No tricks, but tips. I have BCBS of Texas and I was approved the first time. I had to complete a medically supervised diet for six months. This was a "nutrition" class sponsored by the staff of the Dr. performing the surgery. It was very beneficial in helping you to understand what was expected of you after having the surgery and what to expect, ie food portions, etc. Then I had to have a psychologist eval. After that my Dr. ordered a cardiologist approval and a sleep study. Not all of them do. I also had to show that I have been in the morbid obese category for the past five years. Since I went in yearly for OB/GYN visits, I was able to get a copy of those records showing that I maintain this weight for more than five years. I hope this helps!

Hi eveyone!!! I am having the RNY and my sugery is Aug 18th,2008. My sister n law is having hers on Aug 11th. WE Both are getting more and more scared. Just pray for us and give us any advise if you have any....please. Laura

Hi, My surgery date is the 29th, am I scared YES. Am I scared to die from being obese YES. Last night after reafing more of the boards, I was ready to cancel my surgery. Will I have regrets MAYBE, do I have regrets now that I waited five years to do this...DEFINATELY. People on this board have been wonderful and very helpful. Just keep thinking positive and remember we are all in the same boat

can anyone tell me if there is a meeting sat at good sam

Hi, Kris ~ I'd guess everyone is scared when they get about where we are (my date is 7/31) -- I am, for sure! I've never heard either of those statistics -- but I have heard that death rates and complications vary widely, depending on the surgeon and the number of procedures he or she has done. So possibly, if everyone who has ever had WLS were all lumped together, disregarding who did the surgery and where -- maybe the overall death rate could be that high -- but even so, it's a meaningless statistic. The only death rate you have to worry about is your surgeon's -- and if you need to, then you could ask him or her about it. My doctors have said a person is much more likely to die from being morbidly obese than from having the surgery -- not the most cheerful thought, I know. When I get freaked about all this, it has really helped me to go look at the before and after pictures on this site -- all those folks, some even fatter than I, who have changed their lives so much -- looking good and healthy. It gives me hope. The things we can't control -- well, they're things we can't control... But I know my surgeon is good at what he does -- I know I've failed at losing weight any other way you than think of -- and I know I don't want to just stand around and wait to be killed or crippled by a stroke or diabetes. Everything's a risk -- but for me, my chances are better if I have the surgery than if I don't. Come surgery day, I'm gonna climb on that gurney and hope they give me enough drugs to help me stay on. And between now and then, I'm not going to google "death in WLS" or do anything to make it harder than it has to be -- God bless, Rachel