genia_deanne

I’m seven days post op and feeling discouraged because I haven’t lost any weight. I lost 21 pounds on pre-op by myself alone, so I don’t understand why I am not losing weight post op. Has anyone else run into this dilemma? I’m feeling discouraged.

On 06/01/2018 at 22:09, Sara Bronson said:

I flew from Cabo to Boise Idaho.. 6 hr total flight with 9 hr layover.. aside from being REALLY tired, and my drain site leaking I was totally fine.. I had a wheelchair in the airports, and all the airline staff were so understanding. Make sure you pack comfy clothes, slip on shoes, and gauze bandage dressings..

I am getting surgery in Tijuana. The flight back home is four hours. I wanted to fly first class because of its comfort, but after viewing the $500+ price tag, I am a little discouraged. Has anyone flown from San Diego home in a economy seat? Were you uncomfortable? Do you think the upgrade to first class will be worth it?

Hey Everyone! My insurance doesn’t cover dietitians so I’ve opt to use my PCP to complete my 6 months of medically supervised weight-loss. However, the hospital that I am having surgery at doesn’t seem to have logs or forms for my PCP to complete for the 6 months. How did you guys that used your PCP, go about having things documented? Did you fax over all your appointments?

Hey Everyone! My insurance doesn’t cover dietitians so I’ve opt to use my PCP to complete my 6 months of medically supervised weight-loss. However, the hospital that I am having surgery at doesn’t seem to have logs or forms for my PCP to complete for the 6 months. How did you guys that used your PCP, go about having things documented? Did you fax over all your appointments?

It's all about what's in the plan coverage. Your insurance company should be sending you an annual Schedule of Benefits that explains what is covered and what isn't. They are required to do so at the start of every plan year by the ACA.
I was annoyed that my insurer was not going to pay for the visits to the weight loss clinic they require prior to surgery, but it wasn't a surprise.

My insurance won’t cover the clinic visits inside of the hospital (UIC) where I am getting my surgery done, so I have to find an outside PCP. Anyone in Chicago has a great PCP that they can recommend for this supervised weight-loss?

I had to have 7 total visits (the first one doesn't count) and if I had paid out of pocket, it would have been $48 each monthly visit (continuous). Mine had to be from an RD.

I’ve have BCBSM, so I have to complete a 6 months supervised weight loss.. I was scheduled for 5 visits with my a Dietitian, but my insurance doesn’t cover visits to see a dietician. Someone told me I could go visit my PCP instead.

Will seeing a PCP affect my approval odds? What should be covered in these visits? In the approval process, what do they look at?

$600 seems a bit excessive for your first visit. My monthly visits were in the $150 range as I recall.
When you see the surgeon for the first time, you are charged for that and also when you go for the mandatory psychologist visit, that is also not covered.
But the monthly visits to the doctor who specializes in weight loss through diet and exercise is a lower costs.

The worst part of bariatric surgery was dealing with my health insurance company. I noticed that they covered some of my visits to the doctor during this 6 month phase but not all. Generally it was every other visit. When I asked the insurance company why - they said medical visits for obesity were not covered. And since they had paid for some of the visits -Oh! you don't have to worry about paying us back. I said I am going to these visits primarily because my health insurance company is mandating them as a prerequisite to getting gastric bypass surgery. But that didn't seem to phase them. The whole process is totally illogical.

I have BCBSM (PPO) where I have to do 6 months of supervised weight loss and my insurance covers the surgery, but won’t cover the pre op 6 month appointments.

Anyones insurance not covered their 6 month pre op appointments? What did you do?

I have BCBSM PPO and while the surgery is covered, the pre op appointments for the monthly visits with the dietician for the 6 month supervised weight management is not covered.. The BCBSM claims specialists stated it would never be covered because of the code they use to code the reason for the doctor visit which is a weight management code for “morbid obesity due to excess calories”.

Has anyone else run into these problems? Did you just pay for your appointments out of pocket?

I lost a couple of thin ones. But for the most part, it’s ok. I had surgery June 11 2017.


Highest Wt: 265 lbs
Surgery Wt: 250 lbs
Current Wt: 165 lbs

I am in the process of going though with the surgery. However, I can’t seem to fathom the possibility of my hair falling out. I’m in love with my locs (dreadlocks). Anyone who knows the process would understand what I mean. It’s more than hair! Did anyone else fear things such as Hair loss and loose skin, etc and these things caused you to have a dilemma with going through with surgery?

Does anyone here have locs? Did yours fall out or thin? Please share your experiences! TIA!!

My consultation with Dr. Gangemi at UIC, and I’ll be starting the 6 month process in January. Anyone have experiences at UIC that they wish to share? Complications? Recommendations? TIA!