Raven21

The office coordinator called and said she just finished reviewing my entire file and its ready to go to Aetna. The note from my PCP on 7/30 is comprehensive enough to consider it my 90 day start. All she needs is the notes from the surgeon which she will get after I meet with him tomorrow. Package will be faxed tomorrow afternoon. Usually takes 1-3 weeks for approval. Tentative (assuming ins. approval) surgery date is December 18. Shut up and be happy, right? I shouldn't even think about the fact that I called the other coordinator over a month ago to ask if maybe the July date could be used and she CHECKED and told me no, we have to go with my appt. there on 8/17. Or the fact that if I had met with the doc even last week, they could have faxed it all over on Monday morning. Yes only a 4 day difference between that and Thursday afternoon, but still. Or the fact that if I had met with the doc maybe a few weeks ago they could have gotten me a sooner date before his schedule booked up. Not like I didn't ask at every opportunity if there was anything I could be doing to speed the process up, check boxes, etc. I was constantly asking if I could be doing more earlier. Of course, tomorrow I will ask the doc personally if there's any way (or cancellations) I can get in any of the 3 weeks prior to that, which would STILL allow 3 weeks for ins. approval which should come anytime between now and Thanksgiving. I'm also going to send the coordinator a thank you note and request the same. So if I get operated on 12/18, come home 12/20, dinner for 13 at my house on the 24th. I know, I know. It's going to happen. I should be grateful for that... Oh, and did I mention my husband might win a trip to Mexico in March and how much an extra 3 or 4 weeks would mean to me?!

So I'm having my EGD tomorrow and I'm kind of freaked out: 1) that they put me out completely 2) that they could find something which would delay or deny my surgery 3) that they put me out completely, did I mention that creeps me out? It's no big deal right? Right?

I take Miralax every other day. I used to take it every day to get regular, now I only need it every other but I still go pretty much every day. No cramping!

Mandy, I know exactly how you feel. I can't wait to start the process!

I'm hoping to get my date pushed back a week to the 11th, plus my kids actually offered to help clean and cook.

There are at least two other December topics running. Lots of December sleevers. Including me. YAY!

One exercise consult, 3 nutrition appts, 3 psych/behavior modification appts, monthly PCP visits. Make sure you can provide documentation of your weight at least once per year for the previous 2 years. I almost ended up dead in the water after the 3 months of appts!

I asked my doc in Michigan in case I got denied. $16,000, assuming insurance covered the pre-op testing.

Holy cow! I was afraid weight loss will make me look older when my fat turns to wrinkles. Sure didn't for you. Your current pic looks like you are the daughter of the first woman!

Just curious how/why people picked the numbers they did. My doc asked me what my goal was. I guess she figured it was reasonable so she didn't try to talk me out of it. I just picked a number that I remember being happy at, but that was over 20 years ago! Although right now I'd be happy if I was within 20 pounds of that!

Depends on your doc's schedule. Only date I could get is Dec 18 but I'm hoping for a cancellationon the 11th. Plus there's all the pre-op stuff. I had to wait 3 weeks for the EGD appt. See if you can make that appt now if you haven't already.

My Bariatric center gave me a form where my doc had to check a box stating cleared for surgery and sign it.

Keya, call your doc and make sure you understand everything correctly. Sounds like they threw a ton of info. at you all at once. Ask them to slow down and explain everything step by step! This is a big deal!

Morten, I would call your doc tomorrow and check to be sure. Jackie, depends on your office. Some will schedule, some will wait for approval.

Dr. Zeni in Livonia

Supposedly they only have to submit one weight, then you can start losing and it won't count. That first one has to be as high as possible to offer you a better chance of approval. Ducking a little during your height measurement, or subtracting an inch if they ask you, can help a lot with the BMI. My insurance requires BMI of 40 or BMI 35-39 with at least two significant comorbidities. You need to get the exact info. from your insurance company as to what their requirements are. I had to do a 90 day multidisciplinary program or 6 months with my doc, and a two year weight history, etc. every insurance is different though. Good luck.

Good thing you called!

Almost 5 years for me. Love it!

I've heard a lot of people say a heating pad. Don't hospitals have them? On my list is ear plugs and eye mask, my own pillow, Chapstick, headphones and charger for my phone/iPod.

Submitted to Aetna last week. Called today and they said it should take 15 days because it goes to nurse for review then to medical review after that. So how do some people get approved in 1-3 days?!

DQ pumpkin pie blizzard, monkey bread, pasta with pesto sauce, stuffed peppers .

Just look at the number of post-op sleever stories on this board! You'll be fine. Also, remember there are a ton of us that would trade places with you in a heartbeat to get it done sooner!

Bmarion, I did the 90 day multidisciplinary program.

I'll do you if you do me! My stuff got submitted to Aetna late last week! I'll pray for us both.

6 months? No way. If you could stick to a diet like that for 6 months you wouldn't need surgery. Impossible. Are you sure?