miles2empty

Wow!! Congrats Pippinje, that is exciting. Are you nervous, excited, scared, all of the above?!? I think I'm aiming for sometime in April, but it can't come soon enough. My 2nd visit with the surgeon is on 3/12. Woohoo!

Thanks to everyone for posting their experience with Empire BCBS PPO. I too am currently awaiting approval, although my case manager at BCBS said it's just for the forms to come back and shouldn't be an issue. Had my nutritional, psych and surgeon consult, so hopefully will find out soon. Even had my EGD last week too, so one step closer to the goals!!!

Lise- So excited for you. I too am in Seattle, going through Dr. Oh in Federal Way (work in Seattle, live in Puyallup). I'm tentatively about a month behind you in the process. I hope it's going well and you are well on your way into recovery by now!! Jaime

excellent thread everyone -to be the soccer player i've always wanted to be -to be able to shop in regular stores (like everyone else on here -to be able to have less pain when I work out or do things -to try all the activities in life that I've not done because of weight limits. But most of all, to be the healthiest me that I can be!

Hey Angie- Mine took two hours. I met with the doctor for about 45 minutes, and then did several different "fill in the bubble true/false" type questionnaires. Like MMPI. I think that might be part of why they want you to allow so much time. Good luck! Jaime

I had my sleep study done on 2/1/08, still waiting on the results which hopefully should be in next week! Tonight I'm going to the seminar my doctor puts on. He wants me to attend, even though I've done his web seminar as well as already had an appointment with him. Woohoo! I just keep reminding myself of this quote.. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

Hi everyone- Had my psych eval last night. Went completely fine. Of course, after 550+ true/false fill in the bubble type questions, if I wasn't crazy before, I sure would be now. I'm doing the seminar tomorrow (did the webinar, now going to actual seminar), and then nutritional counseling next Tuesday. Wednesday am scheduled for my EGD. Exciting, hope the process starts moving quickly after that!!!

So my doctor told me he wanted me to try to lose 10% of my weight prior to surgery, but he didn't offer up the pre-op liquid diet or anything. Maybe this will come when I'm closer to surgery? Any ideas everyone. Happy Valentine's Day!!

Hey everyone-I know we kinda lagged back on this thread but wanted to post an update. I got a call from my surgeons billing coordinator on Monday. Before my insurance will consider for approval I have to do my psych eval (scheduled for 2/18) and my nutritional counseling appointments (2/26). Hopefully this will get coverage approved for me afterwards because I'm scheduled for my EGD on 2/27/08. *Sigh* Hope everyone else is well!!

Hey everyone- I was wondering if anybody played very physical sports, such as soccer (as I do). I had my consultation on Friday and forgot to ask the doctor about it, but am hoping that after recovery I would be able to go back to it. Does anyone know? Thanks!

Hey StLouisGal-My mom had to have the same thing done because she's overweight and a smoker. Basically they inject you with whatever the medecine is (no idea, sorry), and she said it feels like you're running on a treadmill without actually doing anything. Have to make sure her heart was strong enough to withstand her back surgery. So I imagine it's similar. Probably not fun, but wouldn't be too worried!! PS-So at the doctor's office, the nurse marked my height as 5'9", which is funny since my whole life I've been 5' 11 3/4", but I think they might do this on purpose as it made my BMI 46 instead of 41. Go figure. But I know I haven't shrunk almost 3 inches!!!

Hey everyone- I had my consultation on Friday. It went pretty well, I think. I'm scheduled to go in on 2/27 for an EGD. Apparently the doctor will stick a camera down my throat to see if my stomach has any signs of cancer (I think because my family has cancer history, although I have had none). I am supposed to go to a support group meeting to hear from other patients. And then follow up with him will be 3/12. He's a very busy doctor, waiting room was packed. Found out that my best friends sister in law used him for her gastric bypass too and loved him. Go figure! Jaime

Amy- Glad to hear your consult went well. I have a sleep study tonight and then my consult is tomorrow. Hopefully all goes well. Keep us posted how your psych and dietician appointments go! Jaime

Hey Amy- I don't have much advice to offer, but wanted to say good luck. I'm going to my consult on Friday and am also anxious, nervous, excited, etc... I hope it goes very well. Keep me posted! Jaime