GOT MY DATE!

[elsnanny 39]

Best phone call EVER!!! Got my surgery date for 12/30....what a way to start the new year!!!

[Sofficial 162]

Wow, that's great!! You'll probably get released on 1/1/2014, so you're right what great way to start the new year. Congratulations!

[ElginChris 87]

Congratz!!!

[READY4CHANGE2013 88]

CONGRATS!! Can't wait to see you on the loser's bench!

[elsnanny 39]

This site has been so helpful and I'm very appreciative of everyone's support! Can't wait to be on the losers bench!

[Cupcake 801]

Congrats I am so happy for you,

[1Day1Life4Now 882]

congratulations. on your surgery date., I still don't have my date. How long did it take from the time you applied till the Insurance company approved you?

[elsnanny 39]

congratulations. on your surgery date.' date=' I still don't have my date. How long did it take from the time you applied till the Insurance company approved you? [/quote']

My first appt was September 13th. I had called my insurance prior just to see what the pre-requisites for regarding weight loss. They (BCBS Anthem) told me 2-4months documented weight loss attempts. Since April I had been going to Weight Watchers and I was also seeing a nutritionist. So I went in go my first appt with the paper work that vouched for that. (I'm a type A and wanted to be sure everything I could do on my end was checked off fast)

So, went to my first appt and I met with nurse practitioner, nutritionist and psych eval over the course of that 4 hour appt. The 3 meet while I watch a video about surgery and what to expect. They meet together to chat and see if I'm a good candidate for surgery. I passed with flying colors then it was time to schedule all my necessary appts. I have a very flexible work schedule, so I took first available or most appts. I needed 1 more with nurse practitioner, an appt with surgeon, 1 more with nutritionist, Upper GI, one suggested support group and 4 required psych group educational classe. Between 9/13 and now I have done all but support group and I have 2 more educational classes. They run every Wed evening and I missed on bc I was sick. But, that are super easy and I have plenty of time.

Monday 10/14 all my paper work was submitted to ins and I got the call yesterday 10/18 from surgery coordinator to set a date. So to answer your question...approved sometime within 4 days. My nurse practitioner did say I have one of the easiest ins companies to deal with. I met the requirements for Bmi no problem..... I'm 5'3 and heist weight was 289, lost 25 thru WW and nutritionist. So at my first appt I was still a bmi of 46.8.

I had asked my surgical weight loss team if I could be done late December bc of time off at work would be easiest then and the happily accommodated. I'm going thru Lahey In Burlington Ma and I have to say the whole process has been a breeze! Everyone on my "team" genuinely cares about my success. I never feel rushed in appts and I never feel like just another patient. I would highly recommend them if anyone is in MA.

So, did you already submit to your insurance?

[1Day1Life4Now 882]

Thanks for the response Elsnanny, I went to the seminar on Tuesday and submitted my paperwork so I am assuming they sent it over on Wednesday Oct 16th. Maybe I'll hear something in the early part of the week. I have Federal BCBS so they are fairly easy to deal with and they do cover the WLS. I have a BMI of 45 and I have severe sleep apnea, GERD, and arthritis so it should be pretty straight forward. I was just wondering how long it would take them to approve and send back to the surgeon's office. I will be cautiously optimistic and hope for some time this week. I wish I could have my surgery in December too as that is an easy time for me to take off of work. Stay tuned and hopefully all will go as planned. Janet

[elsnanny 39]

Thanks for the response Elsnanny' date=' I went to the seminar on Tuesday and submitted my paperwork so I am assuming they sent it over on Wednesday Oct 16th. Maybe I'll hear something in the early part of the week. I have Federal BCBS so they are fairly easy to deal with and they do cover the WLS. I have a BMI of 45 and I have severe sleep apnea, GERD, and arthritis so it should be pretty straight forward. I was just wondering how long it would take them to approve and send back to the surgeon's office. I will be cautiously optimistic and hope for some time this week. I wish I could have my surgery in December too as that is an easy time for me to take off of work. Stay tuned and hopefully all will go as planned. Janet[/quote']

Fingers crossed for you Janet! Keep me updated