I have a DATE and LOTS of tests to do!

I HAVE A DATE!!! MARCH 15th I will be having surgery. I am so excited! Take a look at the updates on my profile if you want all the details. I have to be in Tulsa on the 6th and 7th for most of my tests. I will coming alone because my husband has to work and watch our girls. If anyone is not busy on those days, I would love to meet some of you. I will also be coming back on the 13th for the pulmonologist appt at 11am and the support group at 6pm. I am almost there! Lisa

Lisa, Oops......I just tried to email you and of course, it wouldn't let me. I've already sent 5 emails which is the limit until "later". What kind of a deal is that? And when is later? I'm a talkative person and I just found this area of Obesity Help. I have a lot of questions and alot to say. Gee whiz!!! Anyway, regarding your upcoming surgery......congrats.......who is your doctor and what hospital are you going to? I just had my first surgeon's appointment last Thursday, Feb 24, 2006. I went to Dr. Steven Katsis of Surgical Associates in Tulsa. I liked him. Kind of reminded me of George Clooney but cuter. (haha...he's my son's age). He's from my home state of Iowa (I've been in Oklahoma for over 20 years though) and went to Oral Roberts University I think. Big pluses in my opinion. Mine will be at St. Francis. It will be awhile though. I haven't even had my evaluations done yet. If I am available I would be happy to "drop in" on you while you're in Tulsa. Anxious to hear from you, Keep x-ing those days off the calendar......it will be here before you know it!!!!!!! God's blessings, Vanessa

Thank you Vanessa! My surgeon is Dr. Gorospe in Tulsa and I will be having my surgery on March 15th at Southcrest hospital. So when you went for your appointment last Thursday, did they take all your stuff to submit for insurance approval? Keep me posted, please. I would love to meet with you while I am in Tulsa! Got lots of time in between appts. The 7th and the 13th is the day that I have the least amount of appointments. But I don't have anything to do on the 6th after 6pm (nutritional class). Send me an e-mail and let me know if any of those dates work for you. 16 days till surgery!!! Lisa

Vanessa, Hey Girl, we're close and the same surgeons! I'm going to Dr. Fisher. Hoping to hear from my insurance by the 8th and then I will be bugging Anita to get in and get a DATE. I am sooo ready. Are you going to be at support group on the 14th? Barring the rivers don't rise I will be there. Let me know. Take care, Cathy

Lisa, How AWESOME is that! Great to hear. I hope Kerri and I get approved that quickly. Keep us posted...!!!! Would you mind a vistor or two while you are in the hospital? did they say tell you how long you would be there? Kendall

Hey Kendall! I would love to have some visitors in the hospital! I would not mind meeting you and Kerri when I am in town next week if you have time. I will be going in for surgery on the 15th and barring any complications, I should be released sometime on Friday. I just got my packet in the mail today with all the pre-op testing confirmations and fee schedules. I have to have my $600 surgeon fees in by the 6th. I got a packet from the shrink and have to fill that out. Did you know there is a $50 materials fee in addition to your co-pay ($30 for me)? I have to call my insurance to see if my other specialists are in network or not. I keep telling myself, be Very glad you are not self pay! My heart goes out to those that have insurance that won't cover the surgery or those without insurance. I have been very lucky with my response time from the insurance and what they pay after the fact! Well, I hope to hear from you soon! Lisa

Lisa, Kerri and I went to the psych. last week. We did have to pay the $50.00 each but my co-pay was only 15.00 it was covered under mental health with Cigna. Just curious what is your deductible and co-pay for the surgeon and then what is your % to pay directly. Just trying to see what amount Kerri and I will need to have also. Kendall

Kendall How was the eval?? I have to say that out of all my tests, that one makes me the most nervous! My insurance covers WLS 90%, no deductibles or co-pays (I am assuming this is for the hospital, but I am calling tomorrow to double check. Southcreast will be calling me tomorrow to tell me what my estimated amount will be and when it has to be paid by. All in all, I am thinking it will cost me (minus gas, hotel, food, etc) about $2900.00. We will see how close I am. I had a friend that had this done last year and the insurance company sent her a check back for $1400! She had only paid out of pocket $250, so she was paid to have the surgery! She called them and told them they made a mistake and they told her that everything was fine, so she eventually gave up on telling them they were wrong and cashed the check! She says she is just waiting till they come back and tell her she owes money. Anyway, I have updated my profile with my schedule of what my last week and a half on this side of the operating table will be. If you see any time in there that you and Kerri will be free, I would love to meet the two of you! Lisa

Lisa, The eval went really smooth. She was really nice and she mainly went over the things that we may go through after the surgery not before. I think she is more there for aftercare. I was thinking that she had to approve you mentally before you could have the surgery but that did come across to me at all. She just made sure that we had researched this surgery. The worst part was a 164 question quiz that you have to take at the beginning. All in All the visit lasted about 45 minutes. We will definitely try and come to the hospital to see you. take care & if you need anything while you are here just let me know. Kendall Home: 918-806-2024

Lisa, You lucky duck! I'm hoping to hear by the 8th from my insurance. I'm sure it will be a yes. My insurance, United Healthcare Plus pays 100%. And I don't need a pre-determination, just notification. I still haven't been able to get my Dr.'s nurse to get it. They just want my weight, height and BMI. I'm one of those doors that squeaks really loud and needs lots of oiling.LOL I call my insurance every 2-3 days just to see what progress if any is going on. I even keep in touch with my nurse. I'm going to Dr. Kevin Fisher with Surgical Associates. I really do like him. I've done all of my testing and paid him the $434.00 they require, BUT I should only have to pay $50.00, so I'll get the balance afterwards. They suggest that their patients go to Laurette for the physh. eval. But they wanted $300.00. No way! My insurance even filed a grievance with them. I'm only to pay 20% of the contracted rate, which is $25.50. They found Dr. Toni England on 54th and Harvard. She was great! I went twice and she basically told me I wasn't crazy, just everyone around me. LOL. Dr. Brian Worley is my pulmonolgists. He's nice too. Co-pay $50.00. I had a sleep study done and found that I have sleep apnea, RLS and use a CPAP machine. I love it. I can really sleep a lot better and feel more rested now. The heart stuff, I had done at St. Francis in Broken Arrow. Tulsa couldn't get me in until the 16 of March. 0 co-pay on that. So far, I have been out $535.00, but will be getting back $384.00, total out of pocket $151.00. The $384.00, part will be going to a new ****er spaniel puppy girl. I lost my last one in Dec. I will be ready after I get home from surgery to start training a new puppy and she will be good company for my walks. My sister in law used the same Dr. as you. She has done well as a whole since last Feb. She has lost close to 100lbs. Having several health problems, she is doing much better. My Dr.'s office has support group on the 14th, which I will be there. I've been going since Nov. and I have learned a lot. I've been told they really do help. I like this website too, as we are able to talk to people from all over. You learn something new everytime you log on. I hope yours go GREAT and I will be praying that all is well. I am available most anytime but mornings. Those I don't do! I work some evenings. The evenings of the 13th and 14th I have meetings, but free any other time around when you will be here. My husband is working out of state until the end of the month. I was hoping I'd have the surgery before he got home. He's worse than a house full of kids to take care of. LOL Take care and have a safe trip here. Cathy