Discouraged Already

Well, I talked to Kim at Cr. Gornechec's office yesterday. She told me that my insurance requires 6 months of doctor's weight, exercise, and nutrition help before I can be approved for surgery. I ran into this once before when I was seriously going about having surgery in 2005. But then I had the doctor's visits behind me except he wouldn't sign off on it. Then I got really frustrated and just decided I wasn't ever going to have the surgery. My problem now is that I have go find yet ANOTHER doctor because they one I go to now doesn't endorse WLS at all. I am also afraied my husband's insurance company is going ot be changed in the middle of all of this-the usually go with a different insurance provider every December.  I guess it won't hurt to go ahead and get started on the doctor's visits now because no matter what I am going to have to do that anyway. I am just really down because I was told this summer that my insurance only required 3 months with a nutritionist. Oh well... I just had to come here and whine a little bit.

Hang in there Natalie!  It was over 2 years between the first education meeting I attended and my surgery.  I ran into problem after problem and got so frustrated.  I was days away from having surgery in February when I found out I needed to have a 6-month medically supervised diet.  Then my surgery was scheduled for Aug. 20 and I actually got to the hospital admitting desk and found out my surgery would be postponed.  I was so discouraged I felt like giving up.  But I finally had my surgery two weeks ago and I'm down 18 lbs. now.  All the frustration will be forgotten eventually.

Did you do the Dr suppervised visits in 2005? I did mine from about 2003-2005 and I was able to use it. Check on it. Even if the Dr does not support WLS he cannot keep you from getting your records. Trust me no matter what hoops you have to go thru or how much time it takes it is worth it. What would you be doing with that time if you were not working on getting this done. Were you at his office yesterday?? I was. About the insurance I think the company usually is the one tha decides to cover it or not. (I know it is in my husbands case) if they cover it now I hope they will continue to cover it for you. Tressa Tressa

Getting the surgery is emotionally harder than the surgery itself and certainly harder after the healing process is complete.  I want to work on an article about that, but I want to do it when my emotions are not so high and I can look at it objectively.  I just gave in and went with a self pay because I got tired of putting forth the effort fighting the insurance companies that I could put into living my life. I rarely post about insurance topics because it riles me up, but I wanted to offer you support and an Okie hug.

Hi! I suggest this...find out through his employer if they will exclude WL, on the new policy. Then ask about the supervised diet for them. I would also look at the existing companies hand book and see what is there in black and white. My insurance excepted my past supervised diets but then I had them going back till I was 13. With documented proof.  The insurance companies deliberatley do this to get people frustrated so they will give up. Stick to your guns! Go to your pcp with info on wls and bombard him with research and info. Some pcp's are against it because they do not know all the ends and outs. Others are because they are making money off of your comos and freguent visits.... Hang in there! This journey is not a smooth ride the whole time.

I would definately check to see if your supervised diets from 2005 will be acceptable. But if not, six months is going to pass regardless if you do the diets are not, so just do it. I will pass before you know it.

Natalie, I completely understand your frustration.  I've been there myself.  I've blogged about my "getting started" and the trouble I had. The six-months will prove beneficial whether you have WLS or not, so you might as well get started on it.  Then, if your new insurance requires it, you'll already be in the game.  If not, you've just helped yourself get off on the right foot. Sorry, I know how frustrating it can be. Cathy

Just don't give up!!!  We all go through an emotional roller coaster one way or another.  But, in the end, it is so completely worth it. Just keep us posted with all of it and we'll support you! Tonja