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

Waiting, waiting, WAITING!!



Recommended Posts

Hello all. I'm a 34 yo male in the Portland, OR area. Found out recently that my insurance will cover the lap band procedure if I meet the criteria. I clearly meet the criteria, have had the initial seminar required, filled out all of the necessary paperwork, met with my doctors and had them send over all the information. My file is currently under review by the Bariatric Surgical group at OHSU so I'm in the waiting game. I have scheduled my psych eval. for tomorrow to get that out of the way to expedite this process. Can anyone give me any advice on how long this may take? I have been told that my case will pretty much be a slam dunk through the insurance, as the surgical group has a premiere relationship with my insurance company, once the file has been approved and they start scheduling me, what's after the nutritionist and psych. eval? A meeting with the surgeon? Then scheduling the surgery?

I don't know anything about how this works, so I'd like to find out from someone who has done this and roughly what kind of time I'm looking at here. I just get up every day wishing this was all over and I was on the way to getting back in shape and dropping weight. It's so hard to keep trudging on at a snail's pace. I know it fill finally come, but seriously. How much longer??!!

Thanks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I felt the same way as you and knew with my insurance it was a green light automatically. (The bariactric center is inside the hospital I work at and get my insurance). What you need to do is ask your surgeons office what your particular insurance requires and how you can speed a long the process while you wait. Thats what I did. In 2 months I had all my stuff done and I was banded. It's all what your insurance requires.

Also ask what your pre-opt diet is going to be before surgery. I didn't expect that part. 2 weeks of liquids only before surgery, and 2 weeks of liquids only after surgery. No food for a month! I didn't expect that part. That was hard

Now I'm to mushy foods (banded 7/15/08) and I'm waiting for a fill. Feels like I'm dieting on will power alone. I'm just following the lap band rules. This isn't the easy way I expected. I'm working for every pound lost. I now keep a pedometer on at all times and go for 12,000 steps a day no matter what. I'm working for this and have been working for every pound lost since I decided on the surgery. Your journey starts today. You start following the band rules today. (No straws, No caffeine, No non-natural sugars, No smoking, No alcohol, Cut back on bread & Pasta, Protein first, Vegetables 2nd, carbs if you have room left. Smaller portions, eat only until satisfied. no drinking liquids with meals, and 60 grams of Protein a day, 64 oz of Water a day.) You don't need to wait to be banded. Banding just forces you to stick to the rules and takes stomach hunger (not head hunger!) out of the equation. Wish someone would have told me that upfront. Your journey starts today if you choose so. Best of luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think everyone's experience is different. Some take a while due to the insurance pre-requisites and some fly through the process. I know from the time i went to the WLS seminar until the time i was approved by my insurance was only 1 month. Just stay on top of things and know exactly what your insurance requires and make sure you are calling the insurance and physician's, etc to make sure that what ins. needs is what is being sent and in a timely fashion and constantly ask everyone "what is the next step?" .. it's easy with so many people in and out of these doctor's offices, it's easy to get overlooked.. I know i was on the phone every day making sure things were flowing as fast as possible. :) But then again, i'm not a very patient person.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not a very patient person either. I'm definitely keeping on top of things, but again, I'm at the mercy of other people to do their job. I'll be calling next week to find out the status on my file, as it will have been three weeks since my file went in for review at that point.

I will have to investigate what the diet entails and start working on that. I'm mentally ready for 1 month of no solid foods. I can do it. I know I can. Great information about being prepared and understanding the food changes. I know everything about everything else, but the eating regiment.

Thanks for the feedback!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Lucky you - insurance coverage! I am self-pay, so I know I was moved right along in the process, it seems like endless doctors appts! But well worth it - I get my band on Aug 5!

The nutritionist should give you info on the diet they expect before and after surgery. For my doc I also had to have a sleep study done, blood work and a scope of the stomach. I know some people have to have a heart work up with stress test.

Good luck, I hope you hear something from the insurance company soon! It is an exciting journey to a whole new life style.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm self-paying too, and am impatient to get everything underway before I lose momentum.

I had actually been approved 2 years ago, until a week before my surgery date they discovered my Iron was extremely low (normal is 50 - I was at 10). No lapband for me. Instead, I got a hysterectomy and Iron therapy for two years.

Now that I'm back at normal, I'm in a hurry. My psych eval and band class are Aug 13, and my meeting with the surgeon is Aug. 22. I'm hoping by early September it'll be time.

Good luck with the waiting game, Jonnycat1. We'll all make it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Update for everyone. I finally have a date! January 2nd, 2009! It's nearly here! YAY!

Edited by Jonnycat1

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

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • 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. 💜

  • 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

    ×