tbnote71

Well, I went to my first in person support group last night! It is led by the clinical nurse specialist from my surgeons office. I was so inspiring to see the people who have lost all ready and the people who will be having surgery around the same time. My highlight of the night was when I talked to the nurse, and she told me that my 10/24 date was a "dummy date". She said they use a specific date to turn in to insurance, but my surgeons schedule is about 2 weeks ahead of that. I will find out for sure Tuesday. So excited now. Glad that I will still be an October sleever with all of you still. You all are a great help. I am so glad for each and every one of you.. Best wishes for you ALL!

APPROVED!!!!!! I hemmed and hawed about calling Fed BCBS to see how my insurance certification was coming along. i didn't want to pester' date=' it was submitted last Thursday. I had to call, when i spoke to the rep, my heart dropped. Needs more info... More what? Need 3 month nut visits...but that was sent! Need another comorbidity for bmi under 40... No I dont, not according to the plan brochure, need 2 years of recorded BMi over 35... That was in the PCP letter!! Omg, "let me talk to a nurse". Tranfer...music...more music. Nurse Darla answers the phone. I explained it all. Darla could not figure out what the original reviewing RN was talking about, she agreed with me. "let me call you back"...ok wait, wait...1/2 hr later, darla calls and she approved me!!!!!! Doing a happy dance. i am so glad I called. Yipeee!!!

Good for you! It won't be long now.

Wow. That was fast. I am scheduled for October 24th. Good Luck with yours! I have the Basic, so I had no deductables. Just the surgeon co-pay and per night. I am getting anxious now even though it is almost 2 months away.

God bless' date=' that is a big job. We have the Errera center here that is nationally recognized in helping vets with serious Mental Health issues. I am in the home based primary care program, so I see many of these vets in their own homes.

It surely can be a challenge, but it is also very rewarding. I love working with them. I have traveled all over the country including Hawaii, for the Golden Age Games. It will be so nice to be able to fly comfortably.

Thanks' date=' I am praying for good results. i am of lower BMI 36-37 but have HTN. i work for the VA as well. CT system, where are you? what dept?

I don't think you will have a problem. I work in Canandaigua, NY in the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Recovery Center. I case manage Veterans with serious mental illness.

Did you have to loose weight for BCBS Fed to approve? If so' date=' how much?[/quote']

NO. However my surgeon required 5%. A I had to lose 14.6 lbs.

Last NUT visit tomorrow. Hopefully will have my october date by next week (federal BCBS willing) lol

GOOD LUCK TO YOU! I have FED BCBS too and they are great! I Received a call from them when they approved me for surgery (3 busness days after submission). They offered me case management and explained ALL the benefits and co-pays to me. So happy to have a government job with the VA where they do have an interest in your well-being.

If all goes as planned my date will be October 24th. I am stoked! Any other people on this day or around? Will need a buddy for sure!

I am October 24th too!

Thanks. I am very pleased with them!

well, last week when I went in for my EGD, my surgeon (Dr. Alok Ghandi) at Rochester General Hospital, told me he heard a rumor that I was approved. I told him it was news to me and that I didn't hear anything. Apparently it only took 48 hours for approval! I never thought it would happen that quick. Especially with no co-morbidities. Then I get home from the procedure and I get the phone call from a case manager of fep BCBS telling me I was approved. They explained all the copays and offered me support both pre-op and post. It is all seeming so real now. I love my insurance company!

Hi everyone. My name is Tina. I am 41,married,and mother of a beautiful 12 year old Daughter. I have had all pre-op done including my endoscopy yesterday. One more visit with Dr. Gandhi at Rochester General Hospital in NY. I am looking at a date of October 24th. Seems so far away! Good luck to you all!

Yes, they did talk about the VSG at our seminar. My surgeon actually finds it to be his most favorable surgery to do. He has found it to work well with the majority of his patients.

Hi there. I am pre-op too. I am currently going through Rochester General Hospital. I have only have done the seminar and my consultation. I go for my 1st nut visit on the 21st and psych assessment on 7/9. I wish you all luck.