Exciting and Frustrating!

I just got back from my days worth of pre-op visits - it was a looooooong day for sure.   The class was pretty small, I was the only one there from my doctor, everyone else was seeing a different surgeon.  There was a good mixture of both VSG and RNY patients....we went over a bunch of info, including the pre-op liver-shrinking diet (which starts today!) and the clear liquids diet.  I also found that that I don't have to take the magnesium citrate the night before....phew, nothing like prepping for surgery while sitting on the throne all night.  

Glad to have dodged that particular bullet

 

After the class I met with my surgeon, and maybe she was having a bad day....but she didn't even know what procedure I was having, and I've been meeting with her for 8+ months now.  It didn't impress me, her PA (who I spoke with beforehand) said that it was her fault because she'd forgotten to tell her I was a band-to-bypass.  

Anyways, besides that....I rooted around for more information about the whole insurance debacle.  It's hard to get a straight answer out of anyone and I'm pretty much convinced that they're just winging it....which does NOT make me happy.   I like all my ducks in a row tyvm....especially when we are 8 days out from surgery and we've rearranged our lives around this event.  

The story I got is that it hasn't been submitted yet because BCBS changed their policies on how much history a person needs (now 12 mos. instead of the previous 6 mos.), and because of that a bunch of people got denied (they couldn't say whether or not I was included in this group)....and they are having to call in a bunch of patients to get more information on their WL history etc.  While I understand that is a new policy change, what irks me to no end is that they KNEW about this change back when I saw them at the end of November and they mentioned it to me....why not collect all this information then (nevermind that I'd already shared this info with the doctor in my intake packet)   AND...when they scheduled my surgery a few weeks back, I specifically asked them if it had been submitted yet, and was told that no...it would be submitted later that afternoon.   See what I mean?  I feel like no one has a straight answer. 

So, anyways....I answered a bunch of questions, provided them with several years worth of dates for gym memberships, programs I've used....nutrisystem, weigh****chers, CMWL.  I met with the Anesthesia nurse and went over a bunch of stuff with her, and got what felt like 10 gallons of blood drawn to check my values.   I was told, multiple times, that once that blood work comes in...the stuff will be submitted and that we should have an answer before go time (but I was told stuff would be submitted several times now and it seems to me that everyone has just had their heads up their bum).  

SO......I'm caught between being excited that this is really going to happen, and annoyed that there seems to be some rectal cranial inversion going on with regards to my insurance.

Argh 

I would be having straight up panic attacks about that.  I'd also be on the phone every hour on the hour until I found out just when they would be submitting to insurance.  Ugggh, I hate that kinda thing.  Hang in there and I hope it all works out for you.  

It says a lot about how far I've come in dealing with my anxiety and food issues that I'm not shoveling cookies in by the truckload 

Seriously though, burns my bacon!  Nothing I can do but wait it out and cross finger, toes, shoelaces, etc.

I still can't believe they have you starting your diet before approval! I am bcbs of nc too. (I have state health plan because I teach). Mine went from not having any required wait time to 12 months. I called bcbs on my own to verify I was on old guidelines. I just had initial consult in Dec and they approved so I am sure you will be fine. Hope you hear soon to ease your anxiety.

Yeah, I actually mentioned your experience to my surgeon because I knew you also had BCBSNC like I do (though mine is a commercial plan....but a really really good one) and she said they still have had people get denied even though they started months ago.  I'm going to call the insurance company tomorrow for clarification, because I really feel like unless they're part of the insurance coordination staff....they don't really know what's going on or what the reasons are.  I could be wrong, but that is what it seems like!

my god what a day, like Deanna said I would also be having panic attacks. this is ridiculous and it would not give me much faith in the process. I am sure the surgeon is excellent, they usually are they bad at paperwork that's why they have secretaries and their cutting skills are excellent but you are having to jump through a lot hoops, back and forth and it must be terribly frustrating.

Keep on them, get stuff IN WRITING and don't stop until you get answers.  I wish you luck, it will be so worth all this hassle to get your band out and get RNY, I know easy for me to say but it will be worth it.

Best of luck!!

Wow... that would have me on edge for sure... talk about stress and starting your liquid diet and no food... You will be a champion when you get through this.....

I know you have posted several times on this, I don't remember, have you called your insurance company yourself?

Wow! Very stressful! I feel your pain, I ended up having to wait an extra year after finding out my insurance had an exclusion to WLS. I was only a week away from surgery. Had to start the process all over again with new insurance company.

I have my fingers crossed for you!