Pretty good news today. Had initial consult last Tuesday 21st, Psyche eval on the 28th and submitted today at 12:00. By 13:00 BCBS called my Doctors office and said if he will get an initial consult with a nutritionist we will approve it. I was able to schedule that for this coming Tuesday the 4th. Any idea what that entails? This is moving faster than I thought. Probably looking at September or early October for Surgery hopefully,

Greg

Thats fabulous!!! What state are you in? I have BCBS PPO in Va so I hope I get approved quickly too. I have to do a sleep study on Monday and have my nutrionist appt on Friday next week. Good luck to you!

I'm moving pretty quickly too. I had my first meeting with the surgeon June 26. The psych eval the following week and my nutrionist was yesterday. Now I have blood work to do and my 5 Monday night meetings. I'm very excited - oh I live in KY if that helps!

Even though I was ready it moved fast for me to I was thinking end of august. I went to the doctor on 7/9/09 and was told my surgery would be the 27th of july. My doc is pretty dry and it was as he walked out the door...he said see ya the 27th. I got approval next day and shakes the following monday. I will tell you the faster they move it may panic you but you are making the best decision of your life! Ok so the dietician...I see her everytime I go just how the program is set up. But she will probably go over the diet the 2 weeks before and the 8 weeks after. And will answer any questions and she'll probably go over the other no no's like carbonation, caffeine, and gum among other things. I suggest you pick up the book "weight loss surgery for dummies". I did it talks about diet menus for after and you could take that in and see if these menus are someyhing you can have or not. (it depends on her philosophy on the diet) Also it goes over the mental before and after it really has been good. Everytime I have a question I go to it and answer my question. Also I have Anthem BC so your in might be a little different but I was called by them for a free program to have a case manager who calls about once a month and 2 days after surgery to give you tips sees how you are doing etc. She is also there if questions come up. I think ins has finally realized this surgery is an investment for them as much as for you!

The nutritional is not a big deal, they go over portion sizes with you and explain the importance of protein after surgery. They talk about the pre and post op diets your doctor expects you to follow and so on.

Thats fabulous!!! What state are you in? I have BCBS PPO in Va so I hope I get approved quickly too. I have to do a sleep study on Monday and have my nutrionist appt on Friday next week. Good luck to you!

Tory,

I am in Richmond Virginia as well. I have BCBS PPO of CA. I spoke to my Dr and he thought I had BCBS PPO of VA as well. They key with mine was BMI of 40. If you are under 40(bmi) it is more of a fight. I cruised in at 40.9. if you are under 40 you need co-morbidities and it is just more work but they are pretty easy to work with.

Greg

Greg, I made them remeasure my height and I was 1/2 inch shorter than I thought so it changed my numbers and the scale showed I was right at 40 bmi (of course that was after I put my 2 blackberries & my keys in my pockets... I did not want to have a bmi of 39.5 - I read too many posts on here about that you need to be at 40 bmi to get cleared/approved.

I dont know why they want a sleep study, I guess to see if I have a comorbidity...

I am nervous and anxious to get this week over with...Keep your fingers crossed for me...

Holy crap! What state are you in?!? That's some quick response from the insurance company. So glad to hear!!

I had my remaining appointments done this week so I guess I will call the Drs office on Monday and see when they will send the information to the insurance company.. Please keep me in your prayers... I so hope I am approved for surgery...

Thanks everyone!~

Even though I was ready it moved fast for me to I was thinking end of august. I went to the doctor on 7/9/09 and was told my surgery would be the 27th of july. My doc is pretty dry and it was as he walked out the door...he said see ya the 27th. I got approval next day and shakes the following monday. I will tell you the faster they move it may panic you but you are making the best decision of your life! Ok so the dietician...I see her everytime I go just how the program is set up. But she will probably go over the diet the 2 weeks before and the 8 weeks after. And will answer any questions and she'll probably go over the other no no's like carbonation, caffeine, and gum among other things. I suggest you pick up the book "weight loss surgery for dummies". I did it talks about diet menus for after and you could take that in and see if these menus are someyhing you can have or not. (it depends on her philosophy on the diet) Also it goes over the mental before and after it really has been good. Everytime I have a question I go to it and answer my question. Also I have Anthem BC so your in might be a little different but I was called by them for a free program to have a case manager who calls about once a month and 2 days after surgery to give you tips sees how you are doing etc. She is also there if questions come up. I think ins has finally realized this surgery is an investment for them as much as for you!

Hello ThinAli.

Your information helped so much. I am also with Athem BC and Im in Long Beach California right around the corner from you. :cool: I have my initial visit with my surgeon tomorrow August 10, 2009. I pray everything goes as fast as it did for you.

I have a Blue Shield PPO in California and hope that my insurance comes back with a response as quickly as most of all yours......it has taken a MONTH for my Psychiatrist to finalize my psych eval. (First her office faxed the eval without my last name, then as my file was getting ready to be sent to the insurance company, they notice that she didnt release me for the surgery....she hadnt NOT released me either). Just got a message that my eval is ready to go to the Surgeon tomorrow....YAY! Onto the insurance. CONGRATS ON YOUR ALMOST APPROVAL and best of luck for those of you waiting for approval!!!:cool: