New

Hi everyone!

I'm new and have been afraid to really post too much because I'm afraid to get attached and then have my surgery denied.  I hate this process!!!  My insurance should get my paperwork sometime next week and then they have 3 weeks to decide.  Sparrow Hospital Weight Management told me that PHP is one of the most difficult to gain approval from in their experience so I'm trying in the midst of that to keep thinking positive thoughts that I'll be approved.  My BMI is only 37.8...However I have moderately severe sleep apnea, hypertension, Severe Gerd with barretts esophagus (pre-cancer) and pre diabetes..they said it would be better (to my insurance company) if I had full blown diabetes. Great...I don't.  So I sit and wait on pins and needles just wanting to begin the process of preparing for surgery and not knowing if I will get the chance.

Thanks for letting me ramble!!!
Amy

Hi Amy
Welcome to the Michigan forum

This is a good bunch of folks that have a lot of information to share.
We have daily coffee post that every one chimes in on daily.
If you have questions don't be shy someone here has the answer or will know where to get it.
If you just need A shoulder there are plenty of those here too.

Let me invite you to our first Meet n Greet.

You're most welcome to join us.

Next Saturday  October 10Th as our meet up day.  At 11:am.
Mark your calendar
Meet up time. 11 A.M.



 Yates Cider Mill in Rochester
You can get directions at this link 
www.yatescidermill.com/

or you could call
Yates Cider Mill
1990 E. Avon Road
Rochester, MI 48307
Call (248) 651-8300



So Just look for the (Home made) White Poster board  with Blue and Maze  Michigan / Oh-ers emblem on It.

Mary, thanks for the info...I can't make oct 10 but maybe you will be having another one in a few months.  I look forward to making friends with everyone and sharing my journey WHEN I have my surgery!!!

Hang in there, I first began planning my WLS in 2005 with the approval process and having h-pylori, which would not clear up, it took almost two and a half years for me to get my surgery. It was frustrating, but, oh, so worth it!

Me at nearly 500 lbs and me at half that weight a year and a half later

wow Nick, what an amazing difference in your before and after photos.  I know that I have to be patient and ready to fight if they turn me down. Its just a frustrating prospect.  I'm hoping that I get the approval and don't have to worry about all of this....

Welcome to the MI board.
Remember, the site is called "Obesity Help" not "Surgery Help".  I know it seems like your brass ring now, but you can't put all your hopes, dreams, and goals on a surgery. 

You're on your way to being healthier no matter where this journey takes you.  And that's a good thing.

Wow Nick

You are my hero.

What a wonderful journey you must have been on.

Congratulations.

Welcome to the board Amy!  Best of luck to you.

Carey

Amy,

I hope you don't get denied, but be prepared.  If you do get denied keep fighting, sometimes the insurance co's just need you to be a pain in the rear, let them know that you will not go away or stop fighting.
Stick around here, learn as much as you can and have answers for the insurance company if you ever need to contact them yourself.

Good luck and welcome,

Edie

The frustrating part is that I called my insurance company (PHP) for their policy and what they directed me to said to see their morbid obesity policy..so i asked where THAT was and she said its what she just gave me. I said it can't be because what you gave me said to see something else.I want the SOMETHING ELSE...she said "you need to call sparrow hospital weight management" and ask them. Ummmmmmmmm, you are in the insurance company, they are the surgical weight loss center..they don't determine whether i get approval or not.  So, for now, i'm doing what she said..sparrow is just waiting on the letter from my doctor which was sent out two days ago..everything else is already in the packet..when they get the letter (oh boy, maybe today) they will fax to PHP for approval which can take 3 weeks i guess...If i'm approved, i'll just not worry any longer about the requirements but if i'm denied, then i will have to start jumping thru hoops and appealing. Really its quite frustrating.