bostonmama

@@KristenLe what's a pre-op appt? is that when you sign consent forms etc?

I'm also waiting for approval/date. I"m not even sure my coordinator has sent it in yet. I thought they had done so 2 weeks ago but it turned out they were waiting to talk to me about doing RNY instead of sleeve and weren't going to submit until they knew which surgery I was getting. I made that decision so now just waiting. I started this process in March and wanted surgery asap so it feels like I've been waiting forever!

Hello, I'm feeling kind of panicked and hope someone can help. I finished my last preop appointment 3 weeks ago and the office said they would submit my paperwork for approval. Well they called today to say that the surgeon wants to meet today to discuss doing a bypass instead of the sleeve, based on my GI scan (which I had months ago!). At that scan they said I had reflux, though I've never noticed any symptoms. They said they haven't submitted anything to insurance yet because they don't know which surgery they are doing... I really don't want bypass. It seems too extreme for me (i'm worried about malnutrition, taking supplements for life, and rerouting my digestive system) Has this happened to anyone before? I guess it probably depends on the surgeon but can I choose the sleeve over bypass if I have reflux?

thanks @@KristenLe and @@ALittleMe0914 They actually had consent forms for both surgeries, so the decision was up to me. The surgeon said my reflux is severe, and could end up causing cancer someday. It will be cured by bypass so I've decided to do that. It wasn't what I wanted and prepared for the last 6 months, but I definitely don't want reflux or an increased risk of cancer. He also said I should lose a little more weight with bypass vs sleeve and maintenance is easier so I'm trying to focus on those positives.

also a laptop/tablet to watch Netflix on & headphones. I'd probably ask my husband to bring the laptop after surgery so it's not just sitting on the floor somewhere waiting to be stolen

An extension cord for your phone charger

My dr prescribed adderall for weight loss and it was great..until I stopped taking it and gained all the weight back. The downside was that it can be habit forming and I did have some side effects like teeth grinding and trouble sleeping.

I just started a weight loss surgery program, am I'm wondering what I need to do to make sure insurance covers this? I'm guessing I need to make sure that all of the pre op clearance appointments are with doctors in the network . Should I call insurance to make sure the tests these doctors are doing are covered? It it enough to see that the surgery itself is covered in my policy? Or should I talk to someone about it. I know my surgeons office does some kinda of application as well. Do I need to get anything in writing? Tia!

Thank you - I also have blue cross blue shield, mine is of MA/ ppo, I called this morning and they emailed me their policy on medical /surgical management of obesity . They said it is a lot of medical jargon so I'll need to go over it with my surgeon, but they did tell me if approved I'll have a $500 copay for admission. I don't see anything in the policy about meetings with nutritionists or being on a weight loss plan for a certain amount of months. Is it possible these things aren't required by my insurance ?

I had my initial visit with a surgeon, and one of his pre op requirements is to write a letter to the insurance company, which he believes will help them approve the procedure. Has anyone done this or have any tips about what I should/shouldn't say? TIA