jens1

Hello, I just had my first appointment of the 29th of July. I guess I am kinda lucky I only have to do the EGD and six month diet. I only have to lose 16 pounds in that period of time. I also don't have to go thru the psych evaluation. My psychiatrist wrote a long letter to my surgeon and they accepted it as my evaluation. I am happy about that. I wish you all the best during your weight loss journey. Keep us all posted on your progress.

My husband just started his new job in September of last of last year. Our insurance didn't go into effect until december 22nd. I honestly have no clue how they came up with my obesity is a pre-existing condition. I have major back issues that should be pre-existing but they are being paid for. They have done nothing but confuse me. Anyway I know they don't pay for the six month diet so I went ahead and got that started.

You shouldn't have any problem getting an approval thru bcbs of alabama. I have bcbs of alabama. I called and spoke to a rep and you shouldn't any problem getting approved as long as you meet their criteria and provide medical necessity. I have gotten approval within a week on the five other surgeries I have had.

I have BCBS of Alabama. I hope everything works out smoothly for you. Let me know how it goes. They have actually said that my obesity is a preexisting condition. So I am going to have pay for everything until December. I already have tons of letters from all my doctors, so I figured i may as well go ahead with the six month diet.

Thank you for your replies. I feel so much better knowing I have a place to turn to when I have question or just need some support.

I live in Northwest Arkansas. I have my first appointment on May 10th. It was supposed to be on April 19th but they moved my appointment. I am looking for someone who is just starting to share experiences with. What was your first appointment like? I have to do a six month diet for my insurance. Hoping the time goes by fairly quick. I am obsessing about the surgery already. I am so ready for it.

I know in my heart I am doing the right thing. I want to be healthy and rid of my health problems that came along with being morbidly obese. Then why doing I keep second guessing my decision. I am still along ways from my surgery date. I have to do the six month diet. I feel like I am going to screw everything up. Is normal to feel this way? I very scared of the pain after the surgery. Which I find odd cause I have had 5 open back surgeries( very painful). Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

I don't know if it will effect your surgery or your weight loss afterwards. However, my husband has an under-active thyroid and he lost over 50 pounds in just a few months since the he started the meds for it.

Good morning to all! Its gonna be a good day. I went to the dentist for impressions and I didn't gag once. Super happy about that. One more week until my appointment, the anticipation is killing me.

I need a buddy too. However, I am just a newbie, I start my six month diet for the insurance company next week. That's when I have my first official appointment with the doctor and dietitian. I am nervous not knowing what to expect.

It's nice to meet you both. My name is Jennifer. I have been dealing with obesity the majority of my life. I am 33 years old. I cannot remember a time when I was not overweight. I went to my spine surgeon and he told he was going to refer to me to the weight loss surgeon. I was never happier to be called fat in a doctor's office. Lol! I have thought about the surgery before I just thought I was not a candidate. I am really excited to finally be making this major life change. I am going to my PCP today to ask him for a letter of approval that is needed for my insurance. I hope he is as supportive as everyone else I know. I would hope he would want to help me get rid of some of my co-moribities. I have sleep apnea, diabetes, PCOS, and GERD. I hope this isn't to much info but I just want to give yall a little info about me.

I am looking to exchange experiences with someone that is close to or at the same stage I am. I am having my first major appointment next week. I will be getting lab work, chest xray, exam, and dietitian visit. I ready to get this process going.

Welcome! The people on the forum are very supportive and helpful. I am just starting I go for my first appointment on the 19th of this month. I am a ways from surgery, I still have to go thru the insurance mandated 6 month diet.

My official appointment is April 19th. Can't wait to get this started. I am so ready.

Thanks for your replies. That helps me feel better. I sure was stressing about it last night. I thought what was the point of putting all this money and time into this if they are just going to fail me on the mental evaluation. I am more worried about this evaluation then anything else I have to go thru to proceed with surgery. I have a friend who going thru this with me and she is doing it purely for cosmetic reasons. I have major health problems from being overweight, I need this surgery to help save me.