Just starting the process and nervous

Hi everyone, Just wanted to take a minute and join the board. I'm Delicia (pronounced Daleesha) and I'm 28. I've just started the process and have scheduled all of my evaluations. I am so excited and nervous at the same time at the thought of a new me, but I'm trying to take this time before the surgery to concentrate on what habits I have that may not be good after I have the surgery and slowly change them. I've been drinking more water than I have in my entire life in the last week Any advice for what to do prior to the surgery in order to have a better time after WLS. Also, does anyone here work for the state? I have Anthem BC/BS and I'm worried that they may deny me. Starting with a BMI of 51 and been overweight all my life. Just pray for me that everything turns out all right!!

Delicia, Wishing you the best of luck and everything will go well. I have Anthem and they covered everything but the co-pays!!! Your in my thoughts!!!! Carmen

Hi Delicia, I am from New Britain also and I am going through Dr. Aranow and I started researching a year ago and decided to get the ball rolling in July. This surgery is on my brain all the time and it is all I really think about including if my insurance will approve me. Welcome to AMOS. You should really try and lose as much weight as you can pre op so your surgery will be easier on you and your doctor. My cousin works for the state of CT and her friend had the surgery but I think she had Blue Cross and they covered it 100% but I think that overall state workers have pretty good insurance. Wait is Anthem BC/BS the same thing lol I think it is, well she had it 4 months ago and they covered everything when it is deemed to be medically necessary. Well just email me if you have any questions.

Hi Delicia, Welcome to the CT boards! If you smoke - try to quit ASAP. If you drink coffee - try to switch to decaf, and since you won't be able to have carbinated drinks for quite a while, you might want to decrease them as well. Hope these hints help. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -98 lbs.

Thank you everyone that replied!! I guess the quitting smoking part is going to be the most difficult for me, but I know I have to do it. Will they not operate on you if you are still smoking? Just a question, I need to quit the nasty habit whether I'm having the surgery or not. I just joined the gym and have been going 4 times a week for the last week. .. trying to get my lazy butt up and out. It's funny how this surgery is motivating me to lose weight, when nothing else could. .lol.

dont worry i work for the state d.o.t .the insurance is great i got health net but they told me there shouldnt be any problems your rght smoking is the toughest habit of all to quit .i quit drinking 14 yrs ago cold turkey it was so bad but ciggies is a tough one .i hope all goes well for you ...tom

Some doctors will not operate unless you quit smoking. However, even if your doctor will.... very, very serious complications can arrise from smoking, add that to being MO, etc., and you are asking for trouble. My daughter had a cyst and an ovary removed this summer (she's 23) and she smokes. They had to suction her lungs 3 times on the table - the doctor was so concerned that they kept her in the hospital another night to watch her. He read her the riot act after - and she has quit (thank God), but the concern in his voice after the surgery was real - the anesthesiologist (sp) was also very concerned about losing her on the table, etc., all because of smoking. Hope this helps to convince you. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau

Welcome to the CT board. There is a great deal of support and wonderful people here. I'm sure things will go fine. Which surgeon did you go with? Please keep us posted as to how you're doing. Maggie

I am going with Dr. Barba's office. So far I've heard very good things about his office.

I am with Barba's office as well. Hope everything goes well for you. Are you going for lap or rny? Joanne