jttaurus

I received a verbal approval from UHC for surgery, however, it's for RNY. I called Wednesday to ask dr b's office to cancel my request for surgery and refund the credit balance I had. The lady was not so nice to me. So, I placed this request and called UHC. Well, low and behold, the girl congratulated me and told me I was approved. The main diagnosis was uncontrolled hypertension. This works for me. Everything was shocking at this moment, plus I was so tired I really shouldn't have been making phone calls. I called back dr b's and spoke with the not so nice lady. Explained myself and she was still not so nice. I told her I made a mistake and that I do want surgery. I don't want to say much more on here about this situation. HOwever, I walked away feeling like an idiot. I am still on their 'active' file and will have a surgery date at some point. I need to finish my psych test, nutrionist and upper gi series. I skipped the upper gi I had scheduled due to the voice problems and infection I had. My target is Jan/Feb of 2006. This is not too far away. I don't want to do anything during dec i have busy time them. Wish me luck. I will leave if you want since this is a lapband forum and I'm definitly going to have the RNY now. JT

Hello Friends, Thanks for the kind words. Things are so up and down with this major life change for me. I don't know if you did bio's or something. I have a husband whose so supportive of me having this surgery. He's highly knowledgeable in the protien nutrional things. He's also into weight lifting and exercising. This is his new love. My husband, daughter (almost 5) and myself make up my family. We moved from NY to NC and it's been a great/emotional experience. My extended family doesn't care for me having the surgery. We're not terribly close. The family member that I'm close with does not support the surgery, so it's great to be able to come here and share my excitement. My husband is great too. I am avoiding telling my daughter right now, she doesn't need to have anymore medical information filling her brain. She loves medical stuff. She won't take medicine but loves the shows and things. So, a little about me. I am definitly going with the RNY. I am not going to fight or ask for a different process. I'm wickedly impatient. I really need to gain the vurture of patience. I'm having spelling block right now. I am planning on coming to lunch. Please encourage me so I don't back out. Sometimes I avoid things because its easier than opening myself up. I know I sound wacked but I'm not, I'm pretty stable. THanks for everything and always being there to respond. A special thanks to Karen whose been extra helpful to me recently. I cannot wait to hear that she's approved next. Until later.... Jennifer

I also wanted to write that I'm checking him out too. I have spoke with someone in his officer and Karen from here and I'm going to give this a try too. I like to have lots of options. I am supposed to go to their information session next month. Last wednesday they had one, but I didn't have child care. We will see where this takes me. THese dr's offices are so slow at returning calls though. If I go with him, I know 2006 will be the earliest. Also, i think he requires and Endo instead off Chakly UGI. Take Care - I'm feeling much better. I hope to make the next meeting. JT

Yes, I'm able to talk again. I just cannot get rid of this cough/sinus congestion. Hence, why I cannot tolerate an upper GI right now. It's good to have the weekend off again. My daughter (4 years) is coughing bad though. I hope I don't catch it again. This reminds me, i want to beef up my viatimins and immune system before I do any surgery too. I should go to the gym, but I don't.

I am a terribly impatient person. I get sick of following up and feeling like I'm making people do their job. I am currently signed up with dr b. I do feel discouraged. First, they don't return my emails, or calls. Then they said PCP didn't submitt paper work, now they say dr still has my file. I asked if it's normal for this to take 4 weeks, just to get a file together. So, I'm giving it until Jan 1st. I figure if the paperwork is on it's way to the insurance, I will check with them after thanksgiving. This is a fulltime job trying to organize to have surgery. I also am just about out of PTO at work, so there's not more rushing on my part. I do have my nutritionist appt wednesday, but i'm going to cancel. I don't want to shell out $100 bucks without know if I'm approved. I have my second psych tuesday too, I will still be going to that. I canceld my Upper GI too - I have a sinus/throat, infection thinging and I cannot go long without hacking hard so I figured and UPPER GI would be too hard on my thorat yesterday. I will do this in Jan when I'm off again. JT

Oh, thanks Kim. I meant I don't have much PTO left to do anymore testing this year. I have 1.5 days for 2005 and I'm saving it instead of doing the testing. Yes, another dr might be the right choice for me. i Just want to make 100% sure this is the right thing. I also want a staff that is decent, not acting like I"m bothering them. Who know's, I might check out dr V too. There are a few more options now, then last summer. JT

I'm waiting for the dr's office to submit the insurance paperwork. I don't see a huge rush to miss work and do anything more now, especially with the holiday's. Things will be busy for everyone so I"m going to take off again and finish up in Jan.

This is great, the quicker you get in there with everything done, the quicker you'll get a date. Hopefully, soon. I am in limbo with them. They said they are submitting the preapproval paper work since 10/10. Nothing has been done, they are processing it is what I've been told. Good luck to you.

Well, I definitly won't be able to make it. I went to the dr's today and I have some type of vocal cord inflammation (I cannot talk right now) he wants me to take antibiotics for the infection and rest my voice until next week. This is hard for me to do, I'm a talker. JT

Hello Everyone, As of tonight, I won't be able to attend on saturday. I have some nasty boggerific bug thing, mostly sinus. I still have to work fulltime so I 'm going to use saturday as my "fall" apart day. If something changes, I'll let you know.

Last week I had my visit with dr bauman, he said my BMI was 39.4 and that I didn't qualify because it was under 40. Has anyone else had bmi lower than 40, I do have hypertension and it's treated with medicine. Just curious. Actually, I'm looking for encouragement that I will get approved. THe insurance lady felt that it was worth while sending it in to UHC. Jennifer

I'm acutally 12 ounces from qualifying at a bmi of 40. If I had weighed one pound more I'd be qualified. I haven't heard back from the dr's office. I'm anxious to know something. I know it's been a short time since I met them. I'm going for the rest of my testing in Nov. I know it's just a few weeks away. I;d like to change my insurance next year but there's no way I would while I'm waiting for approval. DH doens't work so he doesn't have any insurance options for us. Also, I am afraid of being turned down. Jennifer

Thanks for all the responces. i haven't given it enough time , but i Keep thinking about the non-40 BMI issue. I cannot seem to shut it off in my head. I have so much medical documentation from the PCP, I go all the time, luckily, the 5 years coinsides with the delivery of my daughter, otherwise I'd have to get gyn records too. I have ton's of documentation for my back. I am sure my cholestoral is high too. I just cannot get this off my mind. Plus, I have not finished all my paper work and appointments. I have to go to the psych, dietician, and upper gi process. Oh yeah, to make matters worse, now is open enrollment for my companies health plan, so the insurance offce at dr bauman's said to keep the same coverage because it covers Lap Band 100%. I also have to factor in the fill's. I'm off.... Jen

I called DR Bauman's and informed them I'd like to pursue the band instead of the RNY. They told me I had to come again. I just was there last week. THey told me to finish up preop and they would submit the paper work to UHC. IT was my understanding they do a preapproval process. Before the big approval. I'm anxious and don't think I can wait 30-45 days. Jennifer

Hello Ladies and guy's if there's any. I had posted a while about weight loss surgery. I originally wanted lap bad, then changed my consult to RNY. I had my RNY consult and my bmi was 39.4 - barely 40 so the dr indicated this would post a problem. I spoke with the insurance person at dr bauman's and she indicated they would do everything they can to get me approved. SO, I left a little discouraged because if I was 5 pounds heavier I would have qualified out right. Now, I've done my consults, my psych consult, my physical, I still need to finish the psych test, ugi, and dietician consult. Here's where my big dilemma comes in. I know I can only answer this out right, but I'm 32. I'm impatient and I don't want to wait until next year for surgery. I don't know if I'll be approved either. I was thinking of switching once again to Lap Band. I saw a program this morning on the discovery channel and the process is appealing. Well, here's a few of the things that I am unsure of with RNY - it's the pregnancy thing. I'm 32 and I want one more child, however, if I have RNY i'll be close to 35 when I can be approved to get pregnant again. I don't want to have a second child this late. I'd like to have another baby by 34ish. I also read in the packet from dr bauman about the ineffectivness of birth control pills and depo. I'd definitly need birth control during this time. So, I'm reconsidering the lap band. I have talked to dr bauman's yet, but I'm sure I can easily switch since nothing has been down except my consult. I feel wishy washy but I really want to make the right choice. The malabsorption also has me concerned enough to really rethink this too. Please let me know your opinion. Having a second child is very important to my husband and daughter. Having a second Child before 35/36 is more important to me. Thanks for your support..... Jennifer

I didn't talk to dr bauman about changing my mind. The lap band was seminar only, then I consulted for RNY and today switched via the phone, no talking with dr to lap band again. I checked around in charlotte and there's no one who does lap band, dr b is the only one. I am so excited.

Thanks. My BMI is so, so close. I only need 1 pound to be at a 40 BMI. I have two herniated disc's in my back and I believe the back dr was going to write an elaborate letter about how weight loss would help,. Oh, I worry too much. I'm sure everything will work out. Jen

Thanks for the opinions. I know the decision is ultimately mine, however, I also know, nothing is written in stone. I am pretty sure the band is where I want to go. I was actually thinking of contacting one of the presby dr's instead of dr bauman. I have things in process with dr bauman, so I will finish those up. Yes, I barely have 100 pounds to lose. I definitly want another baby before 35. I also want to not battle everyday with nutrion and supplements. I know the band has so much to offer. I was going to say, nothing is set instone until I am under anesthisa. I still need my UGI, second psych test. I have decided to stay with UHC HMO next year, even though it's so expensive, but worth it. My coverage cover 100% of RNY and Lap band. I may call dr bauman's and tell them I've changed my mind, yet again. I am definitly going to try to come and eat lunch with you guys. I hear UHC approves quickly so if I get approved for RNY I should be able to get approved for lap band. Thanks for the support, Jennifer

Good Luck, I know your down to the last few days before your surgery. I met dr bauman yesterday and everything went fine. Funny thing, my BMI wasn't exactly 40 so he indicated this might be a challenge getting it approved. It was 39.4, this is always my luck. So, I'm sure Gastric Bypass is definitly the way for me and I'm glad I'm pursuing this. I cannot wait to read about your experiences and success. I'd like to try to make it to lunch sometime when you guys meet. Jen

Bond Girl - I saw dr bauman yesterday. The funny thing is I had a nutrionsit appoiontment today, but I had to cancel. I thought I'd have a fun day at my daughters fall festival but it got rained out, so I spent the day at work. Concord is a small place, I seem to see work people all over out there. Jennifer

Oh, I work full-time outside of my home and I could never fit in a part time job. I know they have a sliding scale at the Y but I've never bothered to look into it. Dh has been out of full-time work since 2004 and we really should have canceled it then. I don't like the inner city youth that frequent our Y either. It seems like it's disposable babysitting for the kids. No one watches them, they are rude, disrespectful, and rude. My daughter was treated rudely by a kid while my husband was in the pool with her. The life guards are clueless too. Well, I don't know either, money's always tight at my house. The WLS and dietary program are a splurge. I have awsome insurance though and it will payoff in the end. I should be able to flex spend some of it in 2006 atleast the nutrtional program payments. Tomorrow is my first appointment with dr bauman, i had all my blood test and things done, except the upper gi. sorry i'm so crabby. Jennifer

Congrats on your upcoming surgery. I'm sure your anxious for this week to get started? Tomorrow, I meet with dr bauman. I'm pretty nervous. Actually, I'm anxious. I have a pretty severe herniated disc in my back and it's affecting my right foot. I am praying that the wls surgery comes before back surgery or else I think I'll lose it. I gotta stress this tomorrow. It seems like everyday my back is getting worse instead of better. I am sure you'll bounce back quickly too. As for the Y, I'm getting ready to cancel my membership there. My husband works out everyday but we need to cut that from our budget and go somewhere cheaper. Since, I never go anyways. Good Luck. Jennifer

I have decided my time on this board is up. I know I only had short stay. I have decided to have a full gastric bypass instead of the lap band. I will still be going to dr bauman. I hope everyone's surgery goes well. Jennifer

Fills are 200 dollars and they have to be paid up front and then I submit it to insurance. I was not aware that these fill's were $200 each time. I am just scraping together my $$ for the copayments for the nuritionist and consult. This will confirm that I'm glad to switch to RNY. I have difficulty comming up with money for extras. I do work fulltime but money is a major source of stress. We pay fulltime daycare and my husband has been out of the 'fulltime' workforce and a fulltime student. I'm glad to know this information ahead of time. So honestly, I just want the RNY and not have to have the maintenance and follow up. I figure between consults, copay's, hospital, nurtionist, and any other misc expenses this is close to $1k up front. I'm very analytical so money matters give me anxiety. I'm not looking for a size 2, i'm looking to releive all the copayments and medicines' that I'm buying for my two chronic problems. I'm done rambling... Jennifer

I will be lurking still. I go Oct 10th and I cannot wait to meet with the dr. I am really looking forward to being a healthier person and achieving this goal. I have been looking for some books on weight loss surgery but haven't found many resources. THe library only had two books. Jennifer