SleeveandRNYchica

That is great! Congratulations!!!

My changes of being an August VSG'r are becoming slimmer HA! I am so made at myself. The nurse I was seeing for nutrition PCS'd (permanent change of station) in June. I need three months prior to surgery. Mind you I have been seeing her since last June! Anyway, I did not go in July. Honestly, it slipped my mind with everything else going on and I didn't really want to go to a new person. So I made and appt for this Friday. Not sure if BCBS will let me slide. Anyway, I ran into my surgeon, I was at the hospital the other day. I will have my final test result back today. The problem is he is leaving for Peru to speak at a conference and won't be back until August 9th. I am not sure if it will give me enough time. Anyway, good luck to all those who have dates!!!

I hate those bmi/weight charts! I find it interesting my surgeon did a bone density exam. I guess to help determine my "ideal" weight. I just can't believe we are all meant to fit between certain numbers. If you are comfortable, healthy, and I can't imagine trying to get to a certain weight because it is on a chart. I think this is where doc's miss the boat. Trying to lump us in group. BTW: you look great!!!

You are an amazing bunch of LOSERS!!! Congratulations to all of you!

That is awesome Congratulations!! Good luck!! I hope you hear soon. Good luck! That is awesome! I am thinking even though they don't require preapproval I may just get it anyway. It seems that turn around is quick.

UGH! I just don't get all the exclusions? Is it your employee or BCBS?

It seems like you will have a great support system! Good Luck with your process!

I would call your doctor as soon as possible.

I still don't get it.......or is it just me?

Welcome Lisa and good luck!!!

Congratulations!

Sounds like alot of NSV's in your neighborhood! Good for you.

Thank you! It is such a relief.

It is over. It was not bad. It was my first experience in a Colombian hospital in almost 4 years. It was a good first experience. I am so glad I speak Spanish because no one spoke English. So I met with the international patient care coordinator. She checked me in since I am a new patient and then took me up do the Endocopy section. I registered there and then went to pay for the procedure. It was about $501,000 Colombian Pesos which is about $250 USD. I took my receipt back to them. She gave my husband a pager like the ones you get at a restaurant when you are on the wait list. She told him to come back in an hour. This is the kicker. The give you the OPTION to be sedated. The nurse is like it only takes 2 minutes.....I was like no sedate me!!!! So here is the WORSE part of it all. I have crappy veins. So she stuck me once in the arm. That didn't work out so well. So then she ended up using a kids needle and stuck me in my hand. OUCH. The doctor came in and asked me how much I weighed. They were impressed because I knew it in kilos. He told her how much medicine to give me. Next thing I know I wake up in the next room. They guy laying next to me had a colonscopy because when he got up all I saw was bare AZZ. I was groggy, but I still found it hilarious. It also made me happy because he was skinny and the gown still showed his AZZ!!!

Great news! I now have a coordinator that assists with procedures being done overseas. I feel so relieved. They have already sent me the initial form to get the ball rolling. I was feeling overwhelmed that I would have to do this on my own. So they issued me a case number and got all the information for the hospital here and for the surgeon. The form is basic. Just ask if I had previous WLS and what programs I have tried. It asks if I have premorbidites....the doc will sign it and then I will send it back. YEAH!!!

Yeah, I think being overseas most of it I have to deal with. As I was digging around on their website I noticed they have an overseas assistance center that I can email. I think that may be the way to go, so it is not I said they said. Thanks so much. I love Labs and Goldens. I have to say it is probably the number one dog here in Colombia. My husband is so not a dog person, but I want one some kinda bad. My mom has a labrodoodle and I just heart him to pieces!

I just emailed BCBS overseas assistance center. Maybe I will have better luck getting questions answered.

Oh god....I am a farter now.... so much so my daughter sees the Gas-X commerical and tells me, me and my mom should by that. I was hoping that after surgery it might get better. Now I see I have to worry about sharting!!! Great! LMAO....

I say go with the first available date. It will give you more time to recover before you start your new position.

Yeah, I am overseas so even though the surgeon has worked with Fed patients before I am trying to make sure I dot my I's and cross my T's. I am going to call them for a 3rd time tomorrow...and see what I get. I have a year worth of medically supervised weight lose program reporting. I have had my first psych visit. I am finishing the surgeon's requirments tomorrow. Even though I don't need preapproval. I think I will send it in prior. I just got get my two year weight....which I am trying to get from GYN in the states.

It is interesting, they told me to follow the benefits guide to a T. In the guide it does not mention the PMD letter...and it does say 3 months of nutritional or excuse me. It says at least three months prior to surgery date. I guess it can be interpreted many different ways. When I call they are not that helpful and tell me to just follow the benefits guide on fep.org.....It is kinda irritating that they are not more helpful.

Great post and great results! You are rockin' your sleeve!!!

Yeah, mine is kinda read between the lines: − Participation in a medically supervised weight loss program, including nutritional counseling, for at least 3 months prior to the date of surgery. (Note: Benefits are not available for commercial weight loss programs; see page 35 for our coverage of nutritional counseling services.) When you I called twice they say follow the brochure! Needless to say I have been on a program since last June.....

That is great news! Congratulations!!!!

I inboxed you. Let me know what you think....