RSREED53

The Bridges Program in Phoenix is very good--Dr. Fang gives great seminars and seems very attentive when I went to a seminar at St. Luke's Phoenix. I could not use him because he was not a provider under my Mercy Care plan with AHCCCS. Best of luck to you--I am staying around 40 pounds lost, but trying to settle into an exercise plan and hoping to get a job fairly soon. The nerves sort of play a game with me. Plus, the holidays are coming up, and I really like to bake--have converted some of our nutbread recipes to low carb and low sugar content. They taste good! Life is good, and so happy you are progressing with Dr. Fang and impending surgery. Take care! Ronda

It took awhile for the approval to confirm. Usually 2 wks. My surgeon had to do conference call with my insurance co to get my surgery OKd. I had it done last May. I am doing alright, 40 pounds lost--want to lose another 40. Ronda

Glenna, once you contact your doctor, they will schedule you, and give you the PreOp Diet that has to be followed for 2 weeks, usually. That PreOp is like a detox, designed to shrink your liver so that the surgeon has optimal conditions to do your procedure at surgery. Oh, also at scheduling, the doctor will order some labs and an xray to be done, if not already, in your surgical prep orders--this is routine. If I have missed anything, I stand corrected. Your time at surgery, and recovery, will be smoothe--I am betting so! Ronda

Glenna, congrats to you! So happy to hear you will be getting surgery soon. I worked 4 years before getting my revision surgery. It is so worth it!! Keep us posted on date and your progress--right now, I am finding need to be engaged with successes from the board here--loss is kind of stalemating my successes right now due to having a birthday last Sunday and just generally a high stress week. I am working to get right back on track, tho! Take care, Ronda I DID IT!!! I DID IT!!! I GOT APPROVED!!! I am soooooo excited I can hardly stand it!! I haven't even called the surgeons office yet LOL I told my sister & my best friend!! I cannot believe that it worked out, after 2 denials from BCBSIL I was starting to loose hope... for all of you who are in the process be patient! I have been working toward this for the last 10 months!! Now to call the surgeon & figure out what to do next... Wow, I am in shock... my new life will begin soon!! Thank you all for your support it kept me going through all the months! Glenna

Say your prayers. Yes, it seems like a very good sign. :rolleyes:Ronda Ok, so I don't know what to think... I called BCBSIL and was told that I needed more information from my Dr regarding the type of program that I was on for the 6 months of MSWLP. So my Dr wrote a letter explaining that I was on a low calorie diet with exercise 3 times a week, daily food journals & exercise notes; that i came in every month for a weight check etc... so I sent that over with the personal letter I wrote as to why I want the surgery. When I called yesterday they told me that they have my fax, but have not reviewed it & that my surgeon's insurance coordinator might get more information. So she did call in and magically between my call and hers they had reviewed the fax then sent it on for Dr. review & she should call back in a week for an update. My question, for all you out there, is: Is that a good sign? I am optimistic that this is a step closer to surgery, like maybe before they denied it due to the lack of information and it never got to the Dr review part? What do you all think??? I have been doing this since Dec of last year & I just want the approval so the waiting is over... Thanks for all your help! Glenna

Dishdiva, I hope you are recovering much better than before. It was great to hear from you--thanks for your update. I wish you continued success with your recovery, Take care, Ronda

xchange, I am glad you are home and doing well. Congrats on your sleeve surgery! Ronda

MIne was repaired 1o yrs ago when I had my RNY--no problems thereafter! I do sometimes chew 4-5 Tums, but the hernia has not been a problem postop. That surgery was an open incision one, so did not have the scope procedure. Now, my sleeve was done by laparosope May 31st. I am all healed up mostly, lost about 45 pounds now, and still working to get the remaining 40 off for maintenance. Good luck--the repair surgery is good--my hernia was the size of the surgeon's fist, so I needed it fixed! Ronda

Tiffy, you look cute and ready for baby to come! Glad for you, and hope your labor and delivery goes without a hitch! Too bad she is not coming in Oct--my birthday is Oct. 16th, which is next Sunday. I could be her Grandma! Gonna be 58. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us here. Tatum will be here before we know it--on my niece's 16th birthday, I might add. Take care of yourself and get the rest you will need for the hospital and baby's arrival. Ronda

Just be proactive in every way with this. I took 4 years before getting OKd last spring for surgery May 31. It is worth it! Doing very well with my sleeve. xchange, congrats on getting your approval, and those waiting I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that your day will come very soon. Hang tough! Ronda

Dishdiva, I hope you have a speedy recovery. So sorry you have had a very difficult postop recovery time. Ronda:rolleyes:

Njjewing, I would be in the middle of Aetna with my approval letter and ALL documentation for their approval regarding your sleeve--get an atty if they renege on their commitment to your care coverage because what they are trying is a scare tactic because of your complications and a higher bill. Don't let them get away with that! Now is not the time to back down from them. I am sure your doctor's staff will help with any and all paperwork needed to clear the matter up--also, I bet somebody mistyped codes and faulted on the clerical work during claims processing. It happens. Best of luck to you, and I hope you are having better success with your new sleeve. Ronda

October 16th is my birthday. I turn 58--gosh, in 2 more years I will be hitting the big 6-0! Ancient, not really! Ronda