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Process and Approval through Empire BCBS



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Went in for my meeting with surgeon today and I got APPROVED, like literally Monday then today APPROVAL is official.

Let me say first off, I DID NOT have to do a 6 month diet through my insurance (Empire BCBS of CA-Anthem)

I started my journey on July 18th by going to a Seminar. My first visit with the surgeon was July mid 20's. He told me ALL the requirements. I finished them all by August 31th, except for Echo, but thats only needed for cardiovascular clearance.

Pre-op requirements

​Letter of recommendation from Primary Care stating medical necessity

Pulmonary Clearance

sleep Study ( I ended up doing 2 because the first one showed i had slight sleep apnea)

Endoscopy (found mild hiatal hernia)

Full Blood Work

Cardiovascular Clearance (echo, stress test)

Arterial Doppler and Sonogram of Organs

Psychological Evaluatiion

I had started doing 6 month supervised JUST IN CASE they denied me, but i didnt..wasnt a waste. I learned alot

Today I started a partial Optifast pre op diet. Basically a shake for Breakfast, lunch, and dinner something healthy and light, also one snack bar during the day. that's for one week. Next week I will start the FULL liquid Protein shake diet. MY surgery is the 21 of OCT.

YAY!!

Currently pigging out on Chinese food...IM starting this diet TOMORROW morning :/

Any questions FEEL FREE TO ASK. You can follow my journey on instagram too _oct21 :)

I ALMOST CRIED IN THE OFFICE WITH APPROVAL lol...

ooo my stats because i know mobile can see

height: 5'5

original weight: 268

Current weight: 265.5

Goal Weight: 150

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Congratulations!....I wish mine would come back APPROVED so quickly.

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Congratulations!....I wish mine would come back APPROVED so quickly.

Thank You! I have so many mixed feelings....It almost seems to easy, like im getting punked or something lol.

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I know what you mean about feeling punked. Mine was even easier.

Went to see the Surgeon August 1st.

Paid my program fee August 15th

Saw the NUT August 16th

Saw the psychologist August 20th

Case submitted to insurance company

Approved.

Surgery October 22nd

The best part was when the Surgeon's office told me what my portion of the surgery would be.....$427.07

I wanted an email or something in writing. I was like woot woot.

I have hated my inurance company up until now, but you can't fight city hall.

We almost have the same date :) Congrats and good luck! This is super exciting.

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That's great newd...Congrats!!

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I know what you mean about feeling punked. Mine was even easier.

Went to see the Surgeon August 1st.

Paid my program fee August 15th

Saw the NUT August 16th

Saw the psychologist August 20th

Case submitted to insurance company

Approved.

Surgery October 22nd

The best part was when the Surgeon's office told me what my portion of the surgery would be.....$427.07

I wanted an email or something in writing. I was like woot woot.

I have hated my inurance company up until now, but you can't fight city hall.

We almost have the same date :) Congrats and good luck! This is super exciting.

Wow. That's fast. I started the process August 16th. So mine has gone fairly quick; EXCEPT, for the approval....just waiting.

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  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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