Annette_Sue

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I am 4 pounds from goal!!!  I can't believe it - I have not felt this good since my very early 20's.  I will post some more pics very soon.  I know you've heard it before, but.... if you are on the fence about getting "sleeved", take the step, make the commitment and do it!  I have to stress the commitment part - it's not magic, you have to be willing to make changes.  It was not hard for me at all (with the exception of the pre-op diet, that sucked!). 

I'm officially 1/2 way to goal today, January 24th, 2011 (that would be 50 pounds people)!  It hasn't even been two and a half months yet.  It has been quite an adventure, very do-able.  I know at some point the weight loss will slow down, but that's okay.  I will keep doing what I'm doing and I WILL GET TO GOAL.  It is exciting!  I look and feel great and it will only get better from here :)

I am so calm and resolved since learning that my insurance will cover my sleeve surgery.  Before, I was in a constant state of worrying over it.  I was even considering having the RNY because insurance would cover it, knowing in my heart that RNY wasn't for me.  It made me realize how desperate I am feeling to getting this weight off!  I see posts on the VSG forum (and I'm sure that there are other people on other forums too that feel this way) from people who are scared and second-guessing themselves because they are getting close to surgery.  I read them and think to myself, "No way am I wondering if I'm doing the right thing...This is my best chance to get my life back.  I'm so lucky to have this opportunity!" 

Sooooo Happy!  My surgeon's office confirmed with me this morning that BCBS is now covering the VSG for people with BMI under 50.... uh, that would be me!  The coordintor at the office goes, "I guess we should have called you, huh?  We've known for about a week now".    Well, duh!  I've only been sweatin' it and worrying for three weeks or so!  I guess I'll forgive them :)
Now I can really start to plan for my new life:  Clear me a spot on the loser's bench, a really big spot, cause I'm going to riverdance on that b*tch!!!!!!

Check out this post that was on the VSG Forum:
Good news for those insured by Blue Cross of Michigan.  Effective November 1, 2010, they will cover VSG just as is any other bariatric procedure.  That means it will be covered not just for BMI over 50 as it has been, but also for BMI 35 or above with one or more comorbidities, and 40 or above if there are no comorbidities.

I absolutely could not keep myself together after reading this!  I will verify this with Dr. Gluck's office tomorrow, then I will really lose it once it is confirmed.  This is truly a dream come true.  It will be more real tomorrow once I know for sure.  I'll keep ya posted :)

Well, guess what?  I have a little dilemma on my hands.....it seems that with my insurance company (BCBS of MI) will only pay for the sleeve surgery if my BMI is over 50 (it is not).  My surgeon has submitted very favorable outcomes to them that shows great success with sleeve surgeries on his patients with BMI's less than 50.  The doc is waiting to hear back from them to see if they will start covering it.  Meanwhile, they have gone ahead and scheduled my surgery as an RNY procedure to get me on the schedule, hoping that they will be able to revise my surgery to VSG by then.  I'm hoping that everything goes according to plan!  I feel in my heart that the sleeve surgery is for me.  I may need to wait it out a little longer for the insurance company to come around.   I really need to be able to take my Motrin for joint and connective tissue issues, something that RNY surgery will not allow.  

I had my consultation with Dr. Gluck today.  He said I am a good candidate for getting the sleeve, which is what I wanted to hear.  It looks like the diet history that I provided is sufficient for the insurance.  Now I got a few more appointments, bloodwork and tests and then submittal to the insurance company.  I'm happy that it went so smoothly today and hopeful that it will continue to be easy. One step at a time!!! 

Scared, excited, hopeful, and more scared.  Is this the right thing for me to do???  I'm feeling more sure every day.  I have a consultation with the surgeon next week, by then I will have made a solid decision.  If I do this I am strongly leaning toward the sleeve.  I have an aversion to the whole "mal-absorption" thing.  The more I read on this site, the more I want a change :)