ML573663

My consultation is July 11th. I'm currently a graduate school student and do a lot of traveling for school. I'm wondering if I can get the surgery before the summer is over and school starts, or if I would have to schedule it during my winter break. Just curious... Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

YAYYY but this is what you wanted. Just in time for a little recovery before school starts again. I know it's not hard to stress, but remember how far you've come to do this and how much healthier you will be. It's a giant lifestyle change but SOOO worth it!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have Obamacare (Affinity) and they said they would cover it as long as I meet the requirements for surgery.. I am hoping that is the truth lol Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Same with me! Started July 11th, last appointment 12/4, hoping to get approved and scheduled not too long afterwards. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is hard to explain without telling my whole life story. Long story short I was a skinny person before I am where I was now, about 120 pounds ago. Not in a healthy way- I was diagnosed with bulimia about 10 years ago when I was 16. Since then, I have taken a lot of steps to better my relationship with food, although I have gained so much weight. I think that ultimately screwed my metabolism. Anyway, going through all of these clearances, I'm terrified to have this psych eval. I am so much better than I once was, and I am not just doing this without knowing how much work it is going to take for this lifestyle change. I have trouble lying- I'm an open book. So to not mention this part of my life may be hard for me. My PCP is also aware of my history but I would hope that he knows I am much (mentally) healthier now. So what do I do? Not mention it, mention it and hope it doesn't mess up my chances? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks everyone. I definitely will tell the truth, and I want to also explain how far I've come since then so I'm hoping they see where I'm standing now! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi!!! I'm turning 26 next month too and I'm 5'3"!! But I am way heavier than you (280). I can't necessarily say you are crazy. Ive gained 120 pounds in like 6 years so I have had those thoughts back when I didn't yet qualify. But I did not gain weight purposely for it Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My appointment is July 11th and its all I can think about. Can't wait to get the ball rolling to becoming healthier overall. I already go to the gym 4-5 times a week and eat well, just seems like none of this has worked or only has temporarily all my life. Any new timers in the same boat as I am? I feel so emotionally invested in this already, I hope the process goes smoothly! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ugh, unfortunately not. It's a good thing I started this summer because I have all different appointments every week until school starts. The only thing really holding me back is my insurance (Affinity) requires that I see a nutritionist, once a month for 6 months. So that takes me into my winter break. It definitely could be worse, there is no supervised diet or any of that, but I just wish I could bang out these appointments and get it done. I'm glad yours went well! Does your doctor think you'll be able to have an August surgery? If you do you'll have to keep me updated on how you're doing! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Who, now that they've started their process pre-surgery, has no control about what they're eating? Despite being heavy, I normally try my best to eat healthy. Ever since I started the process, I have no motivation and I don't want to be this way. My insurance doesn't need for me to lose a certain amount of weight before the surgery either. Does anyone else feel this way or is having issues with this?? Any advice? Thanks!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm writing because some of you have been so great to answer my questions and told me to keep you updated as my first consultation was yesterday 7/11! I went in and my doctor was so kind and helpful. He answered a lot of my questions before I even asked them. We agreed that the sleeve is the best surgery for me, and he said my BMI is 49 which is SO weird because last week another doctor said mine was 39, and when I checked it said 42. Maybe they use different BMI charts? Lol. Regardless I qualify. They sent me to a bariatric coordinator. I have Affinity and we went over what they would approve before surgery. I have to do a ton of appointments but the only thing holding me back is the fact that Affinity requires me to see a nutritionist once a month for 4 months. So all of my other appointments are in July and August but seeing that nutritionist for 4 months has me going into October. After my approval, she said that she will book the surgery out 2 weeks. I have to say it's a little frustrating that's the only thing holding me back.... Now I wanted to get people's opinion about scheduling, I'm a graduate student that travels a while to and from both my internship and school. I was wondering if I could do the surgery during my Thanksgiving break (about a week) or if I should just wait until my winter break. My doctor said I would spend one night in the hospital and then start the special diet. He makes it sound doable for my Thanksgiving break, but if I need extra time I want to make sure. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Lots of luck to you too!! So you're unsure about the surgery still? Ps what are you studying? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you so much. I'm glad you brought that up because a con to doing it over my thanksgiving break would be that I would be mentally exhausted and have trouble with my finals. I'm definitely going to wait the time. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have a very long commute to school- about an hour and 45 minutes. So much that sometimes I stay overnight because I have classes two days in a row. For my internship it's an hour away and I visit patients in their homes. I said this because if the recovery is iffy, I would want to be close to home, on break from school. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Anyone from this area getting the sleeve? I have an appointment at crystal run with dr. Malhotra. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks so much Valentina, I'm really looking forward to starting the process. Nervous but excited. Lol Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's awesome, my BMI is over 40 but my insurance (Affinity) gives me a lot of problems. Lol. Fingers crossed. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

And that was possible to do with your insurance? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Mine is Monday the 11th ahh!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi! My first consultation is july 11th also! I'm also a graduate student and hoping to be approved to have surgery between the end of my summer classes and beginning of fall semester in mid august! Long shot but heres to hoping -John That's so funny, nice to know I'm not alone. I'm realizing it just depends on what our insurance requires. I'm so anxious about it- just wondering if I can do everything this summer while I'm free or if I have to do it on my winter break. Let's stay in touch! Lots of luck to you. Ps- what are you studying? I'm in for social work. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow, it seems like you are so much more prepared than I am haha. My healthcare center does a seminar on the sleeve on July 19th so I'm signed up to go. It's weird for me, I have lost weight (sometimes up to 30-40 pounds) but have trouble keeping it off. It's happened a few times so my doctor thinks it is best if I do the surgery to aid in the loss and work more on maintaining once I'm down. Let's stay in touch! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Omg that was very fast. Did you self pay? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for your advice. I would like to see if mine can be scheduled before I go back to school. What insurance do you have? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am the before you right now. I need to be the after you. Lol Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey John! So I am hoping to get the sleeve surgery, as my first consultation is next week. I am not planning to tell anyone who doesn't NEED to know. As long as you have someone you trust like a SO or close friend to bring you to/from the hospital it shouldn't be that much of an issue. People will wonder how you lose weight but that's not really any of their business. The only way I would be concerned about keeping it a secret (and this has crossed my mind too) is if you at some sort of event where you have to eat and are on your post surgery diet where you can only have certain foods. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App