Update on MD Appointment

Well, I guess I just jumped the gun a little and didn't understand the whole process.   Except I did get to meet Dr. Chapman for the first time and find out information about my particular surgery.    Basically, yesterday, I was charged $30 to be told that they had everything they needed, I had passed all my pre-op tests, which I already knew! I don't quite get why it was called a " Decision Visit" LOL   And now they have to send everything to my insurance to get approval.  They can not give me a date until they have approval from my insurance.  My question is why did they not send all the information to my insurance already before this appointment and  have my approval so they could schedule my surgery and do my History and Physical? 

I did get to see Dr. Chapman and he said I was a model patient for the surgery.  I had actually lost another pound!  Thank you for your prayers!  Prayers really do work.  And I'm glad I got to see Dr. Chapman because he did examine my umbilical hernia that I have had since I was pregnant with Alliy ( almost 9 years now when my rectus abdominus split) and he said that he knew he could do the gastric bypass laproscopically but the hernia might and most likely would be a problem.  He thinks he will have to deal with it during my surgery.  He said that it really depends on what is involved with the hernia as to what he will have to do during surgery.  If I have bowel or intestine involved with the hernia, then the surgery will be more extensive.  Anyhow, he said that having to recover from the hernia surgery will be harder than the recovery from the gastric bypass surgery.  He also said that the hernia repair will not be permanent because he can not fix it permanently due to the fact that I will be losing alot of weight and the hernia will recur so whatever he has to do to the hernia will not be a permanent solution.  He will have to go back and redo the hernia surgery 12 months to 18 months after my bypass surgery. 

Dr. Chapman was very nice and I feel very comfortable that he will do a great job.  He wrote me a prescription for the OptiFast Liquid that I will be drinking for 2 weeks prior to my surgery and I picked it up at the pharmacy there before I left.  It cost $136.00.  He said to give his office 10 days to get all my paper work to insurance and then I need to start calling my insurance and asking if they have approved me for surgery.  He said that especially around the Holidays, the insurance can be slow.  He said that as soon as I get a verbal approval from the insurance, to get a number and call his office and he can look at a date to schedule my surgery. So he said  the ball is really in my court now!  LOL  I feel like it has been in my court all along!  So I've marked Nov 16 on my calendar to start calling my insurance!  Nov 16 was ano ther very notable date in my life, maybe it will be this year too!  Thank you for all your prayers and support!  You will never know how much they mean to me.  Please keep them coming!  Now I have to get the insurance approval! 

Hugs,

Bobbie

-------------- Original message from "

Hi Bobbie! Congratulations on your progress! A Decision Visit actually makes a lot of sense for all parties involved.  In cases like yours, where there will be additional surgery (for the hernia) and where your lap procedure could turn into an open procedure, it makes even more sense.  It gives you some time to think about whether or not you really want to do this, and it reassures (and protects) the surgeon and the insurance company that you are aware of everything that is involved and that you did not make a spur of the moment decision.  I imagine a lot of people back out at the last minute and they are just making sure that you feel this is the right decision for you. Stay proactive with that insurance company and call the surgeon to confirm that they have sent everything to the insurance company.  Then call the insurance company to make sure they have everything they need.  Then you have to wait a bit at least.  But if you stay on top of things, as you have already, it should be approved in no time at all! All the best wishes for a speedy approval! Love you!

Thank you for all your support. I agree with you. The visit yesterday was good for me. I know that I have to have the hernia repaired and I was expecting to have it repaired after I lost my weight. I know it is bad and I constantly worry that it will get to the point that it will become an emergency procedure. So, it really is not a surprise that it will need to be repaired during this surgery. I truely believe that God works everything out for the best! I'm leaving it in his hands. Love, Bobbie

Congratulations Bobbie on all the progress you have made thus far!  I will be praying for an approval letter to arrive in your mailbox shortly!  There is a lot of power in prayer! Love, Diane

It will all fall into place before you know it.  Congrats on your progress. 

Connie

Thank you for all your support Connie! I definitely having to practice patience! LOL Hugs, Bobbie

Thank you Diane! I definitely believe in the power of prayer! Your support means the world! Love, Bobbie

One step closer though!!  One step closer!  :)

I am getting so excited! One step at a time! It all seems to be adding up and I'm getting really excited! Thank you for the support! Hugs, Bobbie