trace10

I don't think I understand. You went to a doctor 5 years ago and were overweight, which I am sure they have documented, and you are overweight now. Do they think you were skinny for those lost years? I would think the records from your doctor 5 years ago and reconfirming your weight with you new doctor would be sufficient evidence to you insurance company. I certainly hope they don't make you jump through hoops. Good luck!!

If you are going through insurance, it is going to depend on your requirements. Mine was pretty straight forward, not a lot of requirements if you hit the BMI mark of 40. So, I went to the seminar on June 17th, found out what I needed to be approved from my insurance, and took care of all the appointments before I ever saw the surgeon. (I did go into his office when he wasn't there to get the ball rolling with the Medical Assistants and found out what they recommended to me to have before I saw the surgeon) Anyway, I saw the surgeon on July 2nd, and the actual hold up after that was waiting 10 days for my PCP to get to sign the paper releasing me for the procedure. (he only does paper work on the weekends, and the weekend before was 4th of July weekend, just my luck) As soon as he signed it though my surgeon's office sent the info to my insurance on Wednesday July 14th in the afternoon and they had the approval back first thing Monday morning, July 19th. Then my doctor's office put in a rush for my preop testing, (have I mentioned how great they have been!!!!) and I am having surgery Monday July 26th. If you are self pay, I can't see why it would take very long. You should just have to see the surgeon and any preop testing he requires I imagine. Good luck. I hope your process goes as smoothly!!!

Congratulations BetsyB on hitting the milestone of "overweight"...that is one of the goals that is big in my head...right after "obese" for me. Dare to dream... 3 days til surgery...

Wow, I thought erosion that was something that happened after years...something that erodes that fast seems like a product failure. There doesn't seem to be enough time for things like alchohol or spicy foods and such to even have time to influence it. Have others had this experience this early into the process or anyone have the erosion at a much later date? Thanks for any info.

Hope everyone who got banded this week is doing well.....time is crawling for my surgery date of the 26th.

Wow, I am so sorry you aren't getting more support. I am also shocked that you are only taking 2 days off of work. Do you work in an office sitting down all day? I hope everything goes smoothly for you, because it sure doesn't seem like your boss will be understanding if it doesn't. I don't care what the surgery is that someone is going through, I can't believe there are people who feel being anything but supportive in such a stressful time is appropriate. Have you ever been denied vacation time before? I feel so bad for you. Again, just another reason I have chosen only to tell one person at this point. It's sad I know, but I just don't want to deal with anyone else's input. And I don't want to be under the scrutiny of everyone everytime I see them judging whether or not I am losing as much weight as they think I should be. Of course, it is still surgery, so I have the guilt that what happens if for some awful reason something tragic happens, and I never gave my mom the chance to be there with me or even to let her know there is a chance something may happen to me. She would be completely shocked. However, if I told her, I can expect for each sibling and aunt and god knows who to find out. *Sigh....

Thank you for all the supportive words everyone. That is exactly how I feel steggegirl. I know it is the right thing for me and it is what I not only need but want. I think I just have too much time to think about it now. I need the day to get here and be done so I can concentrate on the recovery and weight loss instead of fixating on this surgery. Hope everyone is getting through the days okay and your surgery day comes and goes quickly.

26th for me too Coolhanddan. I'm nervous and excited. Good luck to you and hope we both have easy procedures.

I think it depends on your insurance requirements JulyJen. I don't have any real health issues "requiring" the surgery right now either, but my insurance requires a bmi of 35 with comorbidity issues, or a bmi over 40. I have a bmi over 40 so I qualified. Give your insurance company a call and ask. One thing is for certain, you'll never know if you will be approved until you apply for approval. I started the process a little over a month ago, just to see where it would take me, always thinking I had the option to not have the surgery even if I was approved. I go into surgery on Monday. Scared...but excited...good luck!

Hi everyone. I am scheduled for July 26th, hope it's okay to join your group. I found out July 19th of my insurance approval, and all of the sudden a little panic has swept over me. I am very excited, but am having some feelings of guilt for doing this for some reason. Has anyone else experienced that? I have only told one person, because I don't want to have to do any explaining or justification before it is done. Has anyone handled it this way or are you all pretty open with everyone? I am looking forward to having this support group for the journey we are all about to experience...