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Hi everyone! I'm just officially starting my WLS journey and my insurance has been pretty vague with myself and the doctors office. I called before I signed up for my seminar and they wouldn't tell me if gastric sleeve was covered or not. Then once my doctors office called before my first consultation, they wouldn't tell them if I have to go to 3 or 6 months of classes. So now we're going to try 3 and submit , and then I may have to do 3 more. Do any of you have issues with them being wishy washy? I also get different answers to questions (no matter the subject) every time I call.

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I have bcbc of nc and I didn't have to go to any classes.already approved from insurance.

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That's good to know! Maybe I'll try and call tomorrow and see what they say. Although, it's different every time anyway. :/

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Can you go on the website and see?or check the book of benefits?

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I haven't been able to.find good detailed info on our site. It's capital blue cross and blue shield. And the book is just the same.

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They should have online access to your policy coverage without needing a user name and password. At least BCBS of IL does. They required 6 month NUT, Psych counseling and such. My BMI is 40.3 with no other health complications and I got approved in 3 business days. Good luck.

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They should have online access to your policy coverage without needing a user name and password. At least BCBS of IL does. They required 6 month NUT, Psych counseling and such. My BMI is 40.3 with no other health complications and I got approved in 3 business days. Good luck.

Wait, I just saw you're in MO, I'm in STL, do you have BCBS of IL?

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I have BCBS of Illinois and I had to have a psych eval, approval from the surgeon and a few check ins with the doctor and dieticians. I had called prior to starting this process to the insurance company just for peace of mind.

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I called them today and they still couldn't tell me if I was required classes or not. Just that I have to have medical clearance from my pcp, a phsyc eval and proof of my weight for the last two years. But i already know about those requirements. Looks like I'll try to submit after my third class.

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I have BCBS of Texas, and I only had to have a certain BMI, a psy eval, and one nutritionist visit and I was approved.

I know each BCBS is different, hope this helps.

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I had BCBS when I started the process. They covered the sleeve and required 6 months. When I called the guy who answered the phone had no idea what was going on. Ask your surgeon for the billing code and maybe that will help you to get a better answer.

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bcbs Alaska. 6 month consecutive months documented weight management psychiatric visit just one Made sure they got all the info they have a great case management department that helped tremendously. If your company has one use them. First time in 30

Years I really liked dealing with insurance company.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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