Passed the prescreening, now waiting on insurance approval

Well, I finally have all the prerequisites done, and the Bariatric team met and forwarded my file for insurance approval. Met with the Endocrinologist, the Dietician (x2), the Exercise Physiologist, the Psychologist/Behaviorist and the Surgeon. Now it's just up to my insurance. It's my understanding that they will approve, as they're the ones that said I should go to Memorial when St. V's called them, they said it is a covered beni, but is in network in S. Bend. I should hear within about 2-4 weeks. I've been doing the dieting, the working out, and have lost about 15# so far in the past 4 weeks. I'm swimming at the YMCA because of my bad feet and back. I've alerted my boss about possible time off in October and he's ok with it. They told me to take 4 weeks, and I've got that available to me - but I will be crawling the walls if I stay off that long. Based on all the other posts I've read I'll go into it planning on 4 weeks, and see how it goes. If all is well after 3 weeks and I'm chewing on the woodworking we'll see. An extra prayer or two would be of great help if you guys are the praying sort.....Wish me luck otherwise!

Hi Jeffrey, I will send up a prayer for you. I know how nerve-wracking it can be waiting on approval. Good job on the weight loss and exercise. Good luck!

you got the prayers..........and yahoooo on those 15 pounds lost..... do you live in St Joe and going to come here for the surgery? i have a couple of people i know from ST Joe....GOOD LUCK.......your on your way to being a loser

I would think twice about chewing on the woodwork... I know it has been over a year for me but I KNOW it isnt on the yellow sheet!!! some people are only off a couple weeks.. I was off a whole month because I could...in my business it is nice just to get away from the office... and in APRIL/May it is sooo much nicer.. ( I work for Revenue) The wait for approval is the longest wait you will ever experience... use your time well for soon you will be working so hard on becoming the person you always Knew you could be.. Best of luck and be well.. Linda

Jeff, Congrats on being on your way. They sure have you meet with alot of different people up there, don't they? Every pound you lose now is less for you to lose later. Losing 15 lbs pre-op is fantastic! I think most people usually are off about 4 weeks but alot depends on the type of work they do too. Many who do all desk-work only take off 2 weeks. I'm on my feet all the time at work so I took 4 weeks. As was said, this waiting for approval time is the longest time ever. It's like someone decided to play God and slow things down. Then after you get approved, from then to the surgery date, it speeds up. Just get anything done that you know you probably won't feel like doing for a little while. We'll all be keeping you in our thoughts & prayers. Sherri

Hey Guy, Chewing on woodwork is only for beavers-haha!!LOL Believe me, when you get in the routine of walking,sipping,resting, taking meds./vitamens, eating, ,etc. you will have your days full! Time will fly so fast you will wonder where your "vacation" went. I agree, if you lose some now that is less for later.(Don't go crazy on those "last suppers"-I did & gained 10# more before surgery-soooo not worth it!!!) You have my prayers . (((hugs))) Ellen

Thanks folks, I appreciate the comments. I'll leave the woodwork to the puppy we've got. I don't think I have to worry about the "last suppers", they've got this rule that if you gain before surgery it may postpone it for you - pretty good motivator. Also, last two weeks before surgery are liquid diet anyhow - I guess I'll get used to those shakes before surgery! I'll keep you posted.....