just want to introduce myself.....

Hello everyone!

I am in limbo land right now waiting for insurance approval and following the "practice" diet. My ins. plan requires a 3 month program participation. Which I am very glad about cuz I want to feel like I am making actual changes within myself and not just having surgery-I want to "earn" this. Anyway,  I am having the sleeve with Drs. Rosen and Mikhail at LifeWeigh in D.G.

I have pretty much completed all of the preps...like blood work, Xrays, etc.  I was just diagnosed with Sleep Apnea so I am getting fitted for a CPAP on Monday...yuck.  Although better sleep will be nice. I was told that insurance approval is almost a shoe-in with apnea and high BP. Anyone know if that is true?

I know that I am REALLY jumping the gun here....but I have always had real issues with the whole hanging skin thing....I have said for years now that I sometimes think I sabotaged myself with weight loss because of it....of course my health comes first which is why I am going forward..but I still am just dreading all the loose skin. I know that so many variables are involved here...genetics...how much excess weight is lost...how long has it been there, etc. but does anyone have any suggestions on how to, at least, minimize it? And how about any ideas on how to get the insurance companies to cover surgery for the removal of it?

Anyway,
I am looking forward to being a part of this Illinois forum...have a good day all!

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome, We are always happy to have a newby join us. We were all where you are now.

Don't think about your hanging skin yet. Just be glad you are making improvements to your health and well being. We all have some, and possiblily your insurance will cover part of the plastics when you get to that point.

Once you get your approval, things will move fast. I think  after my approval, I could of had my lapband in 10 days, but because of my work,at that time of year, I waited 1 month.

you are in for a journey that won't end. You will be joining us on the losers bench shortly.

Good luck, and jump into our daily roll call. We not only talk about our surgeries and such, but most of us are friends and we really do care about each other. Welcome to our family.

Hugs,
LISA

Marabell,

We share docs - Dr Jeff. What you are going through is what everyone went through back when I had my surgery 8+ years ago but we did not have Joey or Dana to get us through the whole process plus the support group system that is in place. I found the practice diet to be so benificial for my PO life in learning how to eat, when/how much to drink, vitamins, exercise, healthy eating . . .  please introduce yourself the next time we get a chance at a support group meeting.

I guess that I really did not think about the skin issue back when I was pre op. It all depends on your age, genetics, how much you are overweight and how long you have been MO. You really cannot minimize it other than wearing a piece of clothing that will hold it in if you have a lot of skin. Have you talked with the docs about this? They can shed more light on it than I can.  Now, you are really jumping the gun worrying about insurance coverage for skin removal - most do not.

PS my DH had surgery with another major group in the NW 'burbs and he did not have a practice diet when he had surgery. He wishes that he had the benefit of it for eating and exercise habits. He did not learn to eat slowly or glub his food. He never even knew about vitamins, exercise nor drinking with his meals . . . take advantage of the time you have with our doc office because they are all about education, education, education.

Come join us on the daily roll call.

Wanted to clarify when I said about everyone going through the practice diet 8+ years ago. That was for Dr. Jeff's practice at the time called The WISH Center.

Sorry if it first sounded confusing what I first wrote.

Chris

WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!!!  (is there an echo in here........)

Glad to "meet" you and just wanted to say, "hi!".

All that Lisa says is true and we are here for support and friendship.  We share our daily lives in the "roll call" but if you have a specific question, you will get more responses by posting you question on its own.

I am over 5 years out and don't really have a huge problem with skin.  Try not to worry about that.  Your health is most important.

Hello and thank you for the warm welcome. Maybe I did something wrong....I started a new topic when I posted my question and did not reply to a roll call......again, perhaps I screwed up somehow...

I am trying not to focus on the skin thing because you are right, skin won't be much of an issue if I am not around to live in it.

You did perfectly!