Good luck to you.

Loved Shelby!  Great experience.  There was a doctor in Dr. Sherer's practice that moved to UAB, but Dr. Sherer is still with Cahaba (as far as I know!  I haven't gotten a letter or anything). 

First and foremost, call BCBS and ask them for the link to the documentation on their site that outlines specifically what you are required to do for WLS.  Then, create a checklist from that documentation. 

For the 6 month supervised diet, assume your first appt is on March 1, 2011 (visit 1).  You will have to have an appointment every month April - August (visits 2-6).  Then your final visit is in September (visit 7) and it must be after the 1st of the month, so lets assume September 2nd.  7 visits encompasses 6 full months.  There is a specific form in the BCBS information that outlines exactly what your doctor must do in each of these visits and then the doctor must submit all of the information from all 7 visits to your surgeon.  For instance, weight, BP, record of diet/exercise, etc.  Personally, I gained/lost the same 5 lbs during that 6 month process.  My doctor was really cool in that he told me that if I was capable of losing the weight on my own I wouldn't be asking for WLS in the first place. 

It really is a process to weed out the folks that aren't serious about doing it.....many folks just get frustrated and give up.  I followed their rules to the letter and had no problems in the process.

Kim

Does anyone here take anxiety meds or have at any point? I am really clueless about prescription drugs. Is there any kind we should avoid? Any that work well for you?  Should I see my general practitioner about getting some? Or some other kind of Dr.?  I really need to do something right away.

Thanks for any help

Yeay!  We are sliding over to make a place for you on the loser's bench!

Kim

Go see Linda Steakley at the Huntsville Hospital Wellness Center on Governors Drive. I thought Dr. M still had all his patients go to her for a mandatory meeting before going thru with surgery.

If you don't have plans I'd suggest going to the Weightloss Support group meeting Thursday night there at the Wellness Center at 6 PM. Linda, Angi and others there are a great source of info! I usually attend but I'm in Iowa for business this week.

Family doctor wise Heritage Family Medicine in Madison are great! They are off of County Line Road and a pretty quick drive.

If you need numbers or extra info just send me a note. I've lived in the Huntsville area for about 10+ years.

Good luck!
Noel