Hello all, I am new here. My PCP broached the subject of bariatric surgery recently. I am pretty interested. Has anyone dealt with this insurance company recently and bariatric surgery? When I called they told me the first step is to do 12 months of a documented weight loss program before anything else related to surgery. Timing wise, I found this a bit discouraging- as I have time intensive goals next september. Anyone have experience going through Horizon NJ Health? Thanks.

Hey guys, I"ve been updating in a Dec '13 thread here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/283805-december-2013-sleevers-come-in/?view=getnewpost

I was sleeved Monday. Came home yesterday. Dr. Neff and Kennedy Stratford staff are wonderful. Things are going well, thank God. I've progressed to full liquids. I'm able to get in 4 ounces in half an hour of my yummy Myology chocolate shake, made with milk. Not a problem. I hope it keeps going so well.

How is everyone else?

Hey all, I'm scheduled for January 27th with Dr Neff at Kennedy in Stratford...super excited!!

But I do have one little issue I'm hoping u guys can give me some advise on....I know it's a terrible habit but I'm having such a hard time quitting smoking I did the Chantix thing, it was terrible! Now I'm using the patch but I still have the urge...any suggestions? I don't want my surgery being cancelled because of my negligence and I really am trying but this is such a stupid, addictive habit! I hate it!!

But I do have one little issue I'm hoping u guys can give me some advise on....I know it's a terrible habit but I'm having such a hard time quitting smoking I did the Chantix thing, it was terrible! Now I'm using the patch but I still have the urge...any suggestions? I don't want my surgery being cancelled because of my negligence and I really am trying but this is such a stupid, addictive habit! I hate it!!

First, welcome aboard! Dr. Neff is the best, I just got home from my first post op visit with him.

As for quitting smoking, I know it's hard, I quit myself in 2007. I heard a statistic that the average person tries to quit seven times before they succeed. I would suggest making a pros and cons list to continuing to smoke. I would look at all the costs: health, money, etc to quitting. Then I would resolve myself to stop on the basis of these considerations alone.

You can choose to not smoke. It's so important for your surgery, definitely for your recovery, and even your long term life. You don't have a lot of time. You need to dig deep and do this! Cold turkey if you must. You can do it, it is just difficult. Let 2014 be the year you change your health in two ways!

Thxs thick'n..I must have just missed u cause I got outta his office today around 5pm lol...but yes, I'm def gonna put my best foot forward & do this! I've come to far to turn back now!! This is the last pack of cigarettes I'm ever going to buy damn it!!! Wish me luck!

I left his office at 3:30 and came back at 4:30 to pick up Vitamins I had left by accident! lol

You can do it. Don't leave quitting as an option. Find your resolve and no matter what do not waver! Chew celery and carrots if you must. Take a walk, do some mediation, deep breathing, call a friend, take a nap- something! You do not need to smoke. It will get easier soon.

hello everyone! im new to this forum and semi new to the bariatric experience and joined because of the great discussion here.

I am in northern nj and have horizon nj health, plan a *thanks to obamacare*. I qualify for transportation to and from bariatric appointments...which is a huge plus, as with plan d I did not. I first set up bariatric surgery in mid 2012 and was set to have my gastric sleeve done in march 2013. but in nov 2012 I found myself pregnant (my adorable baby is now 5 months old) and I had to postpone surgery.

now, its 2014 and in addition to seeing more doctors accepting HNJHealth...I also see more offices. my original appointments were with a doctor in east orange...but his bedside manner was so rude I have since forgotten his name!!! I can't remember it for the life of me. then I switched to dr. greenbaum at virtua in Willingboro nj...awesome doctor...very no nonsense, one of the first physicians in nj to perform bariatric surgeries...etc. I only had the pre screening appointment with them however before I realized I was pregnant.

but now I am considering switching doctors as I am really starting ALL over again from scratch. I see dr. marc Neff has moved (he was further south at one point) and now dr. Goldstein takes horizon nj health. I am looking into nj bariatrics in springfield. if they accept horizon nj health as stated by a member above...then I am going there because springfield is definitely the closest.

when I first started my journey the five year history wasn't a requirement. just a 3 month history of weight loss effort with the current surgeon and your pcp. that has changed but everything else seems the same.

I just have one question: how does everyone get to their appointments? with plan a of HNJHealth I qualify for transportation. but as mommy to an infant I have to bring my little one along as well as my husband. I am not sure if transportation is provided for the patient only or if they can ride with me. has anyone used their transport service to get to and from appointments?

I hope to make new friends here and be a huge help as well as get help *and I already have to be honest!* I look forward to discussing with everyone here and others.

Edited January 6, 201412 yr by mrsbailey921

Hello, Good to meet you. I don't know about the transportation issues but good luck to you!

hi thick n thin and thanks! I am happy to report after MUCH digging and research I have found a doctor in northern nj (NOT my previous doctor) in Hudson county who performs bariatric surgery and accepts HNJHealth. His name is dr. jordan garrison. I do not have to leave my city for my surgery! 1/15 I have my seminar appointment and we will take it from there. I am so excited!

Edited January 18, 201412 yr by mrsbailey921

hi thick n thin and thanks! I am happy to report after MUCH digging and research I have found a doctor in northern nj (NOT my previous doctor) in Hudson county who performs bariatric surgery and accepts HNJHealth. His name is dr. jordan garrison. I do not have to leave my city for my surgery! 1/15 I have my seminar appointment and we will take it from there. I am so excited!

Hi! I also have Horizon Nj Health. I am going for my consult on the 28th with Dr. Neff (yay!). Just curious about what the insurance company requirements for the surgery are. Do the require 3, 6, or 12 months? And any other medical requirements? Thanks!

How long did it take previous sleevers for approval from bcbs?

Does anyone have Amerihealth nj or went to Dr. Rohit Patel in Willingboro?

Hi! I also have Horizon Nj Health. I am going for my consult on the 28th with Dr. Neff (yay!). Just curious about what the insurance company requirements for the surgery are. Do the require 3, 6, or 12 months? And any other medical requirements? Thanks!

They no longer require a supervused diet at all. I could have been sleeved in as little as a month and a half if my schedule would have allowed it. There's medical and psychiatric clearance is required between the insurance company and the doctor.

Thank you so much! Did you have any trouble with them approving the surgery? Which surgeon did you go to? I don't have any co-morbidities that I know of (aside from chronic asthma). I hope they don't give me too much trouble. It's so hard to find info about Horizon NJ Health online. I appreciate any other info you have/think I should know. I just had my consult last week with Dr. Neff. I feel like there's so much I need to know and forget to ask!

hi thick n thin and thanks! I am happy to report after MUCH digging and research I have found a doctor in northern nj (NOT my previous doctor) in Hudson county who performs bariatric surgery and accepts HNJHealth. His name is dr. jordan garrison. I do not have to leave my city for my surgery! 1/15 I have my seminar appointment and we will take it from there. I am so excited!

Hi! I also have Horizon Nj Health. I am going for my consult on the 28th with Dr. Neff (yay!). Just curious about what the insurance company requirements for the surgery are. Do the require 3, 6, or 12 months? And any other medical requirements? Thanks!

do they require 3, 6 or 12 months of what?