missvee

Thank you! I'll definitely look into both! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's been a long and exhausting process. I've learned a lot these past few months and appreciate all the help I've received from the staff at my surgeons office. BUT I feel like every visit was a string along, very vague about the actual scheduling and now after 7 months not six I get a date for September! I followed plan, lost weight, even saw my primary to get me cleared for surgery and do blood work because I knew that would be required before surgery. So my date is 9/26 I'm excited but feel cheated because since the beginning it was supposed to be August! Uuugghhh at least I have a date I should just be happy about that, right?! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm only required to do a 2 day clear liquid diet before surgery date. But have to eliminate all starches 3 weeks prior Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My last NUT is Thursday at GBMC too, hopefully all is well for August surgery date! How has the experience there been for you? I'm in Pasadena Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am excited to finally take family pictures! My eldest is 13 and although all the kids (3) have taken portraits together, and alone we don't have one with me and their father in it. This popped in my head today and I've been smiling another thing to jot down on my list of reasons why to do this and stay committed! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It took me about a year and a half to make the final decision to venture on the WLS Journey. I was feeling defeated as everything I had been trying including diet change did not work for me for more than 2 months. I didn't have the energy or strength to do anything. I went to my primary and asked for a full work up and a sleep study. I came back with HBP, high cholesterol, pre diabetic, and severe obstructive sleep apnea. My doctor gave me a diet plan which I followed for 3 months to the T!! Lost a total of 7 pounds, went back for a follow up and asked him who he recommended for WLS. His response was I didn't "need" it because my BMI at that time was only 36. Ummmmmmmmm yea but look at all my other conditions and I have tried for years to bring the weight down and as the years go by I'm all over the place. My surgeon is requesting a letter of support from my PCP and I honestly don't think he's going to do it. I'm 3 months in and don't know how it would look to just change PCP's if came down to it for a letter. Would t that raise a flag to the insurance company? But my insurance doesn't require a PCP letter it's just the surgeons office. I've been thinking about this and feeling a little down I scheduled with the primary for next week wish me well Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have BCBS and have paid almost the same and $10 copayment for OV. My surgery will be covered and so is the doctor but I'm looking at another $1,000 in hospital fees Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

How did everyone deal with having to cook for the family before and after surgery? I cook every single day! My husband can barely cook rice or season ANY type of meat without making it unbearably salty so even though he tries, I choose to do it. It's just easier that way. Did the meals change for the family as well or do you cook for yourself and then them too? I'm not sure how to go about it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My primary wasn't supportive, ultimately it's your choice! Once you decide on a surgeon, go back to the primary and let her know what decision you made. It's your life, your choice, they are there to help guide and give suggestions not dictate what you can and can't do! Good luck on this beautiful journey! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've been very honest with my kids and told them the truth and have shared some of my health problems so they understand mommy isn't doing this to look good! They read through my binder and all the food choices I have to make and the changes that as a family will we have to make and I'm glad that it's got them thinking about what they eat too! Maybe I'm too open but I've shown them pictures of the scars I will have; someone posted a pic of the stomach that's removed, I started freaking out and they wanted to see so they've even seen that. But then again I was in nursing school and would bring home sheep brains and eyeballs to dissect with them lol My babies are 13, 11, and 3 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I would be pissed and definitely pursue it. My office fax comes into our emails!!!! So all other 8 employees and 2 managers would've read it! You didn't do anything wrong and if they can't follow a simple request from a patient they shouldn't be working there Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I originally started my process at AAMC last August and was very uncomfortable and felt they were giving me the run around. Needless to say after the 3rd visit I didn't schedule my next because they wanted me to do tests I didn't need and would ultimately make me come out of pocket much more than I had planned. I expressed my concerns and it was like I was a bother to them. Started again at GBMC in February and since the first visit with my surgeon I've felt nothing but confidence and actual help from the staff. If it doesn't feel right go somewhere else. However, consider the cons does your insurance require consecutive visits? Will the next program use the prior visits to submit for you or only want to use their own? Go with what feels right for you Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Believe it or not I haven't had a "wedding" because of my weight 13 years and counting. I'm glad he is understanding and supportive! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I feel ya!! I don't even attempt it! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I absolutely hated the nose piece. I have a machine but had a full mask brought in because I couldn't handle the nose piece. I felt as if I were going to choke Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My eval was 1.5 hours long with a mix of conversation and questions on a computer. The talking part was easy, he asked questions about from the time I was in elementary school until present. About my parents, kids, significant other, work and so forth. The computer part was brutal! Over 400 questions! He came back after a couple minutes with this graph told me I was borderline depressed but that it had to do with my weight. All in all wasn't as scary as I thought, and he said that the range I was in was actually good in terms of paperwork work wise for insurance and that it shouldn't be a problem. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow! I would've flipped! Sending positive vibes your way Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was able to speak with my surgeon and he said if the primary doesn't do it, then go ahead with my gyno I'm relieved Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for sharing, I'm still 4 months until surgery and struggling to completely stop. Still having 1-2 cigs a day and feeling completely guilty about it Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

If you have an in network deductible of $3000 you may or may not meet that during the 6 months of visits. Every visit that is still under deductible you are going to pay ONLY the allowed amount for the visit which the office should have a fee schedule for your insurance. Once the deductible is met you pay 20% of the allowed amount so if they bill $350 for a visit after the deductible is met and insurance only allows $100 you pay 20% of the $100 not the $350. If they even remotely try to do otherwise contact your insurance company and let them know because they are double billing and defaulting on the contract that they went into with your insurance company Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Makes sense, thank you Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I as well am at a center of excellence and you are correct in saying I did all of it on my own. Before the idea of WLS even crossed my mind I knew there was something wrong with me, hence the reason I went to my primary. I went to the primary not looking for a weight related solution but to find out why I was feeling the way I was. Several months after trying what he said, I went to 5 different seminars until I chose my surgeon. My surgeon is the one requesting I go to my primary for a letter, it isn't a requirement for my insurance and I didn't need a referral to see a bariatric surgeon. By my first appointment with my surgeon I had all my "testing" done. Not because I ventured out and did it on my own but bc I felt like something was wrong and didn't know I had the plethora of problems. If it isn't required by insurance why make the push, if their office writes a letter themselves? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So the hair is falling out from the actual root? Is it in Patches or all throughout? I heard that biotin doesn't really help or does it depend on the person? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Putting the "she's not supposed to ask" part aside. Do you have the relationship with her that might've made her think it was okay to ask? I'm at the other end of the stick because I told EVERYONE at my job and when I miss a day for appointments, the next day everyone asks how it went what's the next step what did I learn. They've all been supportive and I'm glad! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

FOR REAL! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I just started with their program did you go through with them? How has it been? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App