After one year...still waiting for WLS

Hi Everyone, Tell me, how many of you have been waiting this long to have surgery? I have had one complication after another. I had to 50 lbs (40 down so far) and I switched my insurance at the request of my surgeon who then told me he dropped that plan!!! Now I have to start from scratch with a new surgeon again. Any words of wisdom? Dawn Smith

Hi Dawn, You know me and I haven't waited that long to have the surgery. I called my surgeon in December of 2003 to make an appointment for a consultation. I had my consultation appointment April 14, 2004. After speaking to Dr. Letiman I had the tests he requested and I had my surgery July 8, 2004. Jackie

my words of wisdom are if this is what you really want then never never never never never give up never Stacy 232/141/140

Hi Dawn, I can't say I waited that long for my surgery, but I did research the whole process for a year before I had mine. I really am glad that I did because it is a major life change. I had mine in Nov 04 and first saw my doc in Aug. 04. So mine was 3 months. Keep at it though..don't let anyone or thing change your mind!! Good Luck!! Karry 311/199/165 goal

Just wanted to say "HI" DAWN....!!!!!!!! What insurance do you have now?????? cant imagine a doctor "dropping an insurance" but im sure it happens! BE strong! Stay motivated it will happen!!!!

Dawn I waited about a year to have my surgery due to my insurance. I went to the informational meeting on March 4, 2004, had my first consult on March 30, 2004 and surgery was March 14, 2005. I just kept taking steps towards the surgery until everything possible was done while waiting. The problem was my insurance was only covering one doctor in this area and kept stalling about covering any others. The waiting list for the one doctor was unreal. When I called his office in February last year I wouldn't have been able to get an appointment until at least September and he was all ready booking surgeries for December. I knew eventually the surgeon I chose would be covered so I just waited it out and finally got the call the end of January. They sent my paperwork in that same day and the very next day I got the call from my insurance company I was approved for surgery! Believe me it is worth the wait! Having the surgery was the best decision I ever made!

Took me FOUR YEARS and 2 insurance companies, but I would do it all again. Just as I was entering the home stretch, the company I was working for dropped me and so I had to COBRA just to make sure I got the surgery, which eventually happened. You just have to be determined. Also, contact your insurance carrier and find out who they use. Explain that you are damn near through with all the prerequisites and ask THEM how THEY want you to proceed. You would be amazed how much they can help. Good luck and keep with it!

Hi Dawn, sorry your have a hard time, but things do happen, but you should never give up.....and you should also call your insurance company and talk to them and find out what is covered and what surgeons are in your plan..... I did one year of research and one year of denial til I finally got the approval and than surgery..... hang in there it will happen just never give up.... Christine

Hi Christine, Thank you so much for replying to my message. Sometimes the frustration of waiting just gets to me. Especially since I continue to do poorly on my diet. I am currently on Jenny Craig and all it is doing is reminding me of why I need the surgery!! So how many times were you denied? Dawn

I can relate. I started in Jan 04, and finally had my surger in Mar 05. All I can say is that the wait is worth it. I thought I would never get there and I finally did because I kept at it. I kept asking myself if this was the right thing and I kept getting the same answer. I still feel that way 3 weeks post op. Listen to yourself. If its right for you...keep fighting!!!!