momma_missie

So nice to meet you all!!

So nice to meet someone else from Northern Michigan. I have a couple of friends who had surgery in TC. I've thought about it but would like to stay more local if possible. Woukd love to hear more about your experience there.

Super exciting!!! Good luck!! You can do this!

I am in the very, very early stages of WLS. I attend the hour and a half seminar on May 18th, which is the first step in this process. I have a BMI of 50+ so I am under the assumption (from what I've read online) that the 6-month supervised dieting will be waived. I initially was leaning towards the sleeve. However, I am not sure at this point which would be best after all the reading I have done. The bypass may be an option as well. I have BCBS-Community Blue through my employer. The only information I have been able to get from my insurance company is that they pay 50% of WLS. I hope that I get more information at this seminar, but I am impatient so wanted to hear others experiences here as well. How much did you pay out of pocket (if at all) for your surgery? Have you had experience with BCBS in MI or any other state? What should I expected? What hoops did you have to jump through in your journey? What testing did you have to have done? Thanks in advance to helping answer any of these questions. Nervous, excited and already feeling impatient. (haha)

Just checking to see if there were any updates. My BCBS also covers 50% however I do not have any other insurance as back-up.

Baffling..

*hugs* Can't imagine roller coaster you are on. Stay strong and focused... keep your eye on the prize and you'll get there!! Good luck as you move forward with an additional appeal.

Just checking for an update.

I don't believe with a BMI over 50 that I have to do the supervised 6 months. So glad to hear others have had good experiences with the practice that these doctors are originally from. Makes me feel more at ease for sure.

I haven't really started the whole process yet. I know I want the surgery and I am scheduled to attend the initial information seminar on the 18th. I'll likely be having surgery done at McLaren Northern MIchigan Hospital, but I hope to have Dr. Foote or Dr. Baker (Both from Grand Rapids) as my surgeon. I've read their bios and lots of reviews online and everyone raves about each of them. I'm terrified that this entire process might take longer than I expect. I am almost 99% certain our company's insurance will be changing by January of 2016 so I am hoping I am able to jump through the hoops and have surgery before that happens.

So exciting!! One more step forward... you've got this!!

Thank you for the response! May 18th can't get here soon enough. I feel like all I do is rush through my day to get home and research some more. I hope that I'll get more details after the informational seminar. So blood work (which I had a TON of done in January.. like full panel everything.. wonder if that will count?) psych eval, meetings with a dietician, etc. are what I should expect? I just had a sleep study done a month ago and was put on a C pap as well. I'm hoping it all comes together quickly.

Congratulations on your surgery. THANK YOU for sharing your story. It is nice to hear from another who was on the fence about surgery, but who took the plunge and made the necessary changes.

Following this thread. Just starting to weigh my options with WLS. I coudldn't get into a local orientation until May 18th. I have BCBS-MI with a BMI of 50+. I have no idea what to expect or where to begin. I am looking at having my surgery in Northern Michigan, but we will see what becomes of it.