LeaninLanc

Good for you! Yes I had a positive experience with my only frustration in terms of the office and processing thru insurance. If you read back thru this thread I mentioned some of that frustration. I asked a lot of questions about timeline, etc. I also set up all of my own consults ( even though the office offered to do so) as I knew they might take some time. Surgery and hospital stay were flawless. Not sure which Dr you are using but Dr Miller requires only one day of pre-op diet. Feel free to DM me.

Good question. I typically like to be totally left alone when I'm not feeling well. However, I did appreciate, over the first days, my husband being attentive to remind me I needed to try to eat, etc. and offering to bring me liquids, etc. I was glad I didn't have any real responsibilities over the next two weeks as I found myself needing to nap. I did go into work a couple of evenings for an hour or two and four days post-op felt fine to drive to Meijers so I could get a good walk in. I'm 58 and my kids are raised so I really didn't have to worry about household tasks, etc. I did find I needed encouragement as the first few days I was seriously wondering what I had gotten myself into. I was home alone the day after I got home. I had pre-purchased yogurts and lots of sugar free popsicles. Those were my go to items.

So great to hear! I was just thinking about you last night and wondering if you'd conquered the bureaucratic jungle in the office! Feel free to DM me on here if I can be of help. It is all so worth it. I'm 5 weeks out today and down 32.2 pounds. I find one of the best parts is that this is unlike a "diet" where I would consciously decide to take a day off or rationalize a bad choice. Although it might change over time, at this point the sleeve is in charge me I'm happy to comply. We ate out for the first time this weekend. There was no joy in it and that was actually a relief. Let me know how it's going!

I am 5 weeks post-op and was shocked when I was told no special diet was needed before surgery - just liquids 24 hours prior and nothing by mouth after midnight. I had no difficulty at all with surgery. The restriction that comes naturally after surgery lends itself to helping you make the right choices with your diet after surgery. Best wishes.

I finally went to a store that really fit shoes and found out they carried a New Balance line that was so much more supportive than the ones I'd been buying off the shelf. They do cost more but the difference in support was unbelievable.

Yes! I finally decided to try Imodium and it's really helped. I also cut out Crystal Light as a precaution. I'll be at 4 weeks on Monday. I assume liquid and dairy in leads to lots of trips to the bathroom. It's been much better the last few days. I was really dreading even leaving the house.

I've been wondering! Thanks for the update. Although I'm only 3.5 weeks out I can tell you that all of the aggravation will be worth it. Let me know when you get your surgery date.

Chapstick or Vaseline in a small tube for your very very dry lips. I also had hand sanitizer for my bedside.

Doing great here in Ohio. Cannot believe it's almost three weeks. Down 24 pounds since I returned home from surgery, energy level coming back and rarely any discomfort. Cannot believe how nice it is to pick thru my closet for smaller things. Still a long way to go but so thrilled to be on this side. What about you?

Agreed! I'm only 3 weeks out but definitely noticing alot of changes. So far the only questions I've been asked are multiple friends wondering what I did to change up my makeup and hair. Uhm, nothing, that's just my cheek bones rid of some fat. I'm ready and willing to give modern medicine and 10 months of prep work the credit when I'm asked!

I had started a similar thread last month when I was a few weeks out from my VSG. I had already told my family, 3 best friends and key co-worker. I spent a great deal of mental energy on wondering what I'd say when people inquired after my surgery. This is totally out of character for me. Well, I'm 16 days out and even though I thought I'd be wearing a "Scarlet VSG" on my chest, only one person has even noticed any changes.I did lose 20# in two weeks. This gal said, "What's different about you, you look well rested [emoji23]". I agreed but didn't tell her that I am well rested because all the months of prep and anticipation are behind me! I've decided if someone asks I'll just tell them and move on.

I've appreciated this thread. Wanted to tell others that after my six plus months (actually 9 with paper work delays at dr's office), my pre-auth only took three days. My advice to all is to continue to follow up with the dr's office and insurance. Pleasant but firm advocacy for yourself. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I did choose a facility that was on the Blue Distinction list as I think it was going to cost me less out of pocket. There were two hospitals both about 50 minutes from my home and I literally chose the one that was easier for parking and commuting as I knew there'd be many visits.

It would depend on your insurance. Perhaps you won't have a co-pay. Mine was a percentage based on insurance, thankfully I had the money as I did not expect it. Basically the doctor wants to make sure they have their fee paid.

I hesitated to be too specific in my details but it sounds like we've had similar experiences. There doesn't seem to be one person there that coordinates the process. I think this is the difference between a dedicated bariatric clinic and the manner that MCW handles their program. Anyhow, I will suggest to you that when you've completed that nutrition class you'll need to follow up with the office until you know it's been submitted. Kathy was the person handling it last month. I called the insurance company every other day to see if it'd been submitted. It was submitted on a Friday and I learned the next week it was pending at the insurance company. I waited until Thursday and called the insurance who informed me it was approved. I immediately called the doctor's office and was transferred to a person in billing who was a next step before it would get to the scheduler. I notified her it was approved and this person commented that she wasn't sure why she hadn't seen it, she'd received it several days before.. ugh! She was compassionate and understood my frustrations with all of the delays and said she'd help me get it moving. I had to pay the surgeon's fee (that wasn't covered) before it could go to the scheduler. Of course the scheduler was off on Fridays. The next Tuesday I heard from the scheduler who gave me a date. The scheduler was very kind and the most helpful of the whole process. Didn't mean to drone on and on but this plan worked for me. As I explained to them, it was very difficult to plan ahead for family commitments with so much lack of information. Once you have the surgery date you have to schedule your pre-op doctor visit and then pre-admission testing and group nutrition/ surgery prep class. They do this in a "group" on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I got into those very quickly. I'm two weeks out today and it was all worth it but I never expected to have to be so assertive to keep the process going. Best wishes!

I am very satisfied with my experience. I worked with a CNP (Dodie) for my 6 monthly weigh in visits however I do not believe she is with their office any longer. I started with my first official appointment to Dr. Miller last July and I didn't see him again until my pre-op visit at the end of February. He was very clear in his explanations and I am very satisfied with his clinical care. The only frustration that I had with the office was the delay that it took at both the beginning and end of the process. I had sent my initial inquiry info in and May and waited and waited. Finally I called in and found a very helpful gal who told me that they had no record of any paperwork. So I started the process again and this gal assisted me in making sure it didn't linger somewhere in the process. I also found that I did better by scheduling my own consult visits (with pulmonologist and psychologist) rather than having the office do it. They will set those up but I wanted to get this moving and knew I'd be more assertive. After I completed my six months I was told that my forms would be sent to insurance within a week. At the end of the second week, after I checked with insurance and found they had not been submitted, I called the office and started politely advocating for myself. They finally went out at the end of the third week and I was approved in two days. In my professional life I encourage others to advocate for themselves and I found that this was necessary to keep the ball moving. This might be the case in many offices. The office staff were all very helpful and appointments were always punctual. One of the very best things is that Dr. Miller does not require the two week liquid diet. This actually made me "forget" my frustrations with paperwork. I just had to be on liquids from noon the day prior to surgery and then NPO after midnight. Very doable. Let me know how things go for you.

Yes, Dr. Marcus Miller. I wish I could figure the direct messenger on here

I'm 14 days post-VSG living in the greater Columbus area. I used Mt. Carmel West. Are you interested in sharing your general location or hospital? If not, totally understand.

I thought it was just me with my new highly refined sense of smell. The first time I went shopping near a restaurant row I swear I could smell every single spice used in their kitchens. I was a block away. Then my son, home on spring break, came home 4 hours after eating with friends and I could tell him what he had to eat as if the spices were emanating from his pores. It's been crazy. I've noticed it primarily with foods, not so much nature lol.

I'm just a few days ahead of you (3/6) and felt quite "off" with that unwell feeling .... until yesterday morning when I woke up and as I got moving I realized I felt more like my old self than not! I didn't set the world on fire but I actually looked forward to thinking about my 6 mini meals. I have forced myself to eat 4 times a day although I knew it was supposed to be 6. I just could not. I'm also resting every afternoon which is 1000% not my style but seems to be helping my recovery. I am 58 and generally only nap once every other month. Hang in there!

I also had high anxiety about the procedure, primarily because it was all an unknown to me and I'm used to being the one in control. I felt relieved when I leArned that I'd be given a relaxant in my IV very early in the OR process. I was afraid I'd struggle with this transition to being under the anesthetic. It was a wonderful moment to get awakened later in the day to see my hubby and daughter's face. You are stronger than you know and in a little over 24 hours this will be but a memory and you'll be on your way to a new life! Let us know how you do.

Don't count yourself out yet. The physicians office is most likely familiar with charting and medical record evaluation that will substantiate your need. Let us know how it goes.

Unbelievably after keeping the BCBS weight loss surgery criteria in my VSG folder since May 2016 I just discarded it last week. Perhaps it will meet the criteria, most likely depends on their time limits. So sorry I just pitched that. If you call the BCBS MN customer service number they will definitely be able to answer your ? Best wishes!

Mine was just approved last month. I confirmed that BCBS received it on a Friday and when I called BCBS MN the next Thursday they told me it had been approved on Tuesday. So, 2 business days.

I also have BCBS MN. The regulations are rather specific on the 6 months and it must meet specific criteria. I had BCBS MN email the specific criteria. I attempted to see if several years of Weight Watchers would work but there didn't seem to be a way around this standard. Good luck to you. I'm 12 days post op with first doctor appt last July.