I started this process back in March. My insurance required 3 months of a supervised diet with my primary and she was a total pain in my ass, she rescheduled two of my appointments then took forever to get paperwork to my surgeons office despite me asking her to send it to my surgeon at the conclusion of my final appointment. Then the surgeons office had someone, who is "no longer there", that misplaced more of my paperwork so they had to request that stuff again too. Everywhere I looked the typical turn around time for approval with my insurance is about 3 working days, it's been a week and they're still reviewing it. They say it could take 15-30 days but I can feel free to call every day while waiting but the approval (or denial) letter would come via snail mail. I'm just starting to feel so discouraged. with this whole process.

DON'T GET DISCOURAGED! my hubby has been going through the motions since Oct 2018 and finally he has a surgery date 11 months later after countless of those needed specialists sign-offs, A1C issues, and an unrelated crappy prostate diagnosis... he's been through a LOT of BS to get to this point so stick with it and stay positive!

27 minutes ago, ahillig said:

I started this process back in March. My insurance required 3 months of a supervised diet with my primary and she was a total pain in my ass, she rescheduled two of my appointments then took forever to get paperwork to my surgeons office despite me asking her to send it to my surgeon at the conclusion of my final appointment. Then the surgeons office had someone, who is "no longer there", that misplaced more of my paperwork so they had to request that stuff again too. Everywhere I looked the typical turn around time for approval with my insurance is about 3 working days, it's been a week and they're still reviewing it. They say it could take 15-30 days but I can feel free to call every day while waiting but the approval (or denial) letter would come via snail mail. I'm just starting to feel so discouraged. with this whole process.

The pre-approval stuff is brutal and very discouraging. Use the time wisely - learn all you can, collect recipes that are bari-friendly, find out which of your favorite restaurants will allow you to order lunch-sized or senior meals after surgery, etc. Check out local places where you can find inexpensive transition-size clothes (Goodwill, resale shops, thrift stores, etc.) This will keep your process moving forward even if the insurance is dragging. Best of Luck!

37 minutes ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

The pre-approval stuff is brutal and very discouraging. Use the time wisely - learn all you can, collect recipes that are bari-friendly, find out which of your favorite restaurants will allow you to order lunch-sized or senior meals after surgery, etc. Check out local places where you can find inexpensive transition-size clothes (Goodwill, resale shops, thrift stores, etc.) This will keep your process moving forward even if the insurance is dragging. Best of Luck!

Great advice!!

To me, this was THE worst part of the entire process! Recovery and losing the weight is the easy part!! Hang in there!!

2 hours ago, ahillig said:

I started this process back in March. My insurance required 3 months of a supervised diet with my primary and she was a total pain in my ass, she rescheduled two of my appointments then took forever to get paperwork to my surgeons office despite me asking her to send it to my surgeon at the conclusion of my final appointment. Then the surgeons office had someone, who is "no longer there", that misplaced more of my paperwork so they had to request that stuff again too. Everywhere I looked the typical turn around time for approval with my insurance is about 3 working days, it's been a week and they're still reviewing it. They say it could take 15-30 days but I can feel free to call every day while waiting but the approval (or denial) letter would come via snail mail. I'm just starting to feel so discouraged. with this whole process.

I feel your pain. DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED! This too shall pass. Focus on other things as mentioned above - YOU WILL BE APPROVED! You will be in my prayers for a speedy approval - meet you on the other side : )

Just think of all the positives! I know one lady who took 2 years to get surgery!

I do agree though some doctors do seem to be extra strict on the approval process..

Agree with all above. I learned to get copies of EVERYTHING to keep in my own file in case something got lost. Sure enough, the doc's office lost my sleep study results (BUT I HAD IT) and they couldn't find the cardiology clearance (BUT I HAD IT) and then they lost the psych eval (BUT I HAD IT)!!! The insurance initially denied my surgery because of the missing psych eval.

It took me nearly a year to jump through all the hoops, but I think it was a good thing. I had time to really think through the whole surgery idea and make sure it was what I really wanted to do. I watched a ton of videos and read a lot of literature, so I think I was well informed about the good and the bad. I also started making major dietary changes so that I wouldn't have to do that after surgery (eliminating sugar, soda, caffeine, alcohol.)

I do not regret the year's delay. Only wish I had done it earlier in my life, but then again, I might not have been to point of absolute commitment to the program because there were no other options left for me at age 63, which my joints failing and my health rapidly declining.

Thanks all

It's really hard when it feels like the universe is against you. I need good news in my life right now so getting an approval would definitely help!

1 minute ago, ahillig said:

Thanks all

It's really hard when it feels like the universe is against you. I need good news in my life right now so getting an approval would definitely help!

Keep your chin up. There really is light at the end of the tunnel. A denial can be appealed. This whole journey is about reframing how you think about food, exercise, and a new lifestyle. It can be scary because everything is going to change. You have to to courageous and embrace the changes as you launch into new experiences with food and yourself. Some people get very negative about all the things they have to give up. They fail to see all the wonderful options that are open - new foods and new ways of thinking about life and yourself. This waiting time can be one of those "reframing" exercises. Choose to see it as an opportunity to learn patience (you will need it when you hit a stall), perseverance, and flexibility. Learn all you can while you wait and as hard as it is right now, this too shall pass - truly it will. Hand in there!

So much good advice here, all I can say is keep up the good fight and don’t give up. I saw a surgeon and knew it wasn’t going to happen but somehow I ended up at a good endocrinologist who referred me to a better place to go for help and after jumping through so many hoops, and so much worry ... it did finally happen. I did have help getting a letter from the endocrinologist about why I needed surgery and everything I tried for months (actually longer) to lose weight. Thankfully I had record with my primary care physician as well of my efforts, and a letter from the surgeon. Once my insurance finally had everything then out of the blue we get a call to schedule surgery.

keep pushing and in time it will be surgery day.

i hope you get that good news soon and everything will fall into place quickly after that ... and smoothly! sorry you’ve had such a rough time so far

I just experienced a similar set back because of someone’s lack of attention on getting my paperwork in...I went through the months of appointments and had my endoscopy and was told I’d be having surgery mid June early July at the latest...long story short that didn’t happen and I felt very discouraged but I am happy to say that next week is my pre op and Sept 3rd is my scheduled surgery date...keep your chin up, it will happen, it’s just beyond anxious feeling when the ball is in their court and your waiting and counting on several other hands to complete your paperwork and it’s hard not knowing and not having control...good luck!

Thanks all! I got the call at the end of last week that I was APPROVED! Surgery is scheduled for the 28th but I now have a small cold that I hope doesn't derail things

50 minutes ago, ahillig said:

Thanks all! I got the call at the end of last week that I was APPROVED! Surgery is scheduled for the 28th but I now have a small cold that I hope doesn't derail things

I knew you would be!! CONGRATS! I go in the day before you - August 27th! Praying your cold is resolved this week : )

Thanks all! I got the call at the end of last week that I was APPROVED! Surgery is scheduled for the 28th but I now have a small cold that I hope doesn't derail things [emoji20]

Congratulations!!!!!![emoji112][emoji112][emoji169][emoji169]

Hang tough and keep coming back here for the encouragement you need to persever through all this nonsense (and nonsense it is). My husband reminds me (frequently) that sometimes I: Pole vault over mouse turds. I have little patience (born without that gene!) and think up problems and make them large before they happen.

So, take a deep breath. Find a happy place in your mind. And don't give this problem or these people "Free rent in your head".