Moving Along but Impatient

[Mrs Sabre 1]

Magic asked my progress; so here's a recap. I started researching Lap-Band in August. At that time, Dr. V's future was very uncertain. Dr. Bauman is further away than I prefer to travel. The only other Lap-Band surgeon I could identify is Dr. Kuwada at CMC. I'm 5'6" and +/- 236 pounds. My BMI is 38.6. The bad news is my co-morbidities aren't very significant. The good news is my insurance coverage through work is among the more liberal for WLS.

1. Saw PCP in Aug; he's in full agreement of my desire for Lap-Band, refers me to a weight management specialist.
   
2. See weight management specialist in Sept; he concurs and wants a repeat sleep study. In Sept I also have a consultation with sleep specialist and schedule sleep study.
   
3. In Oct I have my initial consultation w/surgeon. Note: He's new to this area and has to be re-certified by Inamed. Even if approved, this could delay surgery date because he has to have multiple (2-3) surgeries scheduled together before Inamed will send someone to proxy his technique. In Oct I also undergo a repeat sleep study. Although somewhat worse, my apnea still isn't severe enough to treat with a CPAP. Study does confirm that my Restless Leg medication is working perfectly, and also makes specific recommendation of weight loss.
   
4. I have my psychological and nutrition evaluations in Nov. Both agree that I'm a fine candidate for surgery. I also have blood work done. Good cholesterol is low; bad cholesterol is high; but total cholesterol isn't that bad. Otherwise, my labs are normal.
   
5. I had my endoscopy last week. There were a couple spots of mild inflammation in the bottom of my stomach that were biopsied. The gastroenterologist seemed completely uncerned about these findings, stating biopsies were standard procedure.
   

Having said all of this, I was told over two weeks that my letter would go out to the insurance as quick as the doctor dictated it. I have called my insurance; they have yet to receive a letter. I called the doctor's nurse practitioner two days ago, and she has yet to return my call. Get me through insurance approval, and I'll be less anxious, even if I should have to wait for a surgery date.

[magic699 0]

Karen- I am rooting for you and you will feel better once you have your approval. What insurance do you have?

If you ever need to vent- I'm here. Betcha our surgeries won't be too far apart!

xxxxxooooo

[chichigirl 1]

Just letting you know that I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way for a speeeeeedy approval from the insurance company. I often tell others, the approval process can be more stressful than the surgery itself and you have already done the majority of the work. I call it jumping through the insurance company hoops. Persistence is an extremely valuable asset during this time, if someone isn't responding to you quickly enough and you are really frazzled by that, call them again. Eventually you will get the answers you need and want.

Good luck and please keep us posted. We're all rooting for you.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas

Cindy

[Mrs Sabre 1]

"Bubble Butt"? HAR!!!

"Impatient" can be spelled another way: "I'm patient"....

and yes all the hassle actually DOES serve a purpose....it can renew our dedication to the Band as the best choice for our individual problem, or it can give us time to reconsider what other options we might choose.

cheers....

Thanks for the support everyone; this is exactly why I love this board!

Jack, the waiting does/has renewed my dedication; "I'm patient", but ready

Magic, I have United Health Care thru my employer.

[gordonfamily3 0]

Karen you are doing so good at waiting...your time is coming and it will happen before you know it.

Stay strong and continue to pray as it will all work out the way it's suppose to.

[Mrs Sabre 1]

The biopsies done during my endoscopy came back normal

[magic699 0]

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's another thing you can mark off the list!!!