lovealways

REAL energy?!! What's that?!! Haha

You should be fine! My Dr. Does a blood test to check for nicotene only 6 weeks before surgery

Oh yay! I'll have to order it on my Nook

Isopure!!! Good way to get protein in if you're sick of the shakes. They taste delicious!

Hi guys. I am in the beginning process of getting the bypass. I met with my surgeon and am just now making tons of appointments for the various doctors they need me to see. I have united healthcare community plan, which is an HMO of medicaid in NY. They cover gastric bypass, but I have called a good ten times askung for the requirements, and have gotten 3 or 4 different answers. My surgeon's office doesn't know what they require, since the patient advocate is out on vacation till the 20th. So far, I need a pre-authorization from the doctor, then my insurance will let him know of the requirements. So far I've heard yes, I need the 6 month diet, then I've heard I need a year of failed diet attempts and nutrition counseling, then I've heard there's no requirements but the BMI over 40, and so on. I can't imagine needing a year of supervised diet...never heard of that. I am, however, going to do the 6 month diet because I am sure they most likely require something like that. So, I'm lost. Any advice? Has this confusion ever happened to anyone? Should I wait till my patient advocate comes back from vacation to contact her and see? It would be a pain to do all this work just to submit to insurance to find out I was missing something

Hi guys. Is there a way to remove my email address so I don't keep getting lots of emails any time someone replies to my post? Only because I stupidly used my school email, and I don't want the world knowing I'm looking into bypass

Yes, using the app. Thanks so much, i'll try changing it on the website

Hmm...maybe the best thing I can do is just call my surgeon's office and speak to the patient advocate. I'm sure I need 6 months of supervised weigh-ins. Never heard of anyone having to do a year of supervised weigh ins

The website only mentions that they cover it, but require a pre-authorization =\ Nothing about requirements

They keep telling me all I need is for the dr. to call in a pre-auth, and then they'd be able to tell HIM the requirements. Ugh! So annoying lol

Thanks! I think you should be fine with the weight gain. Do they advise that you lose weight?? My sister did the 6 month supervised diet, gained weight each month, and was just approved I wouldn't worry too much. Good luck!

Thank you! I started making my appts for the sleep study, endoscopy, nutritionist, etc....is this a good time or should I wait till it's closer to the Completion of the 6th month diet? If that makes sense lol

I've tried the patch two times with no luck. I'm now taking Chantix, and tomorrow marks 1 week Of no smoking. It's do-able, but def hardest first three days. I figure it has to be done if I want this surgery! Good luck.

I'm just starting, too We're all in the same boat, which is great for support! Did you set your initial consult with your surgeon?

Good for you!! When did you have the surgery? I'm focusing on substance abuse/mental health. I love the mental health field as well. What school did you get your MSW from?

Thanks I had my psych do an eval today and all went well. Nice to meet another social worker. I'll be getting my MSW in May

Hi guys! I'm new here. I was very much acclimated and a part of the vertical sleeve talk forum and was considering getting that surgery for some time now. Well, today I found out that only gastric bypass surgery is covered. I'm going to go ahead with the gastric bypass, but I have some concerns! I keep hearing that post-op gastric bypass patients usually suffer from inadequate nutrients and absorption and often can't even get themselves to eat. I also hear the healing time is longer. What I liked about the VSG surgery was less healing time and less invasive. In your opinion, what was the deciding factor for you in terms of choosing the bypass rather than the sleeve or the lapband?

Thanks for the wonderful advice! It's great to hear from positive people who have done their research extensively

Wonderful advice! Thank you

Don't allow "following in your mom's footsteps" in terms of weight gain be an option. It's only an option if you allow it to become one. Understand that weight gain IS possible, even with these major surgerys, but it can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle and staying focused. Good luck!

27! Which is kinda young-ish. Hahahah.

Can we see a psychiatrist for a psych eval or it has to be a psychologist? I'm not even sure it matters lol.

Where in NY are you? I'm from Long Island. I'm pretty sure most medicaid HMO's in NY cover gastric bypass. The only way to find out what they require, is to call their member services number usually listed on the back of your ID card.