Biker Deb

I did what I thought I was supposed to do and started by going to a seminar. From there I called my insurance company, Presbyterian, and started working with a nurse care coordinator. Luckily the woman I am working with has been great; unfortunately my insurance won’t approve the doctor I want. I’m still looking for a doctor I would feel comfortable with and not having much luck. There are none in New Mexico, except for the one my insurance won’t allow, so finding someone I’m comfortable with is not so easy. My confusion comes because most of the posts I’ve read say that everything starts with the surgeon. They require the visits to the other specialists and after everything is done they submit the paperwork to the insurance company. My nurse care coordinator has not said anything to me about not having a surgeon yet, but I’m still a little worried about it. Has anyone else started with the insurance company and then found a surgeon after they were approved?

I'm in the Rio Rancho/Albuquerque are. There is one doctor that is coming in from Texas and starting a program at the local Lovelace hospital but my insurance said they would absolutely not cover that. They are pushing me to go to El Paso but I went to the seminar and really didn't care for the surgeon. If that is my only option I will go, but I'd rather like the person cuting into me.

That's awesome pipedoc! I'm thinking it will definitely make it easier for me to put my feet flat on the ground once some weight comes off. Did you have your surgery done in Phoenix? I'm just asking because there are none in New Mexico that I can go to and Phoenix is one of the options. There is a Toys for Tots run on the 6th. I'm hoping to get to do that run but the bike will probably be put up after that. Yes, I'm a semi-fair weather rider. The cold gets to me too much. I'll ride in the rain, just not the cold!

Thanks! I'll call the coordinator today. I just don't want to do something wrong that will put this off. I will definitely have to travel to have it done, it's just decided which direction! At least having a list of approved surgeons will help.

Hi all! I'm new to the site and hoping to be banded in a couple of months. I have been riding for a little over 5 years now. I mostly ride an electra glide but I can't get rid of my sporty. Just love it too much. I'm a member of the Patriot Guard Riders but haven't been able to go on many missions. Want to meet more people who ride around here but painfully shy and hoping losing some of this weight will help with that too. I'm very much looking forward to having an easier time riding. The best part will be looking hot on the bike again though! I'm really hoping this will work for me, especially doing it during the winter. I'm hoping that will make it easier to recover because I won't be so tempted to hop on for a ride. Keep the shiny side up!

Hello! I am a new member of the forum but have been reading posts for a couple months now. I can honestly say that some of the things I have read on here helped me to make the decision to go forward. Initially I was embarrassed that I needed it and now I know that everyone is different and this is not the easy road. I am hoping to have surgery in January or February. So far I have started the process with my insurance company and have been on their program for a little over a month. With the diet my doctor put me on I lost 7 pounds already but the blood pressure medicine she put me on is giving me bad headaches so I want to get off of it but I'm affraid that will disqualify me for surgery. The insurance company is making it difficult, but I'm determined to get this and have it covered by them. They told me at first, in not so many words, that even though I'm morbidly obese I'm not sick enough to qualify. I'm having a hard time finding a surgeon they will cover that isn't a total jerk and I am also wondering how much fills costs and if the insurance typically covers them or not. I think it comes down to the fact that I want and need this and I feel like they are working against me. I would appreciate any advice. I am with Pres in New Mexico.

Thank you for all of the supportive words. I'm still trying to figure out if the insurance will approve me or not. If they do I'm hoping for either a late January or early February date. I wish I could get it done tomorrow though and start my new life. Thanks again everyone and good luck!