Approved in a Week!! WOOHOO!!!

I was approved within a week with no additional info needed.  First time in my life that My Weight was a good thing!!  Surgeons appt is July 30th!!!!   Can't wait!!    Full steam ahead!!!  I'd appreciate any input from anyone out there about how to prepare for surgery!! 

Hi MJ, That is good news.  Now the waiting for the surgery is going to be the hardest part!  Have you had your appt with the dietician?  You will want to be prepared for what you can drink or eat.  I started to journal my progress by taking pictures and then take pictures every month to note the progress.  I find it hard to notice the weight loss, but my friends have (i didn't tell alot of people).   As for the surgery my doc had me on a 2 week semi-liquid diet  ( 2 meals slim-fast and one meal)  and then day before all clear liquids.  My surgery was routine but i stayed overnight which is nice because the nurses wake you up every two hours to take your blood pressure, take your temp or check the incisons.  All you really need is loose fitting clothes to wear home ( i wore a cotton cami or like an undershirt so I wouldn't have to fiddle with the bra hooks) and shoes that you can just slip into.  I took a book and magazines but slept most of the time because of the morphine. hope this helps, if you have any more questions ask away.  Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Monisha

what all did you have to do to get approved besides submit paperwork?  smilingone in kansas

I really had to do little.  I attended the seminar, and completed the paperwork submitting the required PCP doctor's info.  Surgeon asked for 3 yrs, I've not been to the doc in many years for anything other than just sinus infections, and so I requested the past 5 yrs of records instead of the required 3, (also more for  my info).  My PCP had never even dictated any conversations we'd had about my weight in those years.  I have no co-morbidities, that are diagnosed (cause I just don't go do doc! ).  No PCP recommendation was needed.  I did write my own letter outlining the health reasons that the surgery would be helpful.  It was all fact and Medical based, Not sure if this helped, but thought I'd give it a shot.  But I completed the necessary Psych eval, but that was not even sent to the insurance with the pre approval.  So basically BC/BS approved me due to my long term high BMI.  So I guess I was lucky in that sense.  I have my first Dr. appts with surgeon's office on the 30th.  So I'm so looking forward to more info.  !!  .  On the phone, the coordinator indicated we would  be looking at surgery scheduled at the end of September, so I'm banking on it happening in October.  I know I have lots more visits for checks and test ect before we get that far.  But I'm glad the mission has started. 

MJ, thanks for all the information, it just seems like once you go to the seminar it takes forever to surgery.  I also have BCBS Federal and they are like the best to work with, it's all the other stuff.  Good luck smilingone

I also have Blue Cross I have choice and am a State employee. I also had no trouble getting approved . I am seeing Tudduuic. In Lincoln @ Suergical Ass in St . Elisabeth . I resived a booklet from BC BS today . I don't know if it was just rutine mailing or if I was ment to get it . My husband did not resive one but it could come at a later date . But any how , From what i understand is the surgery is covered. I'm haveing Lap Band . So any way surgery covered but fills and anything else is not and will be out of pocket . I was informed that fills are 250 each and I will need three in the first three months . Is this about the same as you have been told ? Also I was told @ the support group that our insurance also covers skin removal after two years of maintaned weightloss. ALl I had to do was first go to siminar then I seen my doctor on June 5th then I went to dietishin and phyc @ Madanna on July 23 . I now have to attend a support group Aug 8th . I belive that's it . I should get a date soo. I'm hopeing for the ens of Aug beginning of Sept . I could be wrong. I did not have to go to alot of apointments like the sleep test . We should keep each other informed . hope to hear from you Mickey