My Intro - Encouragement Welcome

I am 51, 275 pounds, 5'6" tall.  My highest weight was 293, and I weighed 254 when I graduated from high school.

I was seriously considering Lap Band surgery last year, went through about half of the process (never did the endoscopy).  I ultimately couldn't go through with it, too many fears about the potential for problems in the long-term, feeling reluctant to tie myself to so many doctor visits in a year, and weird about having a foreign object that I might actually *feel*.  Anyway, I had researched the sleeve, but was told last summer that Anthem didn't cover it, so I didn't think much about it at that point.

Fast forward to this spring, feeling so discouraged about my weight again, and Googled Anthem's surgery policy online.  It looks like they might cover VSG now, trying not to get my hopes up.  I am very scared, very worried about the reaction of my friends.  I am a long-term member (in and out) of Overeaters Anonymous.  It has helped me lose and maintain a 100+ pound weightloss for 7 years in my 20s and 30s, but here at 51 I am eating too much again, and feeling helpless and hopeless about doing it on my own.  I am mostly sugar free, but I am certainly convinced I have a screwed up relationship with food.

I just wanted to raise my hand and let you know I'm here.  Reading these posts is very helpful.  I am still scared, but hopeful that I may have some help with the surgery tool.  I have an appt. with a new clinic nearby (recommended by my PCP) and we'll see what happens.  I work crazy hard right now and worry about all the time it will take to go to classes, appts, surgery, recovery ,etc. but I want to be healthy!  My mom died unexpectedly at 59 and I don't want to go there.

Thanks!!

Hi! I'm Jeni... What's your first name? Or do you want to just go by Happy? Good for you for taking the steps to take control of your life! I was the same way as you... Didn't eat a lot of bad stuff, just ate too much of the good stuff! Hope to see you around the boards! Good luck with the insurance!
Jeni

Hi Happy,  i have anthem and last year in feb when my paperwork went in they denied me.  But i appealed and i won, a  lot of us have.  But i believe they now cover it.  So i just wanted to say hi,  and i think you have made  a wonderful decision and i wish you the best of luck in going thru this process.   It can be difficult,  but most of us will tell you all the hoops we have to jump thru are so worth it.  The wonderful changes that will come your way will make you say the same thing one day.  I hope you get good news soon.  :o) Jeani

Hi Happy,

Welcome! This forum (the VSG one) is great and filled with wonderful people. You'll feel right at home.

I'd recommend calling your insurance company first to see if your particular policy allows WLS, and the sleeve in particular. There's nothing more heartbreaking than going through all the hoops only to find out it's not covered. (this didn't happen to me, but it happens to a lot of people). If it does, yay! Take one step forward. If not, see if you can appeal. Either way, there are a lot of hoops to jump, and it gets frustrating, but it's worth it!

Anyway, welcome!

Thanks, ccbelle.  I did call and confirmed that WLS is covered, now just waiting to find out about VSG.  When I asked Anthem about specific procedures, they referred me to their guidelines for obesity surgery.  The version online (updated Nov 2010) lists VSG as a covered procedure - it didn't last year.  We'll see!!  I appreciate all the advice!

Perfect! One less hoop :)

Hi, Happy! I will be 60 in just a few days and the only regret I have about my sleeve is that I was not able to have it done YEARS ago.
I did not eat bad stuff, just all the good stuff I could get my hands on! LOL!

What ever you decide, I wish you every success.

 I have Anthem of CA and had no problem getting approved, after going through the requirements.  I was sleeved on the 29th.  Good luck!

 Additional comment:  I have seen many other Anthem approvals on here :)

Welcome to the VSG forum!  lots of good people here....good info too!  Good luck with your approval!