Well

Went to the doctor today to have my physical and mentioned that I wanted to have a referral to the Bariatric clinic at Henry Ford. She mentioned that since most insurance companies want a 6 month documented weight loss program, she gave me a referral for the weight management program at Henry Ford also. I had lab work done. I also told her that I have trouble sleeping and that apparently I snore badly so she thinks that I have sleep apnea and I got a referral for that also. I'm going to make my appointment for the sleep clinic. She thinks that I might not get approved by HAP for the surgery because I don't have the documented weight loss program. So I'm optimistic but I'm not entirely getting my hopes up.

That sounds about right. She appears to be in your corner with WLS and that's gonna help.
I went from paper to table in three weeks with apnea, sugar, hypertension and cholesterol. I could have gone sooner but I was waiting for school to get out.
Start practicing the bariatric stuff - eat, drink and walk like a GAP. Try samples of stuff to see what they are like and for a real trip time your eating.

Positive vibes.
kp

That was the first time I've seen that doctor. She's very nice and supportive of the WLS. I have bought some protein shakes, they're 90 calories each, low carb and have 15 grams of protein to I've been having those as a snack between meals. They aren't too bad. If I don't get approved I'm gonna make my appointment with the weight management program and start there and work on getting approved again. Thanks for the advice.


Katie

Have you seen other dr in the practice?  Do you have records from your old dr office.  My GP was very supportive, and I had to have 2 years diet history.  He covered it in my referal letter. 

KP has good advice.  Start getting accustomed to the lifestyle.  Try protien, but do not stock up on it.  I still have 3 containers that I am trying to get through after a year.  I loved it pre op, gag it down now.  Its not the taste of them, its the texture.

Best of luck.

I only saw my primary care doc today. I'm not sure when I will get to talk to the bariatric doc. I can get the records from my former doc's office and for my insurance they require 6-12 months of a supervised diet. I went to the beaumont weight loss clinic for over 3 months so i could get records for that.

I don't mind the protein shakes. I was mixing a smoothie every morning for breakfast with strawberries, blueberries, crushed ice, a splash of orange juice and protein powder. I don't mind protein shakes but after a while I just get sick of them. I use the Aria protein powder that I get a meijer, its not bad, it says it can be mixed with water but I haven't tried that. I also bought protein shakes from bariatric choice online.

Aria is made by Designer Whey, which is one of the protien that I use.  They Orange Mango and Pomegrante Fruit are really good and don't have the "protien shake" feel to them  I would say that the orange mango is like crystal lite sunrise orange.  They have them in "to go" singles also, which is nice for sampling.  I noticed at Meijers, they also have a lite version now, in the "to go" and have 5 grams protien for 8 oz.  Reminded me of the special K protien water mixes. 

Best of luck

I had no idea that they come in single servings. I'm giong to have to look out for those.

Congratulations on taking the first steps in this journey.  It's the best thing I've ever done for myself and I'm sure you'll feel the same way once you have your surgery too.

I would suggest you contact your insurance company right away.  Just call the number on the back of your insurance card.  Ask if WLS is covered and what the exact requirements for approval are.  Get that list of criteria in writing.  Then use that as your checklist as you go through the process.  Don't rely on anyone else (your doctor or some insurance clerk at a bariatric center) ... you must be your own best advocate.  Know exactly what you have to do and lead your own journey.

If you require a 6 month diet hisotry, don't submit for approval until you have this complete.  You'll just get denied, so why bother wasting your time and energy (and worry).  Get the 6 months done, get all your appointments done and get everything gathered together and have eveything submitted in it's complete form.  Set yourself up for approval from the very beginning. 

Good luck
Pam