Met with Surgeon yesterday and he wants more info!!!!!!!

Hi everyone....I've been a member on this board for a while (lurker) and really enjoy reading all your posts.

I started my weight loss journey back in April of this year.  Since then I've completed all the requirements (3 month Kaiser Options class, tests, pre-op weight loss) etc.  I finally had my one-on-one with my surgeon yesterday and he questioned my qualifying co-morbidities (as I'm a lightweight). Somehow the Bariatric PCP must have not included all the information in his referral.  My surgery is scheduled for November 28th but the surgeon is waiting for feedback from the Bariatric PCP.  My heart sank because I've come this far, bought all my postop proteins etc., and now I'm worried that I could get canceled!!!!

Everyone keep your fingers crossed that the Surgeon hears back from my Bariatric PCP soon with qualifying information!!!  I've been sick with worry!!!!

Thanks everyone!!!!

Swinging lizards for you.

Ask that idiot surgeon how much of a kick back Kaiser gives him for denying surgeries.

--gina

Oh dear.  So you don't actually have your approval yet?  I'm assuming that you are under 40 BMI and need documented co-morbidities?  If your PCP sent you to all the classes, etc, eveidently they thought you qualified.  It may just be a matter of getting the information to the right place.  Does the surgeon seek approval?  I would hound the PCP to be sure the surgeon gets the information pronto.  Sometime insurance approval can take a few weeks. 

I'm swinging it all gets resolved soon.

Do you know what your co-morbidities are?  Even the most conservative insurance tends to recognize cornary artery disease, sleep apnea, and diabetes.  (That's all my insurance recognizes as co-morbidities.)

 I know it is hard to be patient at this point in the process. I am about a year ahead of you and hit problems with my insurance only weeks before surgery. However, that said, I am sure Kaiser will do right by you. Their program is excellent from my observations. I was going to switch to them, if my insurer fell through. I think like all programs, they need better communication.

Stay on top of everybody. Getting names and documenting every call really helps. You'll look back on this time someday in a much calmer mode. Just know that every hassel is worth it for the wonderful outcome you have ahead of you!

Is your surgeon a Kaiser doc or outside? If the surgeon is Kaiser, then the electronic medical record should contain all your needed information. If he is outside of Kaiser, obtain a copy of your records and have them sent or bring them to your outside surgeon. Sounds like the PCP submitted an incomplete referral.

 Thanks everyone for your input.  My surgeon is contracted with Kaiser.  I've sent an email to the Batriatric Champion asking if he touched base with the surgeon yet to confirm my co-morbidities that got me accepted into the Options program in the first place.  Hopefully I will hear back on Monday and all systems will be a go!!!!!

 Wow!  I'm so sorry you are hitting a snag in the journey.  LIke everyone else has said, stay on top of the docs and be assertive.  You've done everything right so I'm sure it's just a paperwork glitch.  Swinging lizards for you.
Janet

Yucky! I will be crossing my fingers for you, that all goes well.

UPDATE................

I received an email today from the Bariatric PCP who still keeps referring to stupid OPTIFAST which I did a few years ago and gained all my weight back.  Being Lightweights, I know you all can relate to the obstacles we have to climb over to have this surgery..  I started at 197 and am down to 180....I'm 5 feet tall and would like to be around 110 goal.......Anyway, here's his response....let me know what you think...................

"Yeah, i talked to the surgeon.... i still don't think you should do the surgery based on how little weight you'll lose and how easily you could lose that in optifast without surgery, but you're the boss!

Good luck!