It's been a couple days since BCBSNC received my file...

and still no word...It's still pending...I called yesterday and asked to speak with the review dept. and they told me "NO."'
I'm so nervous, I feel like I could throw up.
On the brighter side I got my treadmill and home gym yesterday, my hubby set them up in the garage and says he's going to get a flat screen TV and put it on the wall for me.
All I need is an approval...I'm also a little concerned about one other thing...When I went to see Dr. P back in April I weighed 245.4...In May my doctor took me off my fluid medications that I've been on for 15 years and I immediately put on 14 lbs.  He just gave me those pills back and I've gotten 5 of it off in this last week.  How the heck and I going to get 9 lbs. off if I have to go back to Dr. P late next week???  I'm eating right, exercising, but 9 lbs. is A LOT in one week.  On top of that I'm supposed to get my period next week and I always hold tons of fluid the week before.  If I completely stop eating and  just keep myself hydrated, can I get the last 9 off?

At this point in the game, I'd really hope docs understand water weight.  But I suppose some don't.

You could conceivably lose that 9lbs if you lived off protein shakes and liquids.  If you put yourself into a state of ketosis by doing this, you will effectively burn all the extra stuff in your liver (which is why some docs require a 2 week liquid diet before surgery) and you will lose weight.  It won't be easy, but it can be done.

I have lost 10lbs in a week before by doing the above.

First off -take a deep breath and don't stress out. Most docs will understand about the medicine side effects. They all understand about TOM weight gain and fluid retention.

2nd- Congratulations on the home gym - it seems like Miss Annie is rubbing off on all of us. My treadmill faces my bedroom TV so I'll be able to walk and watch the morning news.

Good Luck - Iris

I called my insurance once a week to check status - they have 30 calander days to make a decision so I didnt want to drive myself insane by calling over and over again.
Only your Dr can speak to the review department directly, the best you can do is talk to customer service and they can tell you status of the request.

Unfortunately, I had to delete this post due to privacy concerns.

Michele,  After that description, I'm so nervous, I think I could throw up for you!  The waiting game sounds like it is the absolute worst of this entire process.  Give us tests, give us diets...poke, prod...do whatever...just don't make us wait not knowing!  :)  Fingers, toes, legs, and eyes crossed for you! 

Michele,
Jumping up and down with joy for you. How exciting............ be positive gurl, but keep calling them. I am so excited for you.

Dr. P will tell you, you will have to get that off before he will do the surgery. The day of the surgery you have to weigh the same as the day you walked in his office and he is dead serious about it. I am not trying to scare you, but they are strict and have canceled surgeries the day of, if there was a weight gain.

Gurl, you can do this. Supplement one of your meals with a protein shake don't eat in between meals. You can do this......... you can..........

wooooooooooo hooooooooooooooooooo

Wishing you good luck ... you need to find out what the timeframe is for the 'determination.' It's normally 30 days. If so, you can give yourself a break and give 'em a call once a week or so and see where it is in the process. While it's enough to drive a sane person crazy, it's just all in a days work for the folks processing the paperwork and that's really what it is, processing paperwork. Usually, everything sails right on through. Hang in there.

Barb

P.S. Call the Dr's office and let them know what's happening and ask for help re: the weight gain.

If you can't get it off he will prob. give you 2 weeks to try again. Dr. B does the same thing and will cancel if you gain before surgery. It is to make your surgery safer.  Now calm down and breath........ok
Cut down the salt
Measure food (you will have to do this after surgery)
Stick with protein (it will cause ketosis for rapid weight loss)
Drink water or SF drinks(crystal light...SB diet)
Stay away from soda even SF,
Walk a lot
Read labels for nutrition and serving size.  Don't panic and tell Dr. P about your rough time.  All it will do is delay your surgery if you don't loose enough for him.
Good Luck
Myrtis