lisabug

I just got my approval today!!! I haven't scheduled my surgery yet , but hopefully will be in January.

Look at the insurance and financing board. There are several people that have links to their appeals

I am hoping for Jan 2011 too. I will hopefully get my approval this week. I am waiting till 2011 so I can use my FSA to pay my deductible and the 20%. It will be here before we know it. I am also trying not to lose or gain. My bmi is right at 40. I don't want to risk getting denied because I dropped below. We have made the decision and we have something to be hopeful of now. For the first time in a long time I am excited.

I was happy to find out that I was only 5'5". That put my bmi at 40.2. I always thought I was 5'6", but it worked in my favor. Now I don't have to deal with the co-morbidities for insurance. Maybe we will get our inch back after losing the weight and being able to stand tall with our new found confidence!!!

Definitely check the thyroid. My dietician said to watch the excersise. You can start gaining weight from muscle if you go too hardcore. Also drink lots of water and watch the sodium intake. I gained 4 lbs between my first and second visit, but ended up losing by the end. Good luck.

I am waiting too. I have been waiting almost 2 weeks for the office to submit to Aetna. I heard they approve quickly. It took my friend 4 days to get approved. Call aetna and make sure they have everything. Hopefully you will get your APPROVAL soon.

Congrats!!! That is just around the corner.

It sounds like insecurity. I know my hubby is afraid that I will not want to be with him after I lose the weight. I don't think people that have never struggled with their weight understand that we do not choose to be overweight. Only 2% of people that are obese can lose the weight and maintain it. That is why wls is our only choice to be healthy. We have all lost the weight and then put it back on. He needs to be a part of the solution not the problem. I am sure the more he puts you down the more you want to eat. Do this for you, if he is not on board may be you are better off without him. Everything happens for a reason. Everyone here will give you the support you need. If you need anything just ask. This is an incredible board and we are lucky to be here

It sounds like insecurity. I know my hubby is afraid that I will not want to be with him after I lose the weight. I don't think people that have never struggled with their weight understand that we do not choose to be overweight. Only 2% of people that are obese can lose the weight and maintain it. That is why wls is our only choice to be healthy. We have all lost the weight and then put it back on. He needs to be a part of the solution not the problem. I am sure the more he puts you down the more you want to eat. Do this for you, if he is not on board may be you are better off without him. Everything happens for a reason. Everyone here will give you the support you need. If you need anything just ask. This is an incredible board and we are lucky to be here

Have you done a sleep study? A lot of people have sleep apnea and do not know it. I think it is crazy that the insurance companies want you to be sick before they will do anything. What happen to prevention? Good luck with your appeal. Maybe your surgeon's office will be able to help you. They deal with this every day.

I finished all my pre recs on 10/1. I called my surgeon's office today to see when everything had been filed and they told me they hadn't received the dietician's report yet. I had spoke to her last Monday and she was suppose to give it to them that day. I called her this morning and she apologized and said she had been really busy and would take it to them right now. They are in the same medical building. I know your frustration. I have decided to wait until the beginning of next year, but still want my approval and to get it scheduled so I can request off of work. Patience is a virtue that I have always struggled with. I know it will be here soon enough, but I want to know now so that I can plan.

I am doing the aetna thing also. Just finished my 3 month multi discipline. I was told it could take up to 30 days, but usually you hear back in 7-10 days. My surgeon said that I could schedule surgery within a few weeks, but I am waiting to after the first of the year for financial reasons. I want to put all the co pays in my fsa so that I don't have to worry about the deductible and the 20% out of pocket. Good luck!!

Testing wise I had to do pulmonary eval and psych eval. I have to do bloodwork 10 days before surgery. Every dr is different on just about everything from testing, pre op diet and post op diet. I keep telling myself to be patient and what is meant to be is meant to be. At first I was so scared of denial now I am ok with that it is everything else. The emotional attachment to food and my pepsi are the hardest for me. I am scared that I am going to miss food and the satisfaction of it. This is definitely an emotional journey, but I am ready to be healthy and have more energy and liking the person I see in the mirror.

I am in the approval process with my insurance right now. As for the surgery date, it depends if you are going through insurance or are self pay. I just finished all of my testing and the 3 month multi discipline needed for aetna on Monday. My surgeon's office said that it takes about a week for them to file then up to 30 days to get a response from the insurance company. I was told to expect to take off 2 weeks after my surgery. The emotions change daily for me. Nervous, excited and even a little overwhelmed at times. This forum is the best thing in the world for us newbies. Good luck!!!

I just finished up my 3 month requirement for Aetna. I was originally going to try for this year, but am now considering January. I want it done this year, but financially it would be better for next year. I can put my part of the fees in a fsa which will be available Jan 1. My fear is that something will change on my benefits for next year. We get our new benefits summary at the end of the month. I know I will still have Aetna and same deductible but that is all I know. My PCP also mentioned that in the health care reform they are trying to have WLS removed from all policies. Decisions??!!??

I did more research on the health care reform. We are at least safe for next year. I am just waiting on my updates on benefits on oct 20. I don't think that it will be dropped. Keeping my fingers crossed. Keep in touch. Hopefully it goes smooth for both of us

Someone posted under financing and insurance that tricare now covers the sleeve.

That is ludicrous. The NIH lists high BP and high cholesterol as comorbidities for WLS. I would find a new dr if possible.

Maybe try sending a copy of your drivers license too. Someone I work with had the same issue and Aetna accepted a copy of his dl as proof.

I haven't had the sleeve done yet, but I had my gallbladder out and a c-section done in 2008. I had my artificial nails on for both. I asked my surgeon about them and he said it was fine. As always though all surgeons are different so it is best to ask.

You can always do other core strengthening excersise such as pelvic tilt or planks. I haven't had my sleeve, but after my c-section I was scared to do crunches too. I found a video called bender ball that concentrates on your core. Also the YMCA has great classes that are reasonable.

The sweet taste can be caused from your body breaking down proteins for energy. Does your urine have a different odor also? I know that is a strange question, but that is usually the other way your body passes ketones. It is common when people switch to a high protein diet and diabetics.

It is weird how every dr has a different pre op diet. I have to do 3 days of clear liquids for my pre op. The other dr in the same place I am gong through makes his patients do a 10-14 day clear liquid diet. One of my friends just did bariatric surgery and had no pre op diet at all and they are a lot heavier than I am. I am sure the few bites of dessert will not affect you in the long run. The 27 is just around the corner and then you will have a great tool to help you thru this journey we are all taking together. Good luck with everything.

I have aetna too. Go to aetna.com and search obesity surgery. It is article 157. It explains that you have to go thru a 3 month multi discipline or 6 month dr supervised weight loss. I picked the 3 month. I had to see a dietician 4 times and a physical therapist 3 times. I also had to have a phyc eval done. The office will guide you through all of it. You have to lose or maintain your weight during the 3 months and exercise usually 2 to 3 times a week.

That's true, it probably will be 2011 so they would look at 09 and 10 then. From what I have been told, you don't have to have a bmi over 40 for the entire 2 years. They just want a history that you have been struggling with your weight. The weight lose and then the gain should help you to get approved. I was worried about losing weight during the 3 month because it would drop me below 40 bmi. So my goal is to maintain during the 3 month thing.