Extremely discouraged waiting for an approval

Since I know the people reading this are probably experiencing similar frustrations I just want to go on record saying that my experience with trying to get weight loss surgery has become a nightmare!  At my first appt. with the surgeon he and his staff were wonderful, seemed like they were open and willing to help in any way possible.  Now here I sit eight months down the road and it seems like everyone from the people at the insurance company to the coordinator at my surgeons office have become so UNHELPFUL and right before my eyes those open arms have been closed shut and I am left feeling so frusturated and discouraged that I could SCREAM!  I really don't understand why people who do not seem to be sensitive to the battle of weight loss and the work that it takes to prepare for surgery even bother working in this field?!  If I am approved or not one thing that I have definately learned from this experience is that I need to also become more sensitive to the needs and  hurt of my own patients (I work in healthcare).  Its extremely difficult. 

Well...I don't know about your insurance or your surgeon for that matter, but my insurance required a 6 month supervised diet to even consider covering the surgery.  I started in January and eventually had surgery on October 23rd.  So in actuality that took about 10 months.  Its really not that uncommon.  I am a nurse and I know that many health care workers end up having worse insurance than most other people...don't ask me how that happens, but it does.  I know that if I was still working in the hospital where my last job was (I work at a law firm as a medical consultant now) I would not have been covered for surgery. I know it is discouraging and God knows I'm one of the most impatient souls in the world...but I didn't find the 6 months went by that slowly...it gave me time to do tons of research and make myself more comfortable with the fact that I was going to forever alter my anatomy.  In my field...defending malpractice cases...believe me...I have seen all the horror stories of anything gone bad...so I was extra nervous about the whole thing.  However I did have a unique perspective in choosing my surgeon, since I knew of his great reputation around the area.  That did comfort my fears somewhat.  I was also able to loose 34 pounds ahead of surgery, which is what I think made by surgery so easy (that and my surgeon of course).  My recovery was so much easier than I expected.   If you were more specific about some of the areas where you think things could be better with your insurance company and surgeon, one of us might be able to help find a way to work around it to get your surgery done as soon as it can be.  There are a lot of people here that fought with their insurance companies and with their surgeons for that matter, but still ending up prevailing and having surgery.  Good luck.

Thanks for getting back to me!  I am really just letting out some steam The truth of the matter is that I am sure what I am going through as far as waiting for a response from my insurance company and getting annoyed responses from my surgeons office is completely normal and what most people going through this surgery process goes through.  I have written letters to my congress etc. because its such a shame in general how people are treated when they just want to get healthy.  I will keep you posted because I am waiting to hear from my insurance company if I was approved or not......so we'll see, thanks again for the support though!

I know what you mean...although a lot of people's stories are the same regarding insurance and doctors...it really doesn't make you feel any better when you're on tenderhooks waiting.  I'm not sure its the waiting that so bad, but the worrying that they will deny you in the end...AFTER all the waiting.  I didn't feel like it was too bad though, because I know how hardheaded I am and I knew if they told me no it wasn't going to stop me. When I was at my support group meeting the other night, they gave us a handout on this organization http://www.obesityaction.org/home/index.php, and talked about how they were working to get all states and insurance companies to cover bariatric surgery.  While you're waiting, and since you seem ready to take on some injustices, you might be interested in looking into what they are trying to do.  I know that here in Louisiana, one of the largest insurers, BCBS of Louisiana, does not cover bariatric surgery at all.  Luckily the company that I work for has offices in Alabama and I have BCBS of Alabama, who do cover the surgery.  I know several people who would greatly benefit from WLS but they will not be able to have it as they cannot self-pay and their insurance will not cover it.  Please keep us updated on how your approval is going.  I will pray for you if that's OK with you. 

I would be extremely grateful for your prayers!  I believe in the power of prayer and have been praying myself.  Its great though because I haven't told any of my family except my sister and aunt (who are both skeptical) so the whole thing is really giving me a major headache.  Thank you for the prayers though and I will be in touch as soon as I hear something!

I AM FINALLY APPROVED!!!  Thank you for your prayers while I was waiting to hear something!  I am so relieved that I could jump up and down!