Hello,

I am new to this forum!

I started the process in may (not thinking I would actually get approved), I attended a weight loss seminar may 31st. Their were about 4 papers to fill out and return then wait to be called by the patient coordinator supervisor. I was contacted within hours of turning the paperwork in. I was told that I was approved and I needed to pick a surgeon. After picking a surgeon the ball rolled pretty quick. I was scheduled to see the surgeon the first week in June. I was a great candidate for gastric sleeve and could go forward with the process. I then was assigned a bariatric coordinator that got everything lined up for me. I had to do one nutrition appointment, get a EKG, lab work, upper gi study and a psychological evaluation . Everything was quick except the evacuation for some reason it took 3 weeks to get scheduled. I also had to reach out to them. After getting no response from the psychologist, I reached out to my coordinator hoping she would be helpful. I slowly realized I was getting on her nerves with my many phone calls and voicemails. After calling 3 times I finally got a hold of her getting a preop appointment for 7/26. I’m a little concerned that she will not do what needs to be done when submitting for approval. I am now done with everything and waiting for my insurance company to approve me. With a surgery date of 8/6 my concern is I won’t be approved in time. After preop with the surgery how long after were you approved for surgery? I’m guessing I will know Thursday if I’m going forward with my surgery date or not.

You are just 'buying trouble' by ruminating on someone doing their job. They don't usually schedule surgery unless they know they are going to get the pre-op requirements fulfilled. Professionals do have appointments booked solid most of the time and I am sure that that was the issue with the psych.

You are lucky - the majority of us have to do 6 months of nutrition appointments, etc - so knock it off - the coordinator is familiar with how the insurance approval process works and how picky each type of insurance is. Most insurance approves quickly. Mine was approved in a couple days - but that was after jumping through many hoops for just over 6 months.

And anyway, it's not like it can't be rescheduled a week later - some people have been waiting nearly a year to get the process approved.

Relax, I know thats much easier said than done, once you've done all the pre op requirements then all you can do is sit back and wait. I was in the same boat, I had my first Dr visit May 8 and got through all my pre ops pretty quickly, They submittted my stuff to insurance and I was told it would be a couple of weeks to find out if I had approval. This was around the 4th of July holiday so I was expecting it all to be delayed, I was hoping to get at least a mid August surgery date, Instead I was surprised to get a call on the 13th telling me to start my pre-op diet the next day and be ready for surgery July 24th!

Just make sure you have all your own "ducks in a row", get your vitamins, pre and post surgical diet stuff in order, make sure your POA's are updated and that you have everything you need for your hospital stay in order, That might help your anxiety. Good luck and keep us posted,

I am 7 months in to my 1 year waiting period where I had to get all of my stuff straight. Patience now, payoff later. Just get with the mindset that delayed gratification is still gratification - stressing over making sure everything happens on your timeline doesn't accomplish anything.

I have been to 2 separate programs.
Program#1 Coordinater- Facilitator got involved very early in process, served as you ombudsmen between you and doctor/office staff. Follows you all the way through and visited you in hospital post-surgery, definitely a reasource person.
Prgram# 2 Got involved at point of schedule and rescheduling of consults with different medical specialities, nutrution, life coaches and such. Once she made certain. you had completed these levels, you were passed back,to surgeon who scheduled your presurgical visit/exam with your surgeon and assigned you your surgical date. Also scheduled a pre and post-surgery bariatric support class among your peers. You never spoke again to Program #2's Coordinator.
Two Different Ways of making your surgery smoother, less stressful and all it could be! ???

On 7/23/2018 at 8:07 AM, Sosewsue61 said:

You are just 'buying trouble' by ruminating on someone doing their job. They don't usually schedule surgery unless they know they are going to get the pre-op requirements fulfilled. Professionals do have appointments booked solid most of the time and I am sure that that was the issue with the psych.

You are lucky - the majority of us have to do 6 months of nutrition appointments, etc - so knock it off - the coordinator is familiar with how the insurance approval process works and how picky each type of insurance is. Most insurance approves quickly. Mine was approved in a couple days - but that was after jumping through many hoops for just over 6 months.

And anyway, it's not like it can't be rescheduled a week later - some people have been waiting nearly a year to get the process approved.

Hmmm, first off I’m not here for your jealousy! Nor did I ask you for your input. It’s not my fault you have ridiculous requirements. Some of us have jobs and can’t wait 6 months. Maybe the summer is the only time I have off?! But of course, I should take more time off anyway, right?! Please take your misery elsewhere. I’m sorry you’ve waited since 1955 to get surgery and still have to wait. I’m a very punctual person so nope no problems with my psych evaluation. It’s was indeed the coordinator who is very new and now admitted had no idea what she was doing. Park your smart comments elsewhere, they are not wanted or needed. All my requirements were completed a month ago but yet paperwork just got submitted yesterday?! Now what do you have to say? Okay, thank you. Have a good day and good luck on your journey!

- school employee

1 hour ago, KRush88 said:

Hmmm, first off I’m not here for your jealousy! Nor did I ask you for your input. It’s not my fault you have ridiculous requirements. Some of us have jobs and can’t wait 6 months. Maybe the summer is the only time I have off?! But of course, I should take more time off anyway, right?! Please take your misery elsewhere. I’m sorry you’ve waited since 1955 to get surgery and still have to wait. I’m a very punctual person so nope no problems with my psych evaluation. It’s was indeed the coordinator who is very new and now admitted had no idea what she was doing. Park your smart comments elsewhere, they are not wanted or needed. All my requirements were completed a month ago but yet paperwork just got submitted yesterday?! Now what do you have to say? Okay, thank you. Have a good day and good luck on your journey!

- school employee

Yep, I was a little snarky, I apologize for that. In my defense - nowhere did you say the coordinator was new to her job, your concern in the post seemed to concentrate on the insurance's response and not that paperwork was not submitted to them.

As far as jealousy, nah.... I was trying to show that you were luckier than most people as far as waiting time and to not get so worked up.

And you flat out asked how long the approval took, so yeah you did ask for my input!!! There was a question mark in there! LOL And you worked darn hard at that retort too, even took time to look up my birth year - 1955 - brava!! I am not miserable either.

Anyway good luck on your surgery.

On 7/23/2018 at 11:05 AM, BeeCat said:

Relax, I know thats much easier said than done, once you've done all the pre op requirements then all you can do is sit back and wait. I was in the same boat, I had my first Dr visit May 8 and got through all my pre ops pretty quickly, They submittted my stuff to insurance and I was told it would be a couple of weeks to find out if I had approval. This was around the 4th of July holiday so I was expecting it all to be delayed, I was hoping to get at least a mid August surgery date, Instead I was surprised to get a call on the 13th telling me to start my pre-op diet the next day and be ready for surgery July 24th!

Just make sure you have all your own "ducks in a row", get your Vitamins, pre and post surgical diet stuff in order, make sure your POA's are updated and that you have everything you need for your hospital stay in order, That might help your anxiety. Good luck and keep us posted,

14 hours ago, Frustr8 said:

I have been to 2 separate programs.
Program#1 Coordinater- Facilitator got involved very early in process, served as you ombudsmen between you and doctor/office staff. Follows you all the way through and visited you in hospital post-surgery, definitely a reasource person.
Prgram# 2 Got involved at point of schedule and rescheduling of consults with different medical specialities, nutrution, life coaches and such. Once she made certain. you had completed these levels, you were passed back,to surgeon who scheduled your presurgical visit/exam with your surgeon and assigned you your surgical date. Also scheduled a pre and post-surgery bariatric support class among your peers. You never spoke again to Program #2's Coordinator.
Two Different Ways of making your surgery smoother, less stressful and all it could be! ???

15 hours ago, Bootscraper said:

I am 7 months in to my 1 year waiting period where I had to get all of my stuff straight. Patience now, payoff later. Just get with the mindset that delayed gratification is still gratification - stressing over making sure everything happens on your timeline doesn't accomplish anything.

7 minutes ago, Sosewsue61 said:

Yep, I was a little snarky, I apologize for that. In my defense - nowhere did you say the coordinator was new to her job, your concern in the post seemed to concentrate on the insurance's response and not that paperwork was not submitted to them.

As far as jealousy, nah.... I was trying to show that you were luckier than most people as far as waiting time and to not get so worked up.

And you flat out asked how long the approval took, so yeah you did ask for my input!!! There was a question mark in there! LOL And you worked darn hard at that retort too, even took time to look up my birth year - 1955 - brava!! I am not miserable either.

Anyway good luck on your surgery.

Thanks dear!

You've been on on this site a while. I would expect you to be more supportive then attacking. I have no more energy for you darling.

- give advice next time instead of coming off as a miserable, jealous, old hag!

Best wishes

You notice I never called you any names, there is no reason for that type of thing....

Same here, been at it since June n getting surgery 7/27. My coordinator sent out papers to insurance 7/12 got approve 7/23 after I called my coordinator and she called the insurance.

13 hours ago, Jess01 said:

Same here, been at it since June n getting surgery 7/27. My coordinator sent out papers to insurance 7/12 got approve 7/23 after I called my coordinator and she called the insurance.

I’ve called and checked everyday. They received paperwork yesterday. I asked for the review to be expedited today so I’m praying for a speedy approval! Good luck and happy surgery!

Good luck!!! I was like that as well calling everyday dont worry you will be aprove.

Got a call today from insurance and the coordinator. Paperwork received! If approved by next Wednesday surgery date of 8/6 is still on. Fingers crossed ?? prayers up!

I'm not exactly sure how long it took to get insurance approval once paperwork was submitted, because I had to postpone my surgery for four months after I qualified due to staffing constraints, job responsibilities, and lack of time off (used it up on my son's spinal surgery and on intermittent leave for a physical disability / nerve disorder). However, a colleague of mine was approved in less than two weeks.

Glad to see your approval was swift!

Best wishes on your journey.

Edited July 26, 20187 yr by RapidFirePickle
update

Thank you.

So I’m a week post ops, to say the least I never got a call from my coordinator before surgery saying I was approved only asking to pay her 50 bucks! That was a good laugh, I asked who it was and how did I know her. Then told her I’d make arrangements with the hospital the day of surgery. She was disappointed but so was I in her professionalism!