SesaAlegria

Hi Everyone, I decided to be proactive and called my insurance (BCBS Federal) and found out that I was approved on Friday, so I called my doctor's office right away this morning and got everything scheduled. I still have appointments to do the EGD, blood work, meet with the nutritionist to get my liquid diet, and meet with the nurse and do the precertification at the hospital...but I'm scheduled for the 25th! For those who may be wondering, I had to do 3 months with a nutritionist without gaining weight, get a psych evaluation (I passed, LOL), and provide a 2 year weight history before the insurance would approve me. I just told my boss, who will keep the real reason I'll be on leave in confidence. I'm hoping to just need to take 2 weeks off. Oh I'm so nervous and excited I can hardly stand myself right now, LOL. Is there anyone else scheduled for surgery near when I am?

I'm sorry that you were given disappointing news:(

They are looking for things like unresolved eating disorders, and to make sure you are aware of the significance of the surgery you are about to undertake. That you are able to make those lifestyle changes. Lots of people with depression and other mental health issues get clearance.

From the time they took me back to the operating room until I was in my own room it took 1.5 hours

I have BCBS Federal and they received the info immediately and processed it within a matter of days. Maybe your surgeon's office could resubmit the info? Maybe the fax didn't go through properly or something?

I have surgery on Monday, and have been on a almost-all liquid diet since Monday I am allowed 2 meal replacement bars, the rest are protein drinks, water, jello, sugar free drinks. And yes, I am allowed decaf coffee. (I cheated and had regular coffee though...I needed the energy!) Its an 870 calorie protein rich diet of liquids, ugh.

My hospital co-pay is a flat rate, I've not been told what I will owe my surgeon yet. The office said they will bill me when I asked them on Monday. My son had outpatient surgery not long ago and it cost an additional $200 for the surgeon. When I had my hysterectomy I think I paid $200, as well. I imagine it will be more for the bariatric surgeon, but then again, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised and it won't be too much. I'm hoping at least!

Yikes, we can expect to possibly lose that much hair?! Were you taking the biotin before it started to fall out, or only once it started to fall out?

I had NO energy to start the day with. It got better as the day progressed. I am also on two meal replacement bars, not liquid only though...

Congratulations on getting this far! Good luck with your surgery on Thursday!

Does everyone get a drain? And blood thinners? I've not heard about that. I hope not lol.My last appointment before surgery is Thursday, I guess they will give me that info then.

I went to see the NUT today, and started on the Pre-op diet. Ends up I also have Meal Replacement bars. I had to pay $98 out of pocket for a week's worth of "food" for this diet. I guess I expected more for the money. They also allow me to have SF popsicles and Jello too. Just one week to go!

I actually live in Shreveport, but Dr. Merriman has a great reputation and supposedly very,very experienced. He in in one of those Centers of Excellence, from what I understand. I hope he's good, because I'm paying a lot to use him (outside of what my insurance covers) and he's who I'm using...too late to turn back now, as I'm scheduled for surgery on the 25th!

It's GREAT that you've already lost 60 pounds! You're obviously committed to this and are going to do great!

I'm not from Lafayette,but I'm using George Merriman out of Shreveport

I have the same insurance as you. They allow for a lower BMI if you have comorbidities as well. I lost about 6 pounds on the preop diet but my BMI stayed high and I was approved.

I too had a heart attack at a young age due to a freak thing with my artery, and since I've had no complications since the stenting they did, I am like you...just barely at a higher risk. I will probably do one, though.

My doctor is having me do it for a week, but some of his patients do it for two weeks. I think part of it depends on the type of surgery you are having done. He says it is done in part to have your stomach and everything all cleaned out and ready for surgery. I still don't know what all Is included in my liquid diet because I don't start it until Monday. I hope mine is the kind that allows for dinner, lol.

I know it's difficult waiting to hear back from them! I have BCBS Federal too, and they approved me within a couple of days. I couldn't wait, so I called the insurance company itself to find out LOL. Good luck!

I hope you get to feeling better, quickly! came home today after 2 nights in the hospital. everything went well, just hoping that i recover quickly, not feeling so great.

I've had the same experience. However, once I decided to actually get the surgery, I only told a few people. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle it once I get it done, and the weight starts coming off...

Hi! I don't have a spouse that is souring my experience, but I wish he'd consider the surgery as well. He said he will watch what happens with me and then maybe do it. He is planning on trying to lose weight when I am, so that's good. Good luck with your appointment Friday! I just got mine Monday (its on the 25th), and I'm still having a hard time thinking about anything else than REALLY starting this whole thing!

Is it wrong to say I kinda fantasize about this being a real possibility this summer? I want to wear a bathing suit that doesn't have a skirt on it!

Oh wow, you're on the liquid diet for awhile! I just have to do it for a week before surgery. I'm not looking forward to it at all, I'm ashamed to admit I know what you're saying about everything starting to sink in. I'll be having surgery in less than 2 weeks, yikes! Good luck to you, too!

Correction...I didn't know I needed the Xrays and EKG. I knew about the blood work. I guess my surgeon's office isn't the best at communicating what all needed to be done, since I didn't know I had to meet with the doctor today for pre-op clearance. I just thought I was getting blood work done. They also did a blood serum pregnancy test, which I found mildly humorous..Ive have a hysterectomy. What a waste of insurance dollars!