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I just found out I was denied by Aetna. I am so upset. Now I have to go through an appeal process. I just want to crawl in a hole. I haven't rec'd the official letter yet, but just got off the phone with the insurance company. They said my doctor's office did not provide the surgical prep regimen. That they need that and the fastest way to get appealed is the surgeon to call in a do a "peer to peer" with the insurance company. I called the doctor's office and they don't know what the surgical prep regimen is and the doctor does not do "peer to peer". After several more calls - I have to wait for the official letter and send in a letter of appeal. I am sick to my stomach. I am very upset that my surgeon can not make a phone call on my behalf. Is this going to happen for me???? I can't quit crying.....

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Ask your insurance company to send you documentation on what is needed for the surgery to be covered. I had mine do that and it was black and white on what was needed. This will probably cut down on the number of calls and will help in sending in the appeal. Just call them up and request the information now. That way you can get your appeal set up.

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I just found out I was denied by Aetna. I am so upset. Now I have to go through an appeal process. I just want to crawl in a hole. I haven't rec'd the official letter yet, but just got off the phone with the insurance company. They said my doctor's office did not provide the surgical prep regimen. That they need that and the fastest way to get appealed is the surgeon to call in a do a "peer to peer" with the insurance company. I called the doctor's office and they don't know what the surgical prep regimen is and the doctor does not do "peer to peer". After several more calls - I have to wait for the official letter and send in a letter of appeal. I am sick to my stomach. I am very upset that my surgeon can not make a phone call on my behalf. Is this going to happen for me???? I can't quit crying.....

Sorry you feel so bad. I will pray that the the appeals process will work and you will be approved. Let us know what happens. I am praying.:)

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Tex, thank you I will call right now. And 123, I thank you for the prayers. They are very much appreciated. I feel this is my last hope and I feel it slipping away........

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I feel like it will all fall into place. Just don't panic. Hope and believe is all we can do just keep thinking positive.

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Maybe too you should think about getting a different surgeon? If yours won't make a phone call for you, well...how will he be there in other emergencies? I seriously would switch if it were me. There's more to the band than just getting it placed...aftercare is VITAL.

Maybe this is karma or something trying to help you switch NOW!

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Maybe too you should think about getting a different surgeon? If yours won't make a phone call for you, well...how will he be there in other emergencies? I seriously would switch if it were me. There's more to the band than just getting it placed...aftercare is VITAL.

Maybe this is karma or something trying to help you switch NOW!

I agree with Restlessmonkey. You need a Dr. and staff that will be there for you at all times:rolleyes:

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Get a new doctor! I originally went to one doctor and after several months of back and forth, was denied. I had to constantly call the insurance company to find out the status and they were always waiting for something from the doctor. After I was offically denied for lack of a six month nutrition counseling, I spent several more months trying to find out from the doctor what I needed to do. The office would never call me back. I finally switched to another doctor in March, started the nutrition classes in April, and recieved a call in July that my insurance had switched to a three-month nutrition program, and am scheduled for surgery on the 18th. There are a lot of good doctors out there, but there, but I think having a good office staff is just as important.

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I agree with everyone, find a surgeon AND back-office that cares and knows what they're doing! I have Aetna also and followed the 90-day pre-surgical regimen instead of a 6-month weight plan, first visit was in May and I have a surgery date of Aug 24th.

Don't give up, YOU CAN DO THIS!!! :)

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I agree, switch to another doctor. Surgeon's office should know the in's and out's of insurance companies and should be willing to go to bat for their patients! Is there a particular reason you choose this surgeon?

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Yep! Switch to another Surgeon. I'm just now finishing up my requirements (6 month diet, nutrition classes, etc..) and all along the way, the surgeon's office has called and checked up on me, directed me, and assisted me with any questions that I have. I want an office/surgeon that will be there when I need them to be there.

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I thought this same thing all night last night! Thanks all for agreeing with that little voice in my head.

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I agree with the other posters. The fact they don't know what the 3 month surgical prep program is, is kind of scary. It's a pretty common requirment, not only should they know, they should be telling and helping you!!!!

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Well, after many discussions with the office staff - the girl that is handling this is fairly new. So I'm going to give them a break. The fact the doc won't do a peer to peer still upsets but, one of the girl friends used this doctor and I really feel comfortable with him. So for now - I'm not going to change doctors. I did send in my part of the appeal yesterday and the doctor's office said they sent theirs in as well. SO - we'll see what happens! The doctor I'm going to is Dr. Carter in Arlington, Texas. Pray for me!

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I SOOOOO hope it works out for you!!!

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    • 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

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    • 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.

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