Ldybg8879

I posted a similar thread about 6 months ago when I started my six month process, but now that I'm at the end and waiting to hear from the Insurance company about approval, I thought I'd ask again because no one really knew then ... Has anyone had HIP Plus through MD Wise and gotten approved? What can you tell me about the process? I've done the six month diet, submitted my five year medical records showing my weights, and my food journal, and had lab work (TSH, HgbA1C, drug test).

It took me 3 weeks, but I think it actually only took 2 weeks. The doctor's office didn't send my things in for a week because the office girl went on vacation. I was so nervous the whole time!

Yes I did! I got approved the first time with no issues. Had my surgery October 17th and am feeling great!

I know there have been countless questions about hair loss, and I've searched and read through a lot of the posts, but my question is a little bit different ... My hair is short and medium brown, and it is falling out! I wanted to grow it out, but it didn't happen before the hair loss started. What I want is tips and stories about how others have dealt with the hair loss. Wigs? Extensions? What did you do to just deal with it emotionally and while it is happening? I know there's not really a way to prevent it once it starts, I just need to cope with it without locking myself in my house and never going out where people will see me. I've finally lost weight and feel good and confident enough to go out, and now my hair is thinning and i feel like people are already staring at me! I had surgery October 17. HW 291 SW 260 CW 199 - Onederland!

I have only lost 25 pounds since my surgery, and my coworkers and family have already started telling me, "Don't get too skinny, now." It irritates me. I could lose a hundred more pounds and not be "too skinny." I want to be healthy, not skinny. I don't need people telling me how much weight to lose. Maybe I'm just over sensitive about it, though. lol

Hello all...I've posted a few times on the forums, but read things a lot. I've learned a lot from everyone here, and also learned a lot about what not to do! I had my surgery on October 17th. On the 21st I started running a fever, called my surgeon, and made the 2 hour drive to the hospital where I had surgery. By the time I got there my fever was up to 103.4. I spent 2 nights there, had a CT and 2 x-rays, for them to determine that I just had a virus and they sent me home that Sunday. Unfortunately, the CT contrast gave me horrible diarrhea, and just when I thought it was getting better, it would come back with a vengeance. I began to question whether it was really the CT contrast that had given me the diarrhea, because it wasn't going away! Last week, I started taking Probiotics, and actually took 2 a day instead of 1, and finally, things are looking up. I had a normal poo today! I haven't had any nausea in a couple of days, and I'm finally able to drink enough Water and take all my Vitamins and I'm feeling so much better. I was beginning to be so scared that this surgery had messed up my system and I would forever be scared to go anywhere away from a bathroom! I've lost 25 pounds, and am able to start walking now since I don't have the horrible diarrhea anymore, so I'm hoping the weight will continue to come off so easily. Anyway, just wanted to share with people that have gone through the same things as me, who would understand.

Had my surgery yesterday. Just now going home, because the surgeon was.l concerned that I might have a small leak. Had to wait until I had a X-ray done and then drink before I could go home. I went so long without anything to drink at all, from Sunday night to about 1:00 today. It was awful! But thankfully no leak and I'm in the car on the way home now.

My surgery is Monday! I'm so excited! I've done lots of research and scoured the forums here, but one thing I can't find and didn't think to ask at my pre-op appointment is: How come the unused part of the stomach, that is still in there and functioning, doesn't make you feel hungry all the time because it's always empty?

Yeah, I understand why they leave it in, and at my pre-op class they talked about how it would still produce the enzymes and stuff, I just don't understand how if it's still in there, we can't feel that it's empty like we do now. It doesn't really matter. It was just something that crossed my mind.

October 17th for me too!

Hello all! I'm a lurker/rare poster here for the last 6 months or so. And I just got approved for surgery! Surgery date is October 17th! I'm so excited. Any tips on things to do ahead of time? I've started ordering all kinds of samples of protein shakes and stocking up on vitamins. I have samples of 310 Shake, Unjury, and some ready to mix shake from the Bariatric pal store. Anyone know of any other place I can get samples from? I just want to stock up on samples both so I'll have some for after surgery and so I can find some I'll like.

I live in Mitchell, but I'm having mine done at IU health north, in Carmel. It's about a two hour drive for me, but I'm hoping all these trips will be worth it, and I'll get approved.

Well, then that is probably something that I'll have to do also. What hospital are you having your surgery at?

Ugh. I wonder if it is the same for all HIP carriers. Did you have any pre-existing conditions that would make them request the extra tests, or a history of heart or pulmonary issues, or do you think its just a standard requirement?

I have HIP plus through Indiana. They have the norm 6months requirements with tests, nut, psychologist evaluation, and went through everything needed quickly. So at my 6 month visit submitted and 2 months later still waiting. Just disheartening Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App I have HIP plus also. MDWise. What carrier do you have? I've been hoping to find someone that is farther along than me in the process with the same insurance so I can get an idea of what I have to look forward to. It's not looking like I'll have an easy road ahead of me...

Ok, so I've done my research and I know that I can get FMLA for the actual surgery, but does anyone know if the FMLA will cover the appointments leading up to the surgery? I have to do the 6 month supervised diet before the surgery, and once a month go get weighed. The hospital that I have to go to once a month is a two hour one way drive for me, so I'll usually have to take the whole day off from work for the appointments, so I was hoping that I could get these appointments covered under FMLA also, since they are required before I can have the surgery. Anyone have any experience with this?

Yes, that's the main reason I want the FMLA, because I don't have any PTO time accumulated and I want the job security of FMLA because we aren't supposed to take off if we don't have the PTO otherwise.

So I'm starting my 6 month supervised diet tomorrow. When I had my first appointment with the dietician they gave me a handout that had information about a liver reducing diet and told me that is what I should follow. It's basically high protein low carbs. While doing research though, I found things that said this diet is only needed for a couple of weeks before surgery to shrink your liver, not for the full 6 months. Did anyone else have to follow this type of diet for the 6 month supervised weight loss before surgery?

According to my lists the only things I can eat are meats and cheeses and a few vegetables. No fruit at all. I'm just really worried that I won't be able to do it. I want to and I hope that I can, but I'm afraid that being on such a strict diet for the 6 months leading up to surgery is just setting me up for failure. ????

It went great. For my insurance, I have to do the 6 month supervised diet, one visit with the dietitian per month, and they counted yesterday's as the first appointment. I met the surgeon, and he was really nice. I got information on dieting, they want me to lose at least 15 pounds before surgery, and do the high Protein, no carb diet to shrink my liver, and go ahead and start Vitamins. the appointment made me feel better about my prospects of getting approved, but I'm still nervous. I hate that I have to go through the six months and then ask for approval from the insurance company. i wish that we could get approval first, and be told that as long as we comply with the 6 month program we will have the surgery. I just have the healthy indiana plan and it makes me nervous because I've been told that its hard to get approval with them, even though they told me yesterday that I qualify according to my insurance requirements.

Tomorrow is my first consultation appointment with the surgeon. I'm going to IU Health North in Carmel Indiana. I'm pretty sure I want the Bypass, but I was wondering what to expect at this appointment and what questions I should ask. I want to be prepared!

Hmm...I wonder if that is the reason that they haven't called to schedule my consultation yet because they don't want the hassle!

I don't know if you added me or not. I'm on my phone right now and I can't figure out a lot of the menus here on my phone. I'll check it out from my compute tomorrow and try to add you or accept it if you added me or however it works. Lol. So I guess they still haven't called you yet to make your consultation appointment? Didn't they say they would call us by Wednesday? I haven't heard anything either. I hate this waiting game!

Yes, I'm glad too! I think it would be great to keep in contact and compare notes on the whole approval process,even though our situations are different. As I said, I only have sleep apnea as a comorbidity, although I am diagnosed also with high cholesterol but it does not require medication yet, and I also have depression. I'm hoping to use the depression as a way to help get approved, because I do believe that it is linked to my weight because when I lost weight before, i was able to come off the meds. My biggest issue so far, is when I lost the weight and came off the meds, I was seeing a different doctor and she moved to another state, and supposedly left my records for other doctors but no one is able to locate them yet! I've called everywhere, and am waiting on a couple of places to call me back. It's so frustrating. I'm just so tired of being overweight and I'm starting to notice the toll it is taking on my body with aching joints and back pain, and just being worn out all the time. I truly feel like i need this surgery. I have an 18 month old and I want to be a good mom to her, and I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up with her as she grows. I know I'm all over the place here, lol, but I really haven't been able to talk to anyone about anything yet. I haven't told anyone about wanting the surgery, in fact i never talk about my weight because I'm so embarrassed by how big I have gotten! I don't want to live my life like this, and I always hoped that I would one day be able to lose the weight on my own and keep it off, but now I know I need help. I'm just so afraid I won't be able to get the help I need!

Lol. I wondered if we were at the same seminar! That's cool! So if I find out anything about the criteria before you do, I'll definitely make sure to post here and let you know! I'm finding so much conflicting information that it's got me really worried! I am hopeful because I read that if you have lost weight under a doctors care and then gained it back, that you might be able to skip the 6 month supervised diet. I lost 70 pounds and gained 80 back, but that's been a little over 2 years ago so I don't know if it will count. I also only have sleep apnea as a comorbidity so I'm worried that they won't think that it is a serious enough comorbidity to qualify me. Honestly I'm stressing over all these what-ifs so much right now, I can't wait to get some answers!