New member

Hi my name is Debbie.  I am new to this forum.  Several years ago I started the process to get approved for surgery, but I was not ready emotionally, so I backed off.
Right now......I feel ready to do this.  I am tired of the up and down weight. I have joined WW so many times it makes my head spin.  Things will go well for a few months and then I give up.  The weight slowly creeps back on.  It's depressing!  I must admit I don't eat well.  I do try to go to the gym.  About a year ago.....I was up to around 280 and I am down to 240 now.  But it has taken me nearly a year to lose that weight.
Currently I am on prescription weight loss pills.  I am not sure if they really make any difference in appetite.  I am going to the gym.  I am eating the way I want though.  For me, when I am on a diet, like WW, I end up obsessing over food.....too much so.  It makes it difficult for me to diet and then I give up.
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I also have lower back pain and have been treated for it in the past.   I am on so many meds now......I hate taking all of this medication!  I want to be rid of it all. I just want to feel better and look better.
When I started the process a few years ago, my doctor recommended Dr. Facundus (spelling?).  I talked with my psychiatrist last week and she recommended Dr. Foreman in Huntsville.  Has anyone used him as a surgeon?  Who would you recommend?
The thing that really bothers me is this stupid 6 month diet thing before surgery. It makes NO sense to me.  I have BCBS of AL.  The requirements they have to be approved are unbelievable!  The hoops you have to jump through are overwhelming.  It's a long process.
Has anyone paid for it on their own?  IF so, what was the cost for everything?
I know BCBS requires you to have receipts for the WW stuff or gym memberships, etc.  Unfortunately, I don't have any of that stuff. UGH
Should I start with my family doctor again or go directly to the surgeon instead?
I would love any thoughts or suggestions that any of you have.  Thanks

Hi, Debbie. Welcome to the board. :)  Have you tried contacting WW or the gym to see if they could get you a copy of your membership material? Last year I called the 1-800 WW number and asked if they could send me a copy of my records with them and they did. It had dates and weights on it, so I found that helpful. Good luck!

Thank you for the welcome. I didn't know WW wou ld do that.  I will have to give them a call and try to get my records from them.  I will also ask the gym if they can provide me with all of that too.

Hi Debbie,  Welcome to the board.    I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.  Weigh****chers has your records.  Call them they willhelp you.  I submitted my Weigh****chers stuff, Dr. Referal,showed all the diet pills, exercise habits and i also submitted pictures.  That helps.  Picture throughout the years of the weight gain.  It will be worth it in the long run if you submit and get approval from BCBS.  My bill would have been 25,600.00.

Hi Stacy.  Thanks for the welcome.  Doesn't BCBS require 6 consecutive months though for WW?  My attempts have been off and on through out the years.  I do have plenty of pictures from now......YUCK  I do plan on gathering my medical records for the last 5 years.  I need to talk with my family doc and get the process going.  I did get a receipt when I renewed my membership to my gym last week.  LOL That is a start.  The whole approval process just seems so confusing to me.

Debbie,

Welcome to the board! Dr. Mailapur did my lapband surgery in August of this year and I think he's great. There are one or two here who had lapband with Dr. Foreman.

I agree that the 6 month supervised diet stinks but the time goes by quickly. Good luck on getting approved and picking your Dr.

Noel

Thank you for the welcome :-)
I have heard of Dr. Mailapur.  He works out of HSV hospital right?  

He works out of both Hsv hospital and Crestwood. I have to say that the day of surgery was a breeze at Hsv Hospital (except for the road work! lol) He did remove my friends gall bladder (he did her RNY) at Crestwood.

If you want more specific info just let me know. I'm also a mentor for the Hsv Wellness Center Lapband support group.

Noel

I have had several surgeries at HSV hospital and I think I received good care.  I love the fact that they give you the good stuff before you go in (the verced)LOL  That helps a great deal.
I had surgery at Crestwood this summer and I feel like I didn't get the same level of care there. AND they didn't give me my happy drug :-(

Drs Foreman and Facundas are in the same office. Both are excellent surgeons. Dr. Foreman did mine. Love, Miss Mary