The waiting game

[gotamakeachange 7]

Hello All,

I am new to this site, though I have been reading the post for a couple of weeks. I originally thought I was going to get the Lapband, but my surgeon suggested the sleeve due to the complications of the lapband and the overall success rate. That was at my consultation on October 12. Well I decided to go with the sleeve and began my journey by completing all of my test and doctor's visits. I went to see my PCP on October 15 for bloodwork and my medical clearance, I had my stress test on October 21, and my psychological assessment on October 26. Now I wait. I do not have a surgery date and my information has not been sent for insurance approval. The psychologist said he would prepare the report and fax it to my doctor within the week, (a week will be tomorrow). I really am praying that I am able to get sleeved at the end of December while my children are out of school on Christmas break. I would also liked to be sleeved this year as we all now the insurance deductibles start all over again in January. This wait is pretty bad as I can not plan anything. I dont know if I will need to take additional time off of work, if I will have to due a pre-op diet, or if any additional testing will be needed. I like to plan things and this is not allowing me to plan, not to mention I am anxious to begin my new life. Hopefully I will hear something soon from my surgeon's office, my insurance consultant said she would call me this week when she received the psychological assessment. So I will try to wait patiently.

[hopeandfaith 6]

I'm in the same boat right now just waiting BUT my insurance company is making me do three months with a weight management doctor. I've done my Nutrition class and Therapist evaluation and passed by the way!!! I go to my weight management doctor for the second month on Nov 4 with my last one Dec 2. Then wait again on the insurance. My doctor's office did tell me I have to be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks before my surgery...this is to shrink the liver to make the surgery easier! Good LUCK and you found the RIGHT place for SUPPPORT and INFORMATION!!! My doctors office DID tell me if the insurance is satisfied with my three months then I will have my surgery late December!! I CAN'T wait!!!!

[lisabug 10]

What insurance companies do you have? Aetna is very quick on approval. I was approved within 2 days after everything was submitted. Hope time flies for you both. I have surgery dec 1.

[gotamakeachange 7]

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO of Michigan and my doctor told me that my insurance was not covering the sleeve until Nov. 1, so Im not sure if my approval will take longer because covering this procedure will be new or if that wont matter. I am praying that nothing has changed with the insurance company since my doctor told me they will cover the procedure. The nutritionist said my doctor sits on the board for Blue Cross Blue Shield and she was in the same meeting with my doctor and she heard them say they will begin covering the procedure as of Nov. 1.

[lisabug 10]

All insurance companies that cover bariatric surgery need to cover the sleeve. It is crazy that most of them only cover lap band and Rny.

[MRSKOUBiK 27]

I hate the waiting game too!

I haven't officially started.

I just found out my psych eval was faxed to them... And, then Wednesday I have my last appointment with the nutritionist....

THEN all my stuff will be submitted to insurance.

I'm so antsy. I want a December surgery.

[myrori 55]

Thanks all, I have BCBS PPO in IL through the Carpenters union. I just heard, I HAVE a date! NOV 22!

I started all this in July, I went to a "required" seminar where they take you from there to book your first appointment. I had my first Apt on Aug 9th and then about a week later went a pshch eval that I thought was rather easy. Then I waited and waited on the insurance, I guess they take you on a case by case basis and then they called and said I was approved about 3 weeks later, but as I stated above for the wrong surgery. So then 3 more weeks go by and I got approval for the right surgery. From there I have pushed straight through and took days off just to jump all the hoops. Support group meeting, nutritional counseling., phone counseling, and the pulmonologist was last week and today I have a date!

I am excited and nervous all in one.

[jenerad 0]

Did anyone have to lose a set amount of weight first? That is where I am struggling right now...

[MN Mary 0]

YEAH YES

Glad to hear you have been approved. I have Medica and had to jump all the hoops for 4 months of nutriionist, Psy eval, informational meeting and meeting to educate patients about the outcome of the surgery, plus BMI over 50 etc. I was approved with a note from the medical insurance specialist at my surgeons office in less than 24 hours. My concern and reason for the sleeve was absorbtion of Vitamins. I had breast cancer in 1990 and if ever another medical scare I woud like to make sure I can absorb what ever I eat or medication I take.

You go girl! Time will fly. Mary

Thanks all, I have BCBS PPO in IL through the Carpenters union. I just heard, I HAVE a date! NOV 22!

I started all this in July, I went to a "required" seminar where they take you from there to book your first appointment. I had my first Apt on Aug 9th and then about a week later went a pshch eval that I thought was rather easy. Then I waited and waited on the insurance, I guess they take you on a case by case basis and then they called and said I was approved about 3 weeks later, but as I stated above for the wrong surgery. So then 3 more weeks go by and I got approval for the right surgery. From there I have pushed straight through and took days off just to jump all the hoops. Support group meeting, nutritional counseling., phone counseling, and the pulmonologist was last week and today I have a date!

I am excited and nervous all in one.

[lamsunshine 2]

Did anyone have to lose a set amount of weight first? That is where I am struggling right now...

I was suppose to lose 17 pounds, I only lost 10 lbs and they called me for my surgery. I joined weight watchers and was losing 2 lbs a week. I had a hard time following a strict diet, but did not have a problem with weight watchers. Only problem it was $12.00 a week, but for me it was worth it. Good luck, I know you can do it.

[lamsunshine 2]

Hello All,

I am new to this site, though I have been reading the post for a couple of weeks. I originally thought I was going to get the Lapband, but my surgeon suggested the sleeve due to the complications of the lapband and the overall success rate. That was at my consultation on October 12. Well I decided to go with the sleeve and began my journey by completing all of my test and doctor's visits. I went to see my PCP on October 15 for bloodwork and my medical clearance, I had my stress test on October 21, and my psychological assessment on October 26. Now I wait. I do not have a surgery date and my information has not been sent for insurance approval. The psychologist said he would prepare the report and fax it to my doctor within the week, (a week will be tomorrow). I really am praying that I am able to get sleeved at the end of December while my children are out of school on Christmas break. I would also liked to be sleeved this year as we all now the insurance deductibles start all over again in January. This wait is pretty bad as I can not plan anything. I dont know if I will need to take additional time off of work, if I will have to due a pre-op diet, or if any additional testing will be needed. I like to plan things and this is not allowing me to plan, not to mention I am anxious to begin my new life. Hopefully I will hear something soon from my surgeon's office, my insurance consultant said she would call me this week when she received the psychological assessment. So I will try to wait patiently.

I know how you are feeling. I started my sleeve journey last October and was just sleeved on September 2nd. My advise to you, is to be patient, and use the waiting time to learn everything you can about the surgery. I know it seems like it may be a long wait, but the time will go fast. It is still hard for me to believe I actually have my sleeve. I fought for it so hard, and for so long, but in the end if I had to do it all over again I would. Good luck on a December date. Keep us posted.

[jordreams 0]

I have already been approved through my insurance and my surgeon dr. Yadegar wint give me date till tests are complete is this process normal. I want my date already.

[creativeone 0]

I so know how you are feeling. I have been jumping through hoops since May. With my insurance I had to attend 12 weeks of educational class, lab work, EKG, and ultrasound before a referral could even been sent. I have attended the seminar for the surgical group. All paper work on my part and referral paper work has been sent . Now, I wait for my call to schedule my appointment with the surgeon, psychiatrist, and internal medicine doctor. I am hoping to hear soon as I was hoping to have surgery at Christmas time as well. I wish you that best.

Hello All,

I am new to this site, though I have been reading the post for a couple of weeks. I originally thought I was going to get the Lapband, but my surgeon suggested the sleeve due to the complications of the lapband and the overall success rate. That was at my consultation on October 12. Well I decided to go with the sleeve and began my journey by completing all of my test and doctor's visits. I went to see my PCP on October 15 for bloodwork and my medical clearance, I had my stress test on October 21, and my psychological assessment on October 26. Now I wait. I do not have a surgery date and my information has not been sent for insurance approval. The psychologist said he would prepare the report and fax it to my doctor within the week, (a week will be tomorrow). I really am praying that I am able to get sleeved at the end of December while my children are out of school on Christmas break. I would also liked to be sleeved this year as we all now the insurance deductibles start all over again in January. This wait is pretty bad as I can not plan anything. I dont know if I will need to take additional time off of work, if I will have to due a pre-op diet, or if any additional testing will be needed. I like to plan things and this is not allowing me to plan, not to mention I am anxious to begin my new life. Hopefully I will hear something soon from my surgeon's office, my insurance consultant said she would call me this week when she received the psychological assessment. So I will try to wait patiently.

[Lila21 36]

I am in the same boat! I really want to do the surgery around Christmas because my company shuts down over Xmas, and it's the best time to take off work without there being a massive pile-up when I get back. All my paperwork has been submitted to the insurance company and I am now waiting anxiously to hear. The wait is making me sort of crazy!!!!

[gotamakeachange 7]

And still I wait. I got a call from my surgeon's office yesterday telling me that all of my information was received and she would be submitting my information to the insurance consultant. However I am a little irritated. As I mentioned before it was my belief that I was waiting for my psychological evaluation to be forwarded to my doctor, so the insurance consultant told me that she would call me last week when it arrived. Well turns out that I was not waiting for the psych eval as it was already forwarded, I was waiting on my stress test. I would not have known this and it would not have been sent if I did not call on Friday because I had not heard from the insurance consultant. Turns out the office where I got my stress test done did not pay attention to the note for the test not only to be sent to my PCP, but my surgeon also. So I had to call that office and ask them to fax the information to my surgeon. My irritation comes because what if I didnt call my surgeon's office? When would someone had informed me about my stress test not being received? I realize that I am not there only patient, but considering they have been in this business for a while they should know how anxious I am to get things moving, especially considering I did all my testing in a two week period. I would feel so much better if I at least had a date or knew what the next step is going to be.