First Consult, Games Insurance Play

Had my first consult with the surgeon today. It was a long day. First I saw the psychiartist who cleared me. Whew....thought maybe they would cart me away instead Then I saw the dietician who went over my diet pre and what is expected post surgery. I will have to start making changes now as I am addicted to Mountain Dew Then I saw the surgeon who said that I am a good candidate for lap RNY. After seeing all these folks individually, all the WLS patients who had appts today had to go to a Q&A session with the surgeon. He expained the surgery to us all, drew pictures, talked about mortality rates, etc. He just was very upfront about everything. He did not try to sugar-coat anything. He even told us to make sure that we had a friend or family member stay with us in the hospital because there is a shortage of nurses and wanted us to be aware of that and that the patients who have family or friends stay with them, tend to get better care. As a nurse myself, I know that this is true. Anyway, I get OT. We were told that everyone who had an appt today with my surgrion could look forward to having surgery around the end of March, beginning of April. I am so very excited to have gotten this far in the journey. We were told to fight! fight! fight! our insurance companies if we needed to. He even told us that the insurance companies would throw paperwork away to keep stalling in hopes that we would give up. He said something really funny, but also sad and makes me mad when I think about it long enough. He said this: INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL TRY HARD AND TRY ANYTHING TO "INSURE" THAT YOU DON'T GET YOUR SURGERY So that is how my first consult went. Next week I go for the mandatory class with the dietician and the nurses who work on the gastric by pass unit at the hospital. Hope I haven't bored anyone and I apologize for the long post. But I had to share my happiness and to validate what a lot of us knew already...that insurance companies will purposely try to screw us out of our surgery if they can. Shame on them!! Thanks everybody. Have a good night. Nancy

Congrats on not getting "carted" away. I was releaved to make it through that portion as well. Now that you've gotten started just keep that momentum going! Good Luck on your journey! Hugs! Leisa

Thank you Leisa (pretty name) Nice feeling when they don't haul you away, huh I see that you have a date next month. Congrats! Nancy

My insurace made me wait 6 moths and go through six moths of pre op seccions before they would consider me having surgery. After the six months Dr. Bour had to call them and have a talk with them. Thanks to him I was approved. They told him I did not have any medical problems to show that I needed the surgery. HELLO I weighted 548 lbs! Wonder what that is called OH YEA Morbid Obesity. Not a medical problem? Hope all goes well for you!

Hi Terri, Thanks for responding to my post. Yeah, it seems as though they will try anything to keep from paying for this surgery. But excuse me.....we're PAYING you! It's not like we're asking for something free. I really hope my insurance doesn't try to throw a monkey wrench into the works for me. I'd love to have this surgery in March or April. I see you had your surgery....how are you doing? Hope all is going well for you and that you are getting the results that you wanted and are feeling much healthier. Nancy

I am doing GREAT! I had my 9 month check up on Thursday and I have lost 292 lbs. I thank God everyday for for Dr. Bour and what he is doing in my life. I wish all of the luck in the world!!!! Terry G