Beginning the process

[SamB 0]

I found this site last week, but just decided to sign up last night. I went for my initial consultation with the surgeon this past Monday. I have my appointment with the psychologist next Monday. After that, they told me that I should have all of the paperwork needed to file with my insurance. I have BCBS Federal. They are pretty slow with their processing, but I am hoping to find something out in early July.

It has been very helpful to see all of the positive comments on this site. I got a little scared because of some of the problems that I saw posted, but I know that everyone is different and it seems for every problem there are 10 others who have had good experiences!

I'm glad that there is a site like this one to help me know that this is truly the right decision for me! I can't wait to be skinny again, and be able to wear cute clothes again! :ihih:

Thx..... Sam

[Brockbabe82 0]

Hi Sam!

Congrats on the start of your process. I too have federal bcbs, and I found that once the paperwork got there I bothered them everyday til they approved me lol. The process for them to approve was about 10 days, not too long considering what you see some people wait. I hope that your process is fast as well. Good luck to you.

[bridget1701 0]

Just curious- I have BCBS Federal as well. What are their requirements to cover? I know I need to call them, but thought I would wait until I attend my seminar on Thursday night. Thanks for any insight!

[cbarnesl 0]

I do understand how you feel. I am just beginning, I am waiting on my first appointment. I would like to know if any one can tell me how long will it take from beginning (first appt) till the time I actually have the surgery. I am afraid and also excited. I have been 275 lb for so many years that I am not sure if I would evenly recognize myself when I do lose.

[SoAnnaBanana 1]

I do understand how you feel. I am just beginning, I am waiting on my first appointment. I would like to know if any one can tell me how long will it take from beginning (first appt) till the time I actually have the surgery. I am afraid and also excited. I have been 275 lb for so many years that I am not sure if I would evenly recognize myself when I do lose.

I can tell you how long it took me from seminar to surgery date, however, all this is based on so many things. I have BCBS PPO of MI. I do not need pre- approval for surgery, just needed to get a letter from my PCP and a letter of surgical clearance and my Psych eval. Also, it depends on the surgeon and any other doctor you see how quickly they can get you in. I went to my seminar June 22nd, scheduled my psych eval for that following week (that took 3 weeks to get my results), met with the surgeon July 14th, saw my PCP on and off (about once a week cause she kept telling me she would work on it). PCP made me have a full physical and sent me to a cardiologist on (so he could sign off on my surgical clearance). The cardiologist made me have a stress test, and then I finally got all my paper work in on Friday July 31st. They called me that next Monday and scheduled me for surgery on September 2ns. I will have my pre-op bloodwork and check X-Ray as well as nutritionist appointment on August 24th. All in all it will have taken 10 weeks and 2 days when I have my surgery. Also, my insurance did not require any diet, many do. I would say for having to deal with insurance and many many doctors, my process was pretty quick. Good luck to you! It will all be worth it in the end.