Ginger Snaps

I have Anthem BCBS... I didn't have to have that test, just a visit with a psychiatrist. I see a psych regularly and he did the evaluation. He just had a form (looked like one he has created himself) and asked me a bunch of questions, mostly about my health history and what I had tried in the past to do to lose weight. Only took about 20 minutes. Lots of people have different experiences. I think it may depend on the doctor you see and what they feel is necessary. In my case, I've seen this doctor for 8 years, so I'd say he knows my mental health status pretty well. If it had been my first time to see him, he might have wanted to do more extensive testing. So, it may be more at the doctor level to decide what you have to do rather than a specific insurance requirement. They want the doctor to do whatever he/she feels is necessary to clear you for the surgery. Best wishes!

Sounds like you have a great support system in place -- how blessed! And WTG on exercising. I'm pre-op and started about 6 weeks ago and I'm starting to love how I feel, too. Best wishes! Ginger

Wow!!! Now that's a great NSV! Congrats and keep up the good work!

I'm pre-op but I have started to "argue" with myself... when I feel defeated and start saying "I can't do this" I immediately try to talk back to myself and say "I CAN do this!" This morning's argument was "I don't want to go to the gym" which I turned around to say "I LOVE to work out... it makes me feel so much better." This morning it actually worked and I got out of bed and hit the gym! Best wishes -- it looks like you're doing great on the weight loss -- now time to work on the brain! lol

Please update your stats so we can see some numbers... What an inspiration! Great job!

I am in a similar situation... I also have Anthem BC/BS. My BMI is only 35.9 but I have sleep apnea, GERD and joint pain, so that qualifies me. My doctor requires 3 visits one month apart with him -- I'm not sure if that's Anthem or just his requirement. I also have to see a pulmonologist, cardiologist, psychiatrist and nutritionist. Apparently Anthem does not require the 6 month supervised diet thing. I have a surgery date of June 9th now and at my visit with him yesterday, my surgeon told me to go ahead and start working on changing eating and exercising and that it would be OK to start losing now because I was already pre-approved. At the first visit, he had told me not to change eating habits because if I dropped below 35 I wouldn't qualify for surgery. If you have co-morbidities, you should still qualify for surgery if you're above 35 BMI. Hope this helps -- of course all insurance plans and docs are different, so it's best to be absolutely clear with the doctor.

I've had my CPAP about a year now and I haven't missed a single night -- THAT's how much it helps me! My sleep doctor gave me a weight goal and said when I reach that and maintain or go below it for a while, she will redo the study to see if I still need the machine. Sorry if it messed up your surgery schedule.

Just saw my surgeon this morning and I have a date!!! June 9th! Cutiepie -- we may go at the same time! It was weird though -- I was surprised when he said he'd schedule the pre-surgery appointment and then also did a surgery date. I don't know what I was expecting but for some reason I wasn't expecting that! lol Maybe just because I've read on here people struggling to get approved and such and so far all my stuff has gone off without a hitch! Now the need for patience kicks in!

I was asking my doc a bunch of questions I had written down and he jumped in the middle of it and said "And I won't do a catheter"... that wasn't even on my list!

Mine is tonight... I'm nervous even though I've seen this doctor for about 8 years now. I thought it was kind of silly he wouldn't just write me a clearance note but I guess he has to earn his $300 fee (or so). The only thing I worry about is this: in the past I've discussed my weight with him and he's always been pretty flippant saying that it's all just willpower, eating less... yada yada yada. Believe me, if there were a switch I could just flip that would make me lose weight (or that ever elusive switch to turn off depression) I would have flipped said switch a long time ago! I'll let you know how it goes.

I tend to get them around my period or when I'm especially stressed. Right not, my upper lip is one big series of blisters from a sunburn on Saturday. Good luck!

I'm pre-op but my NUT said a good rule of thumb is no more than 5 fat grams and no more than 10 sugar grams in a serving. Just a general idea of what to shoot for.

WTG Shmily! I just left my surgeon's office -- I have a date now of June 9th. Can't wait to join you on the loser's bench!

Beana you look like a different woman and so heels thy! Congrats!

I'm sorry you have had so much loss in your life lately. It sounds like you're grieving a lot and in an unhealthy way. Maybe some counselling could help you find ways to experience your grief without hurting yourself and your weight loss efforts. I hear you about the cold winters, though -- I live in NJ and I practically hibernated this winter! Have the weight to show for it, too. Best wishes.

Just one word -- WOW!

For me, the nutritionist has helped me connect what I know (or what she's taught me) to everyday choices. It's not just about the nutrition facts, it's how to change your habits to use that knowledge you already have. Can't say it'll be the same for you, but I've gotten lots of practical information.

Ouch Cutie! I can relate (a little)... I had severe low back pain 3 years ago and had a lot of different procedures trying to figure out exactly what was causing the pain. I had osteo-arthritis stuff chipped away, RFA, steroid injections... at least 4-5 outpatient procedures. The pain doctor finally found 2 different things causing the pain, shot me up in the right spots and I haven't had a repeat now in 3 years. I had inflammation in the SI joint (where tailbone meets the pelvic bone) and also had an episacral lipoma (fat tissue bulging through muscle) right in the same area. It took at least 4 months of different treatments before we found the right thing to correct the problems. I hope the doctors can figure out quickly exactly what the problem is and help you get out of pain now. Then, you can lose the weight and you KNOW that will also help it out. Best wishes!

Best wishes to both of you!

I got a link to this news story in email this morning and thought it might be beneficial for some of you who have been denied coverage. It gives some ideas about how to appeal and some surprising stats -- that over 50% of appeals win coverage. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/patients-often-win-if-they-appeal-a-denied-health-claim/2014/04/14/ee4dd3e8-c40d-11e3-9ee7-02c1e10a03f0_story.html

I'm in the pre-op stage and I think you've come to the right place. I've learned so much on the forums and it's really helped me understand just what to expect. Keep a running list of questions for your doctor. I keep them in the notepad app on my phone so when I talk to him, I can get my questions answered. Best wishes!

Even if it is just weight related or mild, if the doctor suggest that you get the machine, GET IT!!! I LOVE my little machine. It has completely changed how well I sleep and I FINALLY feel rested! I'm hoping I can go off the machine once I lose weight, but apnea is very serious and you shouldn't have to suffer with it.

If you're 5 days out, I don't think it's gonna affect anything. My doctor only requires Clear liquids the day before. It's a topic that comes up a lot here... how different pre-op diets are. My doc says that for his patients with a BMI 45 and up, he requires a week or two of special pre-op diet to shrink the liver. But, he doesn't require that for those under 45 because it weakens the body a lot and he wants patients coming in to surgery as healthy as possible. It's a balance of risk/benefit. Best wishes and hang in there!

Sorry -- went back and reread and see I said something backwards... "they probably think about you and your weight much LESS than you think they do!" Little bit of difference in meaning there! Ginger

KPay -- sounds like you are way too hard on yourself! I can tell you feel self-conscious but remember, kids are very self-centered and they probably think about you and your weight much more than you think they do! If you think it's the best, go on the walk -- maybe carry along something healthy to eat in case you "hit the wall" and don't worry if you're the sweep at the back of the pack. Try to focus on the surroundings and the event and let go of some of the anxiety. Best wishes!