Just starting this journey

Hi there!  My name is Monica and I am just starting this WLS journey.  I just attended a seminar that was held in Arlington Hts and was led by Dr Guske of the Kane Center.  It was a wonderful experience and everyone was so nice.  Guess we're all in the same boat.   I have sent in my paperwork for the insurance and history today and have a consultation scheduled for Aug 7th.  I know that I will have to do the 6 month supervised diet since I have BCBS of IL and that kinda stinks, but it's okay.  I just hope that in the long run they approve it.   I am looking at the Gastric Bypass becasue they said that it's probably better for someone how loves sweets and that would be me!  lol Well I hope to get to know you and will soon be on the road to surgery and beyond! Monica

Hi Monica-welcome to the IL board-we are all very friendly, informative and supportive.  I too have BCBS of IL and DR. Rantis did my surgery May 25th.  He is excellent w/a capital E!  BCBS will have you go through a 6 month medically supervised diet.  You will have to faithfully see your MD once a month.  I believe nutrition counseling and a psych eval will also be necessary.  Dr. Rantis' staff will help you with all of this-they are super.  I had to fight w/BCBS for 16 months before they approved me and I have major co-morbidities.  Just keep at them and so will the Dr's staff and you'll get it done.  Any questions feel free to ask.  Looking forward to seeing you on the loser's bench-Janet K

Hi Christine!  Yes I remember you and your hubby from the seminar.  VERY excellent presentation.  Yes all the PO patients helped a ton.  Hearing from others that have done it and have had such good results is great.  Thanks for being there! I'm really looking forward to getting to know all of you guys here!  Seems like a GREAT group of people.

Monica, welcome to the IL board. My husband and I were there at that seminar also. I hope the PO patients were informative for you. We would have liked to stay afterwards but we had other obligations.  You are right about the sugar aspect of the equation. Just continue to do your homework on all of the surgery types and be a well informed patient when you go for your appointment. Take care and ask questions anytime you may have one. Christine ps - forgot to mention to you to come on into the daily roll call that is posted each morning by one of us and get to know the rest of the group.

Thank you Janet for the warm welcome.  It's so nice to be where others know what you are going through.  My family is VERY supportive but they just don't "get it".  Does that make sense.   I am glad to hear such good words about Dr Rantis too.   Hopefully BCBS won't give me too much trouble even though I don't have any co-morbitities...we'll see I guess.   Thanks again and I look forward to getting to know you

Welcome Monica!!!  Yeah, we're all on the same journey ... we may be taking slightly different routes, but its the same journey.  I know at this point you get a bit anxious just to get surgery "over with", but believe me, the 6 months of supervised diet will actually be very beneficial in the long run.  It kind of shows commitment, because this is still work ... the surgery alone won't get you the results.  I actually think the surgery was the easy part ... and still, 4 years later -- it can be difficult. Anyway ... all the best to you ... there are a lot of great people on this board, we do try to get together from time to time ... but if you'd ever like to talk or meet for coffee, lunch, whatever ... please feel free to contact me (or most anyone else on this board). Take care and keep us posted! Karyn

Welcome Monica! Dr. Guske did my RNY 18 months ago.  He is a real sweetheart and I couldn't ask for better. The doc's at the Kane Group will take great care of you. Good luck with BCBS, they can be a b*&^%.