Get.Waisted

When I found this site I thought the idea of ppl sharing their journey was an awesome idea. I'm still in the early part of my journey but I do want to share and I'm planning on updating on here whenever I receive relevant info to report. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's posts they are all so helpful so I aspire to maybe help someone in the future with my thread. On February 10, 2014 I had my first consultation w/ the surgeon. My insurance was verified before my appointment and at the meeting I was told what would be required of me for insurance purposes. #1 BMI (mines is in the 50's) #2 Nutritionist visit (one visit) #3 Psych eval...that's it! I had both my nutrition counseling and my psych eval on today (02/18/14). My surgeon's office notified me that they will submit my information to the insurance on tomorrow and then we just wait. Upon approval I'm looking at a surgery date in April, hopefully around the Easter holidays so I can have my niece to help assist me w/ my four kids! That's all for now. Hopefully I have more news to share soon.

Update: My approval took longer than what I had expected. My psych eval held me up for quite some time but once that finally was cleared up it only took my insurance a week to approve me. I received a verbal approval on 03/24/14 and I asked for the approval letter to be sent to me via email and I received that on yesterday 03/27/2014. I am now waiting on my surgeon's office to schedule me for my appointment so that I can get my surgery date...hope that happens soon!

I have BCBS, no supervised diet required. I had to do 1 Nut visit, 1 Psych visit and then the surgeon submitted to the insurance and it took about a week to get my approval. My surgeon also requires that I have an EGD done and now i'm just waiting on my surgery date. Once you contact your preferred surgeon they will give all the details you need, most likely they will check your eligibility before they even schedule your first consult appointment.

I can most certainly relate. I'm 4'11 and weight 259. My husband is a very social person but I tend to hold him back b/c I'm not comfortable going out and being seen. I'm always thinking people are looking at me and judging me about my weight. It's also hard to go on outings with some of his friends and they bring their girlfriends/wives and they're are like sticks but they sit around and talk about how fat they are! That's hard for me because if they are weighing less than 140 and consider themselves fat I hate to think what they call me...I'm so ready for this surgery so that I can begin to enjoy life again and allow my husband to do the same.

It's best to contact the number on the back of your card. I have not heard anyone with BCBS say they didn't have coverage for the surgery but plans can be tailored different so you should definitely call to ask. The cost depends on your deductible, OOP max, and if your surgeon has a program fee. I have a $500 deductible and $2800 OOP max. I've almost met my deductible so I know I'll have an additional $2300 to pay for my surgery. If that makes sense.

Do you have an out-of-pocket max? If so did they ask for that at any point. I'm asking b/c my deductible is $500 which I've just about met and I have an o-o-p max of $2300. I'm thinking the hospital may ask me for that also. I know they all are differs just wondering what your experience was. I'm still waiting on my approval and don't want any surprises! Lol

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL (even though I live in Louisiana) they cover weight loss surgery but I'm not sure about DS specifically, but their requirements are: BMI over 40 or BMI of 35 w/ 2 weight loss illnesses Over 18yrs old 1 visit w/ nutritionist 1 psych eval No supervised diets! I had my consult, psych eval and nut visit all in February and now I'm just waiting on insurance approval for VSG.

I know this post is pretty old but I'm curious to know what psychologist you used b/c mines seems to be a moron also but after a month of waiting he finally sent my clearance and the surgeon's office told me they're sending everything over to the insurance...! Fingers crossed I get a quick response I have BCBS of IL.

Gorgeous!

Well I just finished and *fingers crossed* I did better this time. He told me he'll have it scored and my clearance faxed over in a week...more waiting...

I went in to do my evaluation to get clearance for my surgery about a week ago. Everything seemed as if it went OK and the Dr even told me he didn't see any reason that he would not be able to send a clean clearance over to the surgeon's office. I called the psychologist's office this morning and asked when should I expect for the clearance to be sent over (it's the only thing holding up my paperwork) and was told there were some inconsistencies with the answers I gave on the test!! He wants me to come in and retake the test. I'm stressed now. Has anyone else had this happen to them? I was being as honest as possible I just don't understand. But i'm leaving work early to go back there to retake this test but i'm just feeling really down about the whole situation. They never called me to notify me I was continuously calling them and leaving messages and when I called today the receptionist told me they tried contacting me but the call wouldn't go through. I don't believe that unless something is wrong with their phones because all my calls have been coming through just fine. End rant.

'Eaten easily and in quantity' does that mean you're able to eat a large amount or very little? This is my first time hearing/seeing anything about slider foods, just want to be clear on what it really means...

It's the same w/ me. I considered WLS a few yrs back and when I shared the news w/ my mom and sisters they tore into and I backed down. I don't plan on letting then know this time, my husband is the only one I'll be able to share with once I get my approval. I'm impatiently waiting also...

Wow! Only three days! Someone told me it's possible that the length of time you have to do the liquid diet depends on your BMI. Mines is 51.7 do you mind me asking what yours is?

I'll plan on calling my surgeons office on tomorrow to find out if I HAVE to use the shakes that they sell, which is the OptiFast. The Nut told me the cost will be $281 and some change. I could definitely find protein shakes cheaper elsewhere if I'm not required to purchase theirs.

My 'program fee' will he $750. I'm still feeling a little salty about that since learning their are surgeons who do not require a program fee. But my surgeon does come highly recommended, I've done lots if research and I suppose that's the price I'll have to pay if I want one if the best. I just won't be happy about it LOL

Awesome...! That gives me hope, I haven't applied yet but I also have BCBS of Il

You look great...! What was your SW?

I'm relatively new to this site and I'm currently waiting on insurance approval. It's so nerve wrecking. Once approved I'm looking at April for my surgery date. I'm so glad I came across this thread. I use the app and it's kind of confusing to navigate. But I've gotten some really good info that was worth jotting down in my handy dandy notebook lol. In looking into the liquid vitamins and also I'll check with Insure Nutrition to see if they will cover my protein shakes once I get my approval and an exact surgery date.

I'm 256 and so ready to get this weight off of me. My nutritionist suggested I set my goal at 125lbs because of my height but I can't imagine being that small. If I get down to 140 I'd be over the moon!

I know this is a pretty old thread but I wanted to see if anyone who had their surgery at Woman's and/or with Dr Bellanger could me update on how they're doing. I plan on having mines at Woman's with him, I'm waiting on insurance approval but once I get approved I'm looking at a date in April. So excited and nervous at the same time!

This waiting for approval is gonna drive me nuts...!

Hi Joy I'm pretty new to the site also and I'm in the early stages of my journey. I had my consult earlier this month and I forgot to ask a lot of questions so I'll agree w/ the above poster. Do as much research before hand so that you'll have your questions ready to go. I was able to get all my questions answered when I went back to see the nutritionist, I had them all written down. You and I have a couple things in common: I'm 30 and I'm also 4'11! Good luck on your journey and keep us posted as you move along!

I have Mirena. I have four kids, all were c-sections and I didn't really feel anything. However I should mention that I had mines put in weeks after I had my last child and was able to utilize my pain meds before getting it done b/c I heard it was horrible. My sister asked me about my experience before she had hers put in and was very upset with me afterwards because she said it was very painful and I had told her it wasn't bad at all so...

Goooood luck...!!! Keep us posted when you can!