I'm not really an idiot -- only computer challenged...

Dear Dana, Your comments make a lot of sense. I am not too worried about my insurance plan because they have accepted absolutely everything I have submitted -- even things they said they wouldn't! They have also been really fast - when I needed a CPAP, the dr. put in a request on a Thursday, we got approval on Friday, and by the following Monday I had a tech in my house showing me how to use it. My former employer is so huge we have our own dedicated staff members at Blue Cross and call a special number to bypass the "regular" reps. BUT I am covered by Cobra since I am a former employee and will lose this marvelous coverage by the end of August. That's why I am so upset!!! I know a lot of you have problems with your insurances and who knows if my "new" coverage will even cover the surgery (with all the changes taking place these days)> I promise I won't get too excited until it's a DONE DEAL. I am really learning from everyone's experiences and feel 100% better that I can be optimistic. Or if I don't get the exact answer I "want" at least I will have the support of the group to pull me through it. Is 7/20/2004 your surgery date? Can I ask how far out is it from when you finally got to my stage - clearances done, waiting for insurance approval...When the surgeons said you were approved how far out was the date? Did you have to keep up -- calling and following up with the surgeons office? I am going to do everything you all have suggested in your postings -- INCLUDING BEING POSITIVE.

Hi Miss kitty, I had my first appt. Nov 14, all my pre-testing was done by Jan, except EGD that was march 11, 04 my first surgery date was April 26, 04 I wanted it sooner so I called and they gave me April 6, then I got the dreaded call from Dianne (Dr. Wynn's office) and she told me my insurance company needed 6 months doctor supervised diets, since I started out my insurance company was Capital Blue Cross then my husbands company switched to Highmark Blue Sheild as of Jan1, 04 since I already had the ball rolling, I called Highmark to ask about coverage they told me it was covered as long as the doctor deamed it medically nessesary (sp) so since then I have been denied 2 times and am in the middle of an appeal, my third surgery date was April 20, Dianne wants to wait for insurance approval before giving me another date. I could not completly take the date off my profile, so I just pushed it to July 20, it's not a real date, atleast I don't think it is. The insurance company should reach a decision by May 7, so we will see. I hope I helped, if everything went ok I would have had my surgery done, April 6, but it was not meant to be. Take care and feel free to ask questions anytime. Dana

Hi There Dana, Your explanation (and everyone's comments) have eased my mind! THANK YOU THANK YOU! I have a better idea of time frames now! I am so sorry your insurance company has given you so many problems -- healthcare needs to get their act together and realize this is not a "luxury" surgery, for the obese, it's a health necessity! (OK, I'm off my soapbox now!) For all that you all have helped me I hope I can help YOU all when you need it. I will be very happy if I can get a date in June, July -- or at the latest early August. I've been in testing since August 03 (when I started with another dr. ). Any later than August I will be off my insurance (which has already said I am approved!) and I'm changing careers (to become a teacher) and will start school in late August - September. I think what got me panicked in the first place is whenever I asked, I got a maybe-maybe not response. I was really upfront with everyone from the beginning and said if I can't get it done by August, I will have to seriously consider going back to my first surgeon. The first dr. was OK but less experienced and only did the open type. I realize the dr. office are just doing their jobs -- and despite how I sound here -- I do think they do a good job!!! I guess I just wanted someone "in authority" say that it's possible to meet my time frame. (And now I feel better because I have seen through experiences of the members here, I just might make it!) What really freaked me out was that I asked at PMRI (after my dr. appt and I was officiallly cleared by them) and Dr. Lenhart said he thought that surgery wouldn't be for at least 6 months (September or October). Hence the panic!

Hello Ms.Kitty! Welcome to the party! Please feel free to post, vent, question, encourage, etc. we're all pretty open here and aren't shy about helping one another. I can't offer you any different advice than you already have rec'd, just wanted to welcome you! ((hugs)) Carla

Hey Carla, Becoming a member of this group is the BEST thing I've done so far! Thanks for your kind welcome! Even though I've been preparing for a year or so, once I got involved with Dr. Irgau's office, PMRI, the support group, this website...I realized there was quite a bit I DIDN'T know. That's why I am with him now! Kind of scary to think I could have had the surgery missing out on this education. I am convinced the more we know, the more successful we can be. I'm looking forward to learning all that I can and hopefully, in turn, what I lack in knowledge, I can make up with the other members by offering caring and support.

Welcome Ms. Kitty Glad to have you aboard. I saw your message. Call the surgeon's office and explain your situation. They are probably short about it because they recently did change their policy about not giving tentative dates until the presurgical requirements have actually been met. Dianne

Dear Dianne, Thanks for your hearfelt welcome. I've lived in this general area since the late 80s and have never met a better group of more sincere people. Where the heck are all of the nice people when I'm just out and about walking around town...(HA, HA, just kidding!) Actually, I hope this isn't too much off the subject but I had something happen to me today that restored my faith in people. My cat was everything to me, (that's why I am Ms. Kitty), but don't get me started. I had to put my precious one down last month (he was 21 years old and I had him since he was a kitten). Today was the first day I went into a PetSmart and actually looked at the cats up for adoption. I'm not ready yet but someday...I was fine looking at them through the windows but when the volunteer suggested I hold one I burst into sobs! Everyone around me when this happened was so kind & considerate...hugs...smiles..."perfect strangers" no less! Anyhow, the end of this story is I am not going to pet-less for long, I bought a mini-aquarium and I am going to give a couple of fish a try! Can I name a goldfish "Garfield"?