ffmedic112

I have to keep a very in depth detailed journal of foods and exercises. The surgeons office I chose makes all participants in my category do this. I count calories, carbs, and protein. In addition I count my daily steps and track daily exercises. I don't do it because I want to. I find the journal kind of cumbersome. But my insurance requires it, so my doc requires it.

yes. Indeed I am looking for someone still. Since my original post, I have visited my doctor for month 2 of 7 required before I can submit for authorization with my insurance. My doctor has advised me to try a keto based diet. Ordinarily this would be awesome for me. but for whatever reason I can't seem to stop craving the things I can't have: fruit, juice, sweets, snacks, breads. But I keep trying. Had a first cheat day this past day. had some pasta and pie. but I monitored my portions so that made me feel better. Back to the diet now. I have been regularly getting my 7k steps in. Most days I have closer to 10k steps. So I been doing decent enough on my activity aspect of all this. I just need to nail down this nutrition side. lol. I don't know what we can and can't share on this site as far as personal info goes, or how that works. do you?

I do have portal account. I will email through it. thanks. Last time I tried emailing them about anything, they said call them. When you select the ask a nurse section, it makes you choose a topic. bariatric is not a topic. only eating disorders is. so I felt at a loss about it. will try again.

Good morning friends. I'm writing to you from my desk at work. I get paid to do a lot of things at work, and this is one of them. Thankful for that. Anyhow... I'm on here because I have a lot of anxiety related to approval for surgery. I just kind of started this journey beginning of June. Monday is my 2nd month appointment of 7 required months of supervised diet and weight loss management. I am doing most of the pre work at my primary provider as I cannot afford the time and money to drive over an hour away each way to Indianapolis. I called my insurance company more than once to try to get some guidance and advice on approval for this process. All anyone can tell me is that it requires 7months of doctor's visits. Nothing else. This past time I called they said check out the Indiana Medicaid website and go by that requirements. I have Indiana HIP insurance. Its similar to Medicaid (I don't make a lot of money) except I do pay for this insurance. Its low price, but I do pay. I tried going on the website. Nothing was searchable. The program that I am looking to go through is St. Vincent out of Carmel, Indiana. They have their own preferred team of providers they want us to see, but it is not a requirement. What I am curious to know is that, based on this information, what are my chances of getting approved? The Carmel office said their approval rate is in the 90 percentile. They wouldn't give a percent for approvals based out of using primary care for pre surgery care. I'm sweating bullets. I know I am doing what I can. Best choice for my situation. I just don't want it to be for not. Ya know? I have the blank template that the Carmel office said to use. I copied it and have it ready to submit to my primary doctor. I have also transcribed my food journal onto a Microsoft excel spreadsheet and calculated calories and ounces each day down for them. I have to be referred to a dietitian (which I plan to do this Monday at my next visit) before I can meet with one of those. I just want success. I want the knowledge that what I am doing is good enough for insurance. I weighed in at the initial seminar at 312. Weighed in tonight at work at 309. I am doing something right. I hope. Thanks

I am not accountable with electronic journal. I forget to do them for days. Handwritten is best for me. Still looking for someone to help keep me going.

Hello there friends. Just finished first month of supervised weight management. I know I have LOADS to work on for the next 6 months until I can fully qualify for surgery. I am looking for a fellow pre op person who is starting this journey or actually anyone who has been down the road also. I need someone to help keep me accountable. I have been doing the food diary thing now for 2 weeks (didn't know until this past Thursday when I attended seminar that it was a thing.) and have been trying to get some ducks in order so I can continue. Things I am struggling with currently: PORTION CONTROL. Holy cow that's huge. Never had to pre measure things out ever in my life. Need to do it and keep doing this. Calories per day: I never really ever took into account how many calories I take in. I know that I have measured carbs in the past and will continue to do that now. Choices of foods: Its far easier for me to buy a cheap pack of bologna than it is to find something else and actually prepare food. But also I love bologna. Like I can put away a bologna sandwich and not think about it. Some changes I have started implementing: I have made contact with bariatric dietitian tonight. I sent email and will follow up with more contact if no reply this next week. I have started going back through diaries and marking caloric content of foods and totaling up daily estimated calories in If this is something you think you could or would want to do: let me know! I want to ensure the success for this journey.

I went to the initial seminar. I am on the right path. Need to continue doing what I am doing now. Need to add in portion control. Working hard to curb cravings. Been adding in exercise. Will work out tonight at work in the gym for first time. I am excited. Will be working hard to not eat carbs as often, and increasing my fluid intake On a regular basis I usually only get 40 oz in, in a day. So adding in a lot more is hard for me. Was super tired today coming to work. got virtually no sleep. maybe a half hour a couple of times. Just keep pushing forward.

As an update: I got my bloodwork done and got referral sent to the surgeon I chose. I go this Thursday for the initial seminar required by my insurance. I have been consistently writing everything that goes into my mouth down on paper. No hiding this time. No faking it. I have been standing at my desk at work doing stretches and working on some stationary exercises I can do while working. I need to start being accountable for doing more activity throughout the week when I am home. I have made a pledge to do something every day this week. Whether it be walking in place or more stretches or anything. I want to start getting into that habit. I have a wellness coach that my work pays for. She just returned from maternity leave this month and I have already updated her on all the progress I have made in securing appointments and such. I hope to get more resources offered to me and inspiration for meals-- GOT ANY? lol, soon too. I am working on filling out the paperwork to be able to use the gym here at work too. On my breaks I can go down and do a quick work out and get a minimum of 45 mins of sweat time in. And being able to get that in after work too would be amazing. Something I want to ask now of you all who are going through or have done it, what vitamins do I need to start looking into? I know protein will be a giant thing once I have surgery. I have currently a protein shake that I bought at Walmart that I like. Wanting to get some stuff researched out. Thanks for being here for me. I appreciate it. I am excitedly nervous but ready for this Thursday. I am ready to change the current pathway of my life and go on to a new healthier journey.

thanks for your help. I have done a lot of research into this and have a few close friends who have gone through and done both the bypass and sleeve. I have some support. I guess I need to start getting into a habit of writing down food and drink intake and start making more changes than I already do. I have a fitbit. My work paid for it. I have weight watchers. I don't manage to do as good with the food as I do with the activity. on WW app it says I need 40 fitpoints a week suggested, I average between 50-70 a week depending on what I do. I need to buckle down and be more adamant on food stuff. I have a son, other half and his father so I cook for all of us. I find it hard to do for them, but change for me. But I can do it. Thanks.

Hello there folks. I am new here. Just started today. It seems kind of overwhelming, to think that this is something I want to do and the process that goes along with it. I have selected a surgeon, and facility. My insurance covers it, but has like all, prior requirements. I have my appointment with primary care for necessary referral. I called my insurance company and they didn't tell me much.... I will be calling back tomorrow as I have waited and waited. Anxiety gets the best of me. I was told, however that I need to complete 7 monthly weigh ins and have a therapist that deals in nutrition. I go on june 21 for my initial seminar with the surgeon. With that being said I have a few questions for you all that have already or are going through this kind of process. 1: what is the monthly weigh ins for? I'm not sure yet what any weight I need to loose prior to surgery or anything like that. I have this giant fear that although I have stayed at this weight for nearly a year steady, that I will gain weight and not be allowed to have surgery. 2: how have you all found the process to be? easier than expected to get approval and go forth, harder, or anything you want to share? I figure unless my insurance does something weird it will look like january will be a possible surgery month. thanks in advance for helping me.