mrz.mott

So I went to the surgeon for the first time on March 16th, which was the consultation. He gave me the instructions to see the nutritionist, which I actually completed this morning via a phone call, then to have the psychological evaluation done, which I will have done Saturday. My insurance company told me that my only requirements were those two mentioned above. But when I spoke with the surgeon he also told me that most insurance companies require that I get a letter from a PCP and meet with the surgeon 3 times after the consult. I'm hoping since my insurance company didn't tell me that, that it doesn't apply. The surgeon office should be able to talk to me about what the found from speaking with my insurance company on April 20th, which is my next appointment with him. I'm getting excited! With the requirements he gave me, I'm assuming that I may have a surgery date in July or August? I want it so much sooner! Anybody with UHC have any words of encouragement, or anything? Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Kansas City? I live in Olathe! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I come back with something that I'm hoping is going to be good news! I had my appointment with my surgeon and told him that the insurance company didn't have a specified number of appointments needed for weight verification. He said that as long as I get the approval letter from my PCP, he will have the paperwork submitted to the insurance company after my next appointment, on May 25th. If I get approved, I would be looking at a surgery date between the end of June to the Beginning of July!!! Keep your fingers, toes, and legs crossed for me! ???? Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Last Friday, out of frustration, because my husband was in the hospital, I went to a friends house I was talking to her about everything going on in my life. Well when we got to the topic of weight loss surgery, it was all down hill. She is a big girl too, and I thought that she would be one of the more understanding people about it, but NO! "Well you aren't that big, so-and-so is bigger." Or "Can't you just try to lose it on your own?" Why do people feel the need to say shit like this? I've made up my mind, anscif you can't be zupportive, then just keep your opinion to yourself!. Ugh. I'm so frustrated. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

That is exactly how I needed to hear it. I want to get myvlife back on track. It's been off for 14 years! Hell, maybe even longer than that. I don't want to live like this forever. I want to be able to have kids. I want all the things that normal sized people get to do, without worrying about weight! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

That is my birthday! I totally wish that was my surgery date. But my last supervised weight appointment is in June, so I know that won't happen. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I decided to quit one month prior to my consultation. Doing it early really helped me. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Thank you all for giving me the conversation that I needed to hear. My mom has told me it is probably jealousy, which is probably right. I want to grab life by the horns before it grabs me first. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

That is interesting. I had to speak with Optum to see if it was covered. That is really strange. Insurance is confusing! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Yay! I hope m surgeon gives me a date on April 20th! I'm so excited! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Yeah, I have the cheapest plan my job offers. I work for Farmers Insurance. I have a high deductible, with an HSA card. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I have Choice Plus through my employer. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

my insurance company told me multiple times that they didn't have a requirement. My doctors office insisted they did. I finally requested to speak with a liaison and she emailed me the policy that said they did require 6 months. It was like pulling teeth trying to get info out of the insurance company. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App It would make sense. UHC is always pissing me off. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I don't have a date yet, however my last appointment will be in June. I'm getting conflicting information from the surgeons office and the insurance company. The surgeons office says that my insurance company requires 3 consecutive months with them for weight documentation, my insurance company says that is not their requirement. That is the last thing that I have to do. I'll be talking to the surgeon about this when I go in on April 20th. I don't want to waste time. I want my surgery NOW! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I am picking up my fitbit tonight! I just order the new Fitbit Alta! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

So my mom, who also works with the same company that I do has a friend who is also starting her bariatric journey, and she said that she only had to meet with the surgeon once! That gives me hope that I can get in sooner! Maybe for my birthday in May? Ultimate birthday gift! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I have United Health Care, through my employer. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Ifvyou don't mind me asking, who are you insured by? Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I live south of Olathe, in Kansas. What doctor did you use? I'm still early in the process though. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

The same issues weigh in my mind. Not typically the family, but my coworkers and friends. My mom had the Lap Band surgery years ago. I'm not sure what her story was about support from the family, but at this point, if they disapprove, then they can STFU and deal with it. =] A lot of my friends are overweight and I really don't want to say anything to them about the surgery until I get an approval. I've gotten from the insurance company that I'm a qualified candidate, but am patiently awaiting the first appointment with my surgeon. (March 16th) My team at work have always been very supportive with everything, but I'm afraid to tell them. I feel like they will think less of me for some reason. I know one guy has also mentioned WLS, so maybe start there? But it all goes back to not making this real until I know I'm approved. My parents, siblings, husband and my husbands mom and aunt know, all which are supportive. =] So that is a good start! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I have been overweight my whole life. There are many things that I've wanted to do, but never did because of the weight. The only thing I let myself do, regardless of the weight was parasailing. But I did it with my twig sister, so I'm sure I looked like a blimp up there with her....anyways. I think like others, the cuter clothes is what I look forward to a lot. I'll probably have to go out and buy goal outfits. So when I think I'm still as fat as I was in the beginning, I can smack myself in the face when I fit into those clothes. Same goes for the swimming suit. I'd like to go horseback riding for the first time. I'd like to feel comfortable out in public with my husband, who is also a twig. I'd like to feel comfortable with different positions in bed with my husband. The list goes on and on. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

On February 2nd, I had a call with my insurance company, United HealthCare. It was a nurse/case manager that told me that based off of my BMI alone, I was a candidate for the surgery. She gave me a list of the doctors that are within their circle of excellence program, and I called them immediately to schedule any appointment. My first appointment is on March 16th, and I don't know what to expect. I was told by my insurance company that I have to be seen by a psychologist, and then also see a dietitian, but I was required to have a supervised diet for any set amount of time. So, a few questions that I have: 1. What should I expect at my first appointment? 2. How long after your first appointment did you get a surgery date? I guess I didn't have as many questions as I thought. But any incouraging words would be great! Thanks! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I am hoping that I'm about to get this all done this year, my husband and I have already met our deductible, so it would be great to have it all done while health care is cheap. =] But that puts you at about 6 months, so I think I'll be good! My nurse through UHC told me that I would need to wait for my first surgeons appointment before I do the psychological evaluation or see the dietician. I'm so excited, to finally get headed down the right path to being the better healthy person I deserve to be, but nervous all at the same time! Than you as well for your response! And good luck with your journey! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

My nurse told me that I didn't require a group session, but I know they the doctor that I'm going to has one on March 5th, that I'm think I'm may attend. I don't have kids, which is honestly shocking to me, my husband and I are like rabbits. But I'm assuming that the weight has something to do with it. I'm wanting to have kids, so once I'm at a goal weight, we may visit that. I have really bad back problems, I actually just had an epidural steroid injection today. But other than that, I'm not all that bad in the health department. But I know the weight will eventually catch up. Thank you for responding! Good luck with your journey! I can't wait to see your results! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I saw the surgeon in a group setting prior to being a candidate, I think twice. Once I was a candidate, I saw him one-on-one, and got further info about what I needed to do, what to expect, and a chance to ask questions. He made a simple physical examination and asked me a few questions about my health, then I sat with the admin and signed a medical records release so I could obtain short term medical leave at my work, and yes, got a surgical date, in my case a little more than 3 weeks out from that visit. This is a very personal decision as it will be a big change, But for me it's a change I know I need to make - I am mainly looking to head off the serious health consequences of obesity, but also want to look and feel better, be able to enjoy more activities like biking and kayaking. I can almost feel the wind in my hair now! Thank you for your response! I'm so ready to have control over my life for the first time l. I've always been overweight, and it sucks. There are so many things that I've wanted to do, but always told myself no because of my weight. Plus, I know now that I don't have any other medical issues along with the weight, but they are bound to come, so why not try to prevent them. Especially since I've almost met my insurance deductible already this year. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App