Lennyb724

Good Morning: This is my first post on this forum and I'd like to say how amazingly grateful I am for all the information and support. I have really immersed myself in the tide of knowledge and experience contained here, it's almost overwhelming. In addition to being an aspiring pre-op sleever, I'm also a sober/clean alcoholic/addict. I've been working the steps of AA for 15 years and my wife, who is also a newbie pre-op sleever, has 21 years. We're pretty active in our various programs but neither of us have had much in the way of results working an OA program. Furthermore, I've observed a fair amount of, shall we say "resistance" within the OA community where I live to embrace people who have chosen WLS as a solution. As much as I like and will continue to use this forum extensively, it seems like it might be difficult to preserve one's anonymity here and the Traditions we observe compel us to guard our anonymity at the public level. Therefore, I've decided to start a secret group on Facebook called "WLS Support for 12 Steppers" and we are welcoming anyone who is pre-op/post-op WLS of any kind, AND who also happens to be in any 12 Step program regardless of malady. If you are interested in being added to that group, please message me your Facebook email address (which is in the "About" section of your profile) and I will send you an invite. Thank you for your interest.

UPDATE: Regarding the "WLS Support for 12 Stepper's" Facebook Group. Originally, I had envisioned it being a "Secret" group given the issue of anonymity in the Tradition of 12 Step programs. But it proved to be too difficult to invite people without "friending" them first, so it's been changed to a "Closed" group. Which means that anyone can see the group and who's in it. But ONLY members can see the posts. It's important to know this before joining any group on Facebook (or anywhere else) in the even that you are concerned about your anonymity. I apologize to those of you that tried to join earlier and couldn't. Unfortunately, Facebook just doesn't make it easy to admit members to a "Secret Group". But, if you're pre-op or post-op WLS (any kind) and practice the 12 steps of recovery (any kind) and are interested in contributing your Experience, Strength and Hope, find the group and ask to join. The only requirement is respecting the Tradition of anonymity.

Well...this is it! I started my 2 week liquid diet this morning. My surgery is scheduled for 11/7. I have my pre-op tests done on 11/3. My wife is still waiting for her insurance approval but they expect it to come through next week and her date is tentatively 11/21. "...For better, or worse...richer or poorer...fat or thin..." Fortunately, I've been living on the "One Day at A Time" program for many years now. This is such a fundamental shift in my existence and, while the benefits from this surgery are immeasurable, I can't really think much beyond today. So, for right now...right this very minute...I'm doing just fine.

Thank you Gr8ful... I really appreciate it. I'm not waiting until I'm desperate for support to set up my own support system. I've set up a closed, secret group on Facebook just for people who've had WLS and are working a 12 Step Program. We do also have a support group set up through the St. Joe's Bariatric Wellness Center, but I'm not holding out a ton of hope that they will be as effective as 12 Step based meeting might be.

That's NOT possible. The Healthcare Reform Act did away with Lifetime Maximum Benefits a couple of years ago. I'm on my wife's Anthem BC/BS policy and outside of their standard Bariatric Surgery Criteria they can't deny us the benefit. It's doubtful that the same claims specialist will handle both of our pre-approvals.

"Liquor in the Front, Poker in the Rear..."

I think there is a major advantage for spouses sharing this experience together. It make things so much easier when both people have the same basic eating regimen. We don't have kids so no "kid food" to deal with. It's such an intensely intimate process and the powerful shifts created by the massive weight loss can and will impact any relationship. If you are already solid and enjoying/enduring this experience together, then it will likely make your relationship that much stronger. Conversely anyone having WLS hoping to "fix" a broken relationship is in for a sad awakening, I'm afraid.

PAMWHITEHEAD, doesn't your Surgeon provide post/op wellness and support groups out there in the DFW area? I'm sure that there are a lot of folks in the same situation in such a large metro area. Anyway, I'm sure you will find TONS of virtual support on hear and on other forums. I used to visit Irving a lifetime ago in another career. Back then I liked to get my drink on and as I recall Irving was in a dry county outside of restaurants. But you could always get a nice martini at the Los Colinas Golf Club.

My wife and I are planning to have our VSG's done about 6 weeks apart. I'm going in the 2nd week of November and she's going in the first week of January '15. This way we can have just enough of a buffer to take care of each other and still start the pre/op routines at about the same time.

My wife and I have set our sites on having Dr. Quilici do both of our VSG procedures in November and January respectively. Anyone have any further insight or experience with the good Doctor. So far, I'm pretty comfortable with the process.

My surgeon works out of Cedars and St. Joe's in Burbank. I've opted to go to St. Joe's be cause it's a mile from my house. But it's not the hospital that charges the "Membership Fee", it's the Surgeon. It's all very confusing.

Hey Borders3- Congratulations, I see you had your surgery! I hope all went well and your finding your recovery period incident free. I just did my Psych Evaluation also (passed!) but I paid out of pocket the $200. Did you have any luck recouping any part of your fee from Anthem BC/BS? I'm also in their CA PPO and the Shrink I had was an "in-network" doc. I'm sure you have your hands full right now adjusting to being post-op, but if you have a moment I'd be very happy to know. Both me and my wife plan on undergoing the procedure concurrently so every expense is double for us. Again, I hope all went well.

So, I'm getting here that the $600 "membership fee" (I'm really trying to hold my nose and look past this) is not reimbursable by my Insurance Company. But the $200 fee paid directly to the Psychiatrist that did my Psychosocial Evaluation does seem to be covered by my carrier, Anthem BC/BS PPO of CA. Has anyone had any luck getting that fee reimbursed? If you did what Procedure Code and or Diagnosis Code did you use. Thanks.

Man, that's tough! I'm several months out, but I can totally identify with your experience. I got clean and sober many years ago and for the first few months my home was not safe. It made that difficult time much more challenging than it needed to be. This time around my wife is also sober and we're doing this together. I'm sorry your family isn't being as sensitive to your situation as they could be. But you know that this is one of the hardest parts and you will get past it. Hang in there. You've come so far already and the fresh start you're after has already begun!

What an amazing transformation!!

@ I wish I could give you actual experience as many who post here will be able to. My wife and I had our first consultation with our Surgeon yesterday and nothing that was discussed by either the Surgeon, Dietician, or Bariatric Coordinator NP in any way caused us to deviate from our decision to get the VSG. The lower risk for complications, lack of "dumping", malabsorption and anemia issues, and the virtual lack of restriction of food types make the sleeve the perfect option for us. The "utility" aspect that VSG presents by restricting intake is just one part of the deal. The changes in microbial/probiotic chemistry in the gut that occurs with the removal of the large portion of the stomach, especially the radical reduction in Ghrelin production (the hunger hormone) is really the big plus. Whatever procedure you undergo, just make sure your decision is as thoroughly researched as possible and you won't regret it. Good Luck to you!

I realize that no one has responded to this thread in almost two years, but I thought I'd take a moment and mention that I've started a Secret Group on Facebook called WLS 12 Steppers Support Group. It's for anyone who is pre-op/post-op any kind of WLS and who is also working a 12 Step Program of any kind. If anyone is interested in joining, please message me your Facebook email address (which is in your profile under "About") and I'll send you back an invite. I'm really brand new to WLS. My wife and I had our first Consultation with our Surgeon and his staff today making it officially "REAL". We're both going to be sleeved in late Fall, and early next year respectively. But we've been sober long enough to know that we'll really need support from people that speak our language. So, the more the merrier. Hope to see you there.

We had our Initial Consultation today and our Doc. requires a 2-3 day hospital stay. That kind of took me by surprise. I assumed you'd be out within 24-36 hours. Oh well. I have insurance so, it costs me the same regardless of how long I stay.

Hey MRSTO- I just started working with LIVESCAPE which is just for Windows Phone users. It's not cheap as apps go at $5.00 but it's pretty comprehensive. They have a demo video embedded on the introduction page below. Might be of help to you. http://www.livescape.mobi/