SlimChickadee

Prayers for speedy recovery! At least your pain was relieved and you have a sense of humor about it all!

Thank you for sharing! Wishing you success and prayers as you contine to heal!

Thank you for the positive remarks and encouragement. I have an appt set on the 27th so hoping I hear something then!

So, today was the day for my psych eval. Not sure to know what to think about it. I went in and the psychologist was very nice. Gave me a piece of paper and asked that I write my name and dob on it and Dr. to do my surgery. He then had me answer a list of questions he had wrote down such as: where did I here about the bypass surgery, why did I want bypass surgery, have I attended a seminar yet, have I seen the dietitian and if so how many times, what family support do I have, what are the complications of bypass surgery, and what type of diet/exercise changes do I plan to make. Last but not least, what will be the hardest change I will have to make after having the bypass surgery. Then he proceeded to have me fill out the standardized psychology test MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Test) 300+ true/false questions I had to answer. Once I finished he told me thank you so much, I will send the results to Dr. by beginning of the week and took my fee. Kinda perplexed feeling perplexed right now! I have another dietitian appoint the 27th and not sure what will happen next. I also called my insurance company to see if the office has submitted a request for approval and they had not so far. I sure would like to get confirmation on something! Waiting is hard! Unknown if you are covered is even harder. Not knowing if you will be able to even get the revision surgery is the hardest!😟

Me too! I noticed a few that had surgery dates set for this month and can only imagine how they are feeling but inquiring minds want to know!

That is most definitely not acceptable practice for a nurse. Every mirse should have a name tag. Report her and report her again

Mint2BSkinny, you are rocking it!

No worries, I am still waiting approval, yes. My Surgeon informed me d/t all the scar tissue from the lapband, he does the removal and sleeve is not an option we go straight to the bypass 3mths after the removal to allow healing. Just not happy about going under twice but I want to do what's safe and I trust my doctor to know what's best for me! You look amazing!

I had terrible GERD and like you I would wake up coughing and as if I aspirated some. My doctor's visit, he removed the 4cc out of my band the highest I have ever had was 7ccs (banded in 2009) and now I am able to sleep without any waking up coughing and with one pillow not 2 or 3 for a wedge. Just waiting on approval to have lapband removed and revision to RNY. Many prayers for you!

I have highmark as well and mine was submitted I hope to think June 3rd when I called for my barium swallow report. I was told they would contact my insurance for approval, they already confirmed it would pay 90% of the removal and revision surgeries. So, I am anticipatingly (if such a word) waiting! I would like to make preparations and like others start my liver shrinking diet. I was told to even do the liver shrinking diet for the removal of my lapband!#stillwaitingapprovalinTN

You look amazing!

Absolutely will do!

Way 2 go!

Way to go! Keep that positive attitude!

Thank you all so very much for the heads up, will have to let you all know how it goes! The receptionist gave him the phone, I could hear her telling him, "bariatric patient wanting to schedule, can you take the call?" He responded, "Yes, I'll take it!" That to me was personal within itself! Again thank you all so much!

Thank you so much, it's good to know there are people (advocates) we can reach out to! Thank you so much for the information!

Love it! Will keep you posted on the approval situation! Have a good evening!

OMGoodness, Frustr8 I was born in 67! LOLOL You are so amazing and I enjoy reading your replies. You are so supportive and encouraging to all of us. I guess that is why you are a bariatric legend. You are also right about the "Vanity Surgeries" I wish they could walk in our moccasins/shoes. I wake up with my back hurting, plantar fascitits, coughing hysterically from gastric reflux. I told my husband there is nothing beautiful about the way I sleep, pillow in front of me, pillow in back of me, pillow between my legs and cpap machine nose/mouth mask. LOLOL I probably would scare my grand babies if they came in the room late at night! I told the nutritionist today, I try to exercise and when I do it flares up another ailment of pain some where! So hoping to hear from the Doctor's office soon! Thank you again for responding and also keep up the good work of weight loss, I cannot tell you when my last BMI was at 31.1. You make me excited about what my future could hold! Thank you again for your kindness!

I am right there with you, I am terrified of not being approved. Had my barium swallow test today and found to have a small hiatal hernia and not sure if that is going to be enough for me to get approved. I have HTN and sleep apnea and BMI of 41. So trying to be hopeful d/t findng out my insurance covers 90%. Patiently waiting for approval hoping I hear something soon.

I had my barium swallow test today and the doctor that was present stated he saw a small hiatal hernia and asked if I was on medication, I told him I was for the Gastric Reflux and he said, "Well, they will probably just change your medication!" I am so hoping this do not deter me from getting approved for my lap-band (banded since 2009) removal as well as my revision to Roux en y procedure later. I was told my insurance covers 90% but hope I am approved to have it done. Haven't heard from my Bariatric surgeon's office yet but again only had the swallow test today. #keepingfingerscrossed. Can anyone tell me how long it took for the approval. Also had my first nutrition visit today as well and I was told I have to contact a psychologist for an eval. So, why would I have to go through all of this if I am not going to be able to have the surgeries?

Awesome, hope you get your date soon!

Do any one know how easy it is to get approval for a lap-band revision to RNY through Highmark BCBS TN or if they even cover it? Approval was easy for the lap-band but wasn't sure about revision surgery. I have to have lap-band removed and wait 3 months and have revision. Not sure if they (BCBS) would count as having 2 surgeries and would pay for the removal but not the revision. I checked the website and it seems unclear to me and I am afraid to call them and ask or do the physician's office take care of submitting whatever is needed to check for coverage and what percentage? I know my questions sound redundant but I am really seeking sincere advise. Thank you in advance!

So, got a call today confirming my barium swallow test tomorrow and asked the receptionist if I was jumping the gun of asking if my insurance will cover both surgeries (removal of lap-band and revision to RNY). She called me back and stated that my surgeries will be covered under my insurance. Removal of lap-band as well as revision to RNY 3 months after the fact. Fortunately, my insurance covers 90%! All I can say is Wooooo Hooooo!

Sending prayers your way for a speedy recovery and to erase all fears away!

You look amazing! Thank you for sharing!