hopekate

I would like a monarch butterfly after hitting my goal weight to symbolize my metamorphosis.

I called Highmark this morning. My policy dropped the 6 month requirement, too! I called my doctor, but the scheduler was out today. This is great news! @JARet how can I ever thank you for posting this wonderful information?!?!

I'm hoping to be sleeved sometime in March.

I've been on Dexilant 60mg for about eight years with no problems. I went off for about a year and got Barrett's. Scary! I've been taking my pills faithfully now for 3 straight years and am clear of Barrett's. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I tried to call Highmark today but they seem to be closed on the weekends. They sent me a copy of their guidelines back in October: it was Medical Policy G-24-048. After a Google search, I found what seems to be the updated policy: G-24-049 https://secure.highmark.com/ldap/medicalpolicy/wpa-highmark/G-24-049.html I am hoping this change is applicable to my particular Highmark PPO plan. My first call on Monday morning will be to Highmark, and the second call will be to the doctor! Having my surgery even a few weeks earlier means that I can attend my grad school graduation ceremony.

I have Highmark in Pa, too. I will be checking on this asap! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My insurance requires 6 months of a supervised diet with weigh-ins. I have to attend three support group meetings and three nutritionalist meetings. When I go for the monthly diet visit, they get my weight and go over healthy eating habits. We have to fill out a diet document that has a checklist of goals like eating more Protein, less sugar, no soda, no straws, 30 minutes before and after eating no liquid, and exercise. There are more goals, but that's the big ones. The insurance gets these at the end for review before final approval. Every program, doctor, and insurance is different. I have Highmark bcbs. Good luck and congratulations on starting your journey! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My nutritionalist suggested a 1400 calorie diet for me. However, I found out that anything over 1,000 calories a day caused me to maintain or even gain weight. I discovered this through months of keeping a daily j o u r n a l.

I ask the staff about my worries about getting sleeved with gerd every time I go for a weigh-in. They assure me that most people experience improvement after the sleeve. I have a hard time believing that after all I have read. They said if my gerd becomes worse that they can do a revision to a bypass. Sigh. I should be scheduled around the end of April-early May. I drink almost a whole box Walmart brand fruit punch (crystal light) a day. Pink lemonade was my favorite, but it was giving me severe gerd. I take dexilant 60 mg a day. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have two weigh ins left out of the six months. My last weigh in is March 27th. They let me know at my last appointment that my surgery date will likely be a month after my last weigh in because I have to schedule a surgical clearance, a meeting with the anesthesiologist, and a final blood test. I was surprised at all of these last requirements because, according to the check list they gave me, all of my pre-op testing was complete. So it looks like my process is really 7 months. Waiting is not my strong suit, but I'm making some positive changes to my diet and mindset. Most of these months I've been trying to focus on Protein and lowering my sugar intake. The promise of a new tool to help me achieve a healthy lifestyle keeps me plugging along toward the ultimate goal. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

277 last January. I'm down to 245 from yo-yo dieting in the last year. I'm looking forward to being sleeved in April. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My dietitian let me know last week that I have lost enough weight to qualify for only one week of liquid diet before surgery instead of two weeks. That is great news! She didn't tell me what the specific bmi number was I fell below. I'm thinking it was 45 bmi Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had to do a barium swallow test, which is when they found a small hiatial hernia. My endoscopy is scheduled for next week. Pretty sure these tests were ordered because I have GERD. These tests are not mentioned in my insurance requirements. I have Highmark BCBS. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am in Erie, Pa and will be sleeved in April 2017 at Hamot. I am looking forward to a happy and healthy 2017 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Erie, Pennsylvania I will be sleeved in April at Hamot Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am excited to get back on my mountain bike and do some serious trail riding. I am so ready to be healthy again! I can't wait to have a dresser full of clothes that actually look good on me without stressing out about what to wear. Grab something and go! Plus, I need to fit in an airplane seat again so I can visit my sick brother. I hope to take my daughter on a cross-country train trip out to California and back to see our country- what an experience it will be! A really big reason- I must land a teaching job at a local college! Jobs teaching online are almost impossible to land for a new graduate. My list is actually much longer, but these are the highlights. I'm so excited to be healthy again! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My date should be in April. I have finished all of the pre-op except the three support group meetings, 2 nut appointments, and an EGD. I'm hoping time flies! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App