Hi all,

I am just beginning my exploration into bariatric surgery, and am trying to figure out the insurance logistics of it all. The BCBS RI website isn't very helpful besides to say the surgery is covered after my deductible. Does anyone know if they have the 6 month nutrition requirement? I have seen people from other states say the requirement has been removed from their BCBS, but nothing for RI. Also, what about all the preliminary tests and appointments? Are copays due for all those visits? I plan to go through Miriam hospital if I decide to do it. My initial consultation isn't until November and I am trying to research as much as I can before then.

11 hours ago, briae13 said:

I was hoping to have a date before the new year, surgery in January (going to be February at earliest now because work needs a months notice) but at least I had an appointment lol

At least the time will fly by! I have my pre-op testing on Monday. Sh*t's getting real!

Pre-op testing this morning. No food or drink after midnight and oohhhhh the dry mouth! Fingers crossed all goes smoothly this morning!

Pre-op testing this morning. No food or drink after midnight and oohhhhh the dry mouth! Fingers crossed all goes smoothly this morning! [emoji3]

Awesome!!! How did it go?

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2 minutes ago, BeTrue83 said:

Awesome!!! How did it go?

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It was really quick. I was in and out for both the upper GI and the EKG in under 20 minutes total. They did both in the same room. (They were able to see my reflux as it happened and my hiaital hernia, which was kind of interesting.) I expect to see the surgeon on Wednesday and set a date for surgery. Still aiming for the 28th. Fingers crossed!

It was really quick. I was in and out for both the upper GI and the EKG in under 20 minutes total. They did both in the same room. (They were able to see my reflux as it happened and my hiaital hernia, which was kind of interesting.) I expect to see the surgeon on Wednesday and set a date for surgery. Still aiming for the 28th. Fingers crossed!

That's awesome That's exactly what happened with me

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Upper GI results are in to the surgeon's office, but the EKG results are not, and I guess they are usually fairly immediate. My last EKG was about 8 months ago and all was well, but I'm totally paranoid that it's delayed because something is wrong.

Congrats!!! And I'm sure everything is fine, if you're check patient portal it could just not be updating correctly. My appointment for ekg took forever to update on there.

Congrats!!! And I'm sure everything is fine, if you're check patient portal it could just not be updating correctly. My appointment for ekg took forever to update on there.

I called Dr. Stafford’s office. They want to have me see him tomorrow for pre surgical appt but can’t schedule me until that’s in. They’re the ones who told me it’s usually available to them right away. ( But they did NOT suggest anything was wrong.) Hopefully it comes through this morning.)

Panic is over. I'm going in today to see the surgeon for my pre-op visit. New nerves will set in in a week or so no doubt!

Panic is over. I'm going in today to see the surgeon for my pre-op visit. New nerves will set in in a week or so no doubt! [emoji33]

Yayyyyy we worry so much for no reason it always works out for us lol... I definitely have been stressing throughout this entire pre-approval process...

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I'm approved surgery is 12/26 started my preop diet yesterday but I'm going to officially start tomorrow

Sent from my VS990 using BariatricPal App

I'm approved surgery is 12/26 started my preop diet yesterday but I'm going to officially start tomorrow

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I’m the 28th!

Congrats you two!!! Crossing my fingers I can get in around the first week of feb. can't wait to hear how your journeys & surgeries go!

8 hours ago, briae13 said:

Congrats you two!!! Crossing my fingers I can get in around the first week of feb. can't wait to hear how your journeys & surgeries go!

Thank you! Hopefully you're all set soon and get scheduled for early Feb! One thing I've learned in this journey, and that you've posted about here and on the FB page, you have to be your own advocate. For me, I was lucky enough to pull in one of my Dr's secretary as my advocate too. She has had my back every step of the way and she is the sole reason I was able to be scheduled when I wanted to. I had three different people tell me yesterday it would be a month until my surgery, and I just nodded and smiled because she told me not to worry, she had me. Sure enough, when the Dr. came in he said "we're not going to wait for your blood work to come back. We've got you in on the 28th." Total and complete gratitude that I found a personal ally in his office.

That's awesome! Christine in Dr. Stafford's office has been good to me (did my approval right over the phone when she found out it still hadn't been entered & personally faxed/made sure she got the fax back about my pre op testing appointments). Lady is a life saver lol but I think I'll be right on track, so long as I can get in for my consult with surgeon the same week as testing then I know I'll be good, after all I have to wait a month before surgery anyway [emoji23] also aside from weight I'm a pretty healthy person, no outstanding medical issues aside from some back pains. So I don't think tests will show anything so at this point I'm planning for early February and enjoying my holiday time in between [emoji4] if it doesn't pan out then I can cross that bridge when it comes (but crossing fingers none the less lol)