First Consultation & Overwhelmed

[SamieTeacher 0]

My husband and I had our first consultation apt. at the surgeon’s office. We went to our first seminar 3 weeks ago. For lap band, our BCBS insurance requires:

• 5 years documented obesity
  
• 6 months documented weight loss attempt.
  
• psych. eval
  

It is going to be very difficult to get the 5 years of documented weight record for my dh because he hardly ever goes to the doctor. The surgeon said photos may count. It will be hard for me as well, but I can go to my ob/gyn, chiropractor, etc. I am just worried because I'm going to have to go to all of these doctors in person to sign a release then ask for my records to be sent over. I'm shy and feel weird telling them why. :confused2:

The doctor wants a cardiologist to check out my heart since I took phen-phen for about 4 months 10 years ago when I was in high school. He wants my husband to take a sleep apnea study. He also gave us the name of a primary care doctor he wants us both to go to in order to start the 6 month process of documented weight loss. I didn't realize so much would be in our hands. I didn't know I'd have to make the apts. for the psych., sleep apnea and cardiologist in addition to hunting down our records. I'm not ungrateful, just totally overwhelmed.:thumbup:

In addition, the doctor said the local NBC affiliate has inquired about following a patient. The doctor thought it would be good for them to follow us since we are young, married and both teachers and getting lap band together. The stories would appear on health segments sponsored by the hospital the doctor works for. Everyone there was really nice and extremely patient and friendly. They didn't say anything about compensation. I just wonder what if they follow us then insurance denies us? :confused:Are they going to pay for us? I don't think I'll agree to be on tv where the whole world can see us unless we are getting compensated. The nurse said she would talk to the tv station then call or email with details.

Sorry to write so much, I just feel totally overwhelmed. Thank God school is ending in 4 weeks. Hopefully we can get most of the appointments and record-hunting done over the summer.

Thanks for listening to me vent!:biggrin:

[OH Juli 15]

Samie

You'll find that your situation is similar to many of us on here. It's exactly like mine. The 5 years, plus 6 mos, sleep studies, psych evals...you'll get it done.

As for the being followed for a story that sounds cool. But yeah, sounds like you're going to be a living ad for the practice, I'd want some money.

Don't stress, you'll it done...

[Angel_P 0]

Hi Samie,

I know someone who had to have the 6 mos and all, Im not sure about the 5 years documented, but it all comes together eventually. As far as being shy and not telling Dr's why you need your records, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Most people I tell when I make my appts are very supportive. If they aren't then maybe I wouldn't go to their offices anymore! I would ask the surgeon if there is a local office where you can see the cardiologist and pulmonologist in one place. I was able to do that at it has been great because I can schedule both Dr's in one day and get it done with, plus all the records are in one place and easier to get back to the surgeon. Good luck and I think its normal to feel overwhelmed, but before you know it you will be underway!

[2babutterfly 483]

Hang in there!

I would suggest making a list (I'm a teacher too, and I think we are list makers) Takle one thing at a time, I would start with the physician so your 6 months can begin. The time will go pretty quickly, and think of the positive results in the end....I get my band on May 13th (I'm so sad to miss a week or 2 of school right now....Not!)

Best of luck to you

[lizziet88 0]

hi im gettin my lap band in on june 2nd and im worried about flappy skin but im only 20 ...do you think ill have a problem keeping my skin tight by working out or do u think im going to have to have plastic surgery?

[jnbwilds 0]

Just keep saying to yourself, "It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it." Because it totally is. As you get all your paperwork and photos and records together, just remind yourselves that you won't regret a minute of it once you've had your surgery.

Regarding the news thing - I say go for it! Especially if you are happy with your surgeon and his office. I have a video blog about my journey, and first - it is a big motivation to stay on plan when you know so many people will be tracking your progress! Also, I love my surgeon - the office staff is awesome and frankly - I feel like I owe them for adding back years to my life. I'd hand out his business cards in the Walmart parking lot, if I didn't think people would take offense and smack me. LOL!!

Best of luck to you guys, you are a beautiful couple and this is a a great thing for you to take on as a team!

[suzyt 0]

As far as the medical records go -- I just called my doctor's assistant and left a message telling her what I needed and why. She faxed them to me within 15 minutes. They are your records, they have to send them to you if you ask.

I have BCBS of NC and the surgeons office said to make sure that the weights were on five different pieces of paper each with the date of the visit. That was the easiest thing on my list!!

Good luck!!

[FinallyFree 1]

I requested copies of all my medical records be sent to me, no explanation was necessary. It turned out to be a good thing I did, because I switched dr. for the surgery.

[GoingForIt 0]

If you tried Weigh Watchers I've been told BCBS will look at that as part of the weight charting and will use it as document supervised attempt to lose. I applaude you and you DH for going at this together, I worry about the meal thing when I have to go to the restrictions. My DH of 20 years says he supports me-- guess we'll see if he eats pureed carrots with me:wink2:

[Froggi 4]

My insurance requires a 6 month diet and psych evaluation nothing about 5 years history though. I guess because I've been big my whole life I dunno. Maybe also cause my bmi is 61 either way it's hard waiting but I hope it goes quickly. 5 and a half months to go :thumbup:!!

good luck to you and your husband

[OH Juli 15]

Another thing...After I whined and kicked and cried about having to wait all that time, and I did do all of the above, I thought, "How can I use this time productively?" My answer was to start seeing a therapist about my food issues. She's been an amazing part of this journey.

You might consdier ways to make the best use of this time as well, I mean it's still a life and there it doesn't start with surgery or at goal or at any time other than when we are born, so be positive and think about what steps you can take to make the transition to banded life as smooth as possible.

Keep us posted!

[SamieTeacher 0]

Thanks to all of you for your support. I'm feeling much better and more motivated than ever.

[afw 0]

If you tried Weigh Watchers I've been told BCBS will look at that as part of the weight charting and will use it as document supervised attempt to lose.

I can second this - I never went to the doc last year at all (me=slack) so I was able to provide records from my OBGYN for the other four years and my Weight Watchers booklet for 2007. I still had it in my purse after 11 months because I kept telling myself I'd be back... next week...

[favorite 3]

believe me you are not alone at feeling overwhelmed. after i first left the surgeons office and found out all that had to be done i just decided to forget about it. then 5 months later i was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. so back i went with my tail between my legs. as i went through the process they discovered during my abdominal sonogram that i had a tumor on my adrenal gland. i never would have known i had it because it produced no symptons. it was 9cm and benign when they removed it. but had it been left there the story could have been quite different. i know it is hard to believe but once you get started the process goes pretty smoothly. and the results, ahh the results make it all worth while.

[JRFAN88 1]

My surgeon's office did most of the work for me. I only had to write down what doctors I had seen in the past 5 years. I filled out a release form & those doctors mailed my records straight to the surgeon. The surgeon's office scheduled my sleep study & my psyche evaluation. My insurance which is Federal BC/BS required 6 months of documented diet history but it didn't require that it was doctor supervised. I had 6 months of personal journals that span period of years of different diets & stuff I had been on. The office made copies of those. And it worked. I went for my first consult in March then got in for the sleep study & psyche eval within about 2 weeks & 3 weeks later got the call to schedule the surgery. Good luck to you both! :thumbdown: