june09bandit

Thank you! I was hoping to find a way to check status without bugging everyone constantly, but I don't think it's possible. Doc was supposed to have it all submitted this week, so I'll start calling insurance next week. Good luck to you!

Was there a place on the website that you could see it was pending approval? I'm trying to figure out how much to bug them myself, but I'm not even sure the Doctor's office has submitted it yet!

When I had a couple of skin cancers removed from my face, the derm told me to use "scar therapy". The scars are barely noticeable, so it must have worked!

It sounds like the surgery gave you a whole new attitude - a better one. You deserve to be happy with your life, and I think you are taking all the necessary steps to get there. Good for you! I hope I feel the same way if I get approval for the surgery. Congrats!

Ahh.. so it's your medical background that is worrying you the most. I guess for me, ignorance is bliss. The privacy thing would really bother me though. I'm trying to keep this a secret from everyone except friends that live in other states. In the past, my husband's ex-wife's sister was "reviewing" my medical records. If word of my plans get out this time, I intend to have her job. I've given up on the other options short of surgery. I hate to admit failure at diets, but it's time for me to lose my ability to make bad decisions. Have you tried any counseling? You may be depressed and overeating as a result. I hope you can find a way to deal with your worries. I'll be happy to listen!

No Barbara, that's not dumb at all. It's actually smart! I think I researched this so much before I started that I really feel like I know most of what will happen. My knee is so bad that I can't do the things I enjoy the most. I've dealt with it for a year, and that's long enough. This is my last resort before knee replacement. If you see Dr. Schwartz, be prepared. He's a man of few words. I think he saw me for a total of 2 minutes. He pretty much told me that my BMI isn't high enough, so it won't be an easy approval. I took my insurance paperwork and 5 years of medical records to that visit. He gave me a piece of paper that showed me the remaining steps so that he could submit the insurance paperwork. The first step was to see the psychologist - Terri Farmer in Oro Valley. I've always wondered where Dove Mountain is, now I know :huh2: She was super. She explained that Dr. Schwartz doesn't have much to say until he knows that it's either approved for insurance, or that the client will/can self pay. She said that at that point, he is very thorough. She explained much of the procedure to me and discussed what life would be like post band. I was aware of most of it based on what I've read on this site. My biggest fear is dehydration. As you know, it's so easy to dehydrate in the desert. I'm used to drinking a liter of Water at a time after exercise. I won't be able to do that. Now I'll have to learn to spread it out before I need the liter. What are your fears?

Well since we are starting this together, maybe we can stay in touch through the process for support. I'm just ready to do something to lose the pounds. I'm just frustrated. Hopefully I can find the fast track through the process.

I'm also starting the process in Tucson. I had my first appt with the surgeon on Thursday. He gave me the name of the psychologist, so I have that appt scheduled for Monday. Like you, I have serious knee issues that weight loss should help significantly. I'm going to pay the psychologist out of pocket just to get it done sooner and bya psych that knows how to fill out the paperwork for bariatric procedures. I have my fingers crossed that I can push this whole thing through quickly. If insurance denies it, I will self pay. Good luck to you! Which doctor are you seeing? I was referred to Schwartz since he plays well with my insurance company.