apeters

Snuffy, I'm sorry, I know how frustrating the waiting is. I can tell you, though, once you get through it, it will seem like it was nothing! Hang in there!

I'm sorry we didn't see each other last week. I came in late and it was busy! I'm out of town this week but I hope that we can catch up on the 17th. Hope all is going well with your pre-op diet! I'm sure you're doing great!

Sorry for the confusion in my answer. I meant that I'd be at the SWMC on Thursday. I had 2 overnights after the surgery but that was due to my issues with the anesthesia. My roommate, also from SWMC, left the next morning, no issues. It was just me. Best to you as you begin the process....

No, I understand the excitement and the questions. Been there! My surgery was scheduled for 1:30 and I had to be there at 10:30. I think 3 hours is standard. The time goes fairly quick though because there is a lot of action going on. The care at Sparrow was phenomenal, I think you will be pleased! I did not cheat on Optifast but I'm such a rule follower, not in my nature. Not always a good thing. I didn't have a last meal, per se, but I did plan a week or so of my favorite meals, in reasonable quantities, just so I'd feel like I had a last chance to enjoy before the 5-6 weeks of limited options. I didn't gain any weight that week so I must have kept it reasonable. :sneaky: I'll be at Sparrow tomorrow (and for the next 3 weeks)for the post-op class so we'll be in separate classrooms but we're all out in the waiting room together. If you hear my name, Anita, please say hello. Take care!

The 4 week Optifast pre-op went fine, I lost about 15 pounds before surgery so that was nice. The surgery went well; I did stay an extra night because I had a few anesthesia-related side effects. No biggie, they just wouldn't let me leave till everything was ok. My roommate, also from SWMC, had lapband surgery an hour after me and she did great. She was ready to go home the next morning. I think it's such an individual thing; the care at Sparrow was phenomenal, can't say enough about their great staff. Just to keep my stress level up, though, I did have a last minute phone call from SWMC (30 minutes before leaving for the hospital) about an insurance issue. My only advice is to make sure everything is lined up before the day of; I couldn't believe it and had to just deep breathe and let it go to re-prepare for the surgery. Congratulations on your date! When do you start the pre-op diet?

Good luck with your remaining visits, I hope it all goes quickly! Post when you have news!

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this will be the 3rd Optifast program I have done so I definitely know what to expect - except for the surgery in the middle of the program, of course! My personality has worked really well with this kind of diet, it is so clear-cut, it is easy for me to follow. It's when the choices are provided that I get into trouble. :biggrin:

Just got my date today - March 18th! I start the pre-op liquid diet next Thursday. Very excited, a little nervous. Jrob, what's your status?

JoyAddison: Congratulations on your surgery tomorrow! I'm sure you'll be too excited to sleep tonight! Be sure to post when you feel up to it and let us know how it's going.... Hoping & waiting for a March surgery date....

No, Lansing. It is an act of patience, isn't it? Your best bet is to call and have them spell out the criteria for you. I'm amazed how different the policies can be; even within the same insurance company. Good luck with all of your testing! That part does go fast! :party:

I think it is confusing. I met the "letter of the law" in regards to the criteria except for the 12 consecutive month supervised diet. Yes, you're right, they don't "pre-approve" as much as say that I would be covered. If I'd had met the 12-month requirement, I could have scheduled my surgery immediately after meeting the surgeon. I called BCBS today and confirmed the change in criteria then called Sparrow who apologized for "missing" my file in their initial review after the criteria was changed after the first of the year. So, I'm ready to go, just waiting for them to call me with a surgery date. I really appreciate you for passing along the change; I'd still be sitting here waiting for who knows how long? I think it has been most frustrating for me to not be able to advocate for myself. The provider submitted the paperwork so BCBS will only speak to the provider. I have to wait for 3 people to talk to get my surgery date, all of these delays. I'm trying to be patient but it is hard. :frown:

That's great news, I'm on my 5th week of waiting for pre-approval from BCBS-MI. I had met all of the criteria but the consecutive 12-month supervised diet. I'm going to call sparrow tomorrow and see if they will schedule me. Thanks for passing it along....

I'm still waiting on insurance approval (BCBS). It's going on the 5th week so I'm hoping it will be soon!!!!! Once it comes back, I should be able to get a surgery date ASAP. Carrie, in the office, told me on Wednesday that they are scheduling for mid-March right now and that would work well for me so I'm hoping. Let me know once you get your date; we may end up in the same pre-op group.

BBK: Congratulations on your success! Your photos are amazing! Any special tips you'd share? How long did the weight loss take? Thanks in advance for any information. ALP

I've been involved with Sparrow's program for a few years now and one of the things that has impressed me from the beginning was the quality of the staff. From the desk staff to the nurses to the doctors, I've had a great experience. When I decided to pursue the surgery, I couldn't imagine going somewhere else. My visit with Dr. Yenemula just cinched the deal, he spent over 30 minutes talking to me and answering all of my questions. I appreciate the fact that Sparrow is the program that will be with me throughout the process (in fact, they told me they will follow me for at least 5 years within the program for evaluation, etc.): being affiliated with a hospital gives me comfort that I will always have someplace to go with any questions or concerns 10 or 20 years down the road. The 4 week pre-op & 4 week post-op programming, attending the meetings each week and having the chance to ask questions of people who have had the surgery is part of the preparation. I've read that there is a medical benefit to losing a little weight before the surgery to shrink the liver (reduces surgery risk) and I don't mind a kickstart either. With my insurance plan, I will be paying my % no matter where I get it done. My portion will probably be $2500-3000, my best guess at this point. I'm in this for the long haul so whatever I need to do, I will. Sorry for the long post. Can you tell that I've had a lot of time to think about this? In the end, you need to do what is best for you but I would encourage you to talk to Sparrow staff if you have any concerns at all. Best to you....

I have BCBS of MI too and am in my 4th week waiting for approval. I have one slight variance from their stated guidelines on the website (and from a phone conversation with one of their reps) so my information was submitted for pre-approval. I read in an earlier post that BCBS states that they don't "pre-approve" but that's what I'm waiting on and I'm working the paperwork through the doctor's office and BCBS. If I had met all of the criteria, I'd have a surgery date already. I do hope to have one soon!

I understand about the frustration. From my experience with the process and with your pre-approval, I would think that as soon as you complete your evaluation and meet with Dr. Yenemula, you'll probably get your date 4 weeks out. Have you used the Optifast products before?

I'm going through SWMC too. I finished all of the pre-authorization requirements and now I'm just waiting on insurance approval. I have BCBS and the staff warned me that it might take a while. It's been a month so I hope to get an answer soon. Last I heard they were scheduling surgeries mid to late February so depending on your insurance situation, once you complete the 4 week pre-op diet, you'll be set! Best of luck to you, I hope it's smooth sailing!