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:

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