Mary2016

Last fall I did a medically supervised weight loss program....protein shakes and a very lean dinner. It was so hard. I lasted 3 weeks. I have no idea what my surgeon will require. But hang in there. Thinking good thoughts for you!

I have Aetna and am in the process. I have my 3rd check-in next week(2 months on a nut program). I asked my surgeons office about the exercise and they said the nutritionist will document it. I have to admit I ate a lot before my first visit so I would have some leeway when I had to lose weight. I lost 2 or 3 lbs. the first check-in. In the past couple of weeks I have buckled down and gotten serious with tracking, exercise, water, etc. but I retain water sooooo easily. Even in the past, losing weight with weight watchers, I would be so on the program and would bounce up and down. I went to the Vitamin Shoppe and bought some sample protein packet for protein shakes. Dependent on what my scale looks like on Tuesday and weds, I may start them and cut down on the food/ carbs for my Thursday nut check-in. I hate playing this game and it causes so much stress.

I work in the healthcare industry and I am an RN who works in an office job in home care. I review documentation related to reimbursement and our quality rating, and complete icd10 coding of the charts. My job is directly related to our financial reimbursement. We used to have 6 people doing the job and they continue to whittle us down, now at 2, of which I am one. They know we can't keep up, the work load is enormous. They are in the process of increasing the department workers again, but we have been "talking"'for about a year. Ugh My concern....I don't want to tell them why I will need a medical leave because I am afraid they won't see it as necessary right away and may make me wait, or ask me to wait, until they can hire more people. And I don't want to wait because they have been dragging their feet forever. Once they hire, it will take some time before the person is up and running. And the position has yet to be posted.....still waiting. I want my health and I don't want to postpone surgery waiting for them to correct the mess at work. That could be forever. I want 3-4 weeks off. I want to adjust to having surgery and adjust to my new life, getting diet and exercise under control. If I go back after a week, they will find no solution to my work load and will just leave it all for me. I can't recover from surgery working 10-12 hour days trying to catch up. So, my question.....can they make me wait? I know HR will know the reason for my surgery, can my HR department delay my surgery? I tend to be an upfront honest person, but if I tell my boss I really think they will pressure me to delay. Going through all the pre op requirements, come April/ may.... I am going to be ready. Any advice out there?

I have to be honest, 7 weeks into my 12 week surgery prep, appointments and tests galore, and I am still not 100% sure I am getting the surgery. But even if I am not approved I figured having those preop tests are quite informative. So, one step at a time.

Mom26......thinking of you and your family. A stranger in NJ praying for you all tonight. Big hugs to all!!

For the excercise program....can I do something besides having to join a gym? I have my own equipment with treadmill, recumbent bike and elliptical. I don't want to do a gym. Can you have a consult without gym membership?

After my surgeon's appointment I was overwhelmed. With a busy job, and not wanting to tell work what I am doing, it's been tricky getting scheduled. I have blood work, GI appointment, PFTs, barium swallow done. Coming up are cardiology appointment (I guess an EKG and possible stress test to be scheduled after that), then pulmonary to review PFTs and schedule sleep study, psych evaluation, gyne exam (my choice), EGD, primary MD appointment and 2/4 nutrition appointments done. I may have missed something. My physician wants me to lose 10 pounds and I need to watch a video too. One day at a time......

I don't have an answer for you, but I wanted clarification on my insurance qualifications as well. I called Aetna to ask about the written guidelines and they told me they can't answer my questions, it is up to physician discretion and interpretation. I am using one of Dr. neff's partners, Dr. Adam Goldstein. He is great, but it's hard to get in touch with the coordinator to discuss the insurance stuff. Just venting. Really want to clarify some things.

How do I start a new topic and post the question?

There are still surgeons and anesthesiologists that will utilize the nail bed assessment, even with new equipment. I would do whatever they told you to do.

Jembelle I sent you a message re what the requirements were for the 3 month multidisciplinary approach.

Yes

I have Aetna also. I see where there are 2 options to qualify. 1- 6 month physician supervised diet. 2- 3 month pre op interdisciplinary process. But it talks about nutrition, excercise and behavioral therapist. I am seeing the dietician and have a psych clearance scheduled. They report back to the surgeon. So I think I am on option 2, but I wasn't told to seek out an excercise person nor follow up with the psych person. Anyone with Aetna have insight into this?

Make sure your not anemic. But it is not uncommon to feel colder as you lose weight. Mostly due to the fact your basal metabolic rate slows down, basically your body is slowing down to conserve the fat. Survival mode for your body.

Absolutely LOVE this analogy. It does make perfect sense.

I have that happen on liquids too. If you are cutting caffeine too, maybe try to get some through a cup of tea or iced tea. Just make sure no aspirin, alleve, ibuprofen before surgery. Good luck!

I have told my one sister, who is also going through the process, my significant other and 2 close coworkers. All are sworn to secrecy. I will tell my kids when I am closer to surgery date, they are HS and college aged. The reason I won't tell work before hand is because I am afraid I will get pressure to postpone. There are 2 people that do my job and there should be 6. I Have no idea what they are going to do without me for 3 weeks. But after, I have no problem with people knowing.

Thanks. I will plan that on Monday.

I have Aetna as well. I am brand new to the process. I had a surgeons appt scheduled yesterday, arrived at the appt and was told the surgeon had an emergency surgery. Talk about a let down. Anyhow, I have been rescheduled in 2 weeks. BUT, I already had my nutritionist appt scheduled for this Tuesday. My concern is that I am close to that 40 Bmi. I don't want to start a nutrition program 10 days prior to my surgeons appt if the surgeons starting weight is the one insurance companies go by. I asked the nutritionist office and they couldn't confirm either way, if their weight would count or the surgeons would count. I guess I could go and just wait to start the nutrition plan. Or should I just postpone the nutrition. Is it okay to lose weight prior to surgery, especially if you drop below the 40 Bmi? Sorry for all the questions.