Alisa_S

Now that I've made the decision to have WLS & am waiting for my appt with my PCP my mind won't shut up! I know my insurance requires a 6 month supervised diet, but what if I lose weight on the diet and my insurance decides that I don't NEED to have WLS to lose weight since I was (theoretically) able to lose weight for this requirement? I was told after a colonoscopy that I have sleep apnea and need to have a sleep study done & that I should really be on a cpap, but what if sleep apnea is a reason to deny me the surgery? I take omeprazole for acid reflux because I have a hiatal hernia. What if that prevents me from having the surgery? What if they just say NO? After making up my mind to do this, I just don't think I could take it. I'll be 60 in Oct & I'm 5' 8" - used to be 5' 9" - & I weigh 338 lbs. On my own I have fooled with hCG diet, keto, low carb, etc, etc, etc for sooooo many years. I lose weight & gain it back. I know what I'm supposed to do, but can't stick with it. I need this. Period.

Spinoza I really appreciate your input. I'm much more comfortable with the sleeve. I'd rather not rearrange my intestines.

Oh wow! That sucks! Guess I'll start researching bypass again. I first learned a lot about it probably 15- 20 years ago. Then when the sleeve came out I was all excited. Hopefully the bypass has improved since I first read about it.

I'm so sorry you went thru all that! Wow! That's a lot to think about. Did you have gerd due to a hiatal hernia? I thought that some surgeons repaired that while they are in there and that would take care of the GERD. Glad to hear you are so much better after the revision.

I have not talked to a surgeon yet. I have one picked out, but figured I would see my PCP first on 07/19. I'm hoping they will just repair the hiatal hernia. I'd much prefer the sleeve over the bypass.

Thanks JennyBeez, I guess my concern is not so much my BMI dropping too low, as it is that the insurance will say, "See?? You can lose weight on a diet! Just keep doing what you're doing!"

After many years, I finally decided to have wls. I made an appointment with my primary care physician to talk to her about it and get set up for a sleep study for sleep apnea. Other than that, I have no idea what I need to do to get the ball rolling. Does anyone have any experience with United Healthcare Choice Plus insurance and using it for wls?

Thanks! I think my insurance requires 6 months supervised diet, psych eval, and nutritionist too. I do have a surgeon in mind. My PCP appt is the 19th.

Anyone here know anything about the intragastric balloon? I'd like to hear about it...prices, success rate, problems, & such...

Pretty much, yeah...

I found some info on it. It's only good for 6 months & then they have to remove it. You can have another placed if you want. All it is, is something to take up room in your stoumach so you don't eat as much. During that 6 months you'd have to train yourself in healthy foods, and portion control, and excercise and try to continue that after it's removed. It's mainly for people that don't have a high enough BMI for bariatric surgery, or for people that are SO big that they have to lose weight BEFORE surgery. It's just a temporary fix at best, but I was thinking it might be a jumpstart to weightloss. If I could lose 60 lbs or so in 6 months, then I'd be healthy enough to really excercise & hopefully be on the right track with foods... Thanks for replying!