Pelicanlady

I had my medical records from 1993-1998 that I gave to my surgeons office to submit to insurance. During that time I started at 258 lbs, went on a doctor monitored diet, lost 107 lbs, and then proceeded to gain it all back. I am hoping that will help. Good luck everyone.

I too am in the same boat. When I have my weight under control I have no problem going to the doctor. When my weight is out of control the last thing I want to do is see and doctor and have to get on the scale. I hope to hear from Dr. Welle's office tomorrow that they sent everything to my insurance.

Glad everything went okay. I wonder if the itching is from the pain meds. I had that once after a surgery and it was the pain meds. How did they treat you at TMC? Do you get a private room or multi-bed? How was your doctor. Can't wait for it to me my turn.

Good luck. Sending prayers your way.

No, I don't have to do them, as far as I know. My surgeons office said just the 5 years obese and the psychologist. I will be calling my surgeons office Thursday to see if they sent my paperwork in to insurance.

This is our little Muffin. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to do it smaller.

I am so excited for everyone having surgery today. Prayers to you all.

Pjpanda, thanks and good luck tomorrow. I will say a prayer for you and your surgical team.

Itsmekarenlee, I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience with you psych. I can't believe she had you I tears and didn't stop and find out what was going on. Doesn't sound like she is very good with her job. Wow, that was some long test. At least at the end she did talk to you, but still that just wasn't right.

That sucks that you have to pay that out of pocket. Is it your insurance company that requires it or the surgeon? My insurance requires it, so they pay 85%. Good Luck.

Hi JHood2005 Just got back from the psych appointment and it was a breeze. We talked for about 30 minutes and that was it. She said she would type her report up tonight and have it on my surgeons desk by the morning for him to sign. I passed it. I didn't have any 300 question test like so many people say they have. She told me that I was mentally ready for this surgery. Have you started your coaching calls yet?

So, I just got back from my Psych visit and it was a breeze. We talked for about 30 minutes and that was it. No 300 question test for me. She told me that she would write up her report tonight and it would be on my surgeons desk in the morning for his signature. I passed it! Now the hard part is getting insurance approval.

I have UHC Choice plus also. I have to see a psychologist and have a 5 year history of being obese. I would be nice if they all had the same requirements.

That's wonderful news. I have UHC choice plus and they require me to see the psychologist and have a 5 year history of being obese. I see the psych tomorrow and not sure how the 5 year history will go. I lost over 100 lbs. in 1993 and regained it all and then some by 1998. I lost over 100 lbs in 2005 and I started to gain again in 2007. I wasn't considered obese again until 2011. I really hope my surgeons office can work miracles with UHC. So many hoops to jump through just to save the insurance companies money down the road.

Good luck. Hey Pjpanda, my Dr is Dr. Welle in the same office. Good luck to you. I am still in the beginning stages. I see the psychologist this coming Tuesday. Then they will send to insurance. I am hoping for a July date, that is, if my insurance approves me.

Great job! Can't wait to see how you do after your surgery.

I have the same requirement from my insurance. They want 5 year history showing me being obese. My problem is as most obese people our weight is always up and down. Nine years ago I lost 100 lbs and have slowly put most of it back on over the last 5 years. So, i don't have a 5 year history. When I am obese I don't go to the doctor because I don't want to get on the scale. My insurance is UHC Choice Plus and I have been with them for at least 15 years. Maybe that will help. Good luck HalloweenBaby24.

Thanks for the information and good luck with your evaluation on Monday, itsmekarenlee. I would love a June date, but we have too much going on to fit the surgery in.

Hello everyone. Well, I am progressing along. Tuesday I go see the psychologist and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or comments on how their visits went. Once I pass the psychological test my surgeons office will submit paperwork to my insurance. I have been doing lots of research online so I will have an idea of just what is going to happen. I can't believe how many people have made YouTube videos while on their VGS journey. Lots of valuable information out there if you just look. This forum is wonderful. I haven't posted much, but read everyday. I have already started to give up some items that I don't need to eat to keep me healthy. I have given up soda and caffeine. If everything goes good and my insurance approves me I am hoping for a July surgery date. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Congratulations! I'm sure you have thought a lot about this and did your research. Think how wonderful you will feel very soon. I can't wait until I get my surgery date.

Good for you. I haven't had my surgery yet, don't even have a date, but am trying to eat less in preparation. When I want something I know I really don't need I tell myself that you already know what it taste like, so you don't have to eat it. You have to do whatever works for you to stay on track, even if it means you have to take a different route.

Thank you everyone for the welcome. Looking forward to my visit with the surgeon on Monday.

Hi everyone, I have finally had it with the weight loss roller coaster ride and decided to have Gastric Sleeve surgery. I have an appointment with a bariatric surgeon this coming Monday. I checked with my insurance and they cover it with the requirement of a BMI of 35 (no problem there), and have been considered "Obese" for at least 5 years. I asked they had any requirements guild lines if a person had an illness that weight loss would help. They suggested I have my doctor write a predetermination letter. I have only had my current doctor for about 1 year and my previous doctor is not longer in the area. I really hope my doctor is able to convince the insurance company that this is the right thing for me. I have osteoarthritis, osteopenia, peripheral neuropathy, high cholesterol, and blood pressure that is getting higher. I am so happy that I found this forum. I want to find out everything I can about the surgery. My step-daughter had it Jan 2013 and is giving all sorts of information. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Monday can't get here soon enough.