SarahLovy

$6000

I had to take the liquid hydrocodone every day for 2 weeks (but only at night after the first week) and occasionally for over a month after surgery. My largest incision was incredibly sore- I could manage during the day when I could be careful about how I moved, but at night when I would shift in my sleep it was unbearable.

I have Anthem PPO- I had to have 6 months of consecutive visits (So I was able to complete them in just over 4 months- I had one at the end of February, one in March, April, May, June, then one the very beginning of July, it did not have to be a full 183 days) that included medical supervision, nutritionist visits, and exercise counseling, and I had to be cleared by a psychologist. I also had to be medically cleared, but it was a very generic requirement- they did not require any specific tests (although my dr did). Anthem seems to vary a lot, lot from plan to plan.

@@thinner-me I am also playing the "try to get it done before school starts" game (although on the student side). I am going totally nuts with the waiting! I have insurance approval, I am just waiting for my bariatric center to get their act together. Good luck with getting yours approved in time!

How long did you have between insurance approval and surgery? I know it is going to vary largely by clinic, but I am trying to get an idea of what I can expect for my timeline. I am in a serious time crunch, and my office is not being particularly proactive in getting me scheduled...

Have your height taken barefoot and chug a bottle or two of Water right before you weigh if a pound or two will make a difference.

Once I get my surgery approval and date, I intend on starting to lightly shop sales- just tshirts, yoga pants, workout clothes. Things that aren't season specific, and that will have forgiving fit as my body shape changes. I am able to wear comfy clothes the majority of the time though. I am hoping to have surgery in the next 6 weeks or so.

I am still preop, but have lost 20 lbs so far. I have lost exactly 0 inches from my waist- it is all in my hips, thighs, and calves. Drives me nuts!, but I know it is just how it is. Better to be losing there than no where at all!

My daughter gets semi-regular endoscopies and is billed around $5k each, all in, but that is at a surgery center associated with a pediatric hospital.

It seems like most have some pre surgery requirements, If you google 'bariatric surgery' and "your insurance" you may find their policy. My dr also has some pre-reqs- psych, 5% weight loss, lots of dietician and related appts.

With the psych I saw, those things would not have necessarily prevented you from getting clearance, but you may have had to receive counseling for a while prior to receiving clearance.

Did you ask your dr why he checked no and if he understood the implications of it? 1500 calories is a serious restriction for long term pre-op- I am a woman with similar stats, and my calorie goal set by my dietician is 1800-2200 calories a day, and i have been losing about a pound a week for the last two months keeping my calories around there.

I think most people who are talking about being on a liquid diet are talking about the 2ish weeks before surgery, not long term before surgery. I have to lose a little more than 15 pounds before they will submit to insurance for approval, then I will have a 1 week liquid diet (to help shrink liver) immediately before surgery.

Is it the insurance company or the doctor's office that has the 6 month wait? I have Anthem as well, and for my policy there is a 6 month requirement from Anthem. There is no way around it. If it is the policy of your doctor's office, it is up to their discretion if they will waive the 6 month supervised diet.

As long as you are not sick, or something weird and new has popped up it should be no big deal.