magnificent2015

As someone who was denied once before because of my insurance claiming one thing, and it being another. Then having to withdraw my submission once again because although they claimed my requirements were 6 months, and not 12 (it still was 12). I want to just say to remain hopeful & don't get to caught up in the funk of being denied (Hopefully you won't but if it does). No matter what I knew I wanted this surgery and no matter how much my insurance and people around me tried to deter me I stayed hopeful. I was recently approved and am now just waiting for a date. After almost 2 years of being given the run around. I'm literally so close to it happening. My point is: Don't let it get you down as much as you want to let it. Be mad, be sad, or whatever but just keep your eyes on the prize and keep it pushing.

I second this. The thought of being anywhere from 75-100 pounds lighter by next summer usually takes the cake. My emotions are constantly changing. I've decided that even though I've told my family about my choice, that's as far as I'm going with it because of the lack of support.

I'm meeting with my surgeon today, I was approved for surgery 2 weeks ago and I know once I leave this appointment the next step will be setting a date and I'm super like excited, anxious, and nervous all at once. I started this process almost 2 years ago in February, I've literally tried to jump through hoops, finally switched insurances and was approved right away. I feel like since it took so long and for so long since I thought it was never going to happen and now I'm super restless. So seeing your post pretty much confirms for me that it's pretty normal and standard to feel this way. lol. You're not the only one lol

So I'm going to meet with my surgeon on Monday and from there they will call me and set a date. I started a new job in October, and will only be taking one week off, assuming that will be enough time to recover. I've read in most cases people were ready to go back to work after one week, so that's a chance I'm willing to take. My question is: Should I talk to my boss and HR about it on Tuesday once I get back from my appointment? I've decided I'm going to say it's a hernia repair regardless, due to the fact that I am a private person and would rather no one know my business. I am going to make sure my doctor fills out all required paperwork. I am also already aware that the week I will be taking off will be without pay, but that's okay. I just don't want it to be too short notice. I'm on a 6 month probation with this job and taking one week will push out my probation by a week also. I wanted to wait until after my 6 month probation but this new job requires me to be a bit more active/mobile and more walking and due to the extra weight, I'm either always sweating by the time I get to work or my back and calves/shins are in burning pain by the time I get to work in the morning. So again, my main question is: Should I talk to my boss and HR on Tuesday just to put the bug in their ear that my doctor could be calling me with a surgery date any day now? Then proceed to fill out all required paperwork and have my doctor sign off on it?

Only talk to HR. Sent from my SM-N900V using the BariatricPal App Thank you , I'll do that then. I've just been unsure which is more appropriate given the delicacy and since I'm a new employee. I was on this journey to WLS before I started the job it's just now I was approved and I started in October. I probably won't be having surgery until the end of December/ early January

I do have a desk job that doesn't require any real form of activity. It's just my commute to and from work since I have to take the subway. Occasionally I have to walk a short distance if one of the trains is having an issue, but no more than 0.5 of a mile. But that's part of the issue, the trains are unreliable and the walk with this weight is killerrrrrrr. I've been eating better but no weigth has come off, working out with this weight is proven to be most difficult. Between the lower back pain, sweating, shin splints etc ... you see my problem.

Thank you so much for this. Put so much in perspective for me. Going to get a date for surgery in the coming weeks and was wondering how I'm going to get through it. I appreciate this post.

I'm wondering the same thing. I know I'll have to go do blood work the day before surgery and I live about an hour away from my surgeons (he's in RI and I'm in Boston) so I have to take off the day before surgery too. Following to see what answers you get

what do you mean you were useless?

Your health is so much more important. I believe it's technically illegal for her to fire you while you are on FMLA because the point of it is to protect your job while you are on leave. I haven't gotten a surgery date yet, so I haven't told my job yet. Hopefully when I go next Monday I can get a date to give my job. I'm hoping for surgery right around New Years so that will also give them a month notice. I'm also just going to play it like I have to have a hernia or gallbladder removed.

i was thinking of saying the same thing. I've only been at my new place of employment for 2.5 months as of surgery. I'm only taking a week off, but would rather not divulge in too much information.

So I was approved for surgery last week, I have an appointment with my surgeon next Monday. I know my surgeon coordinator told me after that appointment they'll call me with a date for surgery and I'll need to start my pre op diet. Just wanted to see if aside from Protein shakes, Vitamins, chicken broth, sugar free Jello, Sugar Free Popsicles, and probably some decaf tea if there is anything else I should be trying to stock up on. I figure between the two weeks pre-op diet and two weeks after surgery that mainly consists of these items I should be good, but I just want to check in with some veterans who've been there, done that. Also, any suggestions on what to bring to the hospital with me?

So I have an upcoming appointment with my surgeon in 2 weeks before they schedule my surgery. After that they'll call me with my surgery date and I'll have to start my pre-op diet. My pre-op diet consists of 2 weeks of 3 Protein shakes a day and 1 small dinner. Which can consists of 3 oz of meat and veggies or a lean cuisine or smart choice meal. I believe they also want me to start taking my bariatric Vitamins ahead of time. So my question is how much did everyone lose on their pre-op diet. I've heard of people losing like 20-30 pounds alone just on the diet. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Also, what kind of Protein Shakes did you use? My doctors office provides their own, I'm not quite sure which brand yet, but I've noticed that Premier Protein seems to be the most popular.

Thank you. I was also thinking to just use the vanilla so that if I want to say add a pump or two of sugar free caramel syrup.

WOW! that's great! What was your starting weight if you don't mind me asking? I would love to lose at least 20- 25 pounds on it.

So about two years ago, when I started to put on my last 40 pounds. I developed like severe lower back pain. I can't walk long distances without wobbling like a pregnant woman from this pain. My ankles are like in constant pain from carrying this extra weight. Every morning I wake up and wince at the pain, because they're sore from the day prior. I just wanted to see if anyone post- op out there has experienced the same level of pain and discomfort and how are you managing if necessary at all. I'm really hoping that with the more weight loss that it removes a lot of the stress the extra weight has put on my joints. Making it more comfortable. I'm only 23 and I haven't been able to stand long periods of time, wear heels, walk long distances (ie walk around the mall) without that sharp pain, sit long periods of time without feeling the same. I'm currently waiting to hear back from my insurance on whether my claim has been approved or denied. This is my third time submitting to insurance, as I recently started a new job and got new, better coverage. The first time I was denied, the second we withdrew as we realized that by the wording my insurance used I was still not technically eligible. Even though they updated the policy and said I would be.

Thank you so much! I just found out I was approved when I called my health insurance over my lunch break. I'm really hoping my back and ankles get better.

You're Welcome! Good Luck!

I recently got coverage by BCBSMA PPO, When they forwarded me the information it basically said they would only perform the surgery out of medical necessity with the criteria being: Patient Selection Criteria Adults over the age of 18 or who have documented complete bone growth are eligible for obesity surgery if ALL of the following criteria are met:  The physician has indicated that the patient: o Is a well informed and motivated patient with acceptable operative risks, AND o Has a strong desire for substantial weight loss, AND o Has failed other non-surgical approaches to long-term weight loss, AND o Is enrolled in a program which provides pre-op and post-op multidisciplinary evaluation and care including: behavioral health, nutrition, and medical management AND  The patient is morbidly obese with a BMI > 40kg/m². OR  The patient has a BMI >35kg/m² and the physician has indicated that the patient has one or more of the following high risk co-morbid conditions: o sleep apnea o Pickwickian syndrome o Pseudotumor cerebri o Obesity related cardiomyopathy o Type II Diabetes o At least Stage 1 Hypertension based on JNC-VII (SBP >140 and/or DBP >90) after combination pharmacotherapy o Coronary artery disease, or o Obesity related pulmonary hypertension. Literally just copied and pasted it for you. My surgeon coordinator said that they also require 6 months of nutritionist visits also, not sure how valid that is. I'm currently waiting to hear whether I've been approved or denied. My BMI is like 52 but I don't have any comorbidities.

I feel the same way. It was submitted last Friday, even though I know their turnaround is quick. I'm nervous to call because I've been denied in the past also.

My claim was submitted on Friday 11/04. I'm currently still waiting on a response from the insurance. I had applied once before in June 2015 and was denied by my prior insurance because they required 12 months of nutritionist and doctors appointments and I only had 6 months. This is technically my 3rd time applying so hopefully I get approved this time. The second time we had to withdraw it because even though they said 6 months of nutritionist visits, they still wanted 12 months of both. My old insurance was a joke. I started this whole process in February 2015. So fingers crossed this time. Congratulations on the approval!!

So I'm hoping to have surgery in this upcoming January or February. I was wondering if anyone could provide some insight on how long they took off. I'm thinking of only taking a week off. Also, has anyone went from like 300 to under 170. My ideal goal is 154lbs. I'm wondering if that's unrealistic and if I should set another goal.

I'm out of Rhode Island. Surgery hopefully *fingers crossed* by Doctor Pohl sometime this summer

I have about 150 pounds to lose ... I'm currently about 290-300lbs. I was denied by my insurance back in July due to not having been on a 12 month supervised diet ... That has to be cosigned monthly by my primary care. I currently have BCBS Charter Care in RI, but my insurance is actually located in North or South Carolina. I'm wondering if anyone has dropped their primary insurance to get Obamacare. Rhode Island is one of the states that does cover bariatric surgery. I'm assuming that they follow the 6 month nutritionist appointments (which I already have completed along with my EGD & psych eval. & sleep study). I would have continued but since those 6 months weren't validated by my primary care they are pretty much useless for my current insurance. Again, has anyone dropped their current insurance to get obamacare to get bariatric surgery covered?