needtoseemeagain

Ok, so Tuesday 12-9-08 my info was submitted for authorization - this will confirm my surgery date, I am thinking of nothing else and on edge with the waiting! I started eating less and making diferent choices just to get mentally prepared, now all I need is the starter pistol to go off, NOW!!! Finally doing something different to get different results is sinking in, it is time to make a change. I have decided that if better is possible, then good is no longer enough. Though this is new and will require dedication, determination, and the ability to embrace the me I haven't seen in a while, I welcome CHANGE! Their is a Sponge Bob cartoon when he says, I'm Ready! I'm Ready! I'm Ready! Well now it's my turn and I'm Ready! I'm Ready! I'm Ready! :thumbup:

Ok, so Tuesday 12-9-08 my info was submitted for authorization - this will confirm my surgery date, I am thinking of nothing else and on edge with the waiting! I started eating less and making diferent choices just to get mentally prepared, now all I need is the starter pistol to go off, NOW!!! Finally doing something different to get different results is sinking in, it is time to make a change. I have decided that if better is possible, then good is no longer enough. Though this is new and will require dedication, determination, and the ability to embrace the me I haven't seen in a while, I welcome CHANGE! Their is a Sponge Bob cartoon when he says, I'm Ready! I'm Ready! I'm Ready! Well now it's my turn and I'm Ready! I'm Ready! I'm Ready! :biggrin:

I actually met with another Dr. because Dr. Owens was scheduled for a back surgery and arranged for me to meet with Dr. H. He said I would get to meet with my surgeon after his surgery. At first, I was dissapointed, but then I felt good because he let me all kinds of info and samples and they gave me his cell to call if I wanted to. My first meeting was great very informative. He sent me home with a huge binder of great information; it felt like the doctor gave me his brain to take home! I wasn't rushed or uncomfortable, he was very kind, considerate, and approachable as well as his staff. I signed in, weighed in, answered health history questions, shared my good and bad habits, he told me about the procedure and let me see the real equipment showed me wear my port would be, it was super cool. Then I was asked when I would like my date!

Selected Doctor: 10-14-08:eek: Viewed Emmi (Seminar) Online:10-15-08:rolleyes: LabWork: 11-18-08 (my delay-not theirs):cool: Psych Eval: 11-20-08:sneaky: Nutritionist: 11-29-08:sneaky: 1st Appt with Dr. Milton Owens: 12-5-08:scared2: Surgery Date: :confused: If better is possible than good is not enough ...

TENTATIVE Surgery Date: JANUARY 9, 2008 ************************************************** I call that a tentative date only because my authorization with my insurance company has not gone through yet, when it does, then it is on with the full celebration!!! Today I went to Dr. Owens office and received great information, the staff was so cool, and made me feel really comfortable and welcome. I was able to ask all of the questions I had without rushing and got some samples to help e decide what supplements I like and get me started on prepping for my 2 week liquid pre-op diet, that is going to be something else! Anyway, so I am thinking if my surgery date is 1-9-09 then I start liquids 12-27-08 which in food land means I wont get to have my gumbo on new years, wow. My plan is to puree some down for myself and just keep it separate. Gotta start being intentional about my choices! YAY!!!! The thought of being comfortable with my body again makes me grin :thumbup:

Today, I got tentative date of January 9, 2009 for my band. I am enemic and need to bring up my iron levels. I am saying tentative only because my insurance auth has not gone through yet and I dont want to get dissapointed. I am super excited, but trying to maintain untile that auth goes through, then I will allow myself to really celebrate! :cool::cool::thumbup::thumbup:

Congratulations! You already have a date for surgery! You are so ahead of me, much respect and good vibes to you as you go through this journey!

Try not to worry, you may need to update BCBS with some minor info, things cross in the mail sometimes, hopefully it is something simple. If you don't have the letter just call with the date of service and name of the provider and they will look it up for you. Hope all goes well for you.

Good for you! Congratulations!

I will be posting as fast as possible when my appointment is over! It looks like approval should go smoothly, it is a covered benefit, my prayer is that all will go smoothly. I ave read the medical policies, the doctors office is familiar with Anthem Blue Cross of CA, I have even emailed them my actual evidence of coverage just for clarity. (yeah my friends all say I am too detailed:tongue_smilie:) ... I hope you are getting the answers you need, it is a big decision, have you been helped to move along?

lol ... that was special ... lol ... the post is great the overall idea of the post has some needed info, is this a powder room conversation?

I considered it but it is my insurance considers the sleeve experimental, therefore not a covered benefit. My doctor seems very kind. The staff is very upfront and I asked exactly what it was for and they are clear on my perception of the "fee". I plan on discussing it further once I get to the office.

I delayed mysekf a bit because at one point I thought that Dr. Owens, which was my first choice, was not participating, so I started looking for other doctors again. Then I realized that he was listed at his San Pedro office and not the Rancho Cucamonga or Orange County addresses that I was looking for. Selected Doctor: 10-14-08 Viewed Emmi (Seminar) Online:10-15-08 LabWork: 11-18-08 (my delay-not theirs) Psych Eval: 11-20-08:sneaky: Nutritionist: 11-29-08:sneaky: 1st Appt with Dr. Milton Owens: 12-5-08:scared2: Surgery Date:

Sorry Taylorgirl, I have the same issue, and everyone tells me it is normal. The doctor I have chosen has a lower program fee than others but the 1st doctor I was going with said $4500, my current doctor is saying $1500. I have issue with it, it is a scam, just not sure how to get around it and get what I want.

Hi welcome, I live in the Inland Empire and have chosen Dr. Milton Owens ( Coastal Center for Obesity, Gastric Bypass and Lapband Weight Loss Surgery in Los Angeles and Orange County, California ). He has a great staff, great experience and costs are reasonable. He works out of Rancho Speciality, Chapman Medical Center and a few other facilities. In my research he was the best for me while considering all of the above factors. You can also serch his name and some ohers on obesityhelp.com and that site gives you the licensure, patient testimonies, surgical stats etc. Best to you and your search, hope this helps!

Congratulations! I am very happy for you! You have got to be really stoked right now!

I have Blue Cross PPO, but not in MA, however you can read medical policies on their web site, and it will have the criteria used to authorize procedures. Also, in my state we have to go to a Center of Expertise, a Participating provider is covered at a higher benefit level. If BMI 40 or over ussually can be approved but you should review your specific plan criteria.

I doubt it is a typo, but there could be some additional information needed from your doctor. Try to relax, sometimes a denial can be resolved rather quickly. After the holiday the doctors office can call and find out what the denial is for and should let you know the best & fastest remedy.

It could be different for you, but I was told by his office oerson that in addition to what my insurance paid, I would have to pay my coinsurance plus another $4500 for aftercare (support groups, online chat access) I never really understood why that would cost so much since everyone goes for free when they haven't had the procedure and people from other doctors go to groups. But that is what she said to me, I spoke with Jennifer. I have really great insurance and I just thought it was crazy. I posted on the site when I found out. As I asked around, I learned that a lot of doctors do this and it is like an unwritten freedom that many doctors do. It seems to be a way of getting more money because Ins companies do pay them their total rate, only the contracted rate.

I am just getting started. Is anyone going through David Oliak's program? What has been your experience as far as cost & timeframe? Any info/suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Thank you Thank you Thank you! He was my 1st Choice, then I was going to switch, his staff is great and quick to respond. I am praying that I can get a December or Jan date at the very latest! I am so excited I can hardly think of anything else ... lol!

Straight Bend, you have a great points. Most people tend to self protect in some way. Hopefully not by telling untruths, but if some become transparent at a slower rate than others while working their bands in the end we all have victory in a safe unforced place. I see both sides telling and not telling, both sides are very personal responses to a part of this weightloss journey.

Hey Happy G, It really is hard to decide. A friends husband was banded and she said that if you don't tell anyone, be very carefull about eating in public because if you don't chew well or if something makes you choke anyone who could be educated about WLS will know you have had a procedure. She suggests just Soups, soft things, liquids until you are really sure about you can eat comfortably. She also suggested that I start something like a diet or new health regime so that when the weight starts coming off it will fit. My office is the same way. We all have a great time together but promotions, corrections do bring out the sideway glances at times. I don't socialize with coworkers outside of work though, I try to keep a public and private life.

You have done so well, so much to be proud of! Congratulations! I haven't been banded but I so wish I were on the side were you are right now! It seems so far off! Hope the last bit comes off soon for you!