Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

The Waiting Game



Recommended Posts

So just to rant and get this off my chest even if it's just on the internet... I had my final supervised visit on July 27th. Monday will be 7 weeks since I've heard ANYTHING from the doc. I got two letters in the mail at the end of August. The first was a denial from insurance stating there was missing info submitted from the doctor and the surgery was not medically necessary. I understand that is pretty standard language for the first submission. The second letter was dated a day later and stated that after review the surgery was approved and was medically necessary, but this was not a guarantee the surgery would be covered. Since then, radio silence from the doctor. They have not contacted me about lab work, officially starting the LRD, nothing. I have been trying on my own in the meantime and lost 12 pounds in those 7 weeks but today I gave up and said F it. I've had pizza and chocolate today. Regardless if there's some kind of insurance issue or a backup at the hospital I think it is really unprofessional to leave someone hanging for this long. I see everyday people in our Facebook group who started the process after I did and are getting their dates left and right. Really discouraged and about to give up at this point. Also, I have to drive almost 4 hours to this doctor because I need a hernia repair at the same time and my doc here referred me there. I'm not in a rural area either. We have plenty of hospitals and universities here. Again, about to throw my hands up. Thanks for reading my rant.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, biskit76 said:

So just to rant and get this off my chest even if it's just on the internet... I had my final supervised visit on July 27th. Monday will be 7 weeks since I've heard ANYTHING from the doc. I got two letters in the mail at the end of August. The first was a denial from insurance stating there was missing info submitted from the doctor and the surgery was not medically necessary. I understand that is pretty standard language for the first submission. The second letter was dated a day later and stated that after review the surgery was approved and was medically necessary, but this was not a guarantee the surgery would be covered. Since then, radio silence from the doctor. They have not contacted me about lab work, officially starting the LRD, nothing. I have been trying on my own in the meantime and lost 12 pounds in those 7 weeks but today I gave up and said F it. I've had pizza and chocolate today. Regardless if there's some kind of insurance issue or a backup at the hospital I think it is really unprofessional to leave someone hanging for this long. I see everyday people in our Facebook group who started the process after I did and are getting their dates left and right. Really discouraged and about to give up at this point. Also, I have to drive almost 4 hours to this doctor because I need a hernia repair at the same time and my doc here referred me there. I'm not in a rural area either. We have plenty of hospitals and universities here. Again, about to throw my hands up. Thanks for reading my rant.

Good grief, that’s a long time! You’ve been way more patient than I ever could’ve been. Do you plan to give the surgeon’s office a call Monday? I sure as heck would! I hope you get answers & surgery date soon!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Seriously if I were you I would gather all my documents and find another surgeon, before you approval and the things you have completed not are not valid, in some stated I know Maryland things need to be within 30-60 day and you have already done to much to have to wait on a Doctors office thats not working in you favor there are plenty of WLS out there . After I submitted to the insurance and got an approval I was scheduled for surgery less then 48 hr later and here I am 8 days post opp. Keep your head, but be vigilant its your health and life.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×