Newbie with HAP HMO....

Hi there, I posted earlier and did not see my post, so I thought I would post again....watch, both posts will show up! LOL Anyway, after researching WLS for about 4 years.....put it off to have more children and now am seriously interested in moving forward. I know my insurance covers the surgey, I have scheduled a psych eval (part of the qualifying criteria) and I see my doctor on the 15th of June...everything was pretty much documented when I first saw my provider 4 years ago s this just to update. Can someone please answer some questions for me...it trully would be helpful. TIA 1. What experiences with HAP HMO will I most likely encounter with regard to the approval process? I know everyone's experience is different but a little insight would be nice. 2. Should everything go according to plan, approximately how long is the process from start to finish? (BTW, my insurance requires I use Henry Ford) 3. Anything I should anticipate doing, seeing, using.....? 4. Any personal insight on the surgery itself would be great!!! Thanks so much!

Hi Kelly, First of all, I wish you the best on your journey. HAP is not the easiest to work with, but I believe for good reason. I was approved after my in person appeal with them. Tomorrow I have my pre-surgery weigh in and my surgery is next Thursday. You can read my profile for more information. HAP is very specific on who they want you to see. Even though I had letters of support and recommendation from my therapist, HAP required me to have a psych eval with one of HFH's Pshyciatrist's. From start to fini**** has taken me approx 6 months to get to my surgery date. Hopefully this will help. I truly believe you're in great hands with HFH. Blessings, Kim

I too had HAP and was also required to go to Henry Ford. I started my journey in September, was denied twice then I had to appeal to the state, and I was approved in March. By the time I got thru all my appointments, losing the required weight and all the tests, it was another six months, but those six months seemed to go much faster for me. It seems that LAP RNY is the norm nowadays, however, I was required to sign a release form that if there was a complication, they could convert to OPEN. If you have ever had your gall bladder out, then that is how you feel when you have the LAP done. I was in on Thursday morning and out by noon on Saturday. I had Dr. Genaw, but Dr. Carlin is also good! I wish you the best of luck with your journey!