Hi Everyone...

I just got my approval in the mail and i can continue with my scheduled surgery on april 26th!!! i am so excited that i have a permanent smile on my face. i cant wait to finally have this, it has definately been a long process but in my opinion so worth it!!! i look forward to chatting with all of you..

hi there and congratulations ............. Now the fun part starts

My GBP surgery is schedule for the 27th I live in Alexandria, VA. I start this whole process January of 2009. I used to have AETNA and the insurance requirements were outrageous (at least for me) 5 years of medical history and some other stuff. I decide to delay the process and in the meantime I did a sleep study .... yes now I'm using a CPAP which is a nightmare it's been only two weeks and I can barely sleep with it., and I discover that my sugar levels were high. On January 2010 I switch from AETNA to Blue Cross, I went to the doctors office (the bariatric doctor) and I guess because of all my medical complications the office submit the paperwork Monday March 8 and by the 9th I received the call confirming my approval and surgery date.

I'm excited, happy, scare, nervous ......all the emotions together mixed up running all over my mind

My doctors office is selling the 2 weeks Optifast diet for $300 I'm pretty sure they are making excellent profit with this price. I went on-line and I found the same thing for only $150 ....  I talked with a friend of mine that had the GBP a year ago and she told me to not to worry she did only liquid (shakes) for the 2 weeks no soups or bars and water with lite Crystal light (or the Walmart brand which is cheaper) and it works great for her .... sometimes she even prepare chicken broth at home.

This web site help me a lot .... but the whole process is a journey that sometimes you can't take by yourself . The doctors only tells you one side of the story ....... is the people the real main characters of the story that can tell us how the things are and how to go trough this process.

I'm looking forward to start chatting and share experience with everybody.

Happy Friday and have a great weekend ....... keep in touch

Carol

Congrats! I turn green with envy when any one has insurance approval. (I"m self pay) Congrats and can't wait to hear about it. Emily

I'm glad I'm not alone, I had Aetna insurance in 2009 and jumped through 5 months of hoops getting all the pre approvals done.  My company changed insurance companies for 2010 and I about had a heart attack.  Much to pleasant surprise, I now have United Health Care.  Their pre reqs are much less strenous, once the doctors office sent in the paperwork, I was approved in 2 weeks !! 

My surgery is scheduled for 4/20, just completed all my pre testing today, blood work, xray, abdominal ultrasound  (a little sore from that... I think the little girl that did that was sadistic in nature), breathing tests, EKG.  Long day at the hospital, but everyone was so nice and supportive.

I start 2 weeks of liquids on April 6th.  My doctor must be pretty stringent, I'll be on full liquids for 4 weeks after surgery also.

I've been surprised reading how many people are eating mashed potatoes, soup, etc 2 days after their surgeries.  I guess all doctors are different in their recommendations.

It's so nice to be a part of a greater community - one that can answer all my questions or give real life advice.  Yes, I am excited, too.

I have quite a bit of time on liquids, too.  I am almost hopeful that I feel well enough that I could eat mushies if I were allowed to, but hope that if that is the result I don't get head hunger too bad.  I think protein shakes will fill me up just fine...hopefully.

Welcome Home!

This is our own personal forum. We can follow the journey's of all of us April WLS.