Jacqueline K

Praying for you too. I'm sure it will work out!

Pink is my signature color! Thanks for all the replies.... we do have a recliner but I typically hate it since it rocks when not reclining. I have short legs (I'm all torso at 5'9) which don't reach the floor in it and the rocking makes me nervous. We'll have to see if I use it after surgery or not. I do love my heating pad, though I'll need to remember to take it home from work. I keep it in my desk since i get so cold here.

So I went shopping today for some things I figure would be helpful after surgery. For baby spoons and baby bowls with lids. Found these cool baby food containers that are flexible plastic to go from fridge to freezer. Plus they are pink- this is very important lol. Went to get gas ex but they didn't have the strips so I got chewables. Will these be ok right after surgery? Planning to take them to hospital in case of bad gas issues. Just wondering if anyone has used the chewables after surgery?

I'm in the waiting room to see doctor. Hoping I do well! This is last step before submitting to insurance.

I'm looking forward to seeing my collar bone again!

Went ok. He does a lot of these and just had a few questions then I had to do the eval which took about 1.5 hours. It was 567 questions and some were so silly. I feel ready for surgery so I feel like that will show. I tell you my hand was cramping from all that bubbling!

I'm thinking May 30th I am getting really excited. Once the psych eval is done we'll be submitting to insurance. I haven't been on an airplane in years and have been terrified of doing so. Soon I won't have to worry anymore about all these things that most people don't give a second thought! Have you already had your surgery?

-No more Lane Giant (I love this and am totally stealing it!) -No more struggling to put on socks and shoes -Being able to bend over and tie my shoes (in public this is a nightmare!) -Fitting in a booth -My chair at work has broken- the darn thing just sinks to lowest level when I sit. So no more breaking chairs -Not being out of breath just getting into work -Going to meetings at work and not being the only one out of breath when I get there -No more chubb rub! Hate this!! -Being able to see my collar bone -Wearing heels -Not being afraid of chairs with arms There are so very many more!

Went to the seminar on 3/14 and have since seen surgeon, had EKG, and met with all the specialists the surgeon requires (NUT, fitness, mental health). I still have to do my pysch eval next week (nervous!) and then submit for insurance approval. My insurance has their own bariatric coordinator that I've had to speak with as well- I think all the various things that I've already had to handle the past month have maybe made it seem like more time has passed? Idk, just feels like I've been waiting forever and I've only been in the process for a month. lol Surgery date is looking like very end of May- maybe the 30th. I can't wait to actually know my date though- I think that once I know how much longer I have to wait I'll calm down some.

Honestly no. Time has been dragging by for me!

I've met the mental health lady and love her! She has a great sense of humor. Unfortunately my insurance is requiring a licensed psychologist to do a full psych eval and she said she can't do it. So I have an appointment with someone I don't know. This is only requirement my insurance has so I can't really complain too much! Looks like when you go in I'll be a week or two out. Can't wait to know my date for sure though!

I'm 26.. glad to find some more young people. Still have a psych eval to complete before I submit for insurance approval. Thinking my surgery date will be May 23rd or 30th.

Yep! My surgeon is Dr Pennington. I have met him twice now- for seminar and initial consult. I have been very happy so far. Everything is geared toward Obese patients-chairs are all large so you never feel uncomfortable and everyone I've dealt with so far has been super sweet- so far I've met Pennington, his coordinator Margaret, mental health, NUT, and fitness. I've had my EKG and H pylori tests. I'm waiting to do my psych eval next week (they don't do them) and then I'll go back to get insurance approval. The program fee for seeing NUT, fitness, and mental health is $300 and this covers you for 6 months after surgery worth of visits. If you have any other questions let me know... I know there is another lady on here that is using Pennington as well.

My out of pocket is going to end up around $3000-$3500... my deductible alone is $2000 plus my part of the bill and I was told that I must pay it all before surgery! My out of pocket max at this point is $3500 according to UHC (was $4000 but other doctors bills thus far this year has brought it down some).

Got so excited by your other reply that I didn't see this one! Pennington did the seminar that I went to and I loved him.. he seemed so sweet! The pysch eval is the last thing my insurance is requiring and Margaret told me that my insurance doesn't take long for approval either. Yay for a surgery buddy!

Wow! No set date yet as I have to complete my psych eval (scheduled for 4/23) but I'm thinking end of May... maybe the 30th. When is yours?

I'm using Dr. Pennington at Trinity Medical.

I'm starting as 28 bottom and 3-4x top. I would love to get down to a 12/14 but dreaming of getting to a 8/10 so I can share clothes with mom and sisters!

Hi Birmingham area here

I have started this process. I have talked to my BRS nurse and she just asked me some questions-nothing major and she was very nice. I don't have any requirements except a psych eval which I am going to be doing soon hopefully. I haven't submitted my request yet since I still have that condition to go. The way they talked to me though made it seem like I have really no worries about being approved. The only thing that stinks about the whole thing is that my out of pocket is going to be fairly high since they are covering 80% only and I have a high deductible (course I'd be paying the same anyway with the 20% thing). I am working on coming up with it and am doing pretty well.

I also have UHC.... I have to pay my deductible which is $2000 and 20% (they only cover 80%). 20% for surgeon will be $326 and for the hospital (including deductible) will be about $2900-$3000 (this is only beceause my insurance is an HRA and I have a balance in there of over $800 which is applied toward my out of pocket). I also have already paid the $300 fee my surgeon's office requires for their program- to see nutrition, mental health, and fitness. I will also have to pay $130 for the pre-op diet as they order it for you. My requirements for UHC are that I use a Bariatric Center of Excellence and that I do a pysch eval.... I have to call today to try and set up my eval. I'm looking at surgery date of end of May/Beginning of July because of the finances involved. I've got $1600 saved (and that $300 is already paid). Surgeon's office told me that as long as I'd completed the psych eval and insurance approved it I could have surgery whenever but I just can't due to the amount of money I have to come up with.

I'm working on coming up with mine. I have UHC too and they only pay 80% and I have to pay copay too. All told deductible and hospital portion will be about $2950. $625 for program fee and surgeon fee. Then $130 for the pre op diet - they give us shakes and such that they order.

This is killing me too. I will be having surgery end of May (no set date yet) and for the past month I've been eating like crazy. Planning things and anticipating what I'll eat next. Awful! Makes it worse too that I am on a strict budget so I can pay my crazy high deductible and out of pocket amount! Budget and eating like a pig don't mix.

Helena, AL right outside Birmingham.

Mine is looking like end of May but no set date yet. So excited!