Well today my referral still hasn't come back as approved but I'm looking toward the bright side. I called the surgeon's nurse and told her who my insurance provider was and she just took my information. As she put it, "Tri-Care is easy". She told me everything I would have to do and that I could pick up my packet at the seminar on Thursday. In this packet will be numbers that I would have to call to make the various appointments before I would meet with the doctor. I can't wait until Thursday. I was excited before but now I'm completely over the top. Now all that's left before I start all this is to tell my hubby what I am planning on doing :smile2: and getting the approval letter from my insurance company. Why haven't I told my hubby you may ask? :thumbup: Well I wanted to gather as much information as possible so I could answer any question he may have as to why I am doing this. Wish me luck! :thumbup:
My PCM's nurse called me to tell me that my referral was submitted yesterday and I should receive a letter within a week. I'm going to call the insurance company tonight to see what the status is. Even though it takes a week for the letter you can be approved within 1-2 days. I'm so excited right now. I can't wait until I get the letter.
I contacted the nurse of the doctor who would be doing my procedure once my referral goes through. She told me all the things I would have to do. I have to attend 2 classes (group & 1 on 1), see a psychiatrist, nutritionist, and a fitness physiologist. The doctor she works for is not going to start doing lap bands until June so even if I get the ball rolling I don't know how many people are in front of me. I hope I don't have to wait too long. My supervisor is leaving for a few months and it will be VERY hard for me to get time off. I was hoping I could get it done in July and be back to work before she leaves. It may or may not be possible but that's what I'm shooting for. The nurse also gave me the information on the first class I am required to attend (group). I'm going to attend that class later this month and knock that out. For the rest of the classes/meetings I have to wait until my referral goes through. It's okay though. It's well worth the wait. In the mean time I'll continue what I normally do and continue to lose weight.
I finally got word to my doctor that I wanted him to put in a referral for me to have the Lap Band. I should hear back from him either today or tomorrow if he was able to. For some reason I'm kind of nervous. Not in a bad way through. I guess it's more excitement than anything else. I haven't told my husband what I plan to do yet. I want to meet with the surgeon and make sure that it's a go before I bring it up. I know he would be supportive of it. I just don't know how his initial reaction will be. He's really big on losing weight naturally and doesn't believe in "fad" diets. I know I just have to explain to him that this is not a diet but a tool to help me on my weight loss journey. Once he sees how much this means to me I know he will jump on board. I even talked to my supervisor and told her that I may be having surgery in the near future and she said that I could work from home and just put in a couple hours here at the office during the week that I would need to be off so I can stay in the system. She was really nice about it and very accomodating. I love working under her and for the company. Well here's to waiting by the phone. :thumbup: Actually maybe I should call my insurance company to see if he put in the referral. :thumbup:
This morning I've decided that I'm going to talk to my doctor about having the lap band done. I've already check with my insurance company and they will cover it so now all I have to do is go visit my doctor and have him put in a referral for me to see a general surgeon. Apparently the general surgeon will have the final say in whether or not I am a good candidate. From what I have read I meet all the qualifications and at my previous appointment my doctor talked about gastric bypass but I really didn't want to have my insides re-routed so I looked into this. I mean I kind of dabbled in it before but I just though I could do it without that sort of help. I know now that this is not a way out of exercising and dieting but a tool to help supplement those good habits. I'm ready and I can't wait to see my doctor to tell him also.