scoutmom

I was so doubtful I would get an approval and had almost given up. However - my fabulous insurance coordinator was awesome and we received the call in 3 days! Excited.......scared......nervous......happy and so grateful to finally get started!

Amazing post.....hits home for me! I loved reading this and can SO relate. I just got a date for surgery (May 23rd) and your description is exactly why I am choosing this surgery. While I am already mourning food and can't quite understand how I will win the mental battles of my relationship with food - I can't wait to feel like I am not the elephant in the room. Thank you @@LipstickLady!

@LisaLouBop...can't wait for number four, too!

@@rnsamantha Hang in there! I'm in a similar situation and I know it is so difficult to wait and go through this process. The end will make it all worth it! S

Thanks @@jane13, that is a bummer about the 4 week wait time! I am submitting on April 16th and was hoping to have surgery by the end of May. What documentation did you have to provide from your primary doctor, if any? Hope you approval goes quickly!

Hi all - Can you tell me how much documentation you needed for BCBS Federal and if you had to do a final weigh-in at the 90 day mark of your nutritional classes, etc.? Thanks, Seana

Hello, I have a 9 year old daughter and 11 year old son. I would love any feedback or advice on how you told your children about your surgery. I want this to be a healthy experience for all of us. I am concerned my daughter will be worried about my surgery (just the pure physical description of cutting off your stomach), and I also want to send the most positive message possible about healthy choices and what bad choices can do to your body. My husband is naturally slim and can eat large pizzas three times a week and never gains a pound. I, on the other hand, cannot. I am doing this surgery to insure that I correct my bad habits to illustrate to my children what healthy eating can do for a healthy body....and how I communicate my choice to them is part of it. Thanks in advance!

@@*Lexie* Thank you so much for sharing this article! Love it and as a great road map.

@@karla23 Do you mind me asking if you had any co-morbitities and did you have to document them? I am submitting to Fed BCBS the first week of April and my BMI is 38. I realize I am in the "gray" zone and want to do whatever needed to get my approval. Thanks!

@@ccol625, I have been careful not to lose any weight so my BMI stays as high as possible. My insurance coordinator did not say anything about BCBS wanting me to lost weight during the 3 month waiting period. If we gain to automatically be at 40 BMI do they automatically approve? Any news on your appeal? S

Hi ccol625, Which BCBS program do you have? My surgeons' office seems to think I will be fine for approval, but I have a BMI of 37 and my sleep study came back negative. So I am very nervous about getting approved. I have BCBS Federal.

@@CheleLynn45 - these pics are absolutely inspiring! You are beautiful and you look so happy! Thanks very much for sharing.

This is a fabulous topic with such helpful responses. I am one month away from submitting to the insurance for approval - and even this initial part of the process is opening my eyes to what an unhealthy relationship I have with food. I know surgery is the right choice and I am clear on how much hard work the journey will be - but I am also "grieving" the fact that I will no longer have my food crutch. Not to mention a glass of Chardonnay. Please keep the responses coming, you veterans out there!

Hi there - I am half way through the 3 month process of nutritional counseling and appointments. I have a BMI of 37. My sleep study results came back negative for sleep apnea - which is a SHOCK. I have all of the symptoms of sleep apnea and snore so loudly my husband can't sleep in the same room unless he falls asleep first. No HBP or diabetes. I spoke with the insurance coordinator (who I have found is very knowledgeable and great) yesterday and asked her if I should even pursue this further. I don't want to spend $$ on the nutritional classes and psych eval if there is not chance to get approved. Every medical practice is a business - I'm concerned they might want me to continue just to make money on patients in the pre-approval phase. Any advice would be appreciated!!!

I got the test results from my sleep study yesterday, and I'm shocked it came back negative for sleep apnea. I snore so loudly that my husband can't get to sleep unless he goes to bed half and hour before me. What a shock and a real set-back to my getting approved with a BMI of 37. My insurance coordinator suggested I make an appointment with one of the doctor's at the sleep center to get a consult and see if we should do the test a second time. Beyond approval for the sleeve, I also just want to be sleeping better! I am tired all of the time and wake up with wicked headaches.

I got the study done at Alexandria Inova on Seminary Road. Pam suggested I make an appointment with a doc there to do a consult and see if we should re-do the study.

You have no idea how happy I am to hear this! I had my sleep study over a week ago, and have not received the results. I was bummed that they didn't wake me up in the middle of the night to put a mask on as I assumed this meant I did not have the sleep apnea diagnosis. With a BMI of 37, I need the sleep apnea as a co-morbidity for insurance. Your experience gives me hope that a positive diagnosis will happen and I can get the approved for surgery, but also get treatment for my snoring and bad sleep quality! My poor husband can't sleep with my loud snoring!!!

Hi Peteyrulz, I met with Pourshojae and liked him. But thinking of switching to Moazzez due to great feedback about him that I have read on this forum. I have BCBS Federal. My BMI is under 40, which is why I am trying to insure I do everything possible to document the co-morbidities. I have a sleep study this week. Any thoughts on how to best document or present the co-morbidities so they are not rejected? From what I can gather, Pam in the Fairfax office is the most knowledgeable and helpful. Thanks for your reply!

Thanks to you both! Joat@@joatsaint the links are a great help. S

Hi, I am just starting the process but ready to get through the list of "must-dos" to get to my surgery date. I am a wedding caterer and event planner at a large catering company. I am around incredible, yummy and plentiful food every single day at work. Is anyone out there in the food/hospitality business that can share tips on how they managed your business life after your surgery? I am in sales - so much of my time is entertaining clients with drinks, dinners, etc. Not sure how to manage that part of my job while following the post op plan. Thanks in advance! S

Thanks woo woo! I've been reading a lot about Chef Elliot and very helpful.

Thank you for the replies....@@Bob B I am thrilled to have found you! Great to have someone that "gets it" as far as my worries. I have lots of questions if you wouldn't mind sharing!! Do you attend tastings with clients - and how do you handle that? We typically sit and sample full menus and wines with clients. If they say something is too salty or they don't like a sauce it helps for me to be able to taste it. I should be approved and ready to schedule surgery the first week of May.....which of course is right smack in the middle of busy season for me. With multiple weddings almost every weekend from May 15 through the end of June, do you think I should wait until July for surgery? I was so happy to hear that you were back so quickly. Since I am in sales and the planning side, I'm not in the kitchen like you are so it is less physically demanding, but the stress is a killer. Do you think I'd be crazy to go ahead with surgery in May? And yes, I'm over thinking this a bit! Where are you in California? Our company is bringing our sales team to Napa and San Francisco this week for some fabulous food + wine.