Sumaire

Now I'm dealing with family guilt garbage. ​My daughter is trying to make me change my mind, but she needs to realize that's not going to happen. I think that as long as insurance hadn't approved things, she didn't have to "worry" about it, but now that it's going to happen, she's...well "moody" doesn't seem to describe it with accuracy. ​It's just frustrating that she's being this way;

Got the call about a half hour ago, and I've been approved for surgery! It's scheduled for October 27, 2016, and I am completely over the moon about it. One week liquid diet beforehand. Damn but I'm feeling giddy right now. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

For an example of bill versus pay out, I recently had surgery on my hand. The hospital and surgeon billed the insurance for $21,000. The insurance paid out a little over $600. I have no co-pay on this. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just heard from my Surgeon's staff today that ABS has raised the goalpost and is now requiring a TWO YEAR monitored group nutrition program before they'll approve GBS. They also say that IPA hasn't approved ANY of their requests since the first of the year. Any suggestions? I could be dead in two years, with my comorbidities combined with a BMI of nearly 50, if I don't have this surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I ended up having to change medical groups under Anthem Blue Cross from Preferred IPA to AltaMed. At least with AltaMed, they're actually willing to speak to patients, unlike Preferred IPA. At this moment in time, I am waiting for, and praying for, an authorization to go ahead with my surgery. My new surgeon sent in that request on Monday. As you can well imagine, I have been able to think of little else in the ensuing days. I hate waiting.

I had a sleep study done two years ago, and they set me up with these little gel nose pad things, that have always been uncomfortable for me to use. I finally said something to my primary care physician a couple of months ago about it, that I needed a new headpiece, and the next thing I knew, I was receiving an authorization for an entire sleep study. I thought it was a little stupid to take it that far, but figured OK I might as will do it. I got the results about a week and a half or so ago, and I should be hearing soon from the people who will bring my new headpiece for the machine. I just find it really funny that it turns out that I would've needed to have an entire sleep study done anyway. Were I you, I would consider getting a sleep study. If you have sleep apnea, it will certainly help with getting your insurance to authorize the surgery, and that certainly can't hurt, right? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I managed to make an end run around my former surgeon (lost due to stupid insurance issues), who decided he wasn't going to behave with professional courtesy and refused to send any of my records from my time with him to my new surgeon. His "solution" to his being unwilling to send those records was that I go back to him for my surgery. The problem with that, is that the insurance I have now is not part of the group he is in. I was fortunate enough to find contact information, for both the nutritionist who did my work up and the psychologist who did my work up before he attempted to get authorization for my surgery, and both were kind enough to send their reports to my new surgeon. (Note to self, always take down the name and phone number of the people who call you for things like this, because you never know if and when you might have to speak to them again.) My new surgeon's office staff say it's a 7 to 10 day turnaround. For a response from the insurance company. This is probably going to be the longest week of my life. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I plan to play a whole lot of World of Warcraft's new expansion, Legion. Grinding quests can be quite distracting I have found. Yes, I'm one of those strange gamer girls. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well something turned into another giggle today. I called my surgeon's office back, a little later in the day, to verify that they had gotten both forms and everything was good, at which point the gal who answered the phone told me that the surgeon wanted me to have a sleep study done. Well, I laughed and I said "actually, I just had one three weeks ago!". The moment of dead silence on the other side of the phone was hilarious. Methinks the Divine is laughing, somewhere. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm so looking forward to joining the folks on the Losers' Bench. I just can't live like this any longer. Sent from my iPhone

Yes, California and federal law both state that a doctor does not have to let you see your mental health records if they feel it might harm your mental well-being. I am assuming with how this former surgeon of mine was, that would be the excuse he would use. He was just trying to make things as difficult as possible. I just take it all as he was throwing a tantrum, which made even less sense, because he was paid for all the work he had done beforehand. It's not like he was an attorney working on a contingency fee basis, and wouldn't be paid unless I lost weight. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was not able to afford to have him print out the records and give them to me, and there is nothing in the law that says that he must transfer any records to my new surgeon. Also, where state and federal law are concerned, he wouldn't necessarily have to send any psychological records, which would've necessitated another evaluation if I had not been able to chase down the psychologist who did my evaluation earlier this year. He tried to be a passive-aggressive jerk, and I got really lucky that I had the names of the people who had done the nutrition and psychological work ups. There are times when it really helps to be anal as hell. (Don't tell my daughter I said that.) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Giggly as hell right now. My old surgeon's passive-aggression failed. Both the psychologist and the nutritionist who did my work ups while I was at my previous surgeon were kind enough to send those work ups to my new surgeon, so they will now be submitting that information to the insurance company for surgical approval. I will probably be a babbling idiot for the next week. I apologize in advance for any attacks of stupid you may see on my part. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've got a friend who is 400+ pounds, and she's going for the sleeve. She's already got reflux, so I'm concerned for her. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My kid (age 33) is unsupportive, but I've been my normal, stubborn self, and have let her know I am doing this for ME, not HER. I'm preop, and she still makes comments, but I make a point of ignoring them. Good luck and continue to stick up for your own health. Tell him to imagine carrying two 40 pound bags of dog food that he is incapable of putting down. Then tell him to multiply that number to match how obese you are. That's what your body carries everyday, and you need a tool to help you get rid of them. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I chose RnY because it seems to be the "gold standard" for GBS, and I want to be able to take advantage of the restrictions it will place on me. I'm about 284 right now, and all the women on my mom's side of the family tend to run large. My knees, hips, and spine all show signs of arthritis, I walk with a cane, and I use an electric scooter for what would otherwise be long walks through stores and places like Disneyland. I can't let this go on any longer. I've got GERD, so the sleeve isn't in the cards for me, as well as a hiatal hernia. I'm hoping I can have my surgery scheduled for sometime in the next eight weeks. It's pretty much in the hands of my insurance medical group at this point. Once it's done, I will have a good tool for helping me get my life back to a place where I am in charge, and not medical issues. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've switched to Dr Mutafyan recently, after numerous issues with my insurance medical group. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had to switch surgeons because of insurance stupidity, recently, and it's currently a bit of a pain, as my previous surgeon is refusing to send any of my records from my time with him (6+ months) to my new surgeon. He even got downright snarky about my request. Fortunately, I was able to contact the nutritionist I saw earlier this year for her report on our time together, and she emailed it to me this morning. I only wish I had the name of the psych person to ask for her report. Because I don't, I'll have to do that part all over again. I wish you the very best in your upcoming surgery, and with a surgeon and staff with whom you are comfortable. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I ended up being switched (by my insurance company) from a doctor who required a seminar before the first appointment, to one that doesn't. I'm glad I don't have to go that route. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Autocorrect is not your friend. LOL Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'll live, it's just annoying. I'm glad that I have a place here, where I can vent in relative privacy, and for that I am eternally grateful. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sumaire, maybe she's scared and unable to closet her concern. Have you tried talking to her about this? I'm sorry that some of you aren't getting the support you deserve...thank goodness there are forums and groups because this can't be done without some sort of support. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App I've tried discussing it with her multiple times, but she refuses to listen. At this point, I've reminded her that at the same time, my hernia (which was discovered during my GI series) will be repaired, and that will reduce my blood sugar to non pre diabetic levels (where they are now) and reduce, if not eliminate my GERD. Also, not having to carry around the equivalent of four 40 pound bags of dog food on my body all the time will help my knees to stop degenerating quite so quickly. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My daughter isn't supportive at all, and it's worse because we share a place to live. She keeps going on about anything negative that might happen as a result, and I'm not having it. I've had surgery of one sort or another more than a few times already, so I know I have little chance of a bad reaction to anesthesia. She knows the crap I've been going through to get this approved. I've not left her out of that loop, because I think she needs to know what's going on, but I know she doesn't like hearing at all about it. I hope that once your wife has her surgery, she's more supportive.

My daughter keeps focusing on all the "bad" things that might happen with this surgery, and I've had to just decide that I'm not going to allow her attitude to shake me from my determination to have the surgery. I love my kid. I really do. But she's an adult and should recognize that as an adult, one should be allowed to make their own choices. Sorry that you've had this bad experience.