wendy9032

I thought I saw some where that UCLA is a level 1 center of excellence for bariatric surgery. Could you go there?

Hi, I'm really new on this journey and was wondering: Where exactly the port is located once you have it put in. Is it visible to others through your skin like a pacemaker is? Does it hurt to get fills? How many incisions did your surgeon make? Once healed are they really noticable? Thanks for your time :redface:

Thanks for posting that Riley. It really helps to see what's in my future. Looks pretty painless and easy!!! Thank your friend for posting her video :smile:

Hi, So far I have had my appointment with my PCP who agrees I need WLS. She has scheduled me for 2 healthy For Life classes. From there I will go to a 6 month class called Lighten Up. This will be a nutrition class held once a week at the medical facility I go to. Once I complete those I will see her again for the rest. Typically with insurance what are the next steps? Upper GI? What exactly happens when you have one done? Psych eval? What happens there? What other testing or evals are needed or did you go through to have your insurance cover it? I realize all insurances are different and may not require the same things, but I'd still like to know so I can be prepared for the possibilities. Thanks so much!!!:redface:

Thank you so much for sharing with me everyone! I would love to see the video Riley!!!

Thanks for your replies! Does it hurt to get fills?

Thanks so much for your reply! I was thinking it would be the other upper GI where you drink the barium drink and then have an x-ray. I have had the other procedure (EGD) before a few years ago for a different reason and it was a breeze. I loved the stuff they gave me for sedation. I think it's called Versed. I wanted to take it home with me lol. I don't drink or do any type of drugs, but that stuff takes all your worries away. I need it for paying bills and such lol. I remember my whole procedure. I remember them spraying my throat and they gave me a plastic thing with a hole in it to bite down on. Then the camera went through that whole. It seemed like it was only about a 10 second procedure, but I know it had to be longer. I even remember gagging a little when they pulled the camera out. I was in such a happy land that I remember thinking "I'm choking....Oh Well!" LOL This will be quite a journey for me because I am deathly afraid of being put to sleep. I want to over come that fear and I want to lose weight!!!!! Thanks again for taking the time to help me out.