dekathe

What an amazing journey. I appreciate your stories and wisdom. I am a slow loser as well and you have helped me work on the balance that I need to make this journey. You look great! Congratulations.

Dr. Altamirano was my Doctor for the sleeve. I was sleeved on July 27, 2015. I am 61 years old with multiple co-morbidities with a BMI between 32 and 35 for several years. I did a lot of research and choose Dr. Altamirano. He has great medical credentials and he also works as an emergency room physician with a trauma background (which for me meant he can address critical issues that might occur). He was responsive to all my questions both via email and video chat (Skype). He meet with me prior to surgery and every day I was in the hospital and the recovery house. I have the ability to follow up with him post op as well. Not only is he a great surgeon, he is passionate about bariatric surgery and the long term benefits that can be derived from it. He genuinely cares about my well being and I am an active participant in this medical process. In addition he has established a great support group made up of his patients. This is a very open and honest group who share the good, the bad and the ugly (but mostly good). This added bonus is another reason I choose him as my doctor. Just to be fair, I meet two patients of Dr. F. Zavalva, both nurses, who were very pleased him. Bariatric Pal provides two recovery houses for patients who use their services and access to a nutritionist. I stayed two days in the hospital which I appreciated and then to the recovery house where I was taken care of and watched over to make sure I was on the road to recovery. I meet the staff and other patients and Dr. Altamirano checked on me. There are pictures of the recovery houses on Dr. Carlos Altamirano Cano's website http://www.doctoraltamirano.com. I also can not say enough "good things" about the Bariatric Pal staff and support. A#1 in my book. If you work with BP (regardless of the doctor you ultimately pick - my choice is Dr. Altamirano!) you will be well cared for.

I have been full liquids starting Monday August 3 I have tried cottage cheese but was uncomfortable. Lots of soups with added unflavored protein and protein shakes. Not hungry but seems like I am eating all the time because it takes so long. Puree stage starts Monday Aug 10.

Thanks

Hi I am 61 and considering the VSG. I started the process in April 2015 by attending a seminar, then an initial consult with the Bariatric surgeon. My insurance BCBS Federal requires a 3 month physician supervised weight loss session, two years of weight history, nutritionist visit, psychological assessment and the surgeon required an endoscope (EGD) and referred me to a cardiologist. I have one more monthly appointment July 6 and then submission to insurance. I am hopeful that my insurance will approve the surgery. I am very excited to start a new chapter of my life. (everyone knows 60 is the new 40!!!)

karla 777 - so glad to hear you were approved. Were there any issues with the 2 year weight history? I am anticipating this is where I will have issues as my 2 year weight history has my BMI at 32 and 33 and right now I am 35. Appreciate any guidance you can provide.

Still going through all the requirements. Don't anticipate submitted to BCBS until mid July. I will post outcome.

I also just started this process. I have BCBS FEP Standard. My current BMI 35 with co-morbidities (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, urinary stress incontinence, pre-diabetes, arthritis, fatty liver, GERD and depression). Was advised I needed 2 years of documented weight history, 3 month physician supervised diet, see a nutritionist, and psychological evaluation. The baratric surgeon also wants me to see cardiologist and get an endoscopy. My concern is that my BMI the last two years was 33 (below the 35 level which I have right now) so will go through process and hope my co-morbidities will help with insurance approval. I was not asked about past diets (YET) but I have gone the same route as many - Jenny Craig, Atkins, Weight Watchers, etc....

I also just started this process. I have BCBS FEP Standard. Current BMI 35 with co- morbidities. Was advised I needed 2 year weight history, 3 month physician supervised diet, see a nutritionist, and psychological evaluation. The baratric surgeon also wants me to see cardiologist and get and endoscopy. The concern is that my BMI the last two years was 33 so will go through process and hope my health issues will help with insurance approval.