Rovobay

they are here..... check out the "Weight Loss-Specific Gastric Sleeve Surgery Support Groups" under the "Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forum" HERE http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/420-200-pounds/ size specific group. congrats on your progress and keep fighting. lots of inspirational stories on here to keep you motivated!

congrats.... lots of time to read up and study more. hope you don't like turkey dinner.....(thanksgiving puree menu for you)

got lost in this topic because soo much seems like it was deleted.... either way. congrats on your wgt loss and whatever else happened....

@chasingpolaris321 that is what I understand too. basic plan just pays the co-pay for surgeon..... weird because the standard plan costs more.... I thought I had a Cadillac plan, but I guess not. still won't be over 6000 because that is your catastrophic annual max. if I had researched more, I may of waited until open season to change plans to basic to get the surgery, then change back to standard the following year. oh well. it will be the best money ever spent....

nice thread with honest answers. I am still going thru the process now, but I quit cold turkey. The hardest part was giving up the bourbon too. what a great combo! I am sure that is the reason I got to where I am today. I figured the sacrifice is well worth it. my wls center is very relaxed and permit soda after a certain time period beyond surgery, but I am just gonna quit for good. I have transitioned into iced tea and other mixed drinks like crystal light. oh, I can't wait for surgery....

thanks for sharing your story. nice to have a veterans view!

please keep us updated on your appeal process. I am hoping the best for you!

@chasingpolaris321 Thanks for the positive story.... as time moves forward I am getting more nervous. Not about the surgery but the insurance approval. have my final 3 month medically supervised diet appt. this Friday. after that they can submit for approval. you mentioned you have standard (like me). if you don't mind me asking, what was your approx. total cost for surgery? Thanks!!!

hope this resolves for you quickly.

Sorry to hear that. On a positive note, great start on your journey of dropping 30lbs thus far. keep it up. all the best...

each program seems to be different. 2 weeks liquid, 2 weeks puree, 2 weeks soft, done. I am sure they have their reasons. soon it will all be over, and well worth it!!!

good one!!! what a great feeling that must be.

I am proud of the fact that I have quit alcohol for the time being in preparation of surgery. I think that most of my weight is from those bourbon drinks! Eventually I would like to have a drink or 2 in the future. Glad to know that I can if I really want too.

interesting. I am in a similar boat. haven't been to dr since 2009 until this year in may. that is the only requirement I worry about. the picture route would be a nice backup. good luck.

enjoy your summer. congrats on approval, and good luck in your journey. keep us posted!!!

I too am concerned about the 2 year weight history. I have BCBS Federal (standard)... I was talking with a lady in the dr office and she says the doctors office sends info to a peer review board for review, then submit their findings. says it happens a lot and never run into too many issues. fingers crossed. good luck

Looks like I will be in this boat very soon.... starting to get nervous about the approval process....

congrats on the news!!! good luck

HANG TOUGH! timeline seems about same as mine! last supervised diet appointment is 8/8 too! then the approval process. BCBS Federal (standard) here. you'll make it through.

@Reviewer "I was sleeved in January, BCBS Federal covered 100% less $150 hospital and $150 surgeon co payments." I hope that is my situation but from reading the service benefit plan it looks like Preferred: 15% of the Plan allowance (deductible applies) under the standard plan. do you have the basic plan?

Another step closer to surgery date. Life is good.

great idea to break down specific topics into new sections on bariatricpal. This site is my motivator.

from all the bcbs federal threads I have read, hey have stated just a couple of days to around 2 weeks but the average seems to be about 5 days. good luck

Same insurance here.... only part I am worried about is 2 year evidence of bmi greater that 40. I was diagnosed in 2009 and haven't been to a dr. from 2009 til 2014. I am hoping for some good will.... jumping through all the hoops to not get approved would be a huge let down.