I finally got the nerve up to call back the people from the WLSC... I had signed up for a seminar, taken an online survey, and asked for more info.. several times, but always chickened out when they called me.....

Well yesterday I called them back and tomorrow I have a consult appointment, they faxed a boatload of paperwork to me to fill out and have ready.

I will then have the road to insurance approval. Even if I don't have insurance approval, they offer a self pay price of 17,500 for EVERYTHING including the consult and a year of unlimited fills.........

I am nervous about having foreign objects in my body, but I don't want to go the gastric bypass route. I have 2 close friends that went that route and both have done wonderful, but I know it is not for me...... They both say it is the best thing they ever did.... one is about 4 years post op and the other one is 2 years post op.. both started out well over 300lbs and both lost well over 100 lbs.......

Anyway.. I just wanted to post an intro, and thank everyone for all the info.:girl_hug:

I hope to be a bandster in 2007!

Tracy

263.8/263.8/149;)

Will do! Saw your post over at the Malley forum, I use the same screen name and pic over there too.

I'm so excited for you... you'll be in band land before you know it

I'm home with my little guy today and I decided to check my work email while he is down for a nap.. and LOOKEEE AT WHAT WAS WAITING FOR ME!

Hello Tracy,

Good News, BCBS has approved you for the procedure and a letter is on its way. So Congratulations!!!!!! As far as scheduling you for surgery, we have to have the approval letter in hand before scheduling. Allow at least one week for us to get this letter. They just called me today regarding the approval so that usually means the letter will go out today or the next couple days. Once we receive the letter, Nikki will call you to schedule. FYI: We are getting overwhelmed with approvals right now and Nikki schedules surgeries in the order she receives the approval letters ( to be fair ), so it may take her a couple days after receiving the letter to call you and there may be a wait on surgery. I know we had talked about this before, but I’m just letting all of my patients with approvals know the situation. Congratulations!!!

Rachel

IF I COULD DANCE A LICK>>>> I WOULD BE "BUSTIN A MOVE" RIGHT NOW!!!!

Awsome. Congrats!

Yea, Tracy!!!! Man, you moved this along. I bet you set some sort of record for getting insurance approval this fast.

I really hope you can get banded in February with me. If not, I'll have to read the March bandsters to keep up on your progress.

I can't dance either but my Irish side is doin' a little jig in your honor!

Sharon

Just for grins, I logged on to my Insurance Member website to see if they had added any info about my approval.. and low and behold IT WAS THERE... all in black and white, but do you see the typo???? Its also there in black and white...... hint.. Authorization Period.. 12/31/2007 to 01/01/2008..... YEAH RIGHT!

(THIS IS WHY.. I'm a HUGE proponent of employees logging IN to their insurance websites) Better to be PRO-Active rather than RE-Active!

Here is the information about the entry you chose:

Authorization Number: 07xxxxxxxxxxx2

Authorization Status: APPROVED

Authorization Period: 12/31/2007 to 01/01/2008

Rendering Provider: MENORAH MEDICAL CENTER

Service Location: INPATIENT HOSPITAL

Facility: MENORAH MEDICAL CENTER

Days: 001

Authorization Status: APPROVED

Authorization Period: 01/10/2007 to 01/10/2007

Rendering Provider: YOUR PROVIDER

Service Location: INPATIENT HOSPITAL

Service: 43770 LAPAROSCOPY, SURGICAL, GASTRIC RESTRICTI

Units: 001

Go Tracy! Go Tracy! Go Tracy! Congrats- I am hoping you get scheduled in February! I had my appt. yesterday and my surgery is scheduled for Feb. 23rd!! Woo-Hoo!!! Can you believe we are on our way! Sha-zam!

Mary

Congratulations Tracy!! I hope they have good news for you soon on your surgery date. Keep us all posted! Woohoo!!!! :clap2:

Thanks everyone! I will keep posting my updates.. hopefully it will help someone. :rose: (mainly it helps my sanity to put it down)

Congrats Tracy! You are sooooooooo close now!!!!!! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers You should have a date in no time at all. I am finally in band land. I had my surgery on the 30th and went home yesterday(31st). So far so good- just the gas pains. Anyway, I can't wait until you join me on this side. Keep me posted-Gigi

TGIF... although now it's nearly Saturday.. I'm up all by myself in the house reading this board updating my blog on myspace and just dreaming of being actually banded.

Everyone on here that has given me support and posted with surgery updates and kudos.. has been INVALUABLE to me. No one in my real life can REALLY understand what I'm going through emotionaly.. my MOM could if she let herself, but she stays carefully away from this subject because I think, SHE thinks, I think less of her for not being brave enough to make this choice.... but I don't think less of her.. I love her.. and it is HER choice...

Anyway.. I am patiently trying bide my time while the approval letter gets to the mail box of the scheduler at the surgeons office.... I vowed NOT to blow her email box up with requests... I know it is just a matter of time now....

Many of you have stated that you check up on me for updates... and so I'm posting this one .... STILL NO SCHEDULING NEWS.... bummer, but its coming.

Have a great weekend!

TGIF... although now it's nearly Saturday.. I'm up all by myself in the house reading this board updating my blog on myspace and just dreaming of being actually banded.

Everyone on here that has given me support and posted with surgery updates and kudos.. has been INVALUABLE to me. No one in my real life can REALLY understand what I'm going through emotionaly.. my MOM could if she let herself, but she stays carefully away from this subject because I think, SHE thinks, I think less of her for not being brave enough to make this choice.... but I don't think less of her.. I love her.. and it is HER choice...

Anyway.. I am patiently trying bide my time while the approval letter gets to the mail box of the scheduler at the surgeons office.... I vowed NOT to blow her email box up with requests... I know it is just a matter of time now....

Many of you have stated that you check up on me for updates... and so I'm posting this one .... STILL NO SCHEDULING NEWS.... bummer, but its coming.

Have a great weekend!

Hi Tracy- I am so glad that you posted. I've been thinking about you. I am praying that you get your date soon. I know that it will be sometime this month. I have so much enjoyed your posts. As for me, I was banded on 1/30 and am doing better. I had a tough 2nd day with gas pains in my chest and abdomen. The heating pad really helped as did the gasx. Now,4 days post-band, I feel pretty good. My husband is away from today til Tues. I don't know what I am going to do without him. He has been so helpful with my 4 kids. Anyway, I am sure that I'll manage. Have a great weekend. I'll be waiting to hear from you- Hugs-Gigi:)

Hang in there, Tracy. I bet you get your date this week!

You know the approval letter is on its way!! Thats a major accomplishment for all the hard work you've put into this!! I'm so proud of you for being relentless in your pursuit!

Congratulations!! I'll be anxiously awaiting word for your surgery date!!

You've been a great inspiration for me...THANK YOU!!!

Mary

It's Monday, and I went home at lunch to check my mail box, and the approval letter WAS THERE!

However, I'm a little concerned.... they do list the 12/31/2007 date, and they DID NOT send a copy to my doctor, instead they sent it to the HOSPITAL. I called my surgeon and they told me to fax it over...... I did

We shall see.............. maybe if I hold my teeth just right I will get a call today! :biggrin1:

Thanks to everyone who is out there in cyber land rooting me on!

Woo hooo!!

A letter in hand is worth ....well, a surgery date!!!

I'll be checking here often for the date!!

Congratulations once again!!