ZollDoll

Hi everyone

I haven't posted in a while but wanted to update you all that I completed all the pre-op necessary insurance stuff and met with my surgeon this morning.

They will be submitting my information to insurance in the next few days then the wait begins for the approval process.

My insurance company takes awhile to approve (they told me 21 business days when I inquired about it) so at this time if approved I am looking at a mid-November surgery date.

It has been a long process but I know some people have longer then what I went thru.

I just got off the phone with my insurance, apparently they are not covering the surgeon appointments (SERIOUSLY) uggh anyway I asked how long it takes once we send in the paperwork for approval, they told be 20 business days.

20 business days - that is another month. All my pre-op stuff (NUT, Cardio and Pulmonary) are finished by September 23rd.

I hope I am able to get this surgery done this year. but a month just for approvals is already putting me at November.

I was actually expecting something like this but I didn't have to do anything like this at all, Just the psych asking me questions that she answered on her laptop.

Cardiac clearance today. I am so relieved this part is over. On to the next step.

That is great news!

I have Aetna and I am scared they will deny me.

I have my Nutritionist visit next week and I am up about 15 pounds from the 1st visit, I was put on a biologic from my Rhumetologist and I had severe Water retention in my legs and feet (she pulled me off the medication) but while I can gain 15 pounds in a week or 2 I sure can't lose that much in that period of time. My feet and legs are ALMOST back to normal so I just hope by my weigh in its not too bad.

I emailed my surgeons office - the coordinator told me as long as I am down by the end of the 3 months - but I know they told me in the beginning I can't gain at all during the 3 months.

I still have to go to Pulmonology and do my stress test/echo for Cardio but I already told my PCP be ready to appeal the denial.

I would suggest that you get the reason for the gain documented by the Pulmonary Doctor and have them submit it will the initial paperwork to Aetna.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sorry I meant to say documentation from the Rhumetologist

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks

That is a good idea.

I figured my insurance company can see I was put on it (had to get precert for the medicine) but I will get something from her next time I see her to cover my bases.

My Dr. suggested a DS in 2 parts, the sleeve first then months later the 2nd part of the DS.

I only want the sleeve part done. and I went in wanting the sleeve. I am still going thru all the appointments and Nutrition visits at this time.

The Surgeons/Hospital group I am going thru cannot do any WLS on patients over 500 pounds.

They said at the informational meeting I went to that 500 is the max due to the cat scan machines and things available at the hospital.

I have Aetna and I am scared they will deny me.

I have my Nutritionist visit next week and I am up about 15 pounds from the 1st visit, I was put on a biologic from my Rhumetologist and I had severe Water retention in my legs and feet (she pulled me off the medication) but while I can gain 15 pounds in a week or 2 I sure can't lose that much in that period of time. My feet and legs are ALMOST back to normal so I just hope by my weigh in its not too bad.

I emailed my surgeons office - the coordinator told me as long as I am down by the end of the 3 months - but I know they told me in the beginning I can't gain at all during the 3 months.

I still have to go to Pulmonology and do my stress test/echo for Cardio but I already told my PCP be ready to appeal the denial.

Like I mentioned it was not what I was expecting so I do believe every place is different.

The Dr. sat on the couch with her laptop and asked questions like what kind of surgery, why I wanted the surgery, why was I overweight, what complications the surgery may have, what was my goal weight, what medications I was on, who have I told about the surgery, stuff like that.

HI everyone

Just an update on my progress

I had my Psych Eval on Monday night and got the letter saying I am good to go.

It totally was not what I was expecting and was alot easier than I anticipated.

Has anyone had the cardiologist not clear you for surgery?

I had my cardiologist appointment this morning. He told me I should have been seeing him before now for an issue that showed up on my previous echocardiogram.

My regular dr (who ordered the echo) never told me to followup with a cardiologist.

I now have to get a nuclear stress test and another echo but I walked away with the feeling I may not be cleared for the surgery.

Ii had my cardio visit this morning and now am scheduled for the nuclear stress test and echo in 10 days due to abnormal EKG. Scary for me but I have to make sure all is ok.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I guess my EKG was fine since I don't have to get my stress test and echo until end of August.

Yes I told him I was never told to see a cardiologist before.

He seemed baffled about it.

I just feel defeated today. Good thing I am still early in the process so hopefully all will go ok.

Has anyone had the cardiologist not clear you for surgery?

I had my cardiologist appointment this morning. He told me I should have been seeing him before now for an issue that showed up on my previous echocardiogram.

My regular dr (who ordered the echo) never told me to followup with a cardiologist.

I now have to get a nuclear stress test and another echo but I walked away with the feeling I may not be cleared for the surgery.

I decided to not mention it until after I see cardio, pulmonary and the pysch doctors.

If for some reason I do not get "cleared" from them I haven't wasted anyone's time.

I was just thinking about this. If everything goes well my surgery wouldn't be until October or November.

I looked at our Personnel Manual but not sure what to make of it. I think I need to take 10 days of PTO time then short-term disability kicks in.

Oh and another thought.

I was talking to a nurse who works at this hospital. She happened to bring up the gastric bypass and how she was trying to talk her niece out of getting it. I had a shocked look and was like why? I told her how I am looking into it and need to know whats wrong. She said the lap sleeve is safer.

She told me to remember one thing - THE DOCTORS ARE RUNNING A BUSINESS. ($$$$)

So part of me thinks they are recommending the 2-part DS for more money. However if I only get the sleeve done anyway they are not making any more money.

Thanks everyone.

I know this surgeon and his partner have been around for awhile.

The surgery will take place at a "Bariatric Center of Excellence"

I have only been to one support meeting so far and there were a few DS patients there, most people that "spoke" up were operated on by this surgeon. "Newer" patients sleeved, "older" patients gastric bypass.

I do not want the 2nd part, the side effects and Vitamin regimen scares me.

start weight is 444. But I have been bouncing back and forth between 444 and 450 lately.

Hi everyone

This is my first post. I have been reading and researching for awhile now.

I had my 1st appointment with the WL surgeon today. I went in thinking I wanted the sleeve. The surgeon recommended the DS but done in 2 stages, I would start with the sleeve and so many months later have the 2nd part for the DS.

Has anyone here had that done?

I asked questions about it and said if I am doing good with just the sleeve do I HAVE to get the 2nd part? etc, etc,

Just wanted to read if other's have gone thru this and their experience.

I already have my nutritionist appt scheduled, the cardiologist and pulmonary dr. scheduled. I still need to schedule the psych. The coordinator at the surgeons office said if everything goes ok I am looking at October/November for surgery.