I started my journey a bit ago, but had my first consult on June 28. I was given a list of requirements for appointments, endoscopies, EKGs, lab work, which I arranged all for last week and this week. Saw the Nutrionist, the psychologist, my PcP sent his letter, had my labs, ekg and will have my Upeer Gi on Thursday. i thought I was done. Nope, I have to have 3 months of supervised diet. I am so mad I could cry. i was so excited to think I would have a sleeve by laborday, now It may not be until Oct. I am the tupe, when I want something, I hone in and get the job done, to make it so. Now I have to sit and wait. Anyone else?

I don't understand how the same insurance company can have so many different responses to the same surgery. I too used United Healthcare. I had to do one visit with psych, with nut and exercise therapist. Then had it submitted to insurance. One week later I had approval in my hand. I will say, we learned a year earlier when my husband had gastric bypass who to talk to. We talked to my husbands HR rep at his office. She called the insurance and requested an approval specialist with United. So United actually called my Dr office and told them everything they wanted to see. And he oversaw my case from beginning to end. There is help there. Good luck for those still waiting!

I've been waiting for 36 months now! United healthcare wouldn't accept 3 of my 5 weights! Come hell or high water I WILL be sleeved this next year!!

WTH! How can they "not accept" a weight?

Keeping my mouth shut :-x. I have heard only good things about approvals from my insurance. Had my first consultation June 26 and hope to be sleeved by end of Sept. but anything can change at any moment with insurance companies.

In 3 months??! That does not count as "waiting".

WTH! How can they "not accept" a weight?

Because my BMI was just shy of 40. They require 5 years of 40+ BMI.

My psych eval was just conversing with LSW not even a psychiatrist. Asked about things that happened 20 years ago. Seemed a waste of time but required.

My psych eval was just conversing with LSW not even a psychiatrist. Asked about things that happened 20 years ago. Seemed a waste of time but required.

In 3 months??! That does not count as "waiting".

Really? I am waiting and thought I could talk to others waiting. Far from "wacko". Thanks.

Reported the comment quoted abve

I don't understand how the same insurance company can have so many different responses to the same surgery. I too used United Healthcare. I had to do one visit with psych' date=' with nut and exercise therapist. Then had it submitted to insurance. One week later I had approval in my hand. I will say, we learned a year earlier when my husband had gastric bypass who to talk to. We talked to my husbands HR rep at his office. She called the insurance and requested an approval specialist with United. So United actually called my Dr office and told them everything they wanted to see. And he oversaw my case from beginning to end. There is help there. Good luck for those still waiting![/quote']

The reason I heard is that insurance companies are putting out a lot of money to save money. For every unsuccessful person, the restrictions get harder. Right now, the success rate is 80% with this surgery. My insurance company has only had to pay for two doctor visits in the past two months compared to metaforman pills, diabetic supplies and sleep apnea extras plus doctor visits. Blue Cross Blue Shield is having a huge success that they drop the 3 month diet, whereas others are having problems with post ops. I think it is the lap band messing things up, but that is just from hearing so many people who are unsuccessful. I try to keep in mind, when I am successful, I help others become healthy.

My psych eval was just conversing with LSW not even a psychiatrist. Asked about things that happened 20 years ago. Seemed a waste of time but required.

I had a psych eval, but it was a 500 question test. You can read about it on my blog and I have pictures of it. I laughed so hard, it took me two hours to finish the test.

Really? I am waiting and thought I could talk to others waiting. Far from "wacko". Thanks.

I hope you don't think I was being snarky or saying this is wacko, because I was not. I would never do that, I was making an analogy. SORRY to have offended you; it was not my intent.

I won't comment again.

I hope you don't think I was being snarky or saying this is wacko' date=' because I was not. I would never do that, I was making an analogy. SORRY to have offended you; it was not my intent.

I won't comment again.[/quote']

I am glad you clarified this. I was confused by the comment. Don't stop posting. All is well

What was your psyche eval like. Did you have to answer a long questionaire or just converse with the psychiatrist?

My psych eval was really easy going. They ask about previous attempts at weightloss, do you exercise, attempts at changing your life style, etc. Probably the most importat thing to say is that you understand that this surgery is a "tool" to help you lose weight. Good Luck!

It's totally the insurance company. I was approved overnight. No diets no hoops. Only surgeons hoops and they clear you through in two four hour appoinents. Hang in there folks!

I had a psych eval' date=' but it was a 500 question test. You can read about it on my blog and I have pictures of it. I laughed so hard, it took me two hours to finish the test.[/quote']

Can you post a link?