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Hi Gracefulrayne, I am so happy to talk to someone else who may experience the same as me! Dr. Ringold is my primary care physician and best friend's good friend and surgeon and he came highly recomended. As far as costs, I have BCBSAL - and my coverage is 80%/20% - They pay 80%, I pay 20%. I was told my portion of Dr. Ringold's cost would be about $477 if I am not mistaking - maybe a little more, but not much. I was also told I would pay 20% of the tests and the anesthisiologist as well as the Hospital. Seems the exams and the anesthesiologist would be billed afterwards. The hospital is the part that is more concerning. The hospital will not, under any circumstance tell me what the surgery will cost, they say it could be between $16,000. and $30,000, so my portion could be $3,200 to $6,000... That is a big difference. Of course it depends if your insurance is the same. Why are you scared? What is it that concerns you?

On January 15h I will be going to my 4th appointment with my primary doctor. It will be another bad appointment... I spend Christmas with my daughter in Phoenix, AZ and we ate a LOT. We are all experienced cooks and her husband is a gourmet cook. And eat is what we do - We eat to celebrate, we eat because we love it - truly enjoy it - and whenver I come to visit them, which happens once or twice a year, everyone cooks their specialty and we eat enough to last us the whole year. As I read "Beyond the Refrigerator" I see myself on those pages. I know my weight problem is more than just lbs on a scale - there is an eating disorder there. An eating disorder that I have passed on to my daughter, who seems now to struggle just as much as I do. The worst thing about our eating disorder is that no matter how big or small we are at a given time - we just can't see it. We "Feel" fat regardless and we allow that to dictate how we feel about ourselves, what kind of mood we are in that day, what we wear, where we go - if we go... My daughter is about 30 lbs overweight since the baby (He's 18 months) as she is still nursing him (Attachment Parenting). But she might as well be 130 lbs overweight as awful as she feels all the time. It's really heartbreaking to see her anguish and pain and to know I have (as a single parent) taught her to be that way. That is all she knows. I know it's time for optimism and positive thoughts and New Year Resolutions but all I think about is how my choices have affected my girls in the past and how my future choices/ Surgery/ Weight loss will affect them in the future. I know there is no point in worrying and pre ocupying myself, but my heart is not at peace for them. Anyway - I am going to begin a low carb, high protein regimen this weekend (when I can get to the grocery store) and work on those 13-20 lbs weight loss I need to accomplish pre-surgery.

Hi LuminousLife - What have you been able to drink besides water since day 7? Do you have any feeling of hunger at all? I really do appreciate your daily posts!

I know this post is older, but I really just wanted to say THANK YOU for listing those things!!! Unless you go though it you can't really understand how AWFUL it is to not be able to tie your shoes, do a simple pedicure or put on a pair of boots. I miss being able to cross my legs when I sit and pick up my purse from the floor of the car.. I am so happy for you! I have about 4-5 months to go before I can have surgery, due to my Insurance requirements (6 months medical supervised weight loss) and I tatter between fear and incredible excitement! Thanks for posting this!

That is such a brilliant post! Thank you - I am a few months away from mine and the longer the wait the more time to worry - and your post just really helped me :-) I wish you continued success and nothing but happiness and joy!

Congratulations!!!!!! Woop Woop! Best luck to you!

Hi dylanmiles, I am not doing either :-( actually in the last two weeks. I probably need to take the measurements, that is a great idea. My doctor didn't give me a plan, just told me to eat 1200 calories a day.. for bkfst I eat oatmeal and ceral all under 200 calories.. perhaps I should give up dinner and replace with the shake - which one would you suggest? That may help! My biggest issue is my mind. I am so busy all the time and never take time to plan things like this out. I am making the appropriate personal changes in order to change that.

How do I begin? I am on the 3rd month of the 6 months insurance required supervised weight loss program. I saw my doctor in October and went on a 1200 calorie diet. I got the My pal fitness app and logged away all the foods I ate. My first week was so hard I couldn't stay with 1200, but by week 3 I was on track (I never ate more than 2000 calories in a giving day and it was not often) Because of my weight I should've been able to lose 2 lbs per week eating 1700 calories, but I did 1200. A month later I had lost 1 lbs. ONE LB. I walked out of there pretty upset and have not opened that app and have really not tried at all. My 3rd app is tomorrow and I am not looking forward to it. I feel like this isn't really happening. Somehow it does not feel real. When I think about it hard, I get really very scared. Not of the procedure itself per se, but what it will do with the dynamic of my life, my family. But the thought of not doing anything about it is even scarier. I know I am stuck. I have spoken to the insurance expert at my surgeon's office (in a panic) about my chances of qualifying for the surgery and she was pretty confident. She laughed and said. "I've worked with your insurance - I know what they need. You meet every criteria and with your BMI, trust me, they can't deny you". Then why does losing weigh seem as much as an unachieveable dream as winning the lottery?

Hi Luminous - I am new to the site and I have no idea how i could have overlooked your posts! thank you for doing this.

Hi Brazilian - I am a Brazilian from AL! Did you have to do the 6 months Dr. Supervised Weight Loss program in order to be elegible for this surgery? If so, how did you do? I went on my first visit in October/13 and tomorrow will be my 3rd, of 6 needed months. Still feels like a dream that will never come even though the Insurance coordinator with my Dr. Office has reassured me that I am more than eligible because of my co morbid conditions and BMI. I am wishing you all the best and looking forward to your posts and experience.

How much water are you driking? are you taking all your vitamins as well?

Lumious, where have you been? It's been a week - Tell us how you are.

Hey Rena - When will you know the result of your appeal? I am sending prayers your way and hope it goes quick. I can imagine how you are feeling but I know you will figure out a way to make it work. I am pretty nervous about being elegible too, and I called my doctor's insurance specialist. She reviewed my files again and assured me I should have no problems becuase of my over 50 BMI history for the last 4 years, but since I do not have a weight on records for 2012, I am still worried (Even though worry will not help me at all). Let me know how things are going !

Lyndy, thanks for putting into words exaclty how I feel... I have the same thougths - wish I could sleep though it, make it go faster.. We seem to have a lot in common - I am on month 3rd (December). During the month of October I did a 1200 cal diet - ate small portions and mostly fish and veggies - and lost 2 lbs in 30 days. I was so upset that ever since I haven't even tried and I am sure I have gained. Now it's time for my 3rd app with my doctor and I know it will not be a good appt. I am really upset at myself. I appreciate the advice below about staying away from Rice, Pasta, bread and sugar. that makes about 60% of my meals. I really do not like meat very much at all so that is my go to. Clearly I need to re thinkg this. Maybe you and I could work though it together!

Hi Rena I am sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I am baffled about the response you received. That is really awful of them. Are you requesting re evaluation or are you jsut going to go to Mexico? Basically they wait until you are in a real bad shape before approving. And a diet followed by a nutricionist is ten times better since they are trained for that. It makes no sense. I am sorry. What is your next step? Wishing you the best of luck!

Oh No Rena!! Why??? did they explain why? That is such BS... I am really sorry to hear that - what is the process to appeal?

Well, you and I have the same insurance... does your 2013 says everything is 80/20 for Bariatric or are you being 100 cover after copays?

Hi Rena! I wish you the best of luck!! Let me knwo when you get your approval! I called the number. they said they can't tell me what my cost for the hospital will be, only that i wll have to pay 20% of the total surgery cost, and my deductible, which is $600 upon registration.

Hi Rena! Yes, I know exactly how much my Surgeon will be (Dr. Ringold - who is your doctor?) But I was curious about the hospital stay. we have to pay 20% of the total cost of the hospital as well... That is the cost that is most concerning. Right now looks like $3000 - $6000 would be my portion... that is a big difference! Thank you so much for your reply!