Question:
Going Crazy Waiting for Approval, Does anyone have similar Stats?

Dr. Afram in Washington, D.C. is my doctor and I am currently waiting to hear back from my Insurance if I am approved for surgery. I am 5'4'' and 238, my BMI is 40.9 and I would like to speak to anyone who has similar stats and been approved through CareFirst BCBS PPO, or even if you have used the same doctor. They take care of all the insurance for me, and have instructed me not to follow-up directly. It is hard for me to not take a 'hands-on' approach. How do you get through this seemingly endless wait? It has only been 1 1/2 weeks since my initial consulation, I'm going crazy!    — Amanda R. (posted on April 29, 2002)

April 29, 2002
Why have they instructed you not to follow-up? If I were you, I would at least contact my insurance company to make sure they have received the information. I have anthem BCBS- not the same as yours (lucky for you)- and I called them initially to make sure they got the info. Now I call them daily becuase nothing would ever get done if I didn't! But that is another story. Personally, I encourage everyone to take a pro-active approach when it comes to insurance, but it is entirely up to you! Good luck!
   — Sarah P.

April 29, 2002
OMG! You ARE me. 5'4" 237lbs and 1 week since my initial consultation. I have BCBS PPO and am waiting for approval. I'm going out of my mind. To make things worse, they took my height with my shoes on (!!) and said I'm 5'5" - which I am NOT. They took 1'4" off instead of redoing it - and my shoes are more than that. That, combined with being so close to the required BMI is really wearing on my nerves. Good luck to you.
   — K. Joyce Smith

April 29, 2002
I have BC/BS ppo and I was approved really fast . I will be post op on wed and they paid for everything but 100 dollars . I am sure all will be fine . Good luck in your journey :-)
   — sallie P.