longer-life

The insurance coordinator at my surgeons office took care of everything as well. My experience was painless. However I did call my insurance and asked about their coverage and requirements even before I picked a surgeon. My bariatric office then verified everything. As far as I know, insurances won't approve until they have received all the paperwork they require. That is probably the "packet" you are referring to. I didn't send it though, my insurance coordinator did. I got approved less than 3 days later. We all run the risk of completing everything and then being denied. The only difference seems to be, that my bariatric office does not schedule surgeries until after insurance approval and yours does. Also, I am not as patient and "hands off" as you. I emailed my insurance coordinator every once in a while to find out where I was in the process.

This is what my nutritionist suggested. "Isolate" is the key word. I bought Vanilla Isopure whey protein isolate at GNC. They have different brands available and you can return it if it doesn't work for you. (I blend with Torani syrups or a banana). I am pre-op though. The Isopure premixed bottles work as well and taste like "juice" rather than milk.

Yeah!!!!!!

Glad to hear you are better. Have you tried "spa water"? I love them. Google it. It is water you flavor at home with your favorite herbs. Don't use the recipes with citrus, but there are plenty others. I really enjoy the ones with cucumber or ginger to name a few.

7/4/11-Heard about VSG. Researched procedure & surgeons for a month & called Aetna to find out coverage & requirements. 8/4/11-Picked a Surgeon & Hospital of Excellence in my area & went to Orientation. The surgeons insurance coordinator called me a few days later & confirmed my insurance requirements. 8/15/11- Started 3 month diet/exercise supervised diet (really 3 visits in 2 months) with my Primary Care Physician. Meanwhile scheduled & attended appointments with my surgeon & the psychologist & nutritionist they recommended. Did blood work and continued researching and learning. I emailed my insurance coordinator every few weeks to verify she had been receiving my paperwork as I completed them. 10/16- I completed the "3 month" supervised diet/exercise and faxed the very last document to my insurance coordinator. She was waiting for it and submitted all my paperwork to my insurance that same day. 10/18- Approved! Now completing all my clearances for surgery (EKG, chest X-ray etc). When done I will schedule surgery & go to pre-op appointment with surgeon & a pre-op class. Surgery very soon!

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!

Are you feeling better though? Someone posted this today and I copied and pasted it. I think it was Lonna. Was this the amount you were taking? "I sip on organic apple cider vinegar with organic raw honey mixed in a bottle of Water 3 to 4 times out of the week. (for acidity)"

Thanks for posting! I expect to have surgery in a few weeks and this is inspiring. Continued success!

Your journey has been lightning quick! WOW! I can't complain about mine, but I had to do the 3 month (actually 2) doctor supervised diet. Congratulations! Please save a space for me on the losers bench. I hope to have surgery in a few weeks. My only advice is to read, read, read on this website! Again, congrats!

Cheers!!!!

Thanks so much for sharing. I am planning on having surgery next month (no date yet) and the more we learn, the better. This surgery is for me a calculated risk, a leap of faith. Again, best wishes!

ESFJ You are: slightly expressed extravert slightly expressed sensing personality moderately expressed feeling personality moderately expressed judging personality

Best wishes! Welcome.

Sorry to hear this Lonna. I would be scared too. However don't let fear paralyze you. Research all you can and keep up with your check ups. I will be sending good vibes your way. Did you have issues with acid before surgery? Is this something we need to be asking our surgeons. Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

Your surgeons office will never know you called UHC to ask for their bariatric surgery requirements. Besides the insurance coordinator is not the "boss of you". You are the customer! Granted, you want them on your side, but you are very anxious due to their lack of communication and that is not fair to you.

You are right. I had not thought about it this way. It truly is about keeping the eye on the prize forever!

I had to do a 3 month supervised diet with my primary physician. (Really 3 visits, so only 2 months, not 3) During that time is when I went to the different appointments/clearances (nutritionist, psychologist, blood work, etc). My paperwork was submitted to my insurance the same day as my last visit to my PCP. I was approved 2-1/2 days later. Who is giving you the runaround since Feb? Your surgeons office?

You might want to call UHC and ask if they have their requirements in writing. Aetna has it online. It will save you a lot of anxiety. Hopefully with your history, you don't even need the 5 years. In regards to proof, had I not been diagnosed with sleep apea (which reduced it to 35 BMI), I was ready to find credit card bills for Weight Watchers, diet pills etc. Again, best wishes. I hope someone with UHC responds.

This has been mentioned a few times but I haven't heard any proof. I am not saying it is not true, but I would take it with a grain of salt until it is published.

In regards to waisting money, it won't be much if you are close to goal. Like someone else mentioned, meetings are free for life once you reach goal. I see the benefit of attending meetings for the support, "to keep my head in the game", to continue learning different coping tools they teach, the accountability etc. However, not mentioning WLS is not an option for me. I know it would slip! Besides, they would be using me as an example of maintenance and that wouldn't be fair to the ones trying to lose without the sleeve. Has anyone attended meetings and told them about WLS? How did it go? (I'm afraid of the answers. )

Aetna lowers the BMI from 40 to 35 when the person has 1 or more of the comorbities listed. How about UHC? Were you lower than 40 for 5 years because you were dieting? If yes, can you get proof of those diets? Lastly, do you have proof (bloodwork etc) for the comorbidities.? I would include that, not just a letter of your PCP listing them. Hopefully they are sicknesses UHC considers comorbidities. I hope this helps.

Mustang thanks so much for your honest response. I wish you the best. Big hug to you.

Wow you just had surgery! Size 16 & 14 already?Congratulations. In regards to shoes, one pair at Payless or Marshalls won't break the bank. I don't wear snickers much, but a cheap pair might be a good idea.

This is worrisome. Have you felt this way since surgery or just recently? You don't sound too happy on your post despite such a huge accomplishment. I am pre-surgery and it is confusing to me why you aren't jumping up and down? Can you elaborate?

They are probably NOT a Bariatric Center of Excellence and she knows your insurance probably won't mind. She answered your question with another question, so she wouldn't have to admit the truth. Centers & Surgeons of Excellence promote that left and right. They are proud to have that distinction. I will admit I am picky and I am lucky to have a good insurance. Not everyone is the same and I understand. For ME a Surgeon of Excellence in a Hospital of Excellence is a must. My primary doctor, whom I respect, also recommended someone, but he is not a Surgeon of Excellence, so I didn't even call him. The pulmonary doctor that assisted me with the sleep study recommended a hospital that is "close" to being a Hospital of Excellence. No thanks. Below is the website where you can search for a surgeon in your area. if you wish. Best of luck in whatever you decide. http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate/