeve instead of the Band. Now, after reading this Forum, I know it was the best decision for me. My journey began last January in my internists office. She suggested Bariatric Surgery after my physical. I took her suggestion and started researching. It has been a very long, time consuming, journey. I see light at the end of the tunnel. My next appointment is October 23, six months to the day from my first appointment at the Weight and Diabetic Center. I meet with the Dr, Dietician and Nurse Practitioner. Two weeks later.......the big day.

When I met my husband I was wearing a size 8 and had blonde hair. Over the last 25 years I have gained 100 pounds. My husband has never mentioned my weight or my hair. I am sure he has noticed my added fluffiness but never ever would hurt my feelings. This weight loss surgery is all about me and how I feel about myself. My husband has supported me every step of the way. He even said that if the insurance does not cover this, our savings will. I feel blessed that my husband has been there for me through thin and thick!!! Hopefully, I will get me back again and be able to live a longer healthier life with this great partner.

Has anyone had to start on a C-Pap machine during the 6 months wait. Month #1 I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea!! I love my C-Pap machine. The first night I slept 8.5 hours and did not wake up once. A plus is I am having the most colorful dreams every night. What a change from what I am used to. If it weren't for this 6 months process, with all of it's test, I would have never known about this sleep issue. I have 100% more energy. The anxiety involved with waiting is tough, but I have found out a lot about my body and mind. Giving up diet pepsi, lemonade, even Crystal Light (Aspartame allergic) has been challenging but I have done it. I guess I have really accomplished quite a few things. Thanks for reminding me how productive these last 5 months have been. The wait continues.

I am covered under BCBS of Illinois.

I am with all of you. April 17, 2013 was my first appointment with the Bariatric Center. At that time I had blood tests, took the psych evaluation test and met with a dietician and therapist. My next appointment was May 5, 2013, at that time the clock started ticking because I had me EKG and met with the nurse practitioner. I am also going absolutely crazy. I just can't wait. My next appointment isn't until November 5 with the nurse practitioner and dietician. I met with the surgeon three weeks ago and he said no surgery scheduled until after the November 5 appointment. Being pushy is not my style but I want a surgery date. How far out do you get that date. I need that to settle myself down!!!!

Newbie your weight loss is an inspiration. Thank you for your insight.

Newbie, Is the left over skin really bad? I am a nervous wreck about that. I love to swim and want to be able to put on a swimsuit during the daylight hours and not always have to swim at night when it is dark! Originally last April, when I made the decision to have bariatric surgery, I decided on the Gastric Band. My thoughts were it was irresponsible to cut off part of a healthy organ by having VGS. From April to August 2013, I was committed to the band. I had an appointment with the surgeon in August 2013 to discuss surgery dates and to discuss the band. Although he performs the band, and thinks it is a great tool, he gave me the pros and cons of the band in comparison to the VGS. I left his office convinced that the VGS was the way for me to go. So now, I am trying like crazy to learn everything I can about the sleeve. My concern is the leaking. If you follow the instructions given by the Dr. what are the chances of a leak? Once the six months after the surgery has past is there any chance that a staple will not hold? This is my only concern. The rest of my life I don't want to worry about every twinge and having to worry that a staple was not holding. This has been an absolutely wonderful year for me as far as getting my health in order. I turned 60 with the idea that it was the year of me. Since April I have been diagnosed with SEVERE sleep Apnea, Vitamin D and B12 deficient, pre-diabetic, 75lbs overweight and have arthritis in my hips. I was ready for a life change. The first change was a C-Pap machine, which was a life changer. Secondly, I cut down on my sugar consumption and I am no longer pre-diabetic. Thirdly, I began a vitamin regime and started to eat healthier. No diet, just careful. Lastly, I decided on Bariatric Surgery to get ME back. My husband could not have been kinder. He said that if the insurance turned me down that it was not going to stop us. We have money to pay for it. He felt it was important for me to have this surgery. Thank goodness he is so supportive. I have been thin most of my life but began to get heavy over the last 10 years. It began when my family developed severe health issues. Little by little food became my comfort. My body seems to hold on to the calories the more stressed out I became. My daughter and my husband are both disabled, so the stress is still there, I just need to deal with it. Not with food. I have my last appointment with the Dietician and Nurse Practitioner on November 5 2013, so my surgery will probably be around November 19. This girl can't wait for November to finally get here!!!