newbie, help! Where do I start?

Hi there, I registered a couple years ago but my BMI wasn't quite high enough to qualify me for surgery at that time, however I supported a friend thru the process and even went to Chicago with her  to one of her Dr's appts there. Now more time has gone by and despite the fact that I have tried numerous other "diets" etc I am still getting bigger and bigger. I was so upset by my weight recently that I almost just gave up. I feel so ashamed and feel like I should be able to lose this weight but I cannot. I am also a smoker and wonder if any dr's will even operate on me?? My height seems to vary depending on who's doing the measuring so I am not sure whether to gauge my BMI as 5'6'' or 5'7'' anyway at 5'6'' my BMI is now over 40 and I should qualify for bariatric surgery. I have Cigna insurance and am not sure what to do next. I have an apt with my regular general dr May2 but wondered if I should start elsewhere. I live in Quincy Il which is clser to St Louis Mo than Chicago....MY INSURANCE PROVIDER said it will cost less if I stay "in " their list of doctors but the dr my friend recommended is out of their network so now I am stumped. I am also wondering what kinds of foods you can eat post op and if there are negative after effects I should know about. She said she still cannot eat any fruits and veggies and her surgery was several years ago. Isn't that dangerous? I mean I am NOT a big fan of fruits and veggies esp veggies but don't we have to eat some of them for proper nutrition? As you can see I have many questions about all of this and need some guidance. Is anyone else from downstate like I am ( actually more like midstate) Please share whatever you can! Thanks, Kathy

First of all welcome!!  Im not sure what doctors are in your area but some places offer free seminars you can attend to learn about them. I was a smoker and still found someone to operate on me but I had to quit for the surgery.  Everyone is different in what they can tolerate after surgery. I drink diet v8 splash to get my fruits and veggies in.

Thanks for the welcome lippy81. Can I ask where you had your surgery and who did it? Are you glad you got it? Have you met your goal?

I had it in Downers Grove at Lifeweigh Bariatrics. Dr Jef Rosen. I highly recommend them. They help with diet and exercise.  Im so glad that I did it. I am over a year out and I met the goal my surgeon wanted and am still losing. I have lost 200 pounds so far and I dont have a set goal in mind just wanted to weigh in the 100s. I had open gastric bypass

Can they do the laproscopic version there?

I'd rather not have more scar tissue on my abdomen than is absolutely necessary.

I also wonder if they'd take my insurance? (Cigna)

yep they do it laproscopic. i would call and ask them to see about your insurance

I have Cigna and was able to go out of state. If it's a center of Bariatric Excellence Cigna will probably cover it. They also require a 6 month medically supervised weight loss and they will give you very specific requirements to complete before surgery. Get it in writing so you can remind your doctor each visit.

Connie 

I think the doctor I would really like to go with is Dr Frantcides in Skokie IL. He is in state but he is not " In Cignas network".  I tried to call several of the dr's offices  for info yesterday and all I got was answering machines and no return calls.....sigh.... Guess I'll try again today. Thanks for your input. Kathy

Hi, Kathy! Welcome! About the smoking...my neighbors (married couple and smokers for more than 40 years ) used Chantix and both stopped smoking this winter. I understand it's not for everyone, but you may want to look into it before surgery. Also, there is another surgical possibility...the duodenal switch. It is covered by many insurance ompanies (I had Aetna) and it has a post-surgical lifestyle that includes fruit, veggies, sugar and just about anything you can dream of (AS long as you get your protein and supps in, of course!). If you're interested, visit http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/ and ask anything you like! Best of luck! Nicolle   

Hi Nicolle, I was really interested in the doudenal switch at first but found out nobody hardly does those anymore also I don't think Cigna covers anything besides lap band and the ROUXY surgery.