Wondering About Process

[lygo 0]

Just wondering if someone could tell me their experience in the process of getting approved. I see so many posts about weigh ins and months upon months of waiting for approvals, pre op diets and I'm a bit confused. I thought you just went through the screening evaluations (which in itself is a long process) and that was it.

Thanks!????

[moffie 16]

Hi I'm in the Lou too. Well, just outside. My process started in feb 2012 and my surgery is scheduled sept 11. It truly was a long 6-7 months ! Insurance required 6 monthly visits with my doctor where he watched my weight and counseled me some. Seems like alot of extra medical stuff plus the weight loss institute required psychiatric assessment, visit with dietitian, nurse visit, blood tests, endoscopy, sleep study. Wow looking back it was a lot. But totally worth it with just 11 days to go!!

I'm on 2 week pre-op Protein shake/clear liquid diet now. No complications pre-op!!

[lygo 0]

It's so nice to hear from someone close. We are actually outside STL to, towards Arnold. The only one we've heard of is at de Peres hospital (I think). I've seen one at mercy to. Not sure where to go yet. We are going through Medicare so don't know what they'll want for sure. Did you have to show you've been trying to lose and what kind of diets you tried? Are you happy with the program you chose? I thought I read the one at de Peres has all the psychiatrist, docs, etc there.

[TinyMamiOf3kids 1,280]

Hi I'm in the Lou too. Well' date=' just outside. My process started in feb 2012 and my surgery is scheduled sept 11. It truly was a long 6-7 months ! Insurance required 6 monthly visits with my doctor where he watched my weight and counseled me some. Seems like alot of extra medical stuff plus the weight loss institute required psychiatric assessment, visit with dietitian, nurse visit, blood tests, endoscopy, sleep study. Wow looking back it was a lot. But totally worth it with just 11 days to go!!

I'm on 2 week pre-op Protein shake/clear liquid diet now. No complications pre-op!![/quote']

I had e drugging mention here except I did it all in less then 2 months.

[moffie 16]

I live in st Charles county so DePaul weight loss institute is closest for me. It's a center of excellence which was also necessary for my insurance. My pcp knew about my attempts to lose weight previously- I did not have to prove anything about it though-just told them at depaul.

And it's a one stop shop too which is great-dietitian, nurses, psych assessment, endoscopy, sleep study, surgeon -everyone is there. I would think des Peres hosp would have a similar program. But don't know anything about it for sure. Good luck!

[lygo 0]

Yeah, I'm thinking of depaul. I know it was De something! Ha! Thanks!

[LosingItForMe2011 320]

My process took 3 months, that was with a few week delay after the first attempt denial. They wanted 3 months of weightloss supervision and had it but, needed documentation. Then the surgery was approved with the completed paperwork and fixes to some of that documentation.

[kiwiladydee 402]

The process depends on your insurance requirements as well as your doctor/Suregon.

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[superkimeee 0]

Hi there,

I am new to this, I have my first DR appt March 6th. How long after that can I have the surgery?.... Don't know anything about this process//////

[agirlofaith 71]

Depends on your insurance!

I just started my process in November and have surgery scheduled Feb 20th. I had a physc eval, Nut appointment, dr consultation, then insurance denied so I weighed back in and was approved. (BMI was 39.6 and then went to 40.6) I go this Friday the 8th for my preop surgeon and hospital appointments and my 10 day preop diet starts Sunday the 10th.

[superkimeee 0]

Can I do the nut appt. and the others before I see the Dr?

[superkimeee 0]

And???? Do I need to talk to my insurance company or does the doctors office do that ?

[agirlofaith 71]

My dad told me to have my ducks in a row by contacting my insurance. They reassured me that the surgical center would know exactly everything that needed done.

I had to attend a seminar first before anything and then fill out all the paper work. Center then contacted me 2 weeks later and had me pick a physc from a list and see her next. Once she cleared me then I was set to see the surgeon. After that they sent me to the nut. Then I had to wait for everything to be submitted through insurance. That took about a week and half. This Friday I got for my preop with surgeon and then to the hospital for 2 hours, start diet on Saturday and survive until the 20th!

All insurance companies are not the same. I'd start by calling them unless you are self pay.

[btb2013 84]

Just wondering if someone could tell me their experience in the process of getting approved. I see so many posts about weigh ins and months upon months of waiting for approvals' date=' pre op diets and I'm a bit confused. I thought you just went through the screening evaluations (which in itself is a long process) and that was it.

Thanks!dde04[/quote']

Everyone's insurance is different. I had Evals and the Hosp required a nutrition class and tour and instructions for registration, etc. then had to come back for pre-op appt. some insurances or Surg places make it more difficult. I called my insurance co and got info straight from a rep so I was fully informed in addition to what Surg or dr office told me. U should give yours a call so that You are fully informed.

[btb2013 84]

It's so nice to hear from someone close. We are actually outside STL to' date=' towards Arnold. The only one we've heard of is at de Peres hospital (I think). I've seen one at mercy to. Not sure where to go yet. We are going through Medicare so don't know what they'll want for sure. Did you have to show you've been trying to lose and what kind of diets you tried? Are you happy with the program you chose? I thought I read the one at de Peres has all the psychiatrist, docs, etc there.[/quote']

You usually have to have a history of past attempts and also usually 6 consecutive months of attempts w/ a dr or nutritionist following a supervised weight loss program.....then that person has to write a clearance letter for u to have surgery....I used my Pcp who also had me on phentermine, B12, and a diet. You also should have other health problems associated with being overweight to support the authorization request.....