HI EVERYONE! Now don't think I'm weird but I've always been curious about the step by step process of WLS. From first starting the process to it actually happening.

This was how it happened for me. Important fact, I have BCBSIL PPO+ and I went to the University of Chicago.

May 22 - Decide I was serious about VSG. Found Blue Distention Hospital, UofC and called.

May 23 - Online seminar

May 30 - Appointment with PCP requested recommendation letter. Also PCP did full blood workup.

June 3 - Appointment with PCP got rec. letter and blood results. I requested a copy of workup.

June 8 - Met surgeon, dietitian and psych for consultation. Gave them copy of workup

June 16 - Got my surgeons requirements, only things of which I already had

June 17 - Coordinator sent order for sleep study and scheduled Prep Session

June 20 - Sleep lab received my order from coordinator. Faxed coordinator rec. letter from my PCP. Coordinator also submitted the request for predetermination to my insurance.

June 22 - Day of Sleep Study. It's important to note I bugged them for days straight they wanted to give me an appointment in Nov. I think it happened so fast because they were tired of me. Went home with my machine the next morning

June 24 - Started my night time breathing treatments, must be for consecutive days prior to surgery. Insurance confirmed their requirements had been met still waiting for approval tho

July 5 - OMG MOMENT I'm approved

July 11 - Prep Session

July 28 - Surgery date. I'll be sitting proudly on the losers bench

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Wow! Congrats. I wish I knew Univ of Chicago worked so fast, I read about what a slogfest Northwestern was and decided against having surgery in Chicago entirely. I might have made the train trips into the city and went there instead of having surgery in Missouri.

I hope you have a great recovery.

Thank you

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That is amazing!!! You were determined, good job Jane!

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Ty Jane so much for posting this! I've scoured the internet to find the process for someone with bcbs of Illinois and having their surgery done at the University of Chicago.

My first appointment with the surgeon is this Wednesday, the 21st. I am so excited I could burst with confetti. I am ready for this. I had my sleep study done last August and just had bloodwork, X-ray, and ultra sound done on my gallbladder/liver five days ago, so I hope this cuts the waiting time.

Did you have to have an endoscopy done?

I'm glad this helped you Stacy

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No I did not have to do an endoscopy

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May I ask, what is a prep session?

Prep session is when you and a small group meet at the hospital and the doc or his RN, the dietitian and nutrition give you information. And you basically talk for 2 hours about the process and what to expect and how to make your weight loss journey successful.

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