Starting the journey on April 13th 8am..I am in the parking lot of my local Bariatrics surgeon office waiting for it to open. Today is the initial seminar. Today is the beginning of my journey. Will insurance cover? Will I have 6 month waiting period? Stay tuned...

Edited April 14, 201610 yr by Killian

Awesome. I was there a little over a year ago myself. Good luck!

So, while there the staff informs me that I need a referral. Why..in the name of all that is holy was I not made aware of this??

If they just would have told me, I couls have taken care of it. Grrr

So, I called my PCP and since I have not seen him in 6 years, he is no longer my PCP. Double Grrr.

Called the practice and now have an appoint for today in little less then an hour with a new PCP. Hope he can give me the referral I need so then I can drop it off before the Bariatics staff goes home tonight. I don't want today not to count towards my 4 month pre op.

Edited April 13, 201610 yr by Killian

Went to the appointment. Got the referral. Brought it to the Bariatrics place...not the right referral. WTF!?? Need an insurance referral...NOT a doctor referral.

Ummm...how about somebody in office just tell me what they need and I will get it.

It is going to be a looong journey.

Edited April 13, 201610 yr by Killian

Went to the appointment. Got the referral. Brought it to the Bariatrics place...not the right referral. WTF!?? Need an insurance referral...NOT a doctor referral.

Ummm...how about somebody in office just tell me what they need and I will get it.

It is going to be a looong journey.

You should call your insurance and see what the coverage and requirements are for WLS. Insurance calls the shots in this process. Bariatric offices should be familiar, but you should know first hand. You may also be able to view the medical policy online.

Your PCP probably needs to request a referral through the insurance. Call Member Services for your plan and get exact details of what's needed. BTW - your Surgeon's office should have been more specific and more helpful!

Went to the appointment. Got the referral. Brought it to the Bariatrics place...not the right referral. WTF!?? Need an insurance referral...NOT a doctor referral.

Ummm...how about somebody in office just tell me what they need and I will get it.

It is going to be a looong journey.

You should call your insurance and see what the coverage and requirements are for WLS. Insurance calls the shots in this process. Bariatric offices should be familiar, but you should know first hand. You may also be able to view the medical policy online.

@@dhrguru Thanks for the reply. Before I made the appointment I did call my insurance company because I did not want to waste my time at the seminar. I was told by my insurance company they cover all 3 procedures and have a 4 month supervised diet period. I wish the representative on the phone would have said..."before you go you need a referral" Would have given me a week to get one.

Edited April 14, 201610 yr by Killian

Your PCP probably needs to request a referral through the insurance. Call Member Services for your plan and get exact details of what's needed. BTW - your Surgeon's office should have been more specific and more helpful!

@@KristenLe could not agree more. After I hand delivered the wrong referral the nice staff woman saw the frustration and took the problem head on. She made some calls. Greased the wheels. Used industry jargon to whomever she was talkong to on the phone. It was nice to see. So as mad as I was, it seems they are going above and beyond to correct this. That was yesterday 5 pm April 13th so not much could be done. I will find out more this morning. They are caling me around 10am with a status update.

Edited April 14, 201610 yr by Killian

Am chuckling here.

For a guy who wasn't going to have WLS, you are certainly ready to do it yesterday now.

Actually, I was JUST like you -- could not WAIT! I actually got so sick of waiting around for everything to happen that I put myself on a 1400 calorie/day diet and lost 11 pounds in a couple of months pre-op.

In fact (don't tell anyone!) I started sticking half-pound weights in my pockets, bra, underwear, etc. at my pre-op visits so I wouldn't trigger any "she's not fat enough" bells that would stop me from having WLS.

It all worked out.

And now, nearly two years later, I barely remember those frantic weeks and months of just wanting to be already sleeved.

It will be OK for you, too.

Am chuckling here.

For a guy who wasn't going to have WLS, you are certainly ready to do it yesterday now.

Actually, I was JUST like you -- could not WAIT! I actually got so sick of waiting around for everything to happen that I put myself on a 1400 calorie/day diet and lost 11 pounds in a couple of months pre-op.

In fact (don't tell anyone!) I started sticking half-pound weights in my pockets, bra, underwear, etc. at my pre-op visits so I wouldn't trigger any "she's not fat enough" bells that would stop me from having WLS.

It all worked out.

And now, nearly two years later, I barely remember those frantic weeks and months of just wanting to be already sleeved.

It will be OK for you, too.

Holy $ h ! t that is funny. Never thought of that. I dont wear panties and I don't need a bra yet, but carrying weights so I dont loose too much is such a great idea- I am annoyed I did not think of it myself! So gonna do that if I need too...don't wanna loose the insurance coverage! Lol

Edited April 15, 201610 yr by Killian

Thank you, @@Killian .

I am *very* goal-oriented.

April 15 11:20 AM: got a phone call this moring from surgeon office..the insurance referral came in!! Whoo hoo.

Now I can start the pre op diet...

Edited April 15, 201610 yr by Killian

Day 1 of the Pre Op diet. They got me on 2 protein shakes a day, 1 for breakfast, 1 for lunch and a high protein dinner.

SW: 263

Good luck

~Jenn~

Surgery date 5/18/16

@@applejenn thanks!

So Day 1 already small bump in the road. A good friend at work went out and bought me my usual bagel and coffee for breakfast without even asking! Swell guy..means well..I took it, said thank you..and gonna ask around if anyone wants it before I toss it out.

The picture shows the free bagel on the right and the Protein shake in the cup on the left. Decisions decisions....

I gave the bagel away and drank the Protein Shake.

Edited April 18, 201610 yr by Killian