GregMedic51

It has to half cup juice to half cup water, and has to be clear juices. No orange juice Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

yeah, the reason behind fruit juice is in case need the sugar. However, has to be Water downed ? Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Received my surgery date for January 25th...all approved. Feeling nervous and anxious, has anyone else been ? I'm 5'9, weight 418 ,with BMI at 63.. Anyone, with BMI as much and if so, how did it go ? Start Clear liquid diet tomorrow for two weeks prior to surgery. Any suggestions or helpful hints to stay focused. Thanks Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Hi Greg! Congratulations on your approval. That's great news! I just first want to say that I, too, have BCBS of IL. I'm not sure where you're having your surgery, but even though I live in N. Indiana, I'm having mine at the University of Chicago. When I went into the surgeon's office for my first appointment, I guess I was expecting to be on an all liquid diet for two weeks before, and two weeks after the procedure. My doctor said that a low carb will suffice for two weeks before because that's how he wants his patients to eat for life, not on a liquid diet. Now, having said that, maybe it's a patient to patient thing. I have 225 pounds to lose, ideally, so that should tell you that I'm not on the light end of the BMI spectrum. But maybe some patients have more of a fatty liver that needs to be lean in time for surgery, so a liquid diet is the best bet--I don't know, I'm just shooting something out there into this vast strange universe known as the internet. I want to have only the sleeve done and that's it. My doctor was/is pushing me hard for the DS procedure. Which surgery are you planning on having-- the sleeve, gastric bypass, or the ds? Some surgeries will have you lose faster than others, but either way, you will lose a ton of weight quickly since you're a man starting at a higher weight than a man who's, let's say, is only 270. And a man...did I say a man? Yes, you're a man. Us women tend to lose slower, so that's definitely a bonus for you. But good luck and definitely keep us posted!!! Thanks for the reply Stacy.I'm choosing the Gastric Sleeve. I was given two choices, either bypass or sleeve. I chose the sleeve, cause it just seems less side effects and complications from surgery, in the long run. Yes, your correct. Reason, for the 14 day liquid diet is to reduce the size of the liver. Cause of my BMI at 63. Apparently if BMI were lower it would be less time. Most people who are under 45-50 BMI only need a 3-4 day liquid diet. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Thank you so much for the feedback. Appreciate it. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Hi Greg! I have BCBS of IL and the approval process was pretty fast. It was less than 2 weeks. I was impressed. Good luck on your journey! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App Thanks so much, appreciate it. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

I'm having gastric sleeve. Actually, just reconnected BSBC IL today. Spoke with another representative. He told me, my case as been signed off byna nurse and now it gets forwarded to a physician for his approval. Should be within 48hours of either being signed or denied by a physician at BCBSIL Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

I'm Greg, from Fairview Hgts. Patient of Dr. Ricks. Awaiting approval for surgery. Would be interested in attending or meeting others who have made a decision to save themselve and take on this new lifestyle journey. Have been a paramedic for 26 years, have always put everyone else first, except for myself. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App Hi Greg - Dr. Ricks is great. I had the EGD at the end of July. No problems at all. I'm all for meeting people who are also on this journey. I took the following information from their website. I think I will go to both Peer Support January meetings. Thursday, January 12 6:30 pm — Alumni Class — Fitness Trends for 2017 6:30 pm — Therapeutic Support Session (meet in MNS office) 7:30 pm — Peer Support Group Thursday, January 26 6:30 pm — Alumni Class —Getting More Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) 6:30 pm — Therapeutic Support Session (meet in MNS office) 7:30 pm — Peer Support Group I will also "friend" you on here. My twitter handle is truefictionblog! Happy Losing! Have you already had your surgery ? Thanks for reply and information. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

I haven't heard anything yet Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

I'm from St. Louis area. My insurance paperwork was sent on December 6th. Have had all pre-testing, psychological, dietician class, letters from physicians stating necessity, had EGD Scope on 12/15. Curious, how long does it take for approval from insurance company ? My BMI is 63. Have been on this roller coaster for too long. I'm a paramedic and need this to save myself. Thanks in advance for any replies. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Yeah he really is amazing! I'm doing good so far, I'm down 57 pounds. Pretty exciting. I was thinking about going in January too. It'd be nice to hear other people's experiences. I have a hard time getting the daily amount of protein, but I'm trying. And I had to switch to the Vitamin patches because I got tired of the chewable and got sick with the pills. How is it going for you? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App I'm Greg, from Fairview Hgts. Patient of Dr. Ricks. Awaiting approval for surgery. Would be interested in attending or meeting others who have made a decision to save themselve and take on this new lifestyle journey. Have been a paramedic for 26 years, have always put everyone else first, except for myself. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Hey, I'm Greg from Illinois side. I'm awaiting for approval from insurance company. Have completed all the pre recommendations prior to being submitted to insurance. I have BCBS/IL insurance, was curious if anyone had any issues with delay of insurance approval ? My surgeon is Dr. Ricks, seems very down to earth. Has anyone else have an EGD Scope done prior ? Apparently, once surgery is approved I will need to go on a 14day clear liquid diet, cause of my BMI being at 63. Curious, if anyone has gone through same thing ? Have been a paramedic for 26 years and am ready to save myself now. Anyone, who has any advice or recommendations don't hesitate to send me a message. Thanks Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

I just hope, it doesn't take thirty days to review it.. the last thing I had done was EGD Scope on 12/15. All other screening and test have been done . Thanks for your responses. Just ready to get this new chapter started, in my life. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

I did call today, found out when lady at drs office submitted paperwork. She, put attention -- pre approval dept, apparently cause it was mislabeled it went back to drs office. According to representative at BCBSIL, it should've initially went to the pre-determination department initially, but never went there cause in the heading said pre-approval. The drs office gave me a reference number. The drs office submitted a twenty page report, in my original paperwork on 12/6, Now, since i called it's been routed to the pre-determination department, which now could take up to another thirty days. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

I don't know if it matters, im in Illinois, just other side of st. Louis. The insurance company, has already paid or processed claim submitted by dietician, psychologist evaluation, the surgeons visit, the ekg and xrays and dietary class.. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App Thank you so much Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

I wonder why it takes them so long. Would it be out of line to call the insurance company Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App