Well, I had my first doctor's appointment yesterday! I am excited, anxious and nervous about the future, but I know it's the right choice. Apparently my insurance, UMP (Regence), is pretty good about approvals, but I have to do the 6 months pre-surgical plan first. The clock started yesterday. I am going to Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Everett, WA, and my doctor is Dr. Michaelson. He was great in our consult, and explained everything very thoroughly. I had already done a ton of research and decided that the sleeve was for me, but he concurred and stated that it would be best for me, considering my age, lack of diabetes, and no tobacco use. I will have to lose 5% if my weight over the first six months (11 lbs), and my BMI is 43.4 right now, but they will be looking over the last 2 years of my medical charts. The insurance coordinator stated that if my BMI was below 40, they may be looking for co-morbidity and will send me for a sleep study. I do think over the last two years my BMI did drop below 40, so not sure how they will deal with that. Pre-Op is a 10 day/10 lbs lost diet, I will find out more at my next appointment with the RD in 3 weeks. I cannot gain weight now over the next 6 months, but obviously can lose prior to surgery. My out of pocket won't be more than $2500 as that is the max, and I'm saving my FSA amount to pay that out of pocket. I don't know how those that pay the full amount do it! I also have to schedule a psych appointment as part of the 6 month criteria, and will have the endoscopy closer to the end of the pre-surgical period. My final appointment will be 7/31 and they will submit for insurance approval on 8/1. Excited but a little impatient too!
