bigbit

@@halalo - I have Anthem BC as well. Their rules changed as of January, 2015, now requiring the 6 months doctor-monitored weight loss program as a prerequisite. I was lucky in that I had coincidentally followed such a program in 2014, and they accepted it. My surgeon's office says that some Anthem case reviewers are sticklers for patients fulfilling this requirement; others are letting it slide. I had my surgery on 11/3/15.

I just had my surgery on November 3. I have a hairy chest and stomach and was surprised that they did no shaving at all. A little discomfort removing some of the tapes, but otherwise no worse for wear.

Here's a helpful website called SeatGuru: http://www.seatguru.com. You can look up seat configurations and dimensions for all of the major airlines' aircraft. If there are two of you traveling, do some research and find out if there is any possible way to get assigned seats early. If so, get them, and get them together. I'd do so even if it means paying a little extra. One last piece of advice. Gate agents see big people and think they're doing them a favor by putting them in "bulkhead"rows (usually either front rows or exit rows). WARNING! These seats have hard sides with no lifting armrests. They will be extremely uncomfortable, especially post-surgery. I find them impossible to sit in.

I'm doing well, @Elode. From when I started the pre-op diet on 10/13/15, I'm down 37 pounds. I'm getting in about 700 calories a day. I'll be on semi-softs at least until 11/25. If I could get my lower intestines to settle down and also feel a little less tired, things would be perfect. Regards / B

Happy Birthday, @@Elode

Hi Elode, My surgery went well with no complications. I've been home since Friday. I've been struggling a bit with tiredness. I'm having trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position. Thanks for your encouragement. I'm sure things will get better as I heal. -B

@@Elode - Thanks for the encouraging words. LOL on the thoughts of escaping pre-surgery - very visual and funny! I'm doing this primarily for my health, but I'm also looking forward to being able to sit in a booth at a restaurant, or not taking up every inch of every chair I sit in. I was skinny as a kid but ballooned up in my teens. I did lose weight a few times on Weight Watchers, but never all the excess weight, and it always came back, sooner or later. It's been so long, I've forgotten what it's like to feel "normal". I hope to be a fellow prison escapee very soon!

elode, if I have done my math correctly, we will have the same surgery anniversary date. I'm having my surgery tomorrow. I hope that mine is as successful as yours was - you look great! I'm both excited and apprehensive about tomorrow.

Lose It! in tandem with an Apple Watch.

I just reported for my two week weigh in and I'm down 20 lbs. by their scale. I go under the knife a week from today. Have to be at the hospital for 5:30AM, with a 45 minute drive. Ouch...

Hello, Fellow November Sleevers. My surgery is set for November 3rd. Already on the Pre-Op diet as the hospital I am having surgery at wants my BMI below 55 before surgery. The first couple of days of the diet were a little tough, but I adjusted quickly and I've lost over 10 lbs in the first week (my scale). Going for my first weigh-in this morning. My surgery is to be done by Dr. John Coon at Parkview Hospital in Riverside, CA. Getting pretty excited about this!!!

We've set a date for surgery: 11/3/15.

After what seemed like forever, I finally got my approval letter from Anthem. Now waiting to get a surgery date. I finished all required testing by 6/23/15, but apparently my hospital of choice was in prolonged contract negotiations for renewal with the insurance co. Starting to get excited...

TFH, The 6 months supervised weight loss plan is a new requirement for Anthem BC as of 1/1/15. Fortunately for me, I had incidentally followed such a plan where my doctor prescribed me the weight loss drug Belviq and monitored my progress for 8 or 9 months. According to my surgeon's office, some case reviewers are very stringent on this new requirement, others are more lax. I also had to take a wide variety of tests from chest x-rays and upper GI's to pulmonary and cardiac stress tests. Everyone of my doctors, both my GP and specialists had to sign a consent form. I was told some of this testing was because of my high BMI as well as my age (60). Good luck and I hope your daughter gets approved quickly!

If you have Anthem Blue Cross, their requirements are available here: https://www.anthem.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053317.htm