Kelkie

Thank you. I am going to look into it, either way. The mexico thing is not an option for me at all, I just don't have that kind of money and no options for borrowing it either. I am going to do some calling next week to find out what I would have to do to get this done. As soon as I know what the requirements are I will post it here.

I have been hanging around here for a few weeks now, and just love this site. It is by far the most supportive and least judgemental place for WLS support on the net. So, I had my first consult with my surgeon on Monday (2/22). They decided to have me do a 3 month supervised diet, just because the formal program requirements are so vague in my insurance company policy. The wonderful insurance lady from their office called my insurance company today, and other than the psych eval, and this 3 month diet, I am good to go... for the Band or RNY :sad0:, neither of which I want. I posted on another thread that i live in Oregon, but we have insurance through BCBS North Dakota, from my hubby's job. They are covering the sleeve, but the catch is that you have to have it done at a facility in North Dakota. So, it is 1020 miles from here to there, plus lodging, etc. I could probably work it out so I do all of my preop stuff here, and then have the aftercare covered by my PCP. Since its a "pilot program", I would probably have to participate in studies and tons of other stuff in North Dakota. I could stay here and figure out how to come up with $16,000. Ok, I am done whining now. I just have to figure out how to get this done. I have 3 months of dieting, ahead of me:angry:, and hopefully by then we will have a plan.:thumbup:

BCBS North Dakota has a pilot program where they are covering it if you have it done at a "Blue Center of Distinction" in North Dakota. Good luck. I will be asking them to approve me to have it done in Idaho instead of North Dakota. I hope they don't fight me on it too much...

I have BCBS North Dakota through my hubby's employer, but we live in Oregon. They have a pilot program where they are starting to cover VSG. The catch is that you have to have the procedure done at a "Blue Center of Distinction", in North Dakota. I am hoping that by the time I get all the requisite stuff done, they will allow me to have my procedure at our local center of distinction, which is also a Center of Excellence, in Boise, Id. I am not in a position to travel from here to North Dakota, with all of the after care that is required.

Chapstick for sure... I haven't been there yet, but that is on all the lists I've seen. Good luck. I'm looking forward to going... I hope soon.

You are not horrible! I am looking forward to running into the "popular" people from high school, that gave me a hard time for being overweight. I'm pretty much over it, but a lot of them are heavy now, so I think it would be poetic justice! lol

Welcome. I haven't been here very long either, but have learned a lot. This is one of the friendliest and most non-judgemental WLS forums I've found. Good luck with your surgery!

Hey Jules. I just started my "official" journey. Been looking into it for a couple of years. Good luck to you. You are just on the other side of the state from me!