KSTUZ

Congrats on getting started!! I have Aetna, so they require a 3 month nutrition and diet program. I had a little bit of probs cause, long story, my husband had a heart attack and triple bypass at age 37 back in feb/March. I had a net gain during those 3 months. Aetna states U cannot have a net gain. And I had no weight for 2013. So I was denied. (July) Then i appealed - denied again. (Aug) I hired Lindstrom obesity advocacy (They were EXCELLENT!!) And was approved Oct 3rd!!! I started my first meeting was January 7th 2013. And my surgery is set for 2 days before!!! I'm so happy and even tho it took a while, it was worth it. The denial definitely hit me hard and the next denial was even worse. But it lit a fire in me that I wanted this and I had to get real serious whether or not this was for me. And it is!!! The denials made me get my head together and with lots of family and friends support I have fought thru and here I am!!!! So the whole process took me a year, a friend of mine, who I went thru the whole process with, was sleeved on aug 11th. So I am only a little behind. Now is my time!! Any questions let me know and good luck!! Keep in touch!

Yeah exactly:) I'm right outside of philadelphia, pa

That would be awesome! Need a surgery buddy! Jan 5th is my husbands birthday. It was that or the end of the month! So I chose the 5th. Haha! Have to do whatcha gotta dooo!! I could have had a date in December but, with my job, it's not an option. Covering the shifts around Xmas are so difficult, I don't have kids, I always cover the holidays, and in the medical field so we only shut down for the "Holliday" so my warm and fuzzy boss says that jan 5 date. What's a few more weeks!! Jskallsldkjcksl!!!!!! ????excitement!!!! ????????

Thank you!! I'm freaking out with excitement!!

Got the call this morning! I been waiting for this approval and date, seems like forever!! But it's set. I'm so happy and I cannot wait for my journey to begin. It's been so hard, and I wanna thank all of you that have been so supportive. This site was the best thing for getting me thru the last few months. 1-5-15!!!!! YAY!!

Keep me updated on any news!!

I was just approved last Friday!! I did have the Lindstrom Obesity advocates (Kelley and Walter Lindstrom) fight my appeal after my first appeal denial. They submitted it to Aetna (I continued going for NUT visits and weigh in and showed a steady loss) and was APPROVED!!!! Just waiting on a date now! U can fight it if u get denied. I had a weight gain and no weight for 2013. Still got approved. It's all in the way the appeal is written! Please keep us posted on how u make out!!! If YA need any info from me feel free to contact me!!! Fingers crossed for you!!!!!

Hay! I'm in philly burbs, just got approved (FINALLY!!!!) and waiting on my date. How are u making out?!?

Thank u so much!! It still hasn't sunk in- hopefully scheduling a date tomorrow!! Wooot! ????????

APPROVED!!! Got the email today and they already faxed my Aetna approval to my surgeons office! 2nd level appeal is approved!!! (????screaming for excitement!!)

I am THRILLED!!!!! I'm still in shock, I can't believe I'm approved. I don't know if it has completely sunk in!! Haha! Yay!

The appeal was AMAZING that Walter wrote. Kelley was fantastic and I had a weigh in 2 weeks ago and Aetna was already reviewing my appeal, I faxed another weight loss to Kelley and she had it faxed to Aetna to make sure that was also reviewed. She called and emailed today. The paperwork says October 3rd, I had to email her. I'm sure they are super busy. So make sure u check in!! I don't regret them helping me at all! I would do it again and again. 100% I was very skeptical at first, but she's always answered my emails right back within hours. (I'm in pa, they as u know are in Ca) so 3 hour time difference I had to keep telling myself!! Thank You!! You better keep me posted!!! Fingers are crossed and I know they will get you approved too!!!

I'm IN!! Heard from the Lindstroms today and Aetna approved me!! Kelly and Walter Lindstrom were absolutely incredible. My second level appeal was nothing that I would have ever come up with! So waiting for the surgeon to call me back, to get a date!! Thank you to all who have helped and encouraged me the past few months after my denials. I think I would have lost hope if it wasn't for many of you. I had a really tough year, and this is my light at the end of the tunnel. I cannot wait!!! Katie

Hiiiii, Aetna have 15-30 days to look over the appeal. So I'm stillllll waitinggggg! This has to be the longest wait. Other problem is this, one coworker went on maternity, then another coworker had a seizure and diagnosed with a brain tumor and had that taken out. So I can't even have it done until probably January. Soooo yeah. That's all the news I got so far! Will keep You's posted!

Are you kidding me?? I was reading your post with my jaw hitting the floor. I still don't believe it. U are going to get thru this. I'm gonna pm ya. Talk to ya soon hun

Awesome!! Hoping the same for you! Keep me posted! Kelley has been fantastic and Walter is handling my case. He wrote a killer appeal letter. Hoping this does the trick! Fingers crossed!

No prob, I'm still waiting for approval. My friend was done August 11th and it's been rough seeing her at work now that she is back an I'm still sitting here waiting. Hopefully my lvl 2 appeal will be approved. It was submitted last Thursday.

Congrats! That's great news!! Keep us posted how u both make out and GOOD LUCK!!

I am so very sorry u have to go thru this- but I am an xray tech and we do swallowing studies, message me with ANY questions and I'd be happy to explain what will happen and what to expect. I'll be thinking of you. Stay strong, this too shall pass.

Definitely!! Will do!! U do the same! Keep me updated!

Hey darla!! So my second level appeal was submitted on Thursday sept 18th. Lindstrom killed my appeal. It's soooo good. So hopefully I will have good news to report soon!! Thanks for thinking of me

Thank u so much and CONGRATS!! You must be thrilled! Did u set a date yet?? Make sure u keep me posted on EVERYTHING. I can't wait to keep in touch throughout ur journey. :) :) I'm still fighting for it! But thanks so much for thinking of me, I am hanging in there. Trying to stay positive. I will update u wen I hear anything at all!! Katie

Thank u so much I've gotten so much support thru here. I will keep u posted! U do the same!

Hi Jess I actually emailed Kelley today and she said she is still waiting on my surgeons office to send them my chart. Sooooo, I'm not really happy about that since it's been a week since they got the money, I called the office earlier and left a message about it. This waiting is for the birds. How are you doing??

I was denied for almost the same reason and cause i don't have a 2013 weight. I hired lindstrom obesity advocacy to help me after my first appeal and was denied again. I feel your pain. Hang in there and keep fighting. I'm trying to take my own advice too