Beginning Today

[Victerria]

After waiting 3 weeks, my appointment day finally arrived. I asked my husband to accompany me so that I would be sure not to miss anything and he would know how to support me. I arrived at the doctor's office 30 minutes early because traffic was lighter than I thought. The office had large chairs. They were mixed with smaller regular chairs. I was given paperwork to fill out, the first being a quiz that tested me on the content on a video that I was suppose to watch. It was very easy. Next I was weighed and height measured. This is funny, I do not ever being measured by my height. I suppose I was sometime and I thought I was about 5'2''. That was the height on my military ID card and it is the height on my driver's license. Well, my official height was .....4'11.5 inches! What????? I am not even 5 feet! For some reason this was totally devastating. It raised my BMI! Whooahh!!! Okay, than while I was in shock, they managed to get my blood pressure and weight. Starting weight 226 which was what I knew I weighed at home.

Soon I was escorted to an office where I met my doctor, a fellow following him, and a PA in training. Basic questions were asked and the physcian asked which surgery I was interested in. I said the Sleeve. He concurred. They listened to my heart, felt my thyroid, and inspected my abdomen for any possible hernias or abnormalities. Doctor was very friendly and very easy to talk with.

After meeting with physician, I met with the dietitian. I was informed that my insurance (Federal BCBS) required that I would need to be on a supervised 3 month diet prior to approval. I was given a low carb, diet to follow. I will meet with dietitian monthly till my surgery is approved in approximately 3 months. I was happy that I was informed by the office ahead of time that there would be a fee that must be paid at appointment time for the dietitian since the insurance does not cover that, It was $75.00 and will be 35 on following monthly appointments.

I know this is somewhat detailed but I was one that would have like to know what the first appointment consist of before I went.

[mem222]

I'd have to say that every Dr.'s visit is different. My husband and I go to the same practice but had surgery with different surgeons and there have been many differences.
Other than the 3 month nutrition period, do you have any other requirements to meet?

[Victerria]

Yes in addition must meet BMI 40 or greater or have BMI 35 and greater with two medical diagnosis, must meet with psychologist and complete and have green light for medical work up. Medical work up will depend on what the physician feels you need based on your current health status. One more thing, you need to make an attempt to follow the recommended weight loss diet over the 3 month period, the doctor reserves the discretion to cancel your surgery if he feels you have not been trying to follow recommendations.

[Ann2]

Find out if your weight measured at your first doctor's meeting qualifies you ... or if your weight / BMI three months from now is what will qualify you.

Point being -- you may need to find a "sweet spot" of "weight lost" and "BMI is still 40+" to qualify.

Sounds silly, but better to be certain than to guess about this.

[mem222]

so your BMI is 40 now and you're going "on a diet". If you go below 40 do you have co-morbidities that would qualify you for surgery?
I was lucky, I had sleep apnea.???

[Meagan]

I agree with everyone's opinions on the dumb middle ground for insurance qualifications. But, I mostly wanted to say, I got a kick out of your height not being what you thought -- -that happened to me as well, I truly believe I have shrunk b/c my military measured (and around that time several times) height was 5' 6", but now I am 5'5". My sister was 5ft when I was younger, I bet she's your height now! If only my feet would shrink too, I could find cuter shoes.....

[angie 3]

Good luck ! Hope you get approved soon! Kinda sucks being short! A moment on the lips always shows on the hips! Keep us all posted!

[mae7365]

I had Aetna insurance, and luckily my initial weight was what qualified me for surgery. If I fell below 36 BMI (I had a co-morbidity) prior to the day of surgery, that was OK with Aetna. My BMI on day of surgery was 36.1 and I had actually gained a pound on the two week pre-op diet. Luckily my surgeon was less interested in weight loss and more interested in my pre-op health!

[Victerria]

I really do not think I need to worry since my BMI is 44 so it will be unlikely I will drop below 40 in 3 months.

[BillyJ]

Same thing happened to me on the height. I have always been 5'7 but they said I was 5'5. I think they wanted to raise my BMI. Lol. Didn't matter since I was a self pay.

[Victerria]

LOL! Yes and they did not have to shorten me to raise my BMI, for it was high enough! Congratulations by the way on your weight loss !