Crosby

I am so sorry. I feel your pain and hopelessness. But reach down and find the fighter that exists in you. In doing research for myself I found this. They seem to have some good reviews from what I see. http://wlsappeals.com Good luck. I am pulling for you.

This seems to be something that varies as it is dictated by the surgeon and insurance. I have to see mine monthly for weigh ins and just an overview of diet progress. You could simply call and find out but if it wasn't required I wouldn't worry. I just went through months of various tests and a surgery ( not wls) without seeing my pcp.

I left the Orientation session ( that included the NUT) with most questions answered. But reading here gave me a head start. So if you haven't yet started, read available information and jot down questions. There May be individual concerns you have that aren't specifically answered in available literature. And remember if you forget anything you can call them...the NUT at my clinic seems very available.

But butt butt..a colonoscopy is the funniest thing ever! Good luck and may that force that is with you wait until you are in the bathroom.

The hair thing. I lost a bunch with thyroid disease. Some has grown back. I plan to get a super cool short cut soon. Hair loss will be less visible. I already take Biotin and will continue. Grey hair..I have been waiting for it..hoping the short cut will show more grey. I think grey hair is beautiful. Injections and catheter...is what it is. Doable. My knees from being over weight hurt more...lots more. Gas..everyone farts. My mother in law is 92 and sounds like a motorcycle when she walks....despite that she is 92. Stinky gas..I will finally get revenge on my husband! Complications...always possible. But the complications from my obesity are definite..there here! Support: I do have it from the people that matter the most. I HAVE to be confident in my own decision to succeed...others don't. Dehydration. Sip, sip, sip. Worst that can happen is an IV....see 2. Stomach. I have IBS and big old hiatal hernia. Gallbladder out already. I can get worse I guess but I honestly don't think it will. Dumping syndrome..I see that as a Positive now. I will be diligent. If it happens in public...I will deal and move on. Loose skin..won't kill me. I lost 135 pounds previously...I wore my " bat wings" with honor. I will again.

You may want to try the Couch to 5k program. When I was down 135 pounds 3-5 years ago I used it to go from a total non runner to running 5k's regular. Just google it, their are downloads for iPad and other devices.

I feel ya. I lost 135 pounds starting 5 years ago. I was down to 180's and stalled there for a year. Then a hip injury sidelined me physically and I allowed myself to be sidelined mentally. I regained 80, lost 40, and gained that back. My body is screaming at me. I am worried about giving up my meds but I have no doubt wls is the answer for me. I think it will give me the edge I need for long term success...one day at a time! I too have a large hernia I assume they will repair. ( I meet with surgeon first time this week . ) so I get the nerves and excitement, which I am sure will be driving me bonkers when I get close. This is an exciting time for us!

Sorry you feel bad but gotta say I see a potential t- shirt here. Or maybe bariactric centers should have this written on their walls...of course in fancy script!

My Aetna also had 3 month waiting period & 2yr pcp/diet des letter w/dates of each month I was there plus letter from PvP giving his reasons I needed the surgery & 1st letter approval from insurance company,then surgery 3 weeks later. Best decision ever. My Aetna has a 3 month and 6 month schedule but that is based on recommendations from the surgeon. My surgeon does the 6 months across the board it seems. I am okay with that as it gives me time to save more money for the costs above what my plan will cover. Also Decembet/January is really the perfect time of the year for the surgery for me. It's this two year thing that is the problem. I was hoping to hear from aetna about a case manager on Friday but nothing. Even if it means I have to wait till next Spring I just want some more clarification.

I am in the first month of my required 6 month pre surgery requirements. As typical I am required to obtain 2 year weight documentation. I am in the process of getting a case manager through Aetna but would like some others experiences. My current BMI is 46 but it has been much lower over the last two years. ( I was over 320 5 years ago and lost 135 pounds over 2 years. I started regaining slowly, lost 40 again and ultimately regained to 280.) I am wondering if having a lower BMI will hurt me? My only comorbidity is acid reflux. My main weight related medical issues are mobility related. Secondly I have only been with my current PCP one year. Prior to that I had not seen my previous PCP in a year. But I had regularly seen an Orthropedic surgeon over that time. I had also attended WW but online only. When I called my insurance I was told the orthropedic doctors weights would not count since it was not weight related. The rep I talked admitted she was not sure though. At that point I decided I needed a Case Manager. Any insight where others got their two years of weight recordings from when PCP was not an option for entire period.

Cool.. Good to hear. I meet the surgeon next week. Not sure which it will be.

I have not had any surgery yet but process of elimination I am choosing the RNY....or rather it has chosen me. We have similar issues. I am 53, with terrible mobility issues related to arthritis and weight. I also have GERD and a hiatal hernia. Otherwise I am in good health. I credit good genes ( because I can't take the credit) for low blood pressure, good heart, and low cholesterol. But I am so limited in life because of my knees and hips. I have no doubt at all that WLS is the answer for me. I lost 135 pounds 5 years ago and began regaining after a hip injury. I had 2.5 glorious years of being active and I want that back. I see by another post you are due for surgery in a few days....hoping everything goes great for you. I am about 6 months behind you.

No go on WW since it was online and they said no to Orthropedic records.( I think that was a wrong answer though.) That's why I requested case manager..need some internal guidance.

I understand HOW to get them ...But there are no records to be gotten from previous pcp. As I noted I did not see the previous pcp in that timeframe. Current PCP is easy.

Maggie I am new too. I would suggest spending sometime reading through the various threads. There is great information to be had here. It is good to view all the different experiences. I have been trying to read and absorb as much as possible. It was nice when I went to my first orientation meeting last week and already knew most of what was presented...that was simply from reading here. Good luck!

I had been leaning toward the sleeve but it seems my doctor has other ideas. And since the only medical degree I have was one I printed out I think I will give his opinion a wee bit of importance. I have GERD and am pre- Barrett's so I knew the sleeve was iffy. I had my orientation session and was told by the RN Case Manager that their docs would not do the sleeve for someone with my condition. And considering I am a binge sweetaholic the bypass Is probably better. Oh well I was getting tired of donuts anyway. I am concerned though as anti inflammatories are my best friend. I believe I have arthritis nearly everywhere possible. I am going to begin to look at other options since margaritas appear out too. I know the weight loss will help the hips and knees as I was in relatively good shape and athletic just 4 years ago. I had lost 130 pounds on WW and was running, mountain biking (best high in the world), weight lifting and loving it all. Then I tore my hip up and slowly 80 pounds of the weight came back on. And now it is hard to even walk. I waddle...and I am too young to waddle! So I committed to this endeavor. I have 6 months to wait..great Christmas present though.

So you were not required by insurance to give a two year weight history? This is standard for aetna. The other requirements I mentioned are due to insurance. The case manager is simply someone with Aetna to follow me and be a contact for any insurance issues. I am just concerned that my fluctuating weight over the last 2 years will affect my approval.

I get your disappointed as I would be as well. But don't lose sight that they may simply have made a mistake in reference to insurance requirements. However if they did misspeak the professional thing would be for them to acknowledge it.

Surgeon and insurance will determine. Even in my orientation class there were a variety of timelines/requirements.

I am sure my stomach will be doing flips at that point.

Even better !

Way to go!

Nice

No offense taken. Changing was a bit disappointing only because I had done so much investigation into the sleeve. I settled for the Sleeve initially because of ability to continue on anti inflammatories which is not possible with the RNY. That still bums me out and is my biggest concern. Despite that I have settled on RNY and believe I will be so much healthier.

I think this is a very individual and situational issue. I have had jobs where I was close to my supervisors and coworkers and would have been very open. Then the opposite has been true in other cases. You have to find what works for you. There are pros and cons to each. I currently am able to be home with the chickens and dogs...they already know. I hate deception but like my privacy so I am currently torn relative to be open with family. There is no way it won't be public knowledge after I tell anyone. Frankly I am leaning for being open but I have six months to decide.