Be Prepared

Be Prepared. This is something that boy scouts learn and are taught to live by.

So, I had made my decision, I dared to have WLS. When I moved to VA and was hired by an amazing company that offered incredible benefits I knew it was now or never. I contacted my health insurance company to see if this was covered and what all it would entail. My insurance company advised that this was a covered procedure with very minimal out of pocket expenses. SCORE!! I immediately scheduled and appointment with my doctor to see what I needed to do to move forward on this exciting, yet scary journey I was getting ready to embark on. My doctor was excited. He felt this was a great move for me and he gladly gave me the referral to meet with the nutritionist. He then explained to me what I was going to need to do.

Now, a lot of times what happens, depending on the insurance company, you meet with your doctor and they OK the procedure. You then have to get a few pre-op screening tests done, meet with the surgeon and then you are good to go and can schedule surgery. I was excited because I honestly thought I would be in the operating room with in a couple of months! This was not the case and as let down as I was in the beginning, I am so grateful for the program that I had to work through.

Kaiser is my health care provider and I love them! Kaiser has a six month program that you have to complete before your name can be sent before a board to be approved for WLS. The requirements are as follows:

6 months of monthly appointments with a nutritionist
2 WLS classes
1 weight control class
Lab work multiple times
Dispose of 3% of your current weight
Behavioral Health Clearance

So the journey begins.

Month 1: WLS Class One
     This was the 1st appointment and the first class. In this class we learned about what WLS was and the different procedures. We learned about how much weight we could anticipate to lose with each procedure and we set our goal weights.We also learned what the guidelines were to be approved by Kaiser.  At the very end of the class we weighed in. I was really excited and ready to move this process along.

Month 2: Individual Follow-up
     There was a patient questionnaire that I had to fill out and bring with me to this visit. The questions on it were along the lines of current food/fluid intake, activity records and any dietary supplements that I was currently taking. There were also questions about what weight loss programs I had tried in the past. We, the Nutritionist and I reviewed my current eating and activity habits and discussed the importance of changing those habits to meet my personal weight goals. I was asked to keep a food diary. Month 2 is also the month that I attended the weight control class.

Month 3: Individual Follow-up
     When meeting with the nutritionist this month she reviewed my food diary and we discussed portion sizes, meal spacing and fluid choices. We talked about daily activity, both programmed and lifestyle. We reviewed my smoking status...this is comical to me since my smoking status has always been: non-smoker. I also had to have an interview over the phone by a head doctor to advise that I am mentally stable enough to have WLS.

Month 4: WLS Class 2
     In this class we were given a more detail look into the different procedures offered. We were taught how to eat after WLS and discussed dietary supplements that would be needed following surgery. We were also given some of the keys that it would take to being successful following surgery.

Month 5: Individual Follow-up
     It's getting close. This month we, of course, reviewed my food diary. I was also asked to bring in the supplements that I had chosen to use after WLS so they could get a good idea of whether I knew what I needed or not. I had to also write out a sample meal/beverage schedule for timing of my meals, fluids and supplements. The final thing I had to do for this appointment was write out a sample menu for the puree and regular food stages.

Month 6: Individual Follow-up
     FINAL appointment before my name could be submitted to the board. This month we basically just finalized everything. We also discussed medications and who would be supporting me during and immediately after surgery. My final weigh in was also this month. I was 2 pounds short of my goal. This was a bit nerve racking for me. My nutritionist advised that she would still submit my name because she felt that I was a good patient for this and supported me. I was denied. I had to get rid of those 2 pounds. It took a couple of weeks but I did it! I got those pesky pounds off and my name was re-submitted and I was APPROVED!!!!

This was a lot to got through just to be approved for WLS, however I am so grateful that I went through it because it truly prepared me for what I was going to have to know and do after. As the Boy Scouts say: Be Prepared.