I have been waiting for this surgery now and it is finally (fingers crossed) going to happen this time.

I tried this 10 years ago, when I was 23, but was completely NOT NOT NOT emotionally ready psychologically to handle Bariatric Surgery.

A little under two years ago I had a great friend have the sleeve performed, and watched her through her success and decided to try again.

Since October I have be EXTREMELY Hypervigilant and OCD about doing it and doing it RIGHT.

Everything was great, all my tests and exams, evaluations, lab after lab, etc had come back and I was in the.schedule (after harassing the patient advocate/ billing specialist). I literally know that I could have done her job better than her under anesthesia and blindfolded!

She was thee biggest idiot I have ever met, and I did most if the leg work myself. I am on disability, and one of the reasons is extreme anxiety/ ADHD/ OCD, so I know a thing or two about double checking, asking questions, keeping track of all paperwork, so on and so fourth ( in my working days I had a high stress job, so it was all too familiar depending on only yourself to get things done).

I had all my pre op and post op food, done my final pre op appt with the nurse, surgeon, and dietician (whom asked me to personally come back and help newbies in support because I knew it like the back of my hand..it made me blush) meds, exercise plans, gone to all support groups, talked with friends who had this done, down to the outfit and hospital bag.

Fasted for two weeks, lost 28 lbs, and was geeked.

Less than 24 hours until I was to check in for surgery, the PA, called and said there was an insurance issue, and if I could not resolve it, my surgery would go on but I would have to sigh a finance waiver, stating that if the insurance company did not pick up the tab, that I would be responsible for the WHOLE $45k BEFORE I left the hospital?! I seriously asked her if she was kidding, and in her smug and condensing tone said nope.

This call was placed to me at 2:45 pm, and the insurance carrier was on the east coast!

I called they were closed and reopened at 5am AZ time. I made 17 phone calls all the way up until 15 minutes before I absolutely had to leave for check in at the hospital.

I was livid.

I come to find out two HUGE errors on my surgeons office's part.

Doctor was great, nurse was great, dietician was great, PA/ billing was a moron.

#1. No one informed me, and I asked COUNTLESS times that even though.I had Medicare,because my husband works and we have commerical insurance that HIS ,not mine, becomes Primary!

#2 They were no longer a center of excellence as of 2013 (lost it end of 2012) ,and had they kicked their asses into gear I would have been grandfathered in, but sadly no, and I was turned down again!

I cried for about and hour after I threw my binders (yes mulitple) across the room, picked myself up and got down to business again finding a new surgeon.

I have two local friends who had Bariatric Roux-en-Y, performed, by a great Dr, Dr. Hilario Juarez of St. Luke's Phoenix, and told me to start there.

Their staff Aisha Jones, Mary Banks, Ashley, the Doc, everyone has been Awesome and although they had few more requirements, have made this as flawless as possible, and Surgery is scheduled June 3rd, with last pre op check and testing this Thursday.

The only I am not looking forward to is the ABG test (I keep asking why as it has not been ordered by my Pulmonolgist), but if this is the last hurdle so be it!

I CANNOT wait! Fast is going great, just ready to be done, back home and ready to start this next chapter of healthy living!

Yeah, I started a few months ago. I've yet to meet anyone really. I live in East Mesa, feel free to pm or whatever. I came here to look for support and learn about others experiences. I'm scared but excited, it seems like since I got my date and approval letter the days are flying by! I'll definitely keep you in my prayers! Good luck!

Seems like it is common. I was going to Banner Gateway. I got everything done but egd. They called ins for authorization and it was a no go. Apparently banner is a center of excellence but not a center of blue distinction. Insurance is anthem bcbs. They told me st luke or scottsdale bariatric. When i called them they didnt know they were a center of blue distinction. I have googled centers of blue distinction and their name came up. You would think they would know. You would have thought when banner first called to find out my benefits someone could have told them.

So now I'm having all records transferred. Hurry up and wait!

Seems like it is common. I was going to Banner Gateway. I got everything done but egd. They called ins for authorization and it was a no go. Apparently banner is a center of excellence but not a center of blue distinction. Insurance is anthem bcbs. They told me st luke or scottsdale bariatric. When i called them they didnt know they were a center of blue distinction. I have googled centers of blue distinction and their name came up. You would think they would know. You would have thought when banner first called to find out my benefits someone could have told them.

So now I'm having all records transferred. Hurry up and wait!

I started at Banner gateway too. But the Dr. spent 10 minutes with me, for $465, I would have thought I'd get more. Then I switched jobs, and researched my insurance options and went with UHC and have been very happy with my decision, I like Dr. Juarez, he spent around 45 minutes with me going over everything and I have known a few to use him and they look amazing. It sucks you have to wait, but when you get your date, it'll be worth it.

The wait don't bother me as much as the Unknown. So have you gone to your 202 class yet? And how long do we have to do the liquid diet after post opt?

I feel your pain. I feel like everywhere I go I end up dealing with an idiot!! Last Thursday was my preop visit at the hospital and they were missing med recs. And the nurse starts calling my PCP. Hello..... The surgeon ordered everything and his office will be more proactive about getting the records over! Needless to say, I ended up on my cell phone as I was getting blood drawn and my paperwork was there in 5 minutes.

This is one of many issues I've had on my journey. Getting sleeved tomorrow! Woo hoo

I feel your pain. I feel like everywhere I go I end up dealing with an idiot!! Last Thursday was my preop visit at the hospital and they were missing med recs. And the nurse starts calling my PCP. Hello..... The surgeon ordered everything and his office will be more proactive about getting the records over! Needless to say' date=' I ended up on my cell phone as I was getting blood drawn and my paperwork was there in 5 minutes.

This is one of many issues I've had on my journey. Getting sleeved tomorrow! Woo hoo[/quote']

I wish you great success and a speedy recovery!

So I saw my 2nd surgeon. They got all my paperwork from last surgeon. So now it's wait on insurance authorization.