GranadoM74

Any updated on this? I'm having the same issue, going to call my Surgeons office on Monday

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Hi! I'm pre-op VSG out of Corpus Christi, Texas. After no luck finding a support group, I'm in the process of starting a Monthly WLS Support Group. Seeing if there's anyone else that was having the same issue. Let me know if you're interested in joining us!

Hey everyone! Is anyone sharing their journey through other social media - insta, youtube, Facebook? Also, I'm really interested in doing a Texas WLS Meet-Up later this year. Would anyone be interested? I see other regions having meet-ups on social media. Insta: Becoming.BrandNew Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUIiz3SwePfHZzlFKaxQz6A

@@shannon1980 I'm having surgery in Victoria!

There's a lot of YouTube WLS channels and most show their faces. I've been doing videos - I've done like 5. The only "secret" part is that I've disconnected my WLS Social Media with any of my personal ones. There's a very slim chance that anyone that knows me personally is going to find them, I'd imagine. And if they do, they were searching for information about it, which is great and won't be weird/embarrassing. Show your face! My Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUIiz3SwePfHZzlFKaxQz6A

Hi! I'm May 23rd and on a mostly liquid diet - I'm able to have 1 high Protein, low carb meal a day. The week before I definitely "food funeral-ed" some of my favorite foods. How are you doing on your pre-op diet?

I love shopping and it's typically what I do on weekends. The past few months it's been super hard to get out of the habit of shopping and not buying anything new that fits right now. And oddly enough, I'm a little sad to part with some of the expensive, cute clothes I have now. But! Yess I'm crazy excited to get the clothes I want and look the way I've always wanted to look in them

I used my PCP for my 6 month supervised diet, my PCP co-pay was lower than a dietitian. UHC Optum sent me a form, but my surgeon had already given me a generic form at my first appt so I used that one. My PCP just filled it out and we discussed weight loss. I scheduled my first diet appt as soon as I found out I "might" have a supervised diet - I was also able to pull the month before starting. I didn't have to lose and there was no consequence for gaining. I lost 5 lbs in the 6 months. I changed my diet very slightly.

@@akaESKIMOkiss That gives me hope! How's your pain? Any specific pointers?

@@akaESKIMOkiss You're feeling a lot better today? I'm excited for you! On Friday, UMR said they should have faxed an approval letter to my surgeon. Spoke with my surgeon's office this morning, and they NEED a mailed letter - so, i'm waiting to receive it or them to receive it. I'm hoping that my surgery date isn't months from now or anything.

I'm currently waiting to hear back from insurance. Sitting at work today, I began thinking about my final "Yes, I'm making an appointment to see a surgeon and moving forward with WLS" moment. It had always been something I knew was available, but it had never been a realistic thought. My "Yep. This is happening moment": 6 months ago I was at the doctor, stepped on the scale and out of habit...or not thinking I said "230-ish" to the nurse. Confused, she looked at me and slowly moved the weight up...because obviously I weighed more. Then it clicked, my head dropped and I said "Sorry, I meant 330." I felt my blood rush to my face, my heart sink to my stomach and the reality of the number set in. In that moment everything clicked. The fact that my food addiction had spiraled out of control and my inability to drop the weight. It also clicked how badly I wanted a happy and healthy lifestyle. I follow SO many healthy living blogs, instagram accounts and facebook pages. I knew what I wanted, but didn't know where to begin. I had to face the fact that my weight was the highest it's ever been and I needed to fix it. Immediately after leaving the doctor, I made an appointment with my surgeon, a mental health therapist and a dietitian. Finding a tool to help me reach my goal and finding the WLS Online community has been amazing. Hopefully within weeks I'll know if I'm approved and if I'm not...I won't stop trying. What was your "I'm doing this" moment?

After some confusion and the wrong fax number, all of my clinicals/information was submitted to insurance on Monday. I just got off the phone with UMR (I have UMR/UHC) and I was approved! I should be getting my date early next week from my surgeon. I'm SO excited.

I definitely would! I had called to check on mine a few days after it was submitted and it turned out it went to the wrong fax line - they didn't have any of my paperwork or an open case. A week after they first "submitted" it, I was able to get my surgeon the right fax number and it's now processing.

@@bsanders How long did it end up taking to get your approval letter from UMR? Did you have to go through the Optum services and case worker? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm going to check in for anyone with UMR (UHC) looking for info! Finished my supervised diet and submitted to my surgeon last Monday. I called Optum's Bariatric Services center on Wednesday and they hadn't received any of my clinicals. Spoke with my surgeons office yesterday (Monday) morning and there was confusion as to where my clinical paperwork needed to be faxed. It turns out there is a separate fax line for the bariatric service center. So, she was able to get everything faxed to the right line yesterday and we're good to go! Got a call from my Optum case manager today and she said "So, unofficially congratulations! I've never seen a case get denied after this point, but! It can happen." I'm really excited and now just waiting for the letter She said I'll know with a letter before she or my surgeons office does, unless UMR decides to call my surgeon. Here's to the last stretch of the pre-approval portion! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I never expected so many people to share their stories. I've LOVED reading every one of your stories. Thank you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Valentina What can you not do that you did before? What did you sacrifice? Any of the activities you mentioned? I'm curious!

@@JupiterinVirgo That's awesome! I hope your trip is amazing!

All of these are great...in the weirdest way. It's so comforting knowing that others have had similar struggles. We've got this guys! Cheers to healthy, long and happy lives! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So excited for you! I had to do 6 appointments and got really anxious for the last one. My info was submitted to insurance on Monday and I'm waiting...this wait is brutal. Lol!

My surgeons office submitted yesterday, I called today and the insurance company (UMR UHC) said they hadn't received it. Hoping for a quick turn around! Excited for you, keep us updated!

I have UMR UHC Choice Plus PPO. I had to speak with a Nurse/Case Manager through Optum and she sent me this - https://www.unitedhealthcareonline.com/ccmcontent/ProviderII/UHC/en-US/Assets/ProviderStaticFiles/ProviderStaticFilesPdf/Tools%20and%20Resources/Policies%20and%20Protocols/Medical%20Policies/Medical%20Policies/Bariatric_Surgery.pdf I know every plan is different. I hope this helps!

South Texas!

@@Harsha What insurance do you have? I have UMR/UHC, my surgeons office submitted Monday morning and I haven't heard anything. Called and left a message for my case manager at UHC today.