Went to my seminar last night.

It was in Fishers and with Dr. Diaz. He seemed very nice. I didn't really learn a whole lot of new info, other than some stuff about long term results and complications, which I asked about. It is probably my next biggest fear after dying in surgery... that I will gain the weight back or have a bowl obstruction 10 years out and no longer be as careful or something like that. I wonder if every little twinge in my tummy will make me freak out for the rest of my life. Anyway, it felt good to finally be doing something, and I felt very well informed because of OH.com. They told everyone to come here and check out the site. I got a little worried about insurance. They asked about what types of insurance everyone had. I didn't speak up about my BCBS Federal Employee Program, but sometimes they say that is the same as Anthem, and one lady had Anthem and they told her they require an 18 MONTH diet! They did imply that the only proof they require is a letter from the surgeon or PCP stating that you had done that, so maybe that isn't as bad as it could be. Of course I read another post earlier today on here from someone with the same Federal version of BCBS who said she was only required to do 6 months. Guess I'll figure out all that at my consultation next week. My DH asked if I felt more comfortable or more afraid. I said both... There were some interesting statistics floating about last night. Anyway, hope everyone is having a good Wednesday, and I'm thinking about those having surgery this AM. Kim

Kim, Last year, it was passed by State Law that the insurance companies can only require 6 months of physician supervised dieting. Anthem/BCBS is very good with this. Some aren't. MPlan isn't. What they may require is 18 months of seeing a dietician or some other hoop for you to jump through. And then after you do all their bologna, may say they didn't like the way the doctor kept his notes or some other stupid excuse. It definately takes perserverance for some to be able to get approval. BCBS & Anthem are two of the best insurers in my opinion though so you shouldn't have any problems. Fact of life: with EVERY surgery, there are risks. Some surgeries, more risks. Some people, more prone to risks. Unless you've had complications in the past, you aren't going to know if you are one of these people or not until you do have the surgery. With all the surgeries I had prior to my RNY (6 of them), I had ZERO complications. By all indications, I was expecting ZERO complications. But my body decided otherwise. After multiple (15) endoscopies (strictures and ulcers), 2 perforations, a RNY revision (due to the perfs), a triple internal hernia (bowel obstruction), all I can tell you is that I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT. No, I don't get concerned every time I throw up that I have another stricture. I don't worry about another obstruction every time I have a tummyache. I don't think 'ulcer' if I have a little bit of a twinge. If I have a chest pain, I don't automatically wonder if I have a perf. The best advise I can give a pre-op is be prepared mentally for the worse and hope for the best. That's all any of us can do in every aspect of our life. Ask yourself this: If the doctor told you that you had to have a quadruple bypass, would you hesitate? For many of us, by the time we make the decision to have surgery, our weight has been as destructive to us as blocked arteries is to a heart. Many of us have to make the decision: Have surgery or die and early death. Yes, there's risks, but do you know of anything rewarding that doesn't have it's risks? Statistically, unless you already have severely damaged organs, your chance of success & survival are excellent provided that you do as your surgeon & nutritionists directs you to do. Yes, there are deaths which occur. The majority of those deaths however were due to the massive strain that the weight put on the organs. Any surgery would have most likely killed the person...and no surgery at all, definately would have. The decision is a very personal one to make. We can tell you our stories, but ultimately, only you can decide if the risks are worth it to you. Sherri

I have mplan ,now law changed and you just wait 6 months My dietrition and doc will turn every thing over in june.they said i should be approved by july ,,good luck

Sandra, From personal experience, be sure your doctor is VERY meticulous with his note-taking...and be prepared to fight for what you want. If you look on here under 'Insurers' (blue column to the left), MANY people had to battle with MPlan in order to get approved. I had 2.5 YEARS of pcp supervised dieting and they dnied me and denied the appeal because and I do quote "don't like the way he kept his notes". They refused to be more specific than that and want me to start all over for an additional 18 months (back when 18 months was legal). In recent history...like within the past month or so, another person was told by MPlan that they had to have 18 MONTHLY dietcian visits. Forewarned is forarmed. Sherri