on Edge...

Angelica · September 12, 2007

Hey Guys :confused:

Just a short intro, then I will tell you all why I want to pull my hair out.

My name is Angelica - 25, live in El Paso, TX. I have been on just about any diet you can name, but thats besides the point, I dont really need to validate my decsion to you all, because I know you understand where I am coming from. I am currently at 295.9 pounds, and I'm 5'7''. I have an awesome job, an awesome boyfriend, an awesome family, and a whole buncha awesome friends. I'm the girl who picks on herself before anyone else can. I have decided, for the most part that I will not be telling alot of people besides the ones in my close circle about my surgery unless completely necessary. I'm just kind of fed up with having to explain away why I am fat, and why I need the surgery to random people, who tell me how bad it can be for my health (btw, I have heard this about nearly every diet I have been on too, 'Oh, you shouldnt do THAT, that is BAD for you')

I started this whole process on August 24, 07. Okay - so it hasnt been so long. I had to fill out a whole lotta paper work, then I had my appointment with a nutrionist, then one with the counselor, and tomorrow, I will be attending a seminar that my surgeon gives monthly, i guess its informational.

Here is the issue, everytime I show up to the baractrics center locally (this is at sierra providence, if anyone is familiar with el paso) I ask where I am in the process, whats next, what requirement do I need to fill out, how is my insurance paperwork coming, whats going on, basically. No one can seem to give me a straight answer, its just mostly, wait for a phone call. The most recent information I got was wait for the surgeon to call you...

I havent even met with my surgeon yet, but I know his name. I guess what I am wondering is, am I asking the office staff the right questions? I feel like I am just getting a bunch of ambigious answers from them, and it sort of bugs me that I cant get ahold of any real solid information.

Has anyone else dealt with this?

-A

juliegeraci · September 12, 2007

I would have no problem following up with the surgeon. I would call him every 2 weeks or so. My approval took about 3 months.

losingjusme · September 13, 2007

you may also want to call your insurance company for status on that.

musicalmomma · September 13, 2007

Hi Angelica. I feel your frustration. You're probably not getting straight answers, because they probably don't have any to give you. The whole insurance approval process is like a big ball of twine...ya can't see the beginning of the ending, but you know it's all in there somewhere and once it's straightend out, it can tie things...lame analogy I know, but...Each insurance company handles things so differently and as soon as the office staff thinks they have it nailed down, something changes or pops up on them that they still need to do. It just isn't black and white. And that stinks!!! Believe me many of us were exactly where you are right now, but it's now a distant memory and the band is doing it's job. Hang in there...it only SEEMS like an eternity. And like Losingjusme said, call the insurance company and ask them where things stand right now. Hopefully they can give you an idea or time frame.