A few words of Wisdom and Encouragement from A Newbie

Hi All, I just responded to another persons posting, but also wanted to put a post here as well. I love the fact that OH is available as a resource. I have met some great folks already I wanted to ask you all..Do you remember how it was when you were new? It is scary, overwhelming, and at times down rite intimidating to know what the process is. All you know, is that you FINALLY have come to grips with your personal decision to take drastic measures to get your life in order. The PLUNGE towards a healthy lifestyle... So what you do if you are SMART, is gravitate towards folks who are in a similar situation as your self, and you join a support group like OH, and even better if you are lucky, one in your local area Then it begins ...the absorbing of every single item your brain can take in! You read , and you read, and you read , and you read! And then it hits you! The overwhelming since of OMG- I am on information overload Is This all real? I have to tell you all, that after reading ALOT of information on this website, That I was totally freaked out about everyone's postings. Everything seemed so hopeless, and so LONG..I was having anxiety over the length of this process and fears of getting rejected...I just knew this would happen to me- I am hear to say, that my experience was very much the opposite of everyone else....I am not sure how much this will encourage those of you who are new like myself.but I would like to share with you my story. I went to my initial consultation with the suregeon's group (Dr. Sydney Appel-Decatur Ga-DeKalb Medical) on March 11, 2004. It was a four hour consultation. In addition to presentations, and a Q&A, they also provided me with the following data to ensure a smoother process with the insurance company: Requirements were as follows: Psych Exam (4 hours): Perform & determine patients appropriateness for surgery Complete MMPI-II test Interview with Psychologist ----------------------- Diet Evaluation-Nutritionist: Review pre-op guidelines Review Post op guidelines Discuss Protein Supplements Discuss medication and vitamin restrictions 3 month post op review ---------------------- TSH Levels: Thyroid Blood Test by Primary Care Physician Testing must be done 6 months of insurance approval ------------------------------------- LETTER OF MEDICAL CLEARANCE: Must state persons, height, weight, BMI & clearance for surgery by Primary Care Physician ----------------------------- PHYSICIAN SUPERVISED DIET DOCUMENTATION Must be office note or other documentation from a qualified professionsl to supervise a diet (office notes or weigh****cher booklets) A summary letter is not sufficient and will not be accepted Patient should have at least two (2) forms of documents Attempts should be at least 6 months in length (each) ------------------------- SURGICAL REFERRAL: This is required of all patients with a HMO or POS contract with their insurance company. ---------------------- PULMANARY CONSULTATION: Determine if a patient has sleep apnea, or any other respiratory disease Determine if a patient needs a breathing machine before surgery Then of course, if any of the specialist found you needed an additional test, then you have to go through that process. In my case, the pulmanary exam showed I had a slightly enlarged heart (due to HBP)..I in turn had to go to a cardiologist for sxam followed by and echo cardiagram and Stress test. Those findings were normal. Knowing all of this UPFRONT, I tackeled each requirement and sent the documentation to the Surgeons office. My paperwork was submitted to my insurance company on May 26th, 2004, and I was approved on June 8th,2004. I have my upper GI/Gallbladder testing tomorrow AM, and my pre-op appt with the surgeon next Friday. After that, I get a surgery date. This took all of three months.and everything is flowing like clockwork here. Call your Insurance company upfront and find out what if any limitations they have, and know them upfront so you and your doctors can work as a team to get through this process. I have United Healthcare Choice- REMEMBER, Stay CALM, DETERMINED, and FOCUSED on what you have to do. Take Care and Good Luck to everyone! Denise Stn Mtn, GA

Denise I am glad you have had a road block free journy so far ...Mine was also a very fast road and i was done in 4 months and i was very happy for it ...It just takes time sometimes and alot of understanding at times but it can be drama free that is for sure ... Laura PS let us know when you get your date !!!!!

That is wonderful. I am so glad you posted. Best wishes and please keep us posted. Hugs and prayers, Theresa

Thanks for posting Denise. I have had a pretty easy go of it also. I've consulted two surgeons...I decided to go with Dr Duncan, I had my consult date on Mar 30, received approval on 27 May and will have my surgery on 14 July(at my request.Although they offered a June date) I do know the information overload feeling all too well and that's when I back away from the computer and digest it all for a while and then I come back to this site and and gather more info and offer encouragement to others. It cycles like that for me. Take care, Tonya