Just Getting Started--Hi Everyone!!!

 Yay, Lisa--someone on a parallel journey, at the beginning.  

Thanks for the welcome!  And I agree about the niceness (we are from TN after all!) and how informed and willing to share everyone is.  Hmmm, I actually look forward to the experience in part to be able to share with the newbies, too.  Just the amount of time I have been lurking around, I have had such a sense of inspiration. It's amazing!

Good luck with your pre-op to do list and I look forward to the day we can do happy dances when we get the clearance from insurance!!!

Thank you and all the best to you on your journey, too!
Denise

Welcome Denise!
Welcome to the TN board.  We are a great bunch of losers and loser wantabe's!  Post as often as you like, ask as many questions as you like.  I had two things that I had trouble with-first was fear of surgery.  I finally got to the point where I just put it in God's hands and my husband did too, and the surgery went fine.  Then, about 6 months out, I started feeling hunger again, and began to grieve for my old friend food.  I wish I had done more emotional work prior to surgery because we all have emotional baggage.  I sought help-saw my doctor and bought a great book from amazon.com titled "It Ain't Over Til The Thin Lady Sings".  I REALLY wish I had had it pre op.  It would have really helped me.  It is almost like a workbook and it asks you to do some emotional "homework".  The lady who wrote it is a certified addictions counselor.  Again, welcome to the board!
Marilyn

 Thank you Marilyn,

You are one of the biggest motivators on this board--seems like you, Bob, Scott, and Melinda to name just a few (sorry for omitting people--my intent is not to offend anyone!  Besides, my short term memory is not that great!), as well as all the kind people who have responded, that really post a lot and are very inspiring.  

At this point, I'm not particularly afraid of surgery.  We'll see how things change when the time grows near! I lost my brother in 2001 to injuries from a car wreck when he was 30.  Since then I have been very good with the "Let go, let God," concept.  What's supposed to happen will happen and I'm not going to get dished anything I can't handle.  After holding his hand as he died, I realized if I can handle that, I can pretty much handle anything!  Bring on the 10 day pre-op liquid diet!  I dare ya! 

I will be hightailing right over to Amazon to get the book you mentioned.  I love reading and it sounds like that book is going to be very helpful.  I am pretty dorky, and love doing homework stuff like that.  I can readily admit to my emotional baggage and really want to shed the few I have left.  Besides, I hear American Airlines charges $25 a bag.  So it's definitely worth paring down to carryon only! hee hee!

I thought of you the other day.  I was standing in front of the mirror with my arms out. I was like, "Yeah, I'm gonna have batwings!"  : )  It may have been several pages back on the boards, but I think you mentioned that phrase and it stuck with me.  I think having a sense of humor will help keep things in check, and lucky for me, it doesn't take much to crack me up!

Thanks for the warm welcome and I am so happy to be a part of such a great group!!
Denise

Hello Denise, I think that the waiting on the insurance to get situated, and decide that it will pay for the surgery, was the worse. I waited 2 yrs. for DH insurance not only to change their policies, but also they changed insurance companies. It was all worth it, and grab the bull by the horn and don't let go when it comes to your paperwork, don't back down, follow it every step. That away you know where it is and where you are in your process. And Congrats sweetie, Hugs to you!! Barb Myspace Welcome Comments & Graphics

 Wow--congrats on your success post op!  And thank you for such a sweet welcome!  I have a great friend in KY named Barb who is famous for her hugs, so it's great to know I have a second source for "Barb hugs!"

Well, if it takes a crazy 2 years for approval (though I hope not), then there's always a bright side:  I think the surgery I really want is the VSG, which I don't think is covered by BCBS.  If it takes that long, I'm sure they will have that as an approved procedure by then! 

I guess the insurance battle is there to show how badly you want it.  And I really want it.  I'm tired of feeling so crummy from carrying all this extra weight.  It'll be worth the bumpy bull ride, I'm sure!

Thank you so much and hugs to you too!  
Denise

Hi and welcome I to have just started the process with BC/BS Tn I was told they only paid 50% of any of the surgery but would pay 90% of aftercare on the band. So I am at a stand still cause at vandy I was told the band was 25k and I just can't afford that right now so I am trying to find someone that will work with me to find out exactly what out of  pocket I would have to pay I am praying it will be less than 12k. Good Luck and keep us posted....

I know how insurance is, Bless your heart sounds as though your employer like so many others, get the least just to say they have. And I have seen that many companies have exclusions for the surgery, so you are lucky there. Each company is different, you have to contact your h/r personel or your insuance rep. personally and get an update on what your policy will cover and what it will not. Good luck
Hugs Comments Barb

 It seems that insurance is one of the biggest pains of the whole process and highly subject to Your Mileage May Vary.

I guess it's like Barb said--coverage can vary by employer as well.  I work at Vandy and as part of our insurance plan, coverage and pricing is based on out of network ($$$), in network ($$) and in Vanderbilt ($, relatively speaking).  I need to clarify with Cynthia, but I'm expecting to have to pay at least 20% out of pocket.  Hopefully less, but I'd rather aim high and not be surprised.

Good luck on your journey.  Like many have told me, grab the bull by the horns and don't give up!!!
Denise

Hey Denise, just wanted to welcome you to the board. Just jump right in and ask away. We have people on here in all of the different stages of their journey, so you have come to the right place.

As far as my challenging part, is was getting myself and the paperwork done. I have been to several semminars ( I went to 4 or 5 different ones). It was a bit overwhelming for sure, but the more I found out about the different types, I was able to make my decision.

As most of us here, we have been overweight most if not all of our lives. The straw that broke the camels back for me was in 2004 when I was told that I had female cancer.  I also had so many comorbitities (sp) it was unreal. I had the cancer taken care of and then I was off and running for more 411....lol

I did not mind the 2 week liquid diet as much as some say. They have you do to that to make it easier on the Doc's and you can also lose weight doing it and that kinda jumps starts you and you get excited to see the scales go DOWN.

I wish you well on your journey and you keep us posted on it. Also, watch the board for our events that we have, it is a great way to meet some of the folks and be able to put a face with all of this typing........lol

Cheryl