laurileet

I'm in New Hampshire - so I cant answer for OH. but, I have my appointment with my surgeon next month. I'm GUESSING i'll have a date with in 2 months. but it does depend on his schedule. As far as insurance - I call them constantly and make sure they have what THEY need. So far so good.

I also have UHC. they didn't give me a hard time about that kind of thing. but call them and make sure they're looking at YOUR policy when they answer you.

When I started the 'program' at the current hospital , they asked me at my first appointment... "so, are you excited?" I burst their little bubbles by saying NO, I am not. Then explained to them that I had been trying to get WLS for 2 mind-numbing years but that because of insurance issues the rug kept getting ripped out from under me. But i'm soooooo excited now. This morning I found out I've lost 5 of the 17 lbs I need to loose, my A1C is down, and I have only 3 things left to do: Loose the remaining weight, take life classes, and complete the sleep study. THEN I can meet with the surgeons. WOOHOO this is the first time in a LONG time I've been excited about this journey. Feels good. Feels realllllll good!

I know.. I should have mine hopefully in the next 1-2 weeks. my consult date with my surgeon is april 11 so fingers crossed we can put the petal to the metal and zoom through this thing.

Congrats on your the visit with your surgeon. I have mine next month and I cant wait! Just like you I got so elated when I got the date for that meeting, and I finally allowed myself to think forward to the AFTER surgery part of my life. mine has been a 2 year journey to get to this point, and I just couldn't allow myself to get pumped until now. feels so great! I've told my employer that what I 'expect' is - i'm down for the 1st week. MAYBE work part time the 2nd week. and likely return full time by the 3rd week ( I have a desk job).

Glad you shared, it will be something I watch for when it's my turn. Hang in there and good luck with your surgery!

I was told I should go with liquid vitamins.. but where to get them?

Yep, had the consult, awaiting head band thing for a home study.

My goal for the week - I like that you asked that because it made me think. I'm getting closer to a surgery date. I'm going to revisit different shakes and take notes. Step up my exercising. Talk more with family so they're up to speed with what's happening and how it may effect them post surgery.

Glad you're feeling hopeful again. It's not an easy journey but hopefully he'll be your cheerleader. For sure i'd bring him to a meeting so he can hear the stories of others, and what is involved and most importantly, how you can become healthy and happy for the rest of your life. My husband hasn't pushed back, but sometimes he does say things like, if you keep losing weight, you wont need the surgery. He's a big man, and I think he may be a little insecure about what i'm doing. hang in there. and you're right, don't throw it all way because if a misunderstanding.

Just found out that I have a consult with my surgeon on April 11. wowowowoww i'm pumped. only have 1 more pound to lose.

The weight loss requirement is based on a % of your current weight - and how much your doctor and/or insurance company wants you to lose. it varies from person to person, plan to plan.

So, yesterday, I had a meeting with the nurse prac who was able to let me know what I have left to do before I can meet with the surgeon. I started this journey with a different program/different insurance/different hospital, so there's a lot I was concerned about having to do over again. only 1 thing has to be repeated - the psych eval, and lifestyle classes. no biggie. I'll sail through that. then a few more minor tests. and of course the needed weight loss. I had it in my head that there would be a HUGE list of stuff left to do.. so i'm feeling good that the list is so small. I am a little concerned about losing the weight (17lbs) but i'm determined. I will NOT let this get in my way. I'm going to adjust my diet some more, go to the gym more, and push push push to get those pounds off. ok.. does it really have to be Halloween right now? there's candy EVERYWHERE.

good for you Toby585! I know it's scary but you've already been through a lot. The way I see it (for me anyways) is I've been battling 3 different insurance companies for 2 years. by the time I get my 'date', the surgery itself will feel like the easy part. Be excited for yourself. you deserve to be healthy and happy. <insert 2 thumbs up here>

I'm told that the surgeons like you to lose weight before surgery because it reduces the size of your liver, which is right in their way. ok. I get it. I have to lose 17 lbs. so. I lost 3 in 1 week. and it came right back the next week. story of my LIFE. feeling frustrated and down and fearful i'll never lose the required amount. on top of it, i'm so tired of having every one I have to meet with tell me something different! do it this way.. do it that way.. arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg. ok. i'm off my rant box.

LOL I don't just count calories, I have a spread sheet lol. you're right that if you don't keep track, it can get out of control before you know it. I lost 3 lbs since last week. yay me!

Ok - I've been trying to lose weight for 1/2 my life and it hasn't worked. I've tried all the diets, and nothing. Now I have to lose 17lbs before surgery. If I haven't been able to lose anything in 25 years, how can I lose it now?? I know many before me have made that goal, but i'm really worried about this part. I'm on the diet they recommend but i'm also on insulin which can make weight loss a real pain in the rump roast. I've trimmed my food intake as much as I can and my BG numbers are under control. I'm going to step up the frequency of exercise (was exercising every other day) but I ache a lot after working out, so that can be a stumbling block. I'd love to hear any tips from those who have gone before me!

I'd work closely with your bariatric team. there maybe something that's holding things up for you, or it may just be a momentary glitch. I've heard of others having their weight loss stall. don't give up!

You ladies are really ON IT !!! good for you - and sharing your stories really helps the rest of us, so thank you for that Tomorrow I have an appointment with my "medical advisor" and will find out more about what I have left to accomplish. I know they'll want me to do a sleep study, but not sure what else. fingers crossed!

Replying to Calories and Exercise... right now it varies - my nutritionist said not to count cals. ooook. , the Physical Therapist put me on an exercise regimen, so I cant ignore that. I do hope my insulin intake can be reduced, but the Endo will have to make that decision. So much of this feels completely out of my control.

I also have United Healthcare - DO YOU HOMEWORK. I started with the WLS program at my local hospital only to find out that the hospital itself was IN network, but the entire list of people i'd have appointments with were NOT. So months later i'm driving 1 hour away to another hospital and their program. Most of their people are in network, but some are not.. so some stuff I have to pay out of pocket for. don't rely on just the web site, and don't rely on just 1 phone call to insurance. Every time I call in I get a different answer on stuff. So be careful!

I've been playing the insurance game for 2 years and had to switch hospitals/programs as well. My current insurance company is a royal pain to get info from, so I've had to fight for everything. At one point I was ready to give up just from the frustration of insurance, but my husband gave me a pep talk and thankfully I have renewed vigor to get what I need. It's not the fast lane, but baby steps are getting me through the process. No surgery date yet.. but getting through the requirements one by one.

to ClbsMm2000 - thanks for that list it's helpful, but I have to wonder about things like Poweraid. SO much sugar! what is the benefit to that drink?