Texasmom65

LOL I'm sure she meant you too. How does it feel to be surrounded by all these beautiful women? LOL So what's a July Firecracker?

Keep us posted a.nurse. Hope it all goes well tomorrow. So happy to see so many having their surgery on the same day or within a few days of me. I've added you all as friends so we can stay connected.

Good Luck on your surgery. Can't wait to hear how it goes.

Good Luck. I hope you get approval pretty fast. I was told the same thing about BCBS, but mine is of Texas with the TRS plan. They are pretty stricked too. But I was approved. I had enough info from the last 24 months with my PCP about my weight problems that it worked. I'm doing the WW too, since March and stated seeing my PCP monthly in April just to be on the safe side. I was shocked to know they approved me yesterday. I'm having mine done with Dr. Nicholdson in Dallas on July 11th.

I'm so sorry you are feeling this way. But I can relate. And I'm sure as my date gets closer I will feel just as you do now. Good Luck with your surgery. Please keep us informed. Hugs.

Thanks everyone....and woo hoo to all of us having surgery the same day !! I only have to do a 2 wk pre op diet. I get 5 shakes or Protein bars per day, plus one regular meal. I'm glad since the first week of the pre- op diet I'll be in Florida on vacation. I have my pre op testing and pre op nutrition class on July 6th. Are you all as scared as I am. One minute I'm excited, then next I'm sorta freaking out. LOL It's still weeks away and I couldn't sleep last night, thinking about it all. Give me a glass of wine someone...oh wait, I bet we can't have wine. LOL

I'm still in shock. Just found out today I was approved for surgery. My surgeons office got all my paperwork from my PCP and I had enough visits about my WL in her notes that the insurance lady thought she would try to get me approved with that, so I would not have to do the 6 month diet and wait. Of course they denied it at first. She sent in an appeal and I'm APPROVED! I have so many emotions going on right now. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I really thought I would not be able to get this done until late in the year.

I love greek yogurt. The only kind I buy is Fage. Usually I get the plain and add honey to it. But you can do so much with it. Add a packet of Hidden Valley Seasoning and use it as a dip. Anything you can do with sour cream you can do with it. I love the creaminess and texture. As the PP said you can add Jello or pudding flavors to it. I one added pumpkin puree, splenda and cinnamon with just a touch of SF vanilla pudding (the powder) to it. It was wonderful and low cal. Robin

Glad you are feeling better. Good Luck

I do medical billing for a living. The best thing to do is get the medical code (CPT code) for the surgery from your surgeons office. Then call your insurance company yourself and ask what the allowed amount is for that code. You are only responsible for the "allowed" amount due. It doesn't matter if your surgeon charges $10,000 for the code, if your insurance will only allow $2300 for the code, that is what your cost is based on. The same goes for the hosiptal stay. Not sure you can find out the CPT codes for the hospital, but you can call and try. Then again, talk to your insurance company about the allowed amount. If the surgeon and hospital have a contract with your insurance company, legally they can only base your cost off of the "allowed" amount. Hope that helps.

I do medical billing for a living and as long as your insurance does cover it, it should be as simple as changing the codes. You just need the approval for the correct code. Good luck, hopefully it won't take too long for your answer.

I just went for my first consult with Dr. Nicholson last week. I'm also in the medical field (medical billing) and was very impressed with his office. He was very kind and answered all my questions. His staff and I have emailed each other in the past couple of days regarding surgery info/questions I had. Glad you liked him. Can't wait to see how your surgery goes. Oh and I saw him at Baylor in Plano.

What state do you live in?

The good thing is since they will be filing my insurance, even if its just to go toward my copay/deductible, they can only bill me the contracted rate. And I've check with BCBS and the contracted rate for the surgeon is just under $2000. So I'm good there. It's the facility fee that will cost the most.

Oh that does suck you have to start all over just for one month. Oh a BCBS employee :-) I am Billing manager for a group of physician in Texas. Oh gotta love BCBS. LOL Actually they are one of the best insuarnces out there to work with. Robin

I have to do the 6 month supervised weight loss. But it doesn't have to be consecative. Just within the last 24 months. So I know I have with my doctor, just not sure if it all falls in the 24 mo. period. I'm also on weight watchers since early March. Would be nice if it would all qualify, but not banking on it. Robin