LearningToLoveMeAgain

I am so impatient. I just called UHC and asked about my prior auth and she said I was approved as of 4/30. I called Anita, my insurance nurse, and left her a message. I'm so excited and hoping now some of my anxiety and stress will diminish. For stats if anyone is wondering, this was my process: *6 mo physician supervised diet/exercise *5 years of BMI (didn't have to be over 35) *my co-morbids are osteoarthritis, GERD, borderline DM, borderline hypertension, borderline high cholesterol *my submitted BMI was 37 (I maintained my weight for 6 months, didn't try to lose weight) *cardiac clearance *psych clearance **didn't need sleep clearance because I don't have apnea Started process in November 2018 Final clearance was 4/16 Submitted to UHC on 4/19 Approved by UHC on 4/30 with no denials

I had surgery on 5/28. No pain, no hunger, no issues at all. I feel great and am currently 3 weeks post op. I'm getting plenty of exercise and have am in the pureed stage of foods. I hope all goes as planned and smoothly for you. hugs

I have C-PTSD, OCD, major depressive disorder, panic disorder and general anxiety disorder. I got clearance from my regular psych doc and have surgery 5/28. As long as you take your meds and are stable, you should be okay. The problem with Bipolar disorder is that many patients stop taking their meds when they feel better which triggers mania. I’ve been a psych RN for 20 years so I have a lot of experience with this. Also, my sister is bipolar and she had surgery 2 years ago. Our mother is also bipolar.

Medicare doesn't require a prior auth but UHC does, even if they're a medicare advantage plan. Your insurance nurse will likely send in everything anyway to obtain a prior auth because they want to make sure they'll get paid. I would just tell the insurance nurse to send it for a prior auth anyway, even if they said it's not required. At least then you have a leg to stand on if they try to deny the claim post op. Also, if they insist a prior auth is not needed then get it in writing. I called UHC several different times and was told something different by each person I spoke to. My surgeon's insurance nurse told me that everyone requires a prior auth except straight medicare patients, they just have to cross their fingers that it's approved after surgery takes place. Hope that's helpful. Good luck!!

Anyone have a Fitbit? I joined the forum and had to change my profile picture the first day because men were messaging me constantly. I’m not interested in finding love, I’m interested in finding like minded friends. Anyway, if y’all have a Fitbit and want to be friends on that forum, my username is LLaneRN. I hope to meet some other people working towards getting healthy.

BMI 35, UHC insurance comorbids: GERD, osteoarthritis, degenerative joint and disc disease, depression My BP is perfect, cholesterol is great, not diabetic, no sleep apnea first letter approval surgery is tomorrow for me, BMI is now 34

I have zero carb Isopure vanilla whey protein powder. I also bought some powdered peanut butter (PBFit). I mix one scoop of Isopure vanilla and 2 tablespoons of the PBFit along with 8 oz of cold water. Tastes just like a peanut butter shake. 31g protein, 2g carbs, 2g fat for the shake.

May 28 for me. Preop class and diet starts May 14. Not going to MX though. My insurance covers all but $300 program fee and $350 for everything else.

Thank you!! I’m relieved, slept better last night. Good luck!! 🤞🏼🤞🏼

PreOp diet starts 5/14 Surgery is 5/28 Wow!! That 6 mo actually flew by.

I'm relieved! My insurance nurse called me yesterday to say that they still hadn't received my EGD op report or my Cardiac Clearance report even though they had requested them a few times. I called the providers for both of those tests and requested to have the reports faxed directly to my insurance nurse. This all happened around 4pm yesterday, so just when everyone is fixin to close up shop and head home. Anita called me this morning to tell me that my phone calls worked because she arrived to work to both reports sitting on her desk! woohoo! There's something to be said for being an RN and knowing how to deal with doctors to get what you want from them. She said she submitted me for approval and UHC is taking an average of 10 days to respond. Super excited now, it's feeling real. I asked her specifically about falling below BMI of 35 preop and she said they have had a few patients who have walked into surgery at a BMI of 32 but had managed to stay above the 35 until they were submitted for approval. She said they do not submit any other weights after they submit for approval which was a big fear of mine. I fall in that boat. So, now I'm working to lose so I can be as healthy as possible come surgery day. The day is getting closer. I'm shooting for sometime in May. Also, I've averaged 23k steps on my Fitbit this week. I've been participating in challenges and meeting a lot of folks who are trying to get fit. There are several losers on the site (trolls who are there seeking some sort of relationship 🙄) but most of the people I've "met" have been friendly and fun. I have actually danced my way to 20k steps already today, LOL. Have to make it fun! Have a great Easter weekend, ya'll!

The wait is torture. Anita says I’ll be fine and she knows best so I’m listening to her advice and trying not to get to anxious.

No problem.

60-80g protein, low fat, low carb. 64oz minimum of water a day. Try to cut out caffeine (soda, coffee, etc.) now because you don't want to go cold turkey off of it with surgery. If you smoke, stop now. I had to maintain my weight for 6 months to keep my BMI over 35. Another thing...they're probably going to want your A1C down before surgery so try your hardest to eat a low carb diet. Healthy veggies are okay but stay away from processed foods and always eat your protein first. Take your time with your meals, 30 minutes to complete one and pay attention to hunger cues. If you feel satisfied, stop eating. Some docs will refuse to do surgery unless your A1C is under a certain level. I'm not sure what that level is because I'm thankfully not diabetic, yet. My last A1C was 5.1. Since you have DMII then you should be able to go below a BMI of 40 as long as you stay above 35. A low carb diet is the best way to get DMII under control and lose weight. Good Luck! You got this!

Congratulations!!

Oh I'm glad you said something because, dont get me wrong I love my PCP, but he acts like he has no idea what will work. I was on Klonopin for a while but my panic attacks got so bad they weren't helping anymore. He has been chasing his tail to find something that works but it's mainly been antidepressants that make it worse. I had Adivan(spelling?) A few years ago and it was as needed and really helped. A months supply lasted me 3 months a lot of the time but that was a different dr lol Ativan is a fast acting benzo. Klonopin is a long acting benzo. I take Klonopin and it helps take the edge off. Lexapro is an antidepressant but also used for anxiety. PCPs aren’t well versed on psych meds and in their defense, there are so many to choose from. I hope you’re able to find something that works for you. Hugs. I know how difficult it is to struggle with anxiety. It can be debilitating.

Lexapro would have been a better choice. Celexa does nothing for anxiety. Sorry, been a psych nurse almost 20 years.

You sound exactly like me. Type A...it’s tough. I’ve been on 1mg Klonopin 4x a day for 3 years because I have PTSD and anxiety goes along with that. It helps but I still have to try to learn how to meditate, I’m told that helps. I have no clue how to even start because my brain doesn’t calm or shut down, lol. New skills to learn. Much luck to you. I hope you get something to help with your anxiety. I know how exhausting it is to constantly be anxious and on edge. Hugs

My anxiety has been horrible as well. 😕 Gratefully I have Klonopin to help but it’s just taking the edge off. I’m not a patient person in general and I’m a planner. I need to know so I can quit stressing. Not supposed to be stressing with Long QT Syndrome. 😳

You can always ask the dentist for a Non-NSAID. Vicodin is popular after dental procedures and it contains Tylenol so it would be safe, assuming you aren’t allergic like I am.

I use Voltaren Gel topically for pain. It doesn’t help much and is an NSAID but my doc said it’s okay. He just doesn’t want me taking any NSAID pills.

Playing the waiting game myself after exhausting myself jumping through hoops. Glad that’s all over but not I will sit here and worry that insurance will deny. Sigh. I shouldn’t worry because I have an excellent team working with me but worrying is what I do. I can’t wait to get that call! I have no idea how long UHC takes to approve. My nurse said they won’t even tell me if i get denied, they’ll just resubmit with whatever thing the insurance company is requesting. Hurry up and wait! 😂

Got it! Thanks!!

I couldn’t find it. Let me know when you join again, I’d love to add you.