My Husband and I go to the Seminar on Dec 17th 2013. I already knew before going that I wanted the gastric bypass. At that time I never even heard of the sleeve I did learn of the sleeve at the Seminar but still leaning toward the bypass. The Seminar lasted a few hours they go over a lot. I know several people that have had gastric bypass and one person who has had the lap band. So I know a lot already. ... anyhow. At the end of the seminar they give you a pamphlet and tell you to contact your insurance company since everyone is different. I needed to find out what exactly my requirements are from my insurance co.

1st was a 3 month medically supervised diet.

2nd was that I had a BMI of : either 40 or 35 with co morbidities.

3rd was note from my PCP.

4th was that I have a note from a Psychiatrist.

My 1st Appt with the surgeon was also set up at this time for Jan 23rd. On Jan 4th I had an appt with my PCP for refills on some scripts so while I was there I just asked her if she would write me a note saying I would benefit from WLS and she did.... so one requirement down!

The very next night Jan 5th my BP shot up to 186/98 and I started having some chest pains. My Husband took me to the ER and they admitted me. They ran several tests. EKG, chest X-ray the whole nine yards. They didn't find anything. I followed up with a specialist and was told it was probably gas... right?

Jan 15th I see my Psychiatrist for my ADHD, while I a visiting him I ask if he can write a note saying I am good to go for WLS. He does. Yeah!! another requirement down!!

My BMI is 37ish I also have the co morbidities. (main requirement)

I had done a medically supervised diet for exactly 3 months just last year. June, July and Aug. When I did this diet I had no thoughts of surgery. I was really trying to lose weight. Those horrible pills. (Phentermine) The first month I lost 20lbs. The second month I lost nothing. The third month I lost nothing. That's when I said forget it. The pills aren't worth it. So I gained the 20lbs I lost back and then some.

After that let down and some serious thinking I decided I would try and see if I would qualify for surgery.

My 1st Dr visit Jan 23rd. I bring in ALL my paperwork. My note from my PCP, the note from my Psychiatrist, the paperwork from my 3 month medically supervised diet. I talk with the Dr. and we decide on the sleeve. This is what I want. No question about it. I am ready. I am told I need an EKG and a chest X-ray. I ask if the one from the Jan 5th ER visit would be ok and they said yes so I had to fax that over.... All I had to do was some blood work. I went across the street and had that done.

Everything was turned into the insurance company on Jan 24th.

My phone rang on Monday Jan 27th. I thought for sure she was going to say it was denied.... when she said APROVED. I cried.

My surgery date is 3/3/14 .... This is my Journey

Congratulations, we share the same surgery date. I wish you a speedy recovery and I will see you "Losers Bench"

Congrats on your surgery date.

My surgery date is 3/3/14 .... This is my Journey

Two.Penguins

insurance frequently takes forever to approve

some people have gone through appeals et al - and are still denied

then they must go the self pay route

glad it worked out well for you

my one BIG regret concerning my surgery was that i never kept a diary/blog of all the ins and outs prior to WLS - during - and then the forever after records

its a great thing to do - you are off to win the pulitzer

march 3 - monday - surgery!!!!

OMG thats right around the corner

good luck

speedy recovery

kathy

Edited February 25, 201412 yr by proudgrammy

Yes, I am very excited. I am new here. No clue how I posted several of the same post and can't figure out how to delete them either. Oh well. I'm a goof. Surgery is a week away!!

Congrats to you

I too was fortunate and got a super fast response. Your on your way post here often there's loads of support here.

You will figure out the site we all make mistakes especially speling ha,ha, spelling.

Good Luck on your journey...wow that was quick to get approved

Two Penguins, everything has fallen in to place quite nicely which means that it all must be meant to be. You certainly got through the process very quickly so consider yourself quite fortunate. Good luck and have a safe surgery.

That's an awesomely fast process! My surgery is March 12th. Good luck!

It's wonderful how everything fell into place so well. Gotta love it!

Best wishes to you for the upcoming procedure and your healthier life thereafter!

My surgery is the 3rd also. I had some problems with my PCP giving me problems. But I hope you're doing better on the pre-op diet than I am.

I am definitely struggling with the pre surgery diet... The 1st few days I was sick on top of starting the diet. That was no fun. I am over the headaches and weakness. I still get hungry but I am getting there. I have support from a great husband. I feel very blessed all the way around.

Hi Good luck on your surgery! I just had my surgery Feb 21 and feel fine. The pre surgery diet was harder for me. I had some complications with the insurance and had to re - do everything before they approved me. Hang in there!

Yeah this is the first day of my preop diet and I've felt nauseated all day.. Thinks it's from the vitamins...