Gotalose

I did mine through BCBS of Texas. Equally annoying. Only required 4 months of a weight loss program, but they dragged out my approval for so long it took me 6 months to get a surgery date anyway [emoji849]

1, Crush your meds and put the powder in sugar free Cool Whip....they'll slide right down...less nasty taste.
2. For the first couple of weeks get your Protein from Protein Shakes. Alternate each hour between clear fluids and protein shakes. Get four ounces of clear Fluid one hour, and four ounces of Protein Shake the next. Do this every hour you are awake and you will make your goals. Protein shake counts as fluid, too. One ounce per 15 minutes will get you there.
3. I like Smooth Move tea. It's gentle and sold in the herbal teas at most stores.

Liquids are way more important than Protein. The body won't die when you're not meeting your protein goals. Not getting in enough liquids is way more critical.

Good idea! Thank you, I think I will! my surgery is Monday and I cannot wait! I am having my gastric band revised to a sleeve. I just got these adorable pillows in today just in time for my surgery! I’m going to be using them as stomach pillows for when I need to cough or sneeze or laugh.
 

WTG! Good wishes to you and know you'll do splendidly!

Here’s mine.

Soooo .....
After getting clearance from my endocrinologist and submitting to BCBSNC I got approval today
Surgery is scheduled for 1/25 - I am soooo nervous now. The whole process has gone by so fast
For anyone who comes here looking to see how my process went this is my timeframe
11/6 - met with PCP for normal visit and decided to ask about a referral for WLS
11/13 - attending WL seminar from surgery center
11/17 - met with WL surgeon
11/27 - met with NUT
11/29 - met with NUT
12/5 - met with PYSCH
12/6 - endoscopy, xray, bloodwork
12/7 - met with PSYCH
12/13 - ultrasound
1/3 - H & P with surgeon - scheduled for 1/18
1/9 - submitted to BCBS - delay because of blizzard
1/12 - BCBS requested additional info before they review
1/15 - BCBS denied - requested clearance letter from endocrinologies bc thyroid level low
1/16 - new blood work and clearance letter from endo - rescheduled for 1/25
1/18 - resubmitted to BCBS
1/19 - approval from BCBS
1/25 - surgery
not too bad of a process considering 2 snowstorms and holiday season
just over 2 months to get it all going and finished

Good luck tomorrow, you've beat the insurance stall tactics at their own game, now get,operated, get healthy and get along with,your life. The 25th is your rebirth day.

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Soooo .....
After getting clearance from my endocrinologist and submitting to BCBSNC I got approval today
Surgery is scheduled for 1/25 - I am soooo nervous now. The whole process has gone by so fast
For anyone who comes here looking to see how my process went this is my timeframe
11/6 - met with PCP for normal visit and decided to ask about a referral for WLS
11/13 - attending WL seminar from surgery center
11/17 - met with WL surgeon
11/27 - met with NUT
11/29 - met with NUT
12/5 - met with PYSCH
12/6 - endoscopy, xray, bloodwork
12/7 - met with PSYCH
12/13 - ultrasound
1/3 - H & P with surgeon - scheduled for 1/18
1/9 - submitted to BCBS - delay because of blizzard
1/12 - BCBS requested additional info before they review
1/15 - BCBS denied - requested clearance letter from endocrinologies bc thyroid level low
1/16 - new blood work and clearance letter from endo - rescheduled for 1/25
1/18 - resubmitted to BCBS
1/19 - approval from BCBS
1/25 - surgery
not too bad of a process considering 2 snowstorms and holiday season
just over 2 months to get it all going and finished

Soooo .....
After getting clearance from my endocrinologist and submitting to BCBSNC I got approval today
Surgery is scheduled for 1/25 - I am soooo nervous now. The whole process has gone by so fast
For anyone who comes here looking to see how my process went this is my timeframe
11/6 - met with PCP for normal visit and decided to ask about a referral for WLS
11/13 - attending WL seminar from surgery center
11/17 - met with WL surgeon
11/27 - met with NUT
11/29 - met with NUT
12/5 - met with PYSCH
12/6 - endoscopy, xray, bloodwork
12/7 - met with PSYCH
12/13 - ultrasound
1/3 - H & P with surgeon - scheduled for 1/18
1/9 - submitted to BCBS - delay because of blizzard
1/12 - BCBS requested additional info before they review
1/15 - BCBS denied - requested clearance letter from endocrinologies bc thyroid level low
1/16 - new blood work and clearance letter from endo - rescheduled for 1/25
1/18 - resubmitted to BCBS
1/19 - approval from BCBS
1/25 - surgery
not too bad of a process considering 2 snowstorms and holiday season
just over 2 months to get it all going and finished

Wow I'm glad I don't have BCBS, in my area it's Anthem BCBS but from all the sorrow it's giving people I am glad I have something else. Reminds me of the old joke about life insurance-you are betting you need it, the insurance carrier is betting you don't, if you win the argument you're dead and can't enjoy your victory.

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I have Independence BCBS (Philadephia based area), they required a 6 month weightloss program before surgery was approved. BCBS does differ by state and areas and may require a longer or shorter period. The way the wording was laid out, it sounds like your doctor needs to provide proof that you have been consecutively making an effort to lose the weight in a 12 month period. If the doctor is able to provide the necessary documentation, it sounds like insurance would be able to approve it, however, if they are not providing enough documentation, you may need to wait until it's been a full 12 months of proof. If you are in a "program", your doctor will be able to provide that, however, if you have only seen your doctor a few times, and they were aware you were trying to loose weight, but they did not provide a program for you, they seems as if it would not be enough proof. My surgeon's office has a specific weightloss program ALL patients must do before surgery. We need to meet with a dietiation multiple times and a physiologist and a psychologist to make sure we are progressing.

Good luck to you!

I had to do basically 9 months of preop stuff with BCBS. So it ended up being about a year after initial consultation till surgery.

Just an update for anyone that follows or looks for information regarding BCBSNC
1/9 - submitted to BCBSNC
1/11- notice from BCBSNC it was pending (missing visit information within 12 months from PCP and endocrinologist) Needed these items before they could send it for review
1/12 - notice from BCBSNC that it was denied - needed the following items after review - Letter from surgeon that I understand this is a lifetime change and that I'm prepared - Also needed clearance for surgery from endocrinologist since my thyroid levels were low during last labwork
1/17 - After new lab work and meeting with Endocrinologist to get letter submitted again to BCBSNC - now waiting...

Just an update for anyone that follows or looks for information regarding BCBSNC
1/9 - submitted to BCBSNC
1/11- notice from BCBSNC it was pending (missing visit information within 12 months from PCP and endocrinologist) Needed these items before they could send it for review
1/12 - notice from BCBSNC that it was denied - needed the following items after review - Letter from surgeon that I understand this is a lifetime change and that I'm prepared - Also needed clearance for surgery from endocrinologist since my thyroid levels were low during last labwork
1/17 - After new lab work and meeting with Endocrinologist to get letter submitted again to BCBSNC - now waiting...

Other than my roommate who didn't stay very long on Wednesday I had no visitors and was glad I didn't. I needed the time to sleep and recover in the hospital. I got home on a Thursday and believe it was Monday when I had my first visitor who only stayed like 10 minutes. During the 4 weeks I was off work and healing a few more ladies from my community came around to see how I was doing.
When I had my first PS in June more people came and brought my roommate and I Protein meals we were able to eat. The PS took 6 weeks to heal so I was very happy to have company.

I had my gallbladder removed during surgery and I had people visit (against my wishes) and I feel like I would have been just fine myself

I didn't have my gallbladder out during my sleeve surgery but I suggest you have him there until you make it to your room and are on pain meds. You want an advocate in case of anything. Very important because you may not be able to make decisions while in pain. Then keep in touch through calls.

I had my porcelain gallbladder removed, a hernia repaired and the sleeve surgery. I went into the hospital on a Tuesday and was release on a Thursday afternoon. My roommate left after the surgery and I was in my private room. He came back the next day to check on how I was doing as he thought I would be coming home on Wednesday according to the Dr. However the nurses saw I was not doing well and told the Dr I needed another day to get my pain under control and for them to get me up out of bed. Thursday morning I called my roommate as I was ready to get out of the hospital. He thought I would go right to my bed but I sat in my recliner for many hours watching Tv and drinking my first Protein Shake. Four weeks later I was back to work. I took an extra week as I wanted to be able to eat food when I started and not be on just liquids. I had a lot of shoulder gas pains but had no incision pains or complications.

Nearly 7 months after surgery I am down 107 lbs and crossed into the "One"derland!!
Feeling super optimistic about 2018
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Yes, it is. Thank you
Hopefully the will approve now they can see that I've been to my pcp and endocrinologist within the last year. I'll keep everyone posted so that if anyone looks later they can see how it turned out.

Hi Everyone, January 17 is my sleeve date. First week on shake has all the usual suspects, headaches, hunger pains, but still not too anxious but I know that will change. Wishing all of you much success and health!

Gallbladder surgery and hernia repair?

That is so nice of you to say. Thank you and I will also be thinking of you and all of the rest of us going tomorrow! We can do this! I hope they give me something to relax as soon as I get there- can’t believe this is finally happening!!!!


Surgery Date: January 8, 2018
Sleeve Gastrectomy

I am feeling calm as well, just sipping broth and watching football. Best of luck to all of us with our procedures tomorrow morning!!