Tana_Q

Thanks for the replies. Wow $250! Well, everything is more $ in NYC. That makes me feel a little better anyway. I did ask my surgeon about using my own psychiatrist. He said technically I could however their psych. knows the program well and knows exactly what to write for the insurance. They do request I use their nutritionist. Besides any fee for the surgery I may owe, this is the only thing I have to pay for so I guess I'll just suck it up. They do move quickly and I will hopefully be having surgery next month.

Aw sweety I understand what you are saying. It's easy to say what one would do in a situation but unless you've been there.... BUT, I have been there. I was married for 11 years to an abusive alcoholic. He had no problem calling me all kinds of names and my low self esteem just took it. Until one day I didn't. I realized that I meant something. I was not all these awful things he said. I was better than that and needed to treat myself kindly. I got out of the marriage and never looked back. It is hard being married to an abuser so I get it. The thing is, you don't realize how abnormal it is until you are out of the marriage. You don't realize how bogged down you are until you have some space from the abuser. I really think that everyone has their own threshold of what they are willing to put up with. You may not have hit yours yet. But just be aware, that is all the wonderful posters here are saying.

Thank you, that is encouraging for sure. That's great that they automatically approved you. So did you get a surgery date yet? Who is your surgeon? You're not far from me at all, I'm in Yonkers :wink1: . I'll guess and say you're going to Northern Westchester or Dobbs Ferry?

Thanks. So now I'm still annoyed. I guess I will see if I can get any type of reimbursement from my insurance co. Even if they give me 1/2 back, I'd be happy. I just wonder why neither one of them take insurance? It just makes me feel like WLS patients are taken advantage of a bit. Like they know how desperate we are so they can set their fees and not have to worry about all the insurance hassle. Grrr.

Wow! They told me I'd be in for 3 days? I wonder why so much longer? Hmm, I guess surgery day, then one full day after, then home the following a.m. Okay so one more day than some of you but still.

I am trying to choose between 2 hospitals/surgeons and having a tough time making a decision. I'm just wondering how any of you made the choice. Did you only go to one doctor? If you went to more than one, why did you choose one over the other? What things were important to look for in your doctor? Thanks!

Thank you guys for the ongoing thoughts. One of the doctors I am seriously considering I was referred to by 2 of my other doctors. So that is something. I am actually seeing that doctor today for a consult. I also realized that the seminar I went to last Thursday did give out stats in the folder they handed out. So I can compare a bit. I also do believe in gut feelings as well so I have to add that into the mix.

OP you are going to lose all that weight and GAIN your self esteem back mama! Then you will realize that verbal/emotional abuse does not have to be put up with. Your kids deserve better than that. Having 2 parents together but unhappy and Dad treating Mom like crap is not a positive thing for them. Having a Mom who is happy, content, and respects herself is so much better for them. Good luck and just know that you don't have to live like that.

Thank you for your response and it seems you were pretty thorough. That is great! I am gathering as much info as I can and will ask the doctors some questions too of course. Leak rate is a good one! Nobody else? I live in an area where there are quite a few surgeons so I have my choice. Is it that way for most of you? Do you all do a lot of research? Go by patient reviews?

Thanks Raquel. I have heard more + things about my insurance since I first posted this so I'm really hoping it will go as smoothly as yours did.

I'm sorry, I know how disappointing that must be. I hope you are able to get them to pay for it but Mexico does seem like a good alternative just in case.

Thanks both of you. I will go to the other seminar. Funny thing is, it's actually at the hospital that is a part of who I work for. If I end up choosing to go there, my surgery would be covered 100% instead of 80/20 anywhere else. But I kind of didn't want to go where I work because it's not as convenient. Oh well it's fine. The right choice will come to me I believe.

And I feel like a whiny baby on top of it, sigh. I'm the type of person that when I make up my mind to do something, I want to get it DONE. With this surgery I am doubly invested because of the daily physical pain I am in. So I am at the beginning of my journey and I was supposed to have my consult with the surgeon today. This is the doctor that is my #1 choice. I arrange time off work and childcare as it overlaps daycare ending. I get there and cannot find parking anywhere, literally driving around for 20 minutes. I call the office to ask if they know any parking places and they tell me "oh we have to reschedule anyway. The doctor had an emergency to attend to". ARRGGH. The disappointment was overwhelming. I was really upset for a little while and allowed myself a pity party. I know emergencies happen and if it were me on the other end I'd surely want my surgeon there. But it is still aggravating. So I rescheduled for next week and now my kid is coming with me. The second part to my frustration is that I have another seminar scheduled for tomorrow. I am starting to feel like I'm getting sick and I'd rather not go. I was also hoping that I'd really like this guy that I was seeing today so that I wouldn't feel the need to go to this second seminar. But now I feel like I should go just in case. Just so annoying! Thanks for letting me have my petty vent.

Thank you so much for understanding and sharing your story. I'd be steamed to have surgery cancelled! It's like, we have to remember that our surgeons are human beings too but at the moment you just don't care. I'm actually glad that this doctor drops everything to attend a patient in need, shows that he cares and takes care of business. I just had to have my whinefest,lol. Now if it happens again.... And congrats on that 23 lbs gone!

Oh how frustrating! I know how it feels when $350 feels like it might as well be $3,500. Can you try selling anything on eBay or Craigslist? I've done that before when I've been in a bind. You'd be surprised at what people will buy. Cut corners and throw any extra money to the side. I hope you can get this!

My insurance JUST changed to an 80/20 plan which means I will be paying 20% of my surgery. It sucks but it is what it is. Like others said it is worth it because this is my life. I will try some of the suggestions but the bottom line is that I will pay what I have to pay. 10% is actually a pretty good deal. Don't give up OP.

LMBO at "stanky leg". Congrats!! That is a great way to bring in the New Year. I hope to be right behind you.

I'm sorry you guys are dealing with this frustration. It's so maddening to want this surgery and make the decision and then have to deal with the insurance mess. I also have BCBS and hoping I don't run into any surprises with coverage. Good luck!

Yes I am also a Lifetime member. I have WW books from 1997-1998! I don't have my current books but hopefully the letter from my leader would be enough. The thing I find silly about seeing one's primary doctor for the 6 month supervised diet is that most doctors get little to no nutrition training! So what exactly is the point of the 6 month diet? Do they think some people will change their minds?

This is embarrassing but I actually used to WORK for Weight Watchers. What a success story huh? LOL! I can get a letter from one of the leaders there stating I attended at different times. But this brings up a great question. How does anyone prove weight loss efforts? I'm sure there are some people that did stuff on their own or used online programs. How does one get documentation? Maybe if one has a questionable (by insurance standards) weight loss attempt history then an insurance company might request some supervised diet attempts?

Fabulous!

Thanks , I did see the medical policy. I thought that was kind of a regular thing that most insurances would want? In other words wouldn't they want people to have tried other methods before attempting surgery? I, as most of us here I'm sure, have tried multiple things! I will be as detailed as I can be with the doctor. I don't think my employer has their own policy as one of my colleagues had WLS and had it done within 30 days of starting the process! I'm trying to be very optimistic about the whole thing. Maybe thinking +++ thoughts will do some good. Only time will tell! Thanks again and I hope you heal fast.

Hello all, I'm a noob. I want this surgery, rather I need it. I'm not sure how things are done elsewhere but around here, the surgeon or practice has you go to an open information session first. I am going to one next Tuesday. After I get the ball rolling on getting my first appointment with the doctor and such I'm just wondering on how much waiting time I am looking at. I know that all insurances work differently so I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with Empire BCBS PPO of NY? Do they make you do the 6 month diet with the doctor first? One of my colleagues had another bariatric procedure and her approval was fast, around 30 days. But I'm wondering if the sleeve would be different? Anyway, I would appreciate any insight or thoughts! Thanks so much.

Thanks so much for your input and congrats on your surgery! I did go to the website and found the main policy which outlines generally what is needed. I think that is what you mean? I registered for another seminar and the coordinator did say my insurance was prettty good so that is hopeful.