Pre-op and frustrated with waiting...

Hi all.  I am waiting for "approaval"  I use the quotation marks as sarcasim as it is really waiting for the red tape to get untangled.  I have coverage with UHC, there is a letter in the mail now stating such.  But I cannot convince my Dr. office that they need to go ahead and fax all hx and pre-op info to the care coordination department at the insurance company to speed up the process.  Otherwise I have to wait 7-10 days for the letter to arrive, then wait for the Dr. to submit the paperwork to CC department via fax, then wait for it to be processed and then WAIT another 7-10 days for a letter to arrive by SNAIL MAIL before setting a date.  If they would just go ahead and submit paperwork now it would save a week or two of waiting.  I know most of you are saying "been there done that" but it never gets less aggrivating.  I am just no good at hurry up and wait. Thanks for letting me vent.  Nice to find this site!  Look forward to making some new friends to make this miraculous journey with! Tammi in Texas

 Hi Tammi, I completely agree with you!  I am going crazy with the waiting, as well.  I was doing OK for the first six months, but my patience has all but run out.  I am waiting to hear word from my surgeon who evaluated my case on Feb.21st and still no answer back yet from his office!  ARRRGGHH!  Just let me know!   I feel badly for my family because as the waiting increases my enthusiasm about getting anything else done dwindles!  I just want to know which direction my life will be going.  And not in two weeks, or two months, but RIGHT NOW! Lordy, I am starting to sound crazy! Good luck in your journey.  I hope you get answers soon! Alison

I agree with the waiting! It's absolutely ridiculous. I'm currently on a waitlist for an assessment (hopefully will happen within 3-5 months), and then I don't know how much more of a wait I have for surgery after that. I honestly wish that there were some way that I could speed up this whole process. I'm gaining weight like crazy due to my insulin and it's just depressing me more and more. I've gained about 20 lbs since Feb 15 (when my 2nd referral from my doc went out).

Hang in there, I guess. *shrug*

Oh... Alison, where in Canada are you? I noticed your surgeon is in MN.

Lori

So glad to hear I am not alone in my frustration.  You seem much more patient than me.  Maybe you can share some words of wisdom with the rest of us. Tammi

 Hi Lori, I'm from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.  My internist here in town filled out my OOC forms and recommended Duluth as the easiest place to get the surgery.  Eight to ten month wait versus three to six year wait here in Ontario (so he said). I finally heard back today from Duluth and my surgery has been approved there!  Finally!  BUT, I don't meet with the surgeon until April 19th and then I have to wait for OHIP approval and then for a surgery date to be set.  The receptionist said to expect end of June for surgery and that's with no surprises!  We shall see. Where are you from and where are you hoping to have surgery? Alison

Hi Alison,

I'm over in Alberta, in Lethbridge. I'm supposedly on a waitlist for one surgeon who's wait is 3-4 years (have never heard a peep from his office since my referral went in), and I'm for sure on another waitlist with 2 other surgeons (they work together) and I'm awaiting an assessment which should be in 3-5 months!!! WHOO HOO!!! If I could go out of the country knowing AHC would pay for it all, I would.

Good luck with your upcoming appointment!

Lori

Hi Alison, I am from Marathon Ont.  I am wondering how I get started on the process.  i am just returning from my family doctor and she has given me her approval to start the ball rolling but all she knew was that the surgery is done in Duluth and I had to contact them for the paperwork.  I am at a stand still here and was hoping you may be able to point me in the right direction.  thanks so much, Lori

I know the feeling...I am doing the whole 6 month diet thing and it STINKS!!! But it is required so if I want this it is required.....hang in there at least you are waiting for approval....I have not even submitted.

I hear ya girl.  Not sure why they think that if we have not been able to lose the weight all these years that in 6 months we are going to make enough of a difference to "not need the surgery anymore"  besides statistics show that the ONLY long term way to lose the weight AND keep it off is with surgery. STINKS!  Good luck to you! Tammi

Same here...the waiting is nerve wracking.I have been doing this for awhile now.I had picked out a surgeon here in Austin Tx but they were not in-network and they told me they were after looking at my insurance card.All that time waisted! Now i'm ging through one in San Antonio TX.  August 15,2005 - January 17,2006 I started exercising 3 times a week and eating right during all this I took my measurements.I kept a log.My mother taught the classes at the age of 55 she is awesome.I left all that information at her house thank goodness because I have moved since then and wouldn't know where to look for it if I had kept it but anyway I found my log this past weekend at her house and sent it to the doctors off.During all that time I only 15 pounds.I hope that they except it.Wish me luck as I do you!Let me know how yall are doing as well.