nouveau-debut

Unfortunately I am still making several calls every day and not getting anywhere. They said they have 6 months to reply to an appeal which has to be a written letter to the Appeal Level 1 Dept. It's hard to do all this when you are at work and they are only open during my work hours.

I have been getting some help from the Obesity Help site. They told me to appeal. I played phone tag on Fri trying to find out who to contact and how to appeal but got the run around. I also found out that my Dr went ahead and submitted me for bypass for ins to approve. It might hurt my chances at appealing. I am going to start the phone calls again tommorow. Look at www.thediaryofafatwoman.com- it's a blog where a woman won her BCBS appeal for VSG. It took several months, but she won. Stay in touch and I will let you know what I find out.

I am fuming! I did all my research prior to my testing and was told as long as it was medically necessary, they would approve the sleeve. Now I am being told it?s too new and considered investigative. I know other regions for BCBS Federal have covered the sleeve. I?ve talk to people on 2 different supports group, but I not necessarily in my state. I left a message with a rep to discuss but don?t know how far I will get. They will approve the bypass. I understand most sleeves are self pay, but I just think this is ridiculous!:cursing:

Thank you for your honesty. I haven't had surgery yet but I am glad to know that even with the rough days, you don't regret the decision.

I had my EGD 2 days ago. Not too bad, I was glad they knocked me out! I meet with the Dr next Fri and we should be scheduling a surgery date. I thought it wouldn't get here with all the tests and pills they've been putting me on, but I would much rather be safe than sorry. The Dr said it looked like I was starting to show signs of damage from gastric refulx, but I should still be able to have the sleeve instead of bypass.

Apparently, I didn't use spell checker!!!

Okay, I have gone one week and one day without pop. I never thought I could do that. I never relaized it, but I am addicted to bread and rice, too- mmmm bread. Since bread, rice, and pasta are forbidden fruits after surgery. I thought I could tackle one at a time. This week it will be bread. I still don't have a surgery date yet. The way everything is going, I think it will be Nov. That's okay, it gives me time to figure things out and battle some demons. Wish me luck and willpower this week on the bread!

YAY! I got excited reading your message- it felt like I was there! To shop in a normal store (not plus size) is a goal of mine. Congrats!!

Decided to stop carbonated beverages now so it wouldn't be so hard when I am on liquids only. I have not had a pop in 4 days!! The headaches and shakes have stopped. I still want it but I know I can do it now! :tongue_smilie:

I had a follow up visit with my doctor. I was crying by the time I made it to the car. I knew I was obese, had high bp, and possibly sleep apenea. When he started going over my test results, I went in to shock. I have dangerously low levels of vitamin B, metabolic syndrome, and the left ventricle of my heart is beginning to weaken. My husband put a positive spin on it that I couldn't see- You are doing something about it and you caught it in time. I have a titration study this coming Wed. I was diagnosed with sleep apenea 2 years ago but never treated. Sept 2nd I have an EGD scheduled. So more testing and then we will start talking about a surgery date. I started this journey in July and I thought I would have a surgery date by now. I had no idea all the testing that was involved. I feel for those people who have to wait 6 months-one year. Once you've made up your mind, you just want to move forward. :tongue_smilie:

I have Fed BCBS also. I was told that they would cover 100% of the sleeve as long as I could prove it was medically necessary (I have Basic). I haven't had surgery yet, but you have me thinking I should ask some more questions. I know that Norman and Baptist hospitals are considered Blue Distinction. Thanks for the info!

I am glad you posted this. I am quite the Diet Dr Pepper addict. I drink about 20-40 oz a day (gulp)! Out of all the things that will change, this is one I worry about the most. From what I am reading, it looks like weaning would be better than cold turkey. Oh my poor family!

Jeff, Thank you for sharing your story. Sounds like you are on the right track to a new start!

I have not had surgery yet, but hope to in the next 1-2 months. It sounds like your surgery went well, which is great to hear. I like what you wrote, my addiction to food does remind me of an alcoholic. Best of luck in your journey!

I've been lurking on here for alittle while so it's probably time I introduced myself. My name is Brandy and I have struggled with weight most of my life. I was a chubby kid, but thinned out as a teen due to sports. I have never really been the thin girl, even when I was thinner- I was still a big built girl. At 20, I went on Fen/Phen and lost 40 lbs. I was livin life for awhile and then the weight came back on plus more. As an adult I have battled weight for years, trying one program after another. 3 years ago I was put on blood pressure meds, 2 years ago I was diagnosed with sleep apenea but never treated, one year ago they told me I was pre-diabetic. So I joined another weight loss program, lost alittle weight then gained it back. I went to my first weight loss seminar in July, thinking I was too small to be there and this was for those people. Well, there were people bigger and smaller than me. At a BMI of 41 with all the above issues, I am one of those people. I am pursuing the gastric sleeve for surgery. I have met with the Baritric coordinator, had testing, my psych test is next week, and then my sleep apena test. I have some great supporters and some nay sayers. I know the nay sayers care about me but just don't understand yet. I have probably typed way too much. I look forward to sharing my journey with you and gaining knowledge from everyone who has already began theirs. Brandy