Approval!

Hello, folks! I enjoyed my first PMRI experience. Everyone was, as advertised and anticipated, so warm and welcoming. Thank you for your stories, advise, and sagely candid reviews of pre- and post-op living. Everything I sponge in information is helping me on my own educational journey of preparation. In other news, as I came home yesterday from a gruelling day of Band Camp (in the hot sun on the black pavement with too many grumpy, grouchy teenagers), I opened a letter from BCBS-DE and on the first go, I believe what the letter said was I'm marked for approval! I'm surprised at the no-thought this actually took for me, since I've read so many painful and frustrating stories of waiting and letters and banging heads against walls. I'm going tonight for my sleep evaluation and have gotten the ball going for procuring a basic psych. eval. Right now, my surgeon is Dr. Marymor at Barix Clinics in Langhorne, but I still have a pre-op consult appointment with Dr. Wynn in November. (It can't hurt, right!) I'm not in a rush to get a surgery date, but my decision is made. I'm game for this. Sometimes as an individual who hasn't had surgery yet--or even as someone who hasn't decided if surgery is their path or not--it's intimidating to be in the presence of people who are immediately eager to get a surgery date and be on "the losing side". The advise I can give for the people still learning, is take your time. There's no rush. Your decision doesn't have to look like anyone else's because no one here is judging you. This is a community of support and I choose to believe that support will be there even if an individual chooses NOT to have the surgery. Anyhow, to those of you I know and to those of you I have yet to meet...thanks so far for everything. Peace, Susane

Great news Susane. Glad you were there for the support meeting. The next meeeting on Sat the 28th will be well worth going. Brett is a PA at Dr. Irgau's office. He is sometimes a little ****y, but ya gotta love him. If I were 20 yrs younger and single of course, AHHHHH. Get there early cause it'll be more crowded than last Monday night. The topic is the 1st 3 months after surgery. I hope someone video's Brett. Everything he said was so true for me. How far is Langhorne? Do they also have support meetings there? Were you refered to go there by your Dr's or a friend? Interesting how we all get on our paths. You're right about the No hurry. But once your mind is made up, and once you listen to everyone that's had the WLS, you get kinda anxious for your turn. Well, have a great day. ((HUGS)) Elissa

Great idea Elissa. I wish someone could video Bret's meeting on the 28th as I can't be there! I was really looking forward to that meeting. Bret's last meeting was really interesting! Ken

Thanks! I'm planning on going to the 28th meeting and am looking forward to the topic. I'll be sure to get there early. It's just about an hour to the Barix Clinic. I think I made it last time in about forty five minutes. They have support meetings there and a variety of other pre- and post- op resources. I wasn't referred there by a friend or a doctor, but rather found it in my own research about bariatric surgery. I do know a married couple, now in Texas, who each had surgery about five years ago. They were at a Bariatric Treatment Center (now Barix) and have been overwhelmingly successful. I like, a lot, that the whole facility is entirely centered around obesity recovery. Never once was I uncomfortable in a chair, elevator, bathroom, etc. It's nice to know that the people I'm dealing with make this their expertise. Dr. Marymor answered all of my questions and made me feel comfortable both with his ability and compassion. I knew he had my best interests in mind.

Congratulations on your approval, Susane!!!!!!! My approval was the same way. I was waiting for a fight that never happened!!! (I'm NOT complaining) Ken

Hi Susane, First, Congrats on your approval. Second, make sure BCBS-DE will pay for Dr. Marymore. I went to Langhorne when I was first looking into this surgery. He seems to really know what he is talking about and the facility is great, however I found out that Dr. Marymore was not in BCBS-DE network and would only pay a percentage of the cost to have the surgery. Langhorne wanted me to pay out of pocket and then be reimbursed by BCBS. Have a great WLS Journey! ~Shelly

Thanks for the tip. I actually knew another person who had the same situation so I was prepared to ask that question when I first called. They've just put BCBS-DE into their network...I think just a few months ago. It's nice to meet you.

Congrats on your approval, Susane! Your post was very well said. Everyone's journey is unique. Dianne

Dianne- Thank you. I've been thinking a lot about this surgery and about my experience in just preparing for it. It's nice to have a place to say some of the things in my head! I hope you have a really great day.

Congrats Susane on your approval and good luck on your journey