I’m sleeved and 2 years later I have had my panniculectomy done

How many weeks does your insurance require you to attend classes? I have Kaiser in Southern California and they require 12 weeks. I have my orientation on 2/6/19. I’m so scared to even lose 1lb prior to my initial bariatric appt.

Oh man well I won’t complain about the 12 week program but yes this is so challenging to stay eligible with our BMI. Are you not allowed to lose while you are in the program? Kaiser does allow and actually encourages loss while in the pre-op program I just have to maintain until I have the initial bariatric appt with my bariatric doctor. After that then I’m assuming he/she will encourage some weight loss while in the pre-op program. I have kinda thought about putting on a few lbs prior to my initial appt just to give myself some leeway but fml I’m already so heavy and struggling to carry this 217lbs my back hurts so bad already

So the qualifying BMI with my insurance is 40 and mine was 40.5 when I started, so I literally have a 2lb buffer before I wouldn't qualify for the surgery. Ridiculous. As luck, or rather misfortune would have it I actually broke my leg just before Christmas and needed two surgeries to fix, so I'm on bed-rest for 3 months. The inactivity has meant packing on a few more lbs, but at least I should have some time to drop it before the end of this program, so I might actually get to put some of the recommendations into practice after all

Oh man sorry to hear about your break hope your recovery is coming along well. Kinda crazy that we have to toggle on the ledge in order to get approved for a life saving/ healthier lifestyle procedure. Meh! Well here’s to our future selves. I will follow your journey so we can keep each other encouraged

I know, I literally could not believe it when they told me on my first visit. I saw 5 different people on my registration day: 2x Nurse Practioners, the Nutritionalist, the Psychologist and my Surgeon. Asked them all to re-verify since it seemed so farcical. They were keen to stress that this is the Insurance company rule not theirs. They def stressed it was more important that I do not put on weight during this time, and seemed to think that they may be able to find a work around if I did lose weight, but would not recommend that I do. I had my 3rd catch up on Monday and discussed the issues Im having now Im not active, weight is piling on slowly. The general message was that as long as I lose it again before the end of the 6 months I should be fine though. Now I just need to work on not going completely cuckoo while im stuck on the couch for 3 months. 6 weeks down, about 9 more to go!
If you're is 12 weeks it looks like we'll probably be having surgery around the same sort of time.

Yes, insurance companies can be tricky I actually work for one so I know how it can be. Well one u are able to get back up and around you will lose the weight u gained bc you haven’t come this far to let your approval fly out of the window

Exactly!

I too had to wait the 6 months with the same guideline which actually turned into 8! But I made it! Surgery day is Monday 2/25!!! Altho i weigh sightly less, I did have the medical issues that qualified me for insurance. I'm thankful. Best of luck to everyone. Your journey is your own and don't listen to the ppl who say you're not "fat" enough for the procedre because no one knows what it feels like in your body when you're not used to being at your current weight. Best of luck to you!!

How exciting, best of luck for Monday! Let us know ow you’re getting on

Woohooo congratulations! I’m so scared to lose any weight while I go thru the 12 week pre-op mandatory classes I don’t want to get disqualified because my BMI drops too low!

Oh noooooo! Please tell me more.

Good luck and I know it’s sounds crazy but my doctor told me I could gain 7 lbs and I would qualify luckily my insurance accepted me at the 38 BMI with no co-morbity but I think bc my Ac1 came back in the pre-diabetic range that pushed me over the edge.

I went for my labs last week and will call then tomorrow to see what the result is. My blood pressure is a little high but I dont think it's enough to qualify. Good luck!

Awesome! How are you feeling? Any advice?

I am really good now. Happy I did it. So much cheaper now when I take my kids out to eat. We order so much less. Never noticed how much it cost to keep big. After the surgery I save so much money from not eating so much. Definitely worth it.

I’m looking forward to not spending $25 a day on “unnecessary” food

Keep to the diet the doctor gives befor and after surgery. The 1st week for me was hell, Have to pass all the gas they pump in your stomach for the surgery. That was painful after that it’s smooth sailing. After the 1st week I never regret it. You will be so happy too. I am still on my journey only 2 1/2 months. I still struggle with some foods. Check out my post. I have pictures on it too.

Definitely that will change after surgery. You will be eating a whole lot less but often. I walk with my food just in case when I get hungry and can’t find food I can digest.