BCBS of Illinois *** anyone?

[HopeandAgony 566]

Hi there. I am trying to grasp how long after referral to the surgeon the procedure takes place. I have H. M. O (BCBS IL) and have to:

+See my PCP for 4 weigh in (3 months)

+Lose 6 lbs

+Keep a food journal

I just called the surgeons for some general questions and was told I have to:

+Be cleared by a Cardiologist

+Be cleared by a Physcologist

+Be cleared by a Pulmonary Dr

+Speak to a dietician

+Attend a seminar (doing in 2 weeks)

+Have full lab work (done)

I will have my last app with my PCP in mid July. I thought I'd for sure have my surgery in August but with all the stuff listed above I am at the mercy of a lot of different schedules. I have already started drinking Protein Shakes 2 times per day (that is my Breakfast and lunch) and eat a normal healthy dinner.

Today, I am so frustrated with the thought of drinking these Protein shakes for like the next 6 months. I know this is a lifestyle change and that this will be the norm going forward but I just want to cry. I tell myself all day long food is only fuel and this is all worth it but hearing today this could drag out much longer than end of July is really upsetting.

Words of encouragement?

Edited June 8, 2015 by HopeandAgony

[Fluffypal 13]

I've been on this journey since December and my surgery will be August 24th. I finished all of the hoops I had to jump through that you just mentioned in 4 months and could have done it sooner if I didn't have such an inflexible work schedule.

2-you need to find Protein Drinks that you really like now before you have the surgery. I knew I was really going to miss drinking sweet tea, so I found nectar ice tea flavor whey Protein isolate. Google protein drinks and see if you can order some sampler packs to try them out.

3-you can do this!

[HopeandAgony 566]

Thanks. I do like the shakes I have, they taste really good. I think I just unrealistically thought if my last Dr appt is early July I could be sleeved soon there after. I didn't realize there were so many steps to be taken after you see the surgeon.

Do you mind sharing what the pulmonary Dr did/tested?

[Fluffypal 13]

There are a lot of hoops to jump through before being cleared for surgery and each has a purpose. The pulmonologist will more than likely do a pulmonary function test and maybe a sleep study. A lot of people have obstructive sleep apnea and that needs to be addressed before surgery. I'm also a nurse so I've seen a lot of bariatric patients through work. I was surprised by how involved the preop process was after I saw the surgeon. I was even required to have 3 sessions with an addiction therapist because of my sugar addiction. Those turned out to be the best sessions I had and I learned the most about bariatric surgery from her because she is a 12 year post op gastric bypass. Keep your head up. You will feel so ready by the time surgery happens!

[Jb1176 79]

Bcbs Illinois is my supplemental with Medicare primary. I had to do the pulminologist, psychologist, cardiologist thing. Pulminologist staff administered a pulmonary function test, the cardiologist administered a stress test, and the psychologist required two written exams and a consultation. It took a month to get those three clearances. The pulminologist and the psychologist were a n the same building so I spent a whole day completing both their exams. Medicare doesn't require the 3 month diet plan. I had a four hour clinic session with a nutritionist and Bariatric coordinator. Within six weeks I was scheduled for surgery and then had to start a two week Liquid Protein diet - two liquid Protein Meal Replacements and one 4oz protein meal of a protein from something that had a mother. 64 ounces of Water a day and pre op chewable vitamins three times a day.

I don't think you need to start your liquid diet six months before surgery. You'll be sick of the shakes way before your surgery date. Start your shakes when the surgeon tells you to.

[HopeandAgony 566]

Thanks all. I see my PCP next week and am going to talk to her about some of these tests. I have had a lot done recently so some of it might still be valid. I really hope they don't need to do a sleep study. I don't think I could sleep with people watching me. I see a psychologist regularly as well. Should I mention to her I am having surgery? I wonder if I have to see someone they recommend?

[mchap25 65]

I didn't have to do pulmonary or sleep test. I did have to see a social worker and cardiologist. I had to have 6 months of pre-op stuff. BCBS/PPO here.