Bobby46

I haven't even been approved yet....but, because my paperwork was sent in to insurance last week my brain doesn't shut up. Constantly thinking and questioning....am I doing the right thing? I'm 46, why now? I want this, I don't want this. I'm scared, I'm excited. I am so anxious I can hardly sleep. What if it doesn't work. Am I actually starving myself with this surgery. What am I going to do with myself as a thin person? I have no idea. And then....I cant wait to be thin! I cant wait to buy new clothes and be comfortable in them. I cant wait to mow the lawn and not feel like collapsing afterward. Or walk the dog and need a nap. Then back to....is this the right thing for me? Does anyone else play this game with themselves? Were you 100% positive from the moment you made up your mind to do it or did you flip flop too? Because, every time I question myself about whether I'm sure or not, I always say Yes!! Just wondering if I'm alone with this train of thought?

tnpeach, I am so glad we're not alone!

Brooklyngirl, First off....Tuesday! Wow! So exciting for you! I hope it goes very smooth and youre back with your family quickly and feeling fantastic! I will be thinking about you next week! Secondly.... I am absolutely not able to stop myself. Its a harsh reality, isn't it? I have faced that many times just trying to prepare myself for this surgery. I am a single mom (the fullest definition) of a 12 yr old boy. I have tried to drink Protein shakes while he eats the dinner I made for him. Extremely difficult! See, I own my own house, I take care of all house and home business. Everything from yard work to dishes and everything in between. I work 40 - 50hrs a week to do it. I am woman hear me roar!! I feel very strong, very in control. But...I cant stop myself from eating too much. I cant control myself around sweets. I just cant. And...it makes all the other things I do seem meager. Eating, and my weight because of it, is my biggest challenge and my biggest shame. I cant control it and it ticks me off! So, I know I need this surgery. I am just scared at times and petrified at others. ugh! I'm determined to change it. Very determined!

Thank you all. Its nice to know youre not alone even in the "thinking/waiting" stage. I had anxiety attacks for 3 nights. I think I crossed that bridge. But it was a rough one! Hopefully it wont return when I hear back from insurance! I'm a mess lol

My paperwork was submitted today. I have Anthem BC/BS. I was told by my case organizer that they approve pretty quickly. Crossing my fingers. But, I'm trying my best not to think about it every single minute of the day. Very nervous and scared, but excited! Trying not to get my hopes up because I keep hearing stories about the insurance company coming back wanting more info or something. So, I guess I will just have to wait.

Hi Nancy! I am hoping to have surgery some time in late June to mid July. The more I think about it, mid July would work out a lot better. My son has camp the first week of July and school starts mid August. They haven't officially submitted the paperwork yet. If they do it this coming week and I'm approved quickly, then I could get my pre-op surgeon appt, pre-op diet and the surgery done before mid June then I could be driving by summer camp. Sorry.....thinking out loud and in circles all the time!! I really just want to be done with it! An official date would make me so happy!

Hi. I haven't had surgery yet. They are suppose to be getting the paperwork together to submit to insurance. Just waiting. I am terrified of losing more hair. About a year ago I lost a lot of hair when my thyroid went out of wack. Tons of hair on the bathroom floor, in the drain, in my hands, on my clothes....frightening. It stopped falling out about 7 mths ago but is noticeably thin to me. Its also starting to grow little fine hairs now. I had super thick hair....couldn't see my scalp when I parted it.....now you can see my scalp, some what, and it scares the holy mess out of me. Having surgery and the thought of losing more of my hair because of it almost made me stop the process. But....after surviving the thyroid issue and hairloss, I know that my hair will grow back. A month ago I started using Nioxin hoping to get a jump start on the hairloss. Honestly, I noticed a difference the 2nd time I used it !! I get less hair in the drain now.....even though my hair loss already stopped....I don't notice hair on my clothes and when I put gel in my hair there are only a couple strands on my hands. It gives my hair a little body too...which helps disguise the scalp where I part my hair. I have also been taking 5000mg of Biotin a day and I take B12 under my tongue 2xs a day. I also make sure I get Protein with every meal now too. I am going to do anything and everything I can to avoid the hairloss. But, If its going to happen, regardless of what I do, I know that it will grow back and life will go on. Its a small...all be it, scary....price to pay to drop this weight once and for all!

Hello Fred. Have you ever thought about joining Weight Watchers? It is a weekly support group (you can go to more if you would like) and they weigh you every week. They help you stay in check. My nutritionist said that the people he councils who have joined Weight Watchers after WLS have been the ones who have stayed on top of the weightloss. Its a great plan. Easy to follow....they encourage Protein, veggies and fruit as your first go to and then you can work in your favorites without guilt. I lost 70lbs on Weight Watchers several years ago. I gained the weight back when I thought I had it under control. I now know that the support is what I need. I am having the surgery...hopefully soon....and then joining Weight Watchers when I'm seeing goal in then near future. I have lost and gained weight on every diet known to mankind.....honestly, Weight Watchers is the only smart approach. Surgery will be the tool to take it off and Weight Watchers together with the surgery, will be the tool to keep it off for me. It may not be for everyone but its my plan.

Hello. I have been looking into sleeve surgery for a long while now. Finally submitted my forms to OSU Medical Center in Columbus OH. My Insurance said they don't have requirements, just whatever OSU deems necessary. Does that sound right for anyone else with this insurance? I have read a couple posts where the Dr submitted everything to BC/BS in other states and it came back requiring proof of failed dieting with PCP. I have had the psych evaluation, medical and nutritional consults. Next week I start a 4 week pre/post nutritional class 1x a week. After that they will schedule a meeting with the surgeon. Does this sound about normal? I don't want any surprises later. Thanks!

So how did the preop go Hannysgrammy? I have 1 more nutrition class then I just wait for a response from the insurance.

I have a 23 yr old niece who is a dietician and a certified personal trainer. Her opinion is that everyone is lazy and has no self control and it disgusts her. Young and ignorant. She has voiced her opinion many many times....indirectly, she knows better than to comment to my face. I love her dearly but she is the last person I will tell until it is long over. I really don't care what anyone has to say otherwise. I have been dealing with ignorant people my whole life. I gave up letting them control the way I feel about myself a long time ago. (I'm not a Saint....it pisses me off! But I let it go) I really just want to have the surgery and get on with my life.....A better happier, healthier more active more engaged life. But I hope that my niece....and every other smartass will see in the end that surgery is the absolute best decision for a lot of people. That life isn't black and white. And we can achieve the same goals by traveling a different road.

Hello all. I had my EDG a little over a week ago. I tried not to think about it until I was actually sitting in the hospital. I have a bad gag reflex and was scared. They sprayed my throat with numbing stuff and then jumped right in. I gagged like crazy but it went fast! Thank God! I was soon on my way. I have to wait for results. I have reflux and didn't even know it. I never have heartburn or anything like that. They said I could have reflux in my sleep. They did a biopsy and will get back with me if its positive for barretts. I may have to get by-pass instead of the sleeve if it is. ugh!! I have 2 more nutrition classes and then I guess I wait for them to review my file and submit to insurance. Crossing my fingers they dont need me to do anything else! I so wish I had my preop apt soon too hannysgrammy! I'm ready to get on with it!

Hello. I'm 46, from Springfield. Kind of a drive/pain to do this at OSU but it will all pay off. Have you been to any of the nutrition classes yet? There are about 20 or so people in them. Everyone seems to be very friendly. Its such a personal experience it takes a while for people to open up. I'm still feeling the waters. I haven't been keeping food journals yet but I think I might just start. I did Weight Watchers about 15 yrs ago and lost a lot of weight. They encourage journaling and it really helps. I kept it off for about 8 yrs before I started back with bad habits again. I'm hoping the surgery will help me keep the weight in control. I've done medifast and other diets....they all work, honestly, but its just impossible to keep it off. I really hope this works. I'm excited and scared to death. I have a 12 yr old son that is worried about me. I told him so I wouldn't scare him. Its good to talk openly with him about it. ......Also, did you know there is a forum for Ohio people too? When you open Bariatric Pal you can scroll down and there is a forum for several states. I think I've seen someone there from Mansfield. It might have been you, lol! Anyway, I will pop in here every now and again. Feel free to look me up!

Hello bbwcraftycrafter! I am going thru my pre/post op nutrition classes. I have my 2nd one tomorrow. I have loved the whole OSU experience. Very impressed that they just call periodically to see how I'm doing and to see if I have any questions. What doctor/nurse does that anymore!? I submitted my paperwork in late Feb and very quickly had my psych eval with Dr. Kramer. It took a chunk out of my day but it was all good. Then I had appts with nutritionist (questions about eating habits, if you drink pop, what you hope to accomplish weight loss wise) and medical (weigh in, a million questions, blood work and EKG). Very shortly after that I got a call to schedule the nutrition classes and the endoscopy. I am crossing my fingers that bs/bc will not require anything additional....but I wont hold my breath! lol When they called to schedule the nutrition classes the lady said that June should be possible for surgery depending on insurance approval. I hope everything goes as smoothly for you as it is for me!

OMG! Thank you so much for this!! Mine is next Friday and I have been worried to death about it! I was afraid I would gag and cry and whine and complain until it was long over! lol What a relief to know its a pretty easy experience!

Hello Gettinsmall. I too am new to all of this. I had my psych, med and nutrition eval and will start a 4 class pre/post op nutrition course next week. I also have an endoscopy scheduled for the 25th. After the classes are done then they review and submit to my insurance. I should be able to have surgery in June. I am really scared of the complications too.....very nervous. I am a single mother of an awesome 12yr old boy. Its just the 2 of us. I need and want this to go well. I've missed out on a lot of things with him because of my weight.....used as an excuse to not get too much involved. I don't want to miss out on anymore. He's my motivation. Good luck...I wish us both great success!

Thank you! I hope all goes well for you. Please let me know how everything works out for you. I'm excited and nervous. I have my endoscopy on the 25th with Dr. Makami. Not looking forward to that! Pretty sure its no fun. Bobby. I too am going to OSU. I will going having RNY on May 19. With Dr. Needleman. I had to have a throat scope . nutionest class with I had mine in Marion. 1 day a week for 2 weeks. I got blood work done EKG. Then came the physo. Appt. Then the sleep study. With then I was placed on cpap. I have to be compliant for 30 days cause they found I have sleep apnea. Well only 12 days left on it. Then lincare will download it to him. I have A them Bcbs as my insurance took them 1 day to approve. Waiting for my preop appt. However I won't get that till cpap done. Hang in there

Good morning all! I think I will call my insco again on Monday and push for requirement information. I have talked to a couple reps when I first started looking into surgery and they were not very helpful....I felt like they really didn't know how to answer my questions. The insurance documents are so misleading. They make it sound like the surgeon's approval is all I need then it has a clause saying there are more details that must be read elsewhere in the documents.....which I couldn't find for the life of me! I have a list as long as my arm of all the diets I tried and failed and a couple that worked really well but I gained the weight back afterwards.....Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Adapex diet pills with my doctor. I have nothing documented by a doctor other than the Adapex pills. Cross your fingers for me. I will let you know what they say on Monday.