Whats Next?

I went to my siminar, got all my paperwork filled out and turned in. My doctor has wrote a recommendation letter, so I was wondering whats next? When do I get am appointment to see a surgeon? I know that they are gonna contact my insurance company so do I wait till the insurance company says yes or no before I go any futher. Im sorry to ask so many questions I have tried to call Cenntenial to ask some of these questions but I just get a recording. I am sure they will call me back. I am just so anxious to get the ball rolling. I am ready to take a big step in my life and I am just wanting to find out all I can. Thanks for all the help and being patient with me.

I didn't go to Centennial so I can't really speak for what their protocol is.  But, for me, after I went to the seminar, I made an appt to see the surgeon.  I saw him a few weeks later, then had an endoscopy.  I didn't have to jump through all the insurance hoops because I was self pay.  So, if it were me, I would call the surgeon's office and get the ball rolling.

I think I waited until I got approved for surgery before I met with Dr. Houston.  Funny how time flies when it's behind me!  I remember getting the letter from my insurance saying WLS was medically necessary.  Yet at that point I don't remember having decided on which procedure to have.  I remember wanting to talk it over with Houston.  All I can tell you for now though is try to relax, which is easier said than done.  Sounds like you're off to a good start.  Keep us posted.

I hope mine goes as good as yours. I sure think that its medically necessary for me I weigh 265 and my back surgeon said that I would have to have several operations on my back if I didn't lose weight. I have tried and failed to lose weight so This is the only way that I know how. Did you have to go see different doctors or did they just say you was approved? Some one told me it would be a year before I would get to have surgery if approved. But they never had wls so I don't know how they would know. But however long it takes I will wait. This I am sure will help me 100%. I put down I didn't care who did the surgery but I wanted the DS if possible.

Well, they needed medical records from 2 doctors to prove 5 years of obsity.  I changed PCPs.  Once they had all my medical records and every insurance criteria was met, it went pretty quick.  I did have a delay of about three weeks because the surgeon's office wasn't sure if that the approval was for any surgery or just the lap or RNY since that's what they do the most.  Turns out it was for any surgery that my BCBS policy covered, including the DS.  I am so happy for anyone who is successful.  I just don't think the other surgeries were suited to my history or abilty to be compliant post-op. 

I heard that it's about 3 months from starting out, getting your records to your insurance company, and getting scheduled for surgery.  I think mine was 4, which makes sense if you take in my glitch discussed above.

I think that the DS will be the best for me because of my hypothyroidism. It is extremely hard for me to lose a pound and keep it off so it is gonna take something aggressive to help me. I have bcbs also but thru tenncare. I have my regular doctor and my endocrinologist that will back me on the surgery.

You've gone to the seminar...  not received insurance approval as of yet,right?

 Ok, call the office.  Talk to Holly who is the office manager for Dr. Houston.  She is super nice.  Ask her what you need to do now, and more than likely she will put you in touch with one of their financial counselors.  my counselor was Cheryl and she was just awesome!  Actually I met Cheryl after work one day in the waiting room where I handed her all my medical records and she got right on the ball trying to get my insurance approval.  I was already denied trying to go with another doctor's office, and so I had everything in hand that needed to go to insurance.

I too got my appt with Dr. Houston once I was approved for the surgery.  Good luck on your insurance rigamarole *thats what I call it since most insurance companies have you jumping through hoops*.  It can be very frustrating at times, but just remember, this is your life and health here on the line...  do not give up...  keep fighting for your health.  Good luck.

Thanks so much I will call. Im not gonna give up. I am determined to get help and lose weight I joined OH in 2001 and was thinking about wls but I was too afraid but Im not anymore. Im willing to do whatever it takes to get this surgery done. Thanks so much for all your help.

Hi Sonya, BCBS usually makes you have a three month or a six month Dr. supervised diet before they will approve the surgery.  So you might want to check with the insurance company on that so you can get started. 

May God Travel with you on this journey

Yes my doctor put me on a weight loss progran a few months ago. I have lost 3 pounds but thats all usually I dont lose any at all. Thank you I need all the information I can get to get this surgery started.