I am new here! I didn't know where to begin with this whole process! I called the bariatric center 8/21 and asked them if I could just 'stop by' to get weighed and measured. I figured I needed to know how close I was to meeting the requirements for bc/bs il before I got all excited. They said to come right in! So, I did. I just made the 40 bmi ! They scheduled an appointment for me to meet the surgeon for 9/19. got home, called a recommended pcp and got appointment for the next next 8/22. They weighed and measured ( actually just asked for my height), gave me the ekg,and confirmed the bmi! So relieved! They gave me the orders for the lab work and I will go Monday 8/25 to have blood drawn. I am not sure what happens next, actually, but I will call the center to find out. Nutritionist? Psych eval? Whatever! The ball is rolling and I am hopeful that bcbsil is as good to me as they seem to have been with so many of you! Wow. I had more to say than I even knew. Pardon.

The ball is rolling

longtimecoming

holy moley girlfriend

my head is still spinning

able to go in, get weighed, set up meetings, lab work, surgeon et al..............

doesn't usually happen that quickly!!!

happy things are working out for you

hope insurance approval goes well, and you will get an early DOS

good luck

kathy

Thanks so much! I can't wait to call Monday to find out what I can cross off my list next!!

I am new here! I didn't know where to begin with this whole process! I called the bariatric center 8/21 and asked them if I could just 'stop by' to get weighed and measured. I figured I needed to know how close I was to meeting the requirements for bc/bs il before I got all excited. They said to come right in! So' date=' I did. I just made the 40 bmi ! They scheduled an appointment for me to meet the surgeon for 9/19. got home, called a recommended pcp and got appointment for the next next 8/22. They weighed and measured ( actually just asked for my height), gave me the ekg,and confirmed the bmi! So relieved! They gave me the orders for the lab work and I will go Monday 8/25 to have blood drawn. I am not sure what happens next, actually, but I will call the center to find out. Nutritionist? Psych eval? Whatever! The ball is rolling and I am hopeful that bcbsil is as good to me as they seem to have been with so many of you! Wow. I had more to say than I even knew. Pardon.[/quote']

My process was super fast too. Started in the end of June. Now just waiting on the shrink to submit my paperwork and ill have a date within a week. Good luck to u!

Longtimecoming7 That's great I have just started my journal as well , all I have done was had my consultation , and I have appointments for the psy doctor.your off to a great start.

that is pretty quick. what center did you go to? i also have bcbs of il and my case was submitted on 10/25/12 and was approved on 10/29/12. once you get all the insurance requirements completed then typically the center will send to insurance for approval. then typically the surgeon's office has requirements past that as well. good luck to you!

Congrats! BCBS is pretty quick in the approval process once you've met all your pre-surgical requirements. This process has taken me almost three months. The surgical center said they will submit the paperwork once I have completed my last PCP appt on 3 Sept. I have met all my other pre-surgical requirements so it will just be a matter of paperwork. I am getting all jittery with excitement!

Thanks for the support everyone! I look forward to everyone's updates. I so want to get to the next step!!

Wonderful News for you!! BCBS/Horizon of NJ is pretty much the same. Very fast with approvals. I'm looking at middle of Oct for surgery (hopefully). I've finished everything but the cardiologist appt (9/4 was soonest I could get) NUT & the Psych visit (9/3 & 9/11). Got an appt in the a.m with PCP to sign off... oncologist must also sign off (due to cancer history) appt tomorrow afternoon for that.... All should be finished by middle of September!!

OMG. Update!! Labs are done! Psych appt is 8/28! And I asked the center if they could move up my appoint with the surgeon and they DID! It is now 9/5! I wonder what the surgeon will ask for or if that will be it! Also, the only person who knows I am doing this is my husband. Who did you all tell?

I also am getting started with this process....I have BCBS of MI PPO and since my BMI is >50 I can forgo the 6mo weight loss program.....I went to a seminar August 5th and I also have my psych eval on the 29th followed by an appointment for medical eval and with the nut on the 30th! Excited but nervous at the same time. So far my husband, mom, dad, sister, brother in law, and a few really close friends are aware! For the most part everyone has been super supportive but there are a few I wish I wouldnt have told. now communication just seems awkward like they don't know what to say around me.....I am still going to be the same person after this is all said in done just a healthier version.....I figure if they don't want to be supportive of my decision they don't deserve a place in my life! I am hoping that all goes good this week and my preop appointment gets scheduled within the first two weeks in september! Would love to have this done before thanksgiving:) Already met my deductible for the year so might as well:) Good luck to you this week! Hope all goes well!

I started in June. My bmi is 43%. I made sure everything was done before my surgeon apt and in 3 days had my approval. Started my 2 week liquid diet today surgery the 10th and I have been open about the surgery so people will tell u it is wrong but do what is right for u good luck !!

Also' date=' the only person who knows I am doing this is my husband. Who did you all tell?[/quote']

I have only told my parents and my best friend. My siblings don't even know. I only told my parents because I needed one of them at the hospital after surgery. This has been a highly personal decision. I didn't want to have to justify it beforehand. I am sure I will tell more people once its done.

Look at us just moving things right along!! Telling people is a weird thing. I don't like to answer questions about anything! My husband may have trouble getting off from work over the next couple of months, due to the nature of his business. This puts me in a position where I do not want to be and that is telling my mother! My mom would be supportive, I am sure of it because she had wls about 10 years ago. The trouble is, she would be telling everybody!! Ugh! Wish I could go alone!!

OMG. Update!! Labs are done! Psych appt is 8/28! And I asked the center if they could move up my appoint with the surgeon and they DID! It is now 9/5! I wonder what the surgeon will ask for or if that will be it! Also, the only person who knows I am doing this is my husband. Who did you all tell?

I told my folks and siblings..two of my friends...and my neighbor because she had it done..and will be a great help.

Newest pre-op Update! Today I met with the surgeon. Nice fellow! He said the surgery take about an hour. I told him I had time this afternoon, but he didn't go for it! Go figure!

I wasn't really sure about what exactly was expected of me, but from there I saw the NUT, then the insurance girl, then the nurse. The nurse filled in the blanks ( first I had to give more blood and pee in a cup)

This is what is left:

2 more group meetings (a total of 3 is expected) already scheduled these 9/6, 9/18

Endoscopy (ew) scheduled 9/13

1 Nut appointment. Schedule 9/18

Physical therapy scheduled 9/13

Soooo, by the 18 th, I will have jumped through all of the hoops!

2 big concerns!!

#1: I HAVE TO LOSE 10lbs before they schedule . I told the NUT I'd do that by next week!

#2: I HAVE TO QUIT SMOKING!!!! I got a prescription!

Easy peasy