Total Newbie- Looking for fellow newbies!

[chip305 51]

Hi, I consider myself a newbie, I have completed 2 of 6 meetings with the dietician as required by my insurance and had my psych eval. My first education module is scheduled for August 19th, I have not met with my surgeon yet so I kinda feel like I'm out here on my own and not really engaged in the process yet. I'm sure once my modules start I will feel more secure in what my process will be, I am very excited to get some things marked off my list.

[cdadams 7]

I'm a newbie too! My doctor appointment is for August 14th. Aetna requires a 3 month supervised plan, a pscyh eval and a nutrition eval. I've started the diet and just had the psych eval today (passed!). I'm pretty sure I want to have the sleeve done. I'm looking for friends I can lean on too.

txdogmom, where are you in tx. Im in the dfw area.

[cdadams 7]

Seeing everyone getting surgery days and surgeons say possibly next month is making me so jealous lolz. I haven't even met my surgeon yet. How is it some of you have met yours already. I can even set an appointment with him until I'm done with all my pre qualifications. This process is just so long.

I dont have a surgery date either. So I feel you. Also I have only completed one requirement but I do have the ball rolling.

[kyrickchick64 468]

Today is my first step day! My first appointment. I hope I get to meet the surgeon. I want to get a feel for him before I commit to using him. I still have to write down questions. If any one can think of anything they want to know let me know and ill ask it tho I know doctor vary with requirements. Wish me luck. Oh any any of you in here that are just starting feel free to add me as a friend. I think we will all need each other before this is over.

[old_rn 110]

I'm a newby also. I had my first appointment in June and started the preop weight loss diet. Went in July and weighed in at 10# too much so going back August 4 to see surgeon and Psychiatrist and hope to get a day. My insurance covers not a penny and all these trips 5-6 hours one way are killing my pocket book. Plus I want food. Have only cheated once with a bite of black bread but getting bummed out and tired of jumping through hoops. I want this done because my window of time is closing due to my bosses due date and maternity leave. I still have 4# to lose by Monday and am down to very few shakes and Water. If I haven't lost the prescribed amount he will make me wait another month.

[txdogmom 30]

CDADAMS: Yes, I'm in the DFW area. In Flower Mound, to be specific.

[MamaGav 3]

Hi there, I am new as well. I have to attend a seminar on August 21st. Once I do that then I can set up my initial appointment. With my insurance I will have to journal etc.. for six months before they will approve my surgery so I have a bit of a journey.

[Lexibelle 18]

I'm sort of new, too. I had my first meeting with the surgeon about a month ago and this week I'm finishing all of my pre-op testing and insurance requirements. My insurance, Anthem (BCBS), only requires 1 NUT appointment, a Psych Eval and the surgeon's review of my past weight-loss efforts - so the packet should be submitted sometime next week. I'm hoping for a surgery date in early September, otherwise I'll have to wait until early October because I don't want to be less than 2wk post op for my daughter's 1st birthday on 9/30. I just have this feeling they're going to try and bounce it back asking for more documentation - the plan docs and the reps weren't very helpful in determining if I have enough.

In the meantime I get to stay on my surgeon's pre-op sandwich diet until my surgery date. I get to eat 1 week of high Protein, low carb and 2 weeks of full liquids. :| Hubby and I just finished our first 2 weeks of liquids and it was awful. I've already had to bend the rules and buy the Premier Protein RTD because I can't stomach the powder we were able to get. I don't know which is worse - this diet or having to wait for insurance approval

[krimrod 39]

I tried to knock out as much stuff as I could today. I scheduled a consult with the GI group that will do my EGD scope for 8/5. My first nutritionist appointment is 8/8. I got my diet program to send me the past year's history. I called a psych office and left a message to try to set up my psych eval. And I called the office to set up the sleep study.

I think out of everything the sleep study bothers me the most. I have insomnia issues I just don't see how I will ever fall asleep with all that stuff attached to me.

[Lexibelle 18]

The sleep study's not that bad - I had one 2 years ago. Find out if they let you do it at home vs. in an office. I was able to take it home and it worked fine.

So far I've had my Psych Eval, the EGD, Abdominal U/S, Echo, EKG, Bone Density and several vials of blood drawn. On Friday I get to do my breathing test, swallow test (GI study?), cardiologist and my 1 nutritionists appointment. I'll be so glad to have it all out of the way so I know the only hold up will be insurance.

[kyrickchick64 468]

That's the point of the sleep study. If your not sleepping it may be because of sleep apnea. I'm pretty sure that's why I'm an insomniac

[cdadams 7]

CDADAMS: Yes, I'm in the DFW area. In Flower Mound, to be specific.[/quote

I am in Roanoke. What doctor are you seeing?

[Angelkeeper4 69]

I had my initial surgeon appt this past Fri. I have Horizon NJHealth and was thrilled there was no six month diet requirement. Waiting to be contacted for my sleep study. I have my cardiology, gastroenterology and nutritionist apt scheduled mid August. My pcp already submitted my letter of medical necessity. Still have to schedule a psych evaluation and attend a preop class. Hoping for an October surgery.

[LosingIt74 20]

Hi there! I attended an info seminar onthe 17th and my first consultation appointment is next week, August 5th! Nervous but excited at the same time!

Edited August 1, 2014 by LosingIt74

[txdogmom 30]

I have an appointment to see Dr. Frank Veninga on August 14th. Heard lots of good stuff about him. Both Dr. Veninga and Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton are in network for me. ( I have Aetna HMO). As long as I stay "in network", my insurance will pay for the surgery 100%. (if I have to stay overnight in hospital; if it is outpatient, I'd have to pay $40).

i've wanted to do this for a long time but never could afford it. Then I was laid off from my job. Through a friend, I got a referral about a job opening. A week after I was laid off, I had a new job. This new job has this wonderful insurance.