Sent in my packet - just waiting

Well, I finally got all my necessary letters, labs and huge stack of paperwork filled out and got it sent to my surgeon last week.  I guess I am just in the waiting period now.   I have United Healthcare and they say they cover this, so hopefully I won't have any trouble.  I have decided on Dr. DeLaTorre.  How long did it take most of you to get insurance approval and then how long before your surgery date? Once I made the decision that I definately wanted this done, I want the surgery now.  It is difficult to have to wait!! Any suggestions on things I should do between now and my surgery to help get my body and or mind ready? Thanks,  Melissa

Hi!   I was assigned Dr de la Torre, after I got approval from my insurance.  Now I got approval Sept 27(within a week by the way), the next week the office called to schedule my pre-op appt for 12/12, and let me know that they weren't scheduling anymore surgeries until next year.  So on 12/12 I will get my 2008 surgery date.  Waaaaaaaaa!!!  You are like me "I WANT IT NOW!"  It seems so far away! But I am just taking it a day at a time, and trying to quit smoking...still......And visiting this site everyday. Which facility are you going to?  I know both Scott & Dr D work out of Columbia &  @ DePaul here in St. Louis.  I am going to DePaul, but the Columbia office may be different.   About getting your mind & body ready??  I would enjoy an answer to that one too......... Any takers? Have you called insurance to check status? Kerri

I am going to the DePaul hospital in St. Louis too.   I haven't called my insurance yet.  I just mailed the packet to the surgeon last Friday, so with the holiday on Monday, they probably didn't get it until Tuesday.  I didn't know how quickly they would forward it on to the insurance company.  I guess I will start calling them next week. Melissa

Hello,

I too am having surgery with Dr. De La Torre and it took about 2 weeks to here from my insurance but I have BCBS.  My info session is also 12/12.  You should call your insurance.  I'm sure your approval will be in before the next session. good luck, Angela

I just called my insurance and they haven't received anything yet for Dr. De La Torre's office.  They said after they receive the request, it could take up to 30 days to get a reply.  I sure hope it doesn't take that long. I think I remember seeing that a requirement of Dr. De La Torre's is to attend 2 of their support group meetings.  I went to their informational meeting, but haven't been to a support group meeting yet.  Does anyone know if that has to be done before the pre-op appointment, or just before surgery? Melissa

I thought it was just one or the other.  I went to the info meeting back in November 2006 (yes its been a long journey).  I don't think we have to go to two because I didn't and she scheduled me for my preop with no questions. You should call Nancy and make sure they have everything.  One of my girlfriends thought everything was a go and come to find out that she was still missing something (letter from psych eval).  So it wasn't even sent yet to the insurance company. Anyways, it takes a few days. It'll be there before you know it! Angela

Hi Melissa!! I'm glad to see you are posting.....I've not been on here for quite sometime so it was nice to see you tonight when I came on. Congrats on taking those first steps!!!! I suggest SUPPORT GROUPS, as many as possible and don't NOT go based on a bad first impression or any other reason....just keep going!! And take Kevin too!!!  ALSO, make sure to at least make walking a part of your routine now. Some sort of exercise will greatly help. AND keep coming HERE!! : ) Congrats AGAIN!!!