Questions I need help answering

[Big Opie 32]

Currently I am in absolute freak out mode! I have my final visit before I submit everything to insurance on July 2nd, and I am losing my mind!! Actually psyching myself out is the better terminology.

I have BCBSMN, and am wondering if anyone else out there has it as well.

I'am trying to find out overall (doesn't matter what plan you have) How long did it take to get approved after you had submitted all the information to the insurance? Did anyone get denied, if so, how long did the appeal process take?

What surgery did you have? How was the pain level? Anything you can compare the pain of post op to? What was your diet like post-op? Did anyone skip the liquid stage, pureed stage, and go straight to soft foods out of the hospital?

How long were you out of work, and what type of work did you do? (I work at a call center and do a lot of sitting *I'm worried about blood clots because I only get two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch*) Do I need to get a doctors note to get up and walk around more then what my breaks are?

Any advise, suggestions, or ANYTHING helps! Please help me ease my mind!

[TLW 163]

Don't freak out! I have BCBSVT, so I am sure it is similar. As long as you have completed the 6 month required doctor/ nutritionist visits, had your psych evaluation, and any other test your doctor requires you should not be denied. It took about 3 1/2 weeks for me to get my letter. The one difference is my Bariatric doctors office sent all info to the insurance to make sure everything was completed correctly. You should be able to search BCBSMN Bariatric Policy and it will tell you all you need to know.

I had the RNY on May 28. I chose RNY over sleeve, because the sleeve is still new and so many people seem to get the sleeve and then end up having the RNY anyway. Of course it hurt some, but you are going to have pain killers in the hospital, and will be given some for when you leave. I used them for 3 days only. The main thing is walk, walk, walk! Luckily my husband was with me so I walked the hospital halls every two hours.

The pre op diet was the worst, after surgery was a breeze because you don't really feel like eating. It is very hard to get all your Water and Protein in at the beginning, but by week 3 it gets easier. Trust me you will want to skip food stages, especially the puréed/ soft to regular food but don't. You want to be gentle on your new stomach so it can heal and you do not want to stretch your new pouch.

In regards to work, you will lose energy at the beginning because of less food, surgery and recovery. Personally I was not worth anything for the first 10 days. I slept most of the first five, so I would recommend taking 2 weeks off. You should be given louvenox ( blood thinner shot) to use for ten days after surgery to prevent blood clots. So you should have no worry there.

Good luck and just keep your mind on the end result you want. In 4'weeks I have lost 30 pounds.

Edited June 28, 2015 by TLW

[ashley2011 1]

I also have bcbsmn. I had the 6 month medical supervised diet to, but my question is. I am on month 4 of 6 .. Will my surgeon give,me a day for surgery before I finish or will he make me wait .

[HappyValleyHappy 48]

Ashley, you will probably have to wait but as soon as the final hoop has been hurdled it should go very fast.

After my final NUT visit the paperwork was submitted the next day and I got approval 2 days later and was in surgery in 8 days.

I'm 18 days post and doing so well I'm truly surprised.

[TXMissy 211]

I have bcbsil and everything went well except the final approval that I had to wait almost 4 weeks for. I was so disappointed, but it gave me a little extra time to prep the mind.

[WithanH77 3]

I can not address the ins/approval situation because mine was super quick through UHC. I had surgery 7/7, pain was moderate to sever the first day, the next 2 days in hospital it was not bad pain was medium. 4 days out it was low and by a week I didn't need pain meds. My surgeon has me on a step up plan for food and I am following it to the letter. (Scared of getting something stuck). I did liquid, full liquid and I get to add eggs and mashed potatoes tomorrow.

Good luck!!!!