della street

After I decided on the program/surgeon I wanted to use, I did one of their online seminars. You have to answer some questions and then get some kind of certificate/notification/evidence that you did the seminar. You may be able to make an appt to see the surgeon before attending a seminar, but I'm pretty sure you can't actually do the surgeon appt w/o attending a seminar. They want you educated as much as poss beforehand. Before I met surgeon, but after I did online seminar, I also then attended a seminar in-person - while I learned a lot online, I learned more in-person and actually got lucky and the surgeon I wanted was giving the seminar so introduced myself to him after -- plus, I took hubby w/me to the in-person seminar so he could learn and feel comfortable with what I wanted to do -- it was a win-win to attend -- PS - you didn't have to be 'referred' by your PCP to attend the seminar, you could just sign-up on your own. As you get farther in the process, you will almost assuredly need a letter of medical necessity from your PCP for insurance purposes -

Awaiting my surgery date as we speak, and no, I could NOT do this on my own. Highest weight 389 (!), then did a dr-supervised diet (extreme protein/no carbs) and lost almost 100 lbs over about 1.5 years -- but still had 100+ to go -- and I just could NOT be starving myself and eating dry chicken any longer (I'm actually now a vegetarian; can't stand the sight of meat because of that diet...) Anywho, over about 6 months to a year, I gained almost 40 lbs back and finally got insurance that w/cover surgery -- been on a mission to get all requirements done and now my application is in the hands of BCBS - So do it on my own, as in, do it and keep it off FOREVER? Without surgery, no way, no how --

Some people do seem to have success w/the band, but during my research, I've found that the problems and revision rates (changes to either sleeve or bypass) seem to be pretty high. Here's some great info I found that might help you decide: http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/lap-band-vs-gastric-bypass.html - this is about band and bypass, but there might be sleeve info there as well -- Best of luck w/your decision!

I saw a picture of me taken at our daughter's graduation for her Master's degree. At that point, I had lost nearly 100 lbs (not via surgery; have gained about 40 back; surgery hopefully end of this month...) - I knew I was still big, but was so proud of my super-strict-doctor-diet weight loss that I consented to a family picture at the graduation. OMG!! I was STILL huge!!! To be so proud of your child for her accomplishment and HATE the family picture is a horrible place to be mentally -- but hopefully soon, I'll be on my way to permanent loser-dom ) and so will you...

I don't know if they do fills on non-surgery patients, but check with Banner Gateway in Mesa (Gilbert?), St. Luke's Bridges in Phoenix and/or Scottsdale Healthcare -- all are Bariatric Centers of Excellence (I believe) and may be of help...

Once when I was on a high protein, no carb/no fruit diet, I actually started to cry in the middle of the produce section at the grocery store because all the fruit looked SO FREAKIN' GOOD!! Even fruit I don't normally like, like pears -- I had to leave and go wait for hubby in the car because I was literally sobbing in anguish -- how weird is that??? sheesh... So, while I have no advice, I *do* understand -- hang in there!!

hugs, hugs, hugs

@@meganrae<3 Yep, beware the sneaky fine print -- what I found out is that 'grandfathered' BCBS policies here in AZ cover band, bypass and sleeve (these would be 'older' policies in force before Affordable Care Act). Non-grandfathered policies, ie - new policies like mine..., for BCBS of AZ anyway, only cover band and bypass--they specifically exclude sleeve. So be sure to check on that as well - good luck!

My insurance (hubby's work policy) also explicitly EXCLUDED any form of weight loss surgery -- every year, for the past TEN years, I'd get my hopes up a bit during open enrollment time, only to have them dashed when the new policy came thru, which of course, once again, didn't cover it. So this year, I checked into a policy on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace ("Obamacare"). Lo and behold, I found a policy that covers the surgery!! What I found out is that in some states, weight loss surgery is REQUIRED to be a part of Obamacare policies. Of course, some will cover it anyway, but at least here in AZ, it's covered on those policies purchased thru the Healthcare Marketplace - of course, each policy has diff requirements, coverage parameters, types of surgery covered, etc -- and then there's the monthly premium for the insurance and the out of pocket max -- BUT -- in my case, at least, it is do-able. So I took the plunge and went off hubby's work-policy which no-way, no-how covers it (I was told "even in cases of imminent death" - UGH), to a policy that I pay for, but the premiums plus out of pocket w/still be WAY less than cost of surgery. So, something to look into...

LOL, we're in AZ, but had BCBS of Illinois - but switching to BCBS of AZ -- go figure ) Sounds like it was a 'crossed in the mail' issue for you -- hope so!

@@roundisashape Oh dear! I will have BCBS of AZ effective 1-1-15, and have done everything I can so far to be ready for my dr's office to submit on 1-2-15 -- I've self-paid for some pre-op visits, etc, just to be ready for insurance effective date. Who was your surgeon, if I can ask? Mine is Dr. Swain at Scottsdale Healthcare -- best of luck and keep us informed!!

I like the Vega One powder - the chocolate is great, and it comes in sample packs so you can try before investing $30+ in a big tub. Also, for anyone else that's lactose intolerant as I am, be sure to check the ingredients -- some of the "whey" intensive ones are too "milk-y" for my digestive system, just a heads-up -- if you have Sprout's nearby, that's where I get mine, but I'm sure it's lots of other places and probably online as well...

I can guarantee you that not a single soul was laughing *at* you, but laughing in recognition of what pain meds and, in my case, since I use voice to text a lot too, can do... We all "get" it and are so happy you're on the other side now... PS: my kids hate it when I use voice to text because it does sometimes come out a little garbled...but I say, if my message got across, then good for me -- and we all understood you made it thru surgery fine...yea for you!

20% coinsurance on a hospital stay plus 20% coinsurance for physician/surgeon visits could be mucho bucks, potentially much more than the $1200/annual additional you'd be paying. Without knowing all the details, I'd go for the high plan - especially since if you need any follow-up hospitalizations (of course, hopefully not, but just in case...), the 20% could really start adding up big-time -- just my 2 cents )

Agree w/others -- I had my h pylori test thru my PCP (was ordered by my surgeon; I'm pre-op), but my PCP did the actual "order" w/the lab. And I did a breath test for it -- you breathe into this sealed bag; drink this sweet drink (not horrible, but sicky-sweet); wait 15 minutes; breathe into bag again. Easy-peasy.

Here's what's bothering me about telling -- it then brings up the (obvious) fact that you're obese. I don't talk to many people about my weight, I try very hard to mentally ignore it with most people (if that makes sense...) because it's so embarrassing and shameful to me -- even though it's obviously very obvious (sorry for double-wording there, lol...). My thought (for me, everyone's mileage will vary...) is why admit it openly and open myself up to people talking about my weight? I did tell one close work-friend who is very slender, but also not judgmental at all, and she said "oh, that sounds scary" -- not in a super-negative way, but it was her first reaction. I said "well, yes, it is scary, but I'm also very grateful and excited that my new insurance plan will cover it". So I guess I'm still grappling with the shame and humiliation of even mentioning anything about my weight in any kind of conversation. UGH.

@@highdesertblue Hi there, I'm in Phoenix, and don't know of anyone offhand, but thought I'd suggest you check with perhaps the U of A counseling and/or nutrition department for suggestions -- or Google something like Arizona Counseling Association or something like that for an office number, they might be able to help you - but personally, I'd start with UA first -- best of luck! Also, there is an AZ Dietetic Association that might be of help -

Great topic! Now I know what to ask Santa for for Christmas )

Wow, that's a lot to deal with for sure... Yes, I would definitely get a second opinion from a second clinic -- it will at least offer you another point of view for something so serious -- best of luck!

Personally, I'd call

@anaxila thanks for the book suggestion - I just ordered it for my Kindle on Amazon -- was only about $12 -- I also ordered a smoothie recipe book ) Thanks again for mentioning it - much appreciated!

I understand, yes it is complicated -- my advice is to just get started -- one step at a time and keep plodding along, and remember that you are your own best advocate, whether it's bugging the surgeon's office for info to make sure they have what they need from you and/or bugging the insurance company for the same reason. You've taken a good first step by coming on here and asking questions, researching, etc. Maybe check w/a surgeon near you for a seminar would be a good next step -- I had insurance that specifically excluded bariatric surgery until I purchased a new policy this year and didn't take my husband's work policy, so I need to get this done while the window of opportunity (ie, insurance covering it...) is open -- good luck!

I look at it like this: At my weight (340-ish; I'm 59 years old), my life is miserable. I can't go to the movies (don't fit in seats), can't walk too far w/o getting exhausted, can't walk into a restaurant w/o babbling about "oh, let's get a table, not a booth...", can't - can't - can't do so much. And then there's the numerous health issues, either current or pending... I do totally understand your feelings about your friend's situation, but the risk of that is very, very low from what I understand. Obviously, though, if it happens to you, the risk is 100%... My insurance w/only pay for band or bypass, not sleeve, and I think the band would be useless for me. So I'll be doing the bypass, hopefully not too long after the first of the year (have to wait for new insurance to kick in Jan. 1st...) Whatever you decide, weigh the pros and cons -- I personally can't wait to live a normal life again...

@@anaxila I just wanted to tell you that I really loved your post - you eloquently put many of our collective concerns/fears into writing ) thanks!

I'm hoping for later in January -- can't submit until new insurance takes effect on Jan. 1st --