OMG!!! I've finally been approved!!!
Well the title says it all. I just got the call, followed by the letter that I was approved for surgery.
Its been 2 years since I started this battle with the insurance company. Denied 2 times but I guess 3rd time is the charm because after all these months its finally gonna happen. I'm freaking out. Happy and anxious.
I want to tell everyone the great news but I had planned not to tell many people about my surgery for fear of their reactions, trying to talk me out of it, etc. This is the only place I can shout it from the rooftops "I AM APPROVED!".
I just wish my classes didn't conflict with the pre-op meetings. I went to a couple of them over the course of the last 2 years but stopped going after I started night school.
Now that I'm approved I don't really know what all I need to do. I mean, i know what I need to do but I'm afraid I'm going to forget something. When exactly will I have my operation? What about work and school? How much time do I take off? Do I apply for disability benefits or do I just use up my vacation time? Do I still go through with my fall classes or should I take this semester off to focus on the surgery and learning to eat and all that? So much is going through my mind.
I can't believe I've finally been approved. It was becoming to feel like it was never going to happen. I even started looking into paying out of pocket, taking out a huge loan to pay for this. So glad I didn't have to go that route. I can't afford it. I'd have to live at home till i'm 40 before I'd be out of debt.
Oh gosh, I'm so happy! .
-Corrinne
Its been 2 years since I started this battle with the insurance company. Denied 2 times but I guess 3rd time is the charm because after all these months its finally gonna happen. I'm freaking out. Happy and anxious.
I want to tell everyone the great news but I had planned not to tell many people about my surgery for fear of their reactions, trying to talk me out of it, etc. This is the only place I can shout it from the rooftops "I AM APPROVED!".
I just wish my classes didn't conflict with the pre-op meetings. I went to a couple of them over the course of the last 2 years but stopped going after I started night school.
Now that I'm approved I don't really know what all I need to do. I mean, i know what I need to do but I'm afraid I'm going to forget something. When exactly will I have my operation? What about work and school? How much time do I take off? Do I apply for disability benefits or do I just use up my vacation time? Do I still go through with my fall classes or should I take this semester off to focus on the surgery and learning to eat and all that? So much is going through my mind.
I can't believe I've finally been approved. It was becoming to feel like it was never going to happen. I even started looking into paying out of pocket, taking out a huge loan to pay for this. So glad I didn't have to go that route. I can't afford it. I'd have to live at home till i'm 40 before I'd be out of debt.
Oh gosh, I'm so happy! .
-Corrinne
WEll first congrats!!!
2nd. It depends on what you do for work and how far you travel to school. I was back to work doing the desk job part of my job at 1 week -I wished I had taken 2 but I was OK - just really tired. As for school I think that you would be fine if you don't have to travel really far.
I think that you'll be fine with fall semester - just tells your professors that you have to have surgery and will miss a few classes. With e-mail these days I am sure that you can stay caught up.
Congrats again!
2nd. It depends on what you do for work and how far you travel to school. I was back to work doing the desk job part of my job at 1 week -I wished I had taken 2 but I was OK - just really tired. As for school I think that you would be fine if you don't have to travel really far.
I think that you'll be fine with fall semester - just tells your professors that you have to have surgery and will miss a few classes. With e-mail these days I am sure that you can stay caught up.
Congrats again!
Congratulations!
Now that you have your approval, things will happen pretty quickly, which may make decisions a bit easier than if you have lots of time to agonize over them.
If you can schedule your surgery to avoid mid-terms and finals, that would probably be best... and earlier in the semester is always better than later, because you've still got time to catch up. Let your instructors know up front (first day of class or before) that you have to have surgery, but will be working from home after just a few days, and ask them what the impact will be on your grade. Most should be willing to work with you, but for any that are not you'll want to know that up front so you can drop the class before you're charged for it. (ideally, you can find another section of the same class with an instructor who will work with you.) You do NOT have to disclose to them antying about the TYPE of surgery, just that you have a medical need and will not be able to attend classes in person for, say, a week to 10 days. If you run into problems negotiating that with your instructors, talk to the Dean of the department where you're having the problem and ask for their assistance in dealing with the issue - that's their job.
Everyone's mileage varies, but you will likely feel up to going to class within about a week after surgery. You will be TIRED... but shouldn't be in pain or incapacitated. Pace yourself and as long as you're not trying to work AND go to school, you should be ok. In fact, pushing yourself a little bit at that point (walking from your car to class, for example) will be a good thing and can actually make you feel even better. Just plan to bring your water with you, and get an insulated lunch bag and pack your snacks and meals. PLANNING is the key to success in juggling this.
Congrats again, and we'll save you a seat on the loser's bench!
Karen
Now that you have your approval, things will happen pretty quickly, which may make decisions a bit easier than if you have lots of time to agonize over them.
If you can schedule your surgery to avoid mid-terms and finals, that would probably be best... and earlier in the semester is always better than later, because you've still got time to catch up. Let your instructors know up front (first day of class or before) that you have to have surgery, but will be working from home after just a few days, and ask them what the impact will be on your grade. Most should be willing to work with you, but for any that are not you'll want to know that up front so you can drop the class before you're charged for it. (ideally, you can find another section of the same class with an instructor who will work with you.) You do NOT have to disclose to them antying about the TYPE of surgery, just that you have a medical need and will not be able to attend classes in person for, say, a week to 10 days. If you run into problems negotiating that with your instructors, talk to the Dean of the department where you're having the problem and ask for their assistance in dealing with the issue - that's their job.
Everyone's mileage varies, but you will likely feel up to going to class within about a week after surgery. You will be TIRED... but shouldn't be in pain or incapacitated. Pace yourself and as long as you're not trying to work AND go to school, you should be ok. In fact, pushing yourself a little bit at that point (walking from your car to class, for example) will be a good thing and can actually make you feel even better. Just plan to bring your water with you, and get an insulated lunch bag and pack your snacks and meals. PLANNING is the key to success in juggling this.
Congrats again, and we'll save you a seat on the loser's bench!
Karen
Corrinne,
You have had one heck of a battle going through all this - and congratulations to your perseverence and ability to keep at it! Shows a LOT about your character and how well you will succeed with this.
As far as all your questions....they will be answered one at a time. Fax a copy of your approval to Barix. You will hear back from them regarding when they can schedule you for surgery.
As far as school and work and what not...it depends on what you do (for work) If it were me, depending on when surgery is compared to where you are in education and the semester...you could probably swing school if you really wanted to - but would definately need to take a week or two off from classes. If you feel the class load would be to much to take that much time off - then if you can do it, go ahead and take the semester off. And it wouldn't hurt to be able to focus COMPLETELY on yourself during this early time of healing and learn your new pouch and eating and what not.
As far as work is concerned, I was lucky enough to have STD (short term disability) pay 80% of my salary and my PTO time cover the extra 20% - so in essence, I was being paid at a full time rate for the whole time I was home. Due to being an ER nurse Dr. Pupkova told me ahead of time I would have to be out for at least 6 weeks due to the physical nature of my job. And I also had a small complication regarding my heart rate after surgery (the anesthesia caused my heart rate to be in the 40s for 48 hours after surgery) so I needed a cardiac clearance to go back to work cause Dr. P wasn't sure what to make of it. And then...it was the holiday's so Dr. P was AWESOME to me, as I would have had to go back to work on Dec 23 and work that whole week - so she took me out until Dec 26 so I could enjoy some of the holidays with my family :)
Everything will fall into place when it is supposed to and how it is supposed to. Take a deep breath and take one step at a time. I'm sure you could also call Barix and ask to speak to Dr. Boe and/or make another appointment with him seeing as though it has been so long to rediscuss everything and get his take on what he would like to see you do early post op! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You have had one heck of a battle going through all this - and congratulations to your perseverence and ability to keep at it! Shows a LOT about your character and how well you will succeed with this.
As far as all your questions....they will be answered one at a time. Fax a copy of your approval to Barix. You will hear back from them regarding when they can schedule you for surgery.
As far as school and work and what not...it depends on what you do (for work) If it were me, depending on when surgery is compared to where you are in education and the semester...you could probably swing school if you really wanted to - but would definately need to take a week or two off from classes. If you feel the class load would be to much to take that much time off - then if you can do it, go ahead and take the semester off. And it wouldn't hurt to be able to focus COMPLETELY on yourself during this early time of healing and learn your new pouch and eating and what not.
As far as work is concerned, I was lucky enough to have STD (short term disability) pay 80% of my salary and my PTO time cover the extra 20% - so in essence, I was being paid at a full time rate for the whole time I was home. Due to being an ER nurse Dr. Pupkova told me ahead of time I would have to be out for at least 6 weeks due to the physical nature of my job. And I also had a small complication regarding my heart rate after surgery (the anesthesia caused my heart rate to be in the 40s for 48 hours after surgery) so I needed a cardiac clearance to go back to work cause Dr. P wasn't sure what to make of it. And then...it was the holiday's so Dr. P was AWESOME to me, as I would have had to go back to work on Dec 23 and work that whole week - so she took me out until Dec 26 so I could enjoy some of the holidays with my family :)
Everything will fall into place when it is supposed to and how it is supposed to. Take a deep breath and take one step at a time. I'm sure you could also call Barix and ask to speak to Dr. Boe and/or make another appointment with him seeing as though it has been so long to rediscuss everything and get his take on what he would like to see you do early post op! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for time off work it depends on you and your doctor. I've been told I'll be out of work 4-8 weeks. I am fortunate that I have Short Term Disability at work so the way I look at it I have the time I'll take whatever the doc wants me to take.
I am also in school. I'm just figuring it will all work out as far as school goes.
Again congratulations on your approval
Ida
As for time off work it depends on you and your doctor. I've been told I'll be out of work 4-8 weeks. I am fortunate that I have Short Term Disability at work so the way I look at it I have the time I'll take whatever the doc wants me to take.
I am also in school. I'm just figuring it will all work out as far as school goes.
Again congratulations on your approval
Ida
IdaMae
Sounds like we are in a similar situation. I noticed you have a date set in September. We'd be starting around the same time. Since you'll be one step ahead of me it will be nice to hear how your whole experience went concerning work and school and disability.
I'm looking at this disability paperwork and its rather intimidating.
All these forms almost makes me want to tell my boss I'm going on vacation and I'll be back in 2 weeks. But I'll stick with the formal short term disability stuff and sick time forms just in case something happens and I need to be out longer than expected. I hope that won't be the case but better be prepared than to run into complications and have to deal with the all those forms and unscheduled leave time after something goes wrong.
I'm looking at this disability paperwork and its rather intimidating.
All these forms almost makes me want to tell my boss I'm going on vacation and I'll be back in 2 weeks. But I'll stick with the formal short term disability stuff and sick time forms just in case something happens and I need to be out longer than expected. I hope that won't be the case but better be prepared than to run into complications and have to deal with the all those forms and unscheduled leave time after something goes wrong.
~*~Corrinne~*~
I figure we have the short term disability, I've used it in the past for another surgery and it worked out well. I was in school then also. I had some complications after that surgery so a few of my grades suffered a little bit. My hubby had to drive me to class and carry my books and laptop until I could drive and lift things heavier than a gallon of milk. somehow it all worked out. I'm figuring it will all work out again this time
I just have to find out how much notice I have to give out short term disability company I think it's 30 days and if so I have to give them notice tomorrow so they can start my paperwork. I also have to still tell my boss, I haven't done that yet. I've only told one person here at work that I'm having WLS - she also had the surgery about 4 yrs ago and looks amazing.
Good luck with all your forms
Ida
I just have to find out how much notice I have to give out short term disability company I think it's 30 days and if so I have to give them notice tomorrow so they can start my paperwork. I also have to still tell my boss, I haven't done that yet. I've only told one person here at work that I'm having WLS - she also had the surgery about 4 yrs ago and looks amazing.
Good luck with all your forms
Ida
IdaMae
I mainly have desk job doing computer stuff, every once in awhile I have to fix Pyxis machines which can require some activity but as long as I'm not building a new unit I'm on my butt all day. I probably would be fine going back to work relatively quick but perhaps I should just take the max that I'm allowed. I work for a hospital and between the paid time off bank and sick time bank and state disability I could technically be out for a month and get paid my full amount the whole time I'm out. Wouldn't mind a little vacation from work to focus on myself and some school work.
School I'm only doing on a part time basis, a night class on Monday and a morning class on Tuesday. Its a lot of material I'll miss for each class but I'm not too concerned with the classes since one is Composition II and the other is Web Design, both of which should be no problem for me even if I miss some school.
Still doesn't feel real yet. Maybe once I start all that PAT stuff it will start to sink in.
School I'm only doing on a part time basis, a night class on Monday and a morning class on Tuesday. Its a lot of material I'll miss for each class but I'm not too concerned with the classes since one is Composition II and the other is Web Design, both of which should be no problem for me even if I miss some school.
Still doesn't feel real yet. Maybe once I start all that PAT stuff it will start to sink in.
~*~Corrinne~*~
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