Jill8008

I’ll be having my sleeve with Dr. Hussain (hopefully) end of October or early November. Anyone else having their surgery there?

At what point in the process is your health insurance provider contacted by the surgeon’s office in regards to verifying what pre-op requirements the insurance has? I have had my initial consult with surgeon, an EGD, my sleep study is scheduled. When I spoke to my insurance (United Health Care) on 3 separate occasions to verify and re-verify their requirements, the reps I spoke to honestly did not sound very knowledgeable, which is not very reassuring. One told me that there was no requirement for a 6 month diet, one told me there was, one said they could not find any information. Am I speaking to the wrong people? Should I be requesting to speak to a certain department? Not one person from UHC mentioned anything about a requirement to see a Nutritionist, but the nurse from my surgeon’s office sent me an email with a list of pre-op tests and says that a 3 month visits with NUT is an insurance requirement. I am soooooooooooo confused about the insurance requirements and I’m far from being a dumb person.

Yes my hospital is also a COE. I know they’re covering their bases an experienced at getting people approved, but I am paranoid that I’m going to get to the “finish line” and insurance is going to come back with some off-the-wall requirement that hadn’t been thought of. I feel bad for the person who has to deal with insurance all day, it must be a headache. I’ll need to remember to get him/her a thank you gift!

Thanks for some voices of reason and for reminding me that they most certainly have dealt with my insurance before and know what we are working with. But I will definitely message them asking for that specific document. I had no idea that existed for the consumer side.

I was lucky I had the option of doing the seminar on the web or in person. I chose web only because I have two small kids. I just had my initial consultation on Monday, 4/16 and it went really well. I had my psych evaluation on that day, which I was a little surprised at, but glad I can check that off of the list. I want a sleeve, but I have a history of GERD since I became very overweight. I have an endoscopy scheduled for Tuesday to see how everything looks before the surgeon can recommend sleeve or RNY. I also have an order for a sleep study that I’m trying to get scheduled. Good luck to you! Hoping that these next 6 months FLY by.

Hello All, Sorry this is long I had my annual visit with my PCP at the end of March. Up 5 lbs from my visit the previous year. I mentioned that I was strongly considering WLS because of numerous health issues and difficulty losing the weight on my own. At the time she said she could agree that it would be a good idea for me, but also (understandably) shared some reservations about the procedure and long-term success. Fast forward to yesterday, I had my initial consultation with the surgeon, dietician, and psych. Based on my current BMI, co-morbities, etc., it seemed like they agreed I was a good candidate for surgery (although I need to wait for an “official” letter starting I am accepted into their program). The surgeon suggested that my PCP could monitor my 6 month medically supervised weight loss and said that I would need a letter from her basically stating that she agrees I am a good candidate for the surgery and that I have her support medically. I contacted her office about setting up an appointment to get started on the medically supervised diet and I was a little surprised when my doctor called me back to (I feel) dissuade me from going forward. She said that of course the surgeon considers me a good candidate, basically that they love to cut people open. She encouraged me to try Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Seattle Sutton and to see if I can do this on my own. I respect her opinion that surgery is not a decision to take lightly, but at the same time if I felt that I could be successful without the surgery, I would not have it. My BMI is 46 so this is urgent, my health is declining and in the meantime I feel like i’m missing out on life. I’m really looking forward to having this nudge in the right direction to get my health back on track. Up until 2010 I was at a normal BMI so I know what life is like on the other side and I greatly miss it. She didn’t say she wouldn’t “allow” me to have the surgery, and perhaps I’m just overly sensitive, but I felt like she gave me a “if you just tried HARDER” speech. I’ve BEEN trying. Yes maybe I could have tried harder to lose the weight without the help of surgery. Ugh. It’s been bothering me since we spoke. I will try Weight Watchers (again) for extra support between my visits with her. Has anyone else had similar experience with their PCP?

Your story of facing your doctor in the supermarket made my morning. I’m sorry that you were made to feel that way too. It’s awful. My doctor is also biased and sadly misinformed about bariatric surgery. Thank you for sharing your story ❤️

Thank you everyone for your responses. I truly feel better and I now know that I have a few more options for working around my PCP. I will also be finding a new PCP.

I am having an endoscopy next week, but I also had one two years ago so I can answer some of your questions. I can only share MY experience though. I was fully sedated with propofol - I believe that’s what they consider conscious sedation. However, I have ZERO memory of the procedure. I do NOT recall being asked to swallow or do anything. One minute I was rolled into the procedure room and being told I’d fall asleep and the next thing I knew I was in recovery. I believe I was able to keep panties and bra on with the hospital gown. I just wore comfy clothes that day, nothing special For what it’s worth I’ve never heard of someone who has been awake for the procedure. Good luck!!

So excited for everyone here! Does anyone know if you must use a psychiatrist they refer you to, or can you use a psychiatrist you already go to? I see a psych about 4x a year for anxiety related issues and it would be one less additional appointment to go to if my doctor could sign off on the psychiatric portion at our next appointment.

I have my first consultation with the surgeon and his team this coming Monday, 4/16. I’m nervous and excited at the same time! I just had a new picture taken for my driver license today and I always dread them because they always add like 10lbs to my face. I seriously look like an angry prison guard ☹️. I already know from speaking to my insurance that they do require a 6 month supervised diet, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a surgery before end of the year. I luckily just saw my PCP a couple weeks ago so I have blood work completed, good blood pressure, normal thyroid, slightly elevated A1C (prediabetes) I’d love to have a friend for support and info along the way. Shoot me a message if you ever want to chat.

Welcome! I’m new as well. My first meeting for an evaluation with the surgeon and team is on April 16th. I’ve also had two c-sections. I’m excited and scared, but I’m pre-diabetic, in pain constantly, on the road to heart issues that run in my family, and the weight is holding me back from living my life to the fullest. I’d love to stay in touch during the pre-op process if you’d like!