Titrator wrote:Hi Couger,
Going through the process takes quite a bit of time.. It takes on average 6 months to get though insurance approval and all the testing involved. I had to do a transesophageal echocardiagram and another sleep study. They also did a lung function test and a blood gas before I even got to talk to the doctor.
If your insurance declines, which they will likely do, file an appeal. That takes extra time, but it is worth it. Seems that everyone gets turned down initially, and the people who fight usually win.
I had to get my primary doctor to sign off that I followed a two year weightloss plan supervised by him. Others I know, had to join weight watchers for 6 months to prove that after really trying, that the weight will not come off.
I also had to take a psych exam, which the doctor initially told me that I had to seek counseling because I am addicted to coffee.
I basically told that guy to stick it and got another shrink to sign off on my readiness for surgery.
The entire process for me took 1 year, before I got to have the surgery... so hold tight and keep going. You will eventually win.
Ted
I know the whole thing is going to take time. First off they require participation in a twelve session class I'm assuming over twelve weeks called Freedom from diets
This program advocates a nondieting approach to healthy living and eating. Learn how making healthier choices, including regular physical activity, proper nutrition, and a positive attitude, can help you improve your general health and lose weight and keep it off. Materials include a collection of success stories from people who have maintained weight loss and healthier lifestyles; a food guide with calorie fat, and other nutrition information; food diaries to help you track your day-to-day progress; and the Cultivating Health Weight Management Kit Resource Guide.
They might even require that I go to weight watchers, I haven't had a Primary Care Dr. Long enough recently for him to have been working with me long enough to sign off on anything.
I don't know that they would make me take another sleep study other than the one I'm suppose to take in 3-5 weeks now (that is scheduled currently for December... Silly backed up sleep lab) I just did a lung function test and had three blood gas taken in the last three months (that's no big deal getting pretty used to getting stuck...) And getting a Transesophageal Echocardiogram sounds uncomfortable but you do what you have to do.
And from what my Dr. said since it is Kaiser and everything is in house. That I already got approved as long as my coverage doesn't change, because they checked before I got my program approval. Though they did say that it will take at least 6-12 months to go through the whole program to the point of surgery. As for seeing a shrink I might or might not. I'll probably have to have at least one session to get clearance. Besides it might be good for me anyway. I have shrink coverage through Kaiser as well so most I'll be out is copays.
It's all about getting the process started. I could of been 2 months into the program already if I hadn't put off getting that questionnaire returned. If they decide I'm not a good candidate c'est la vie. I've been big all my life so I'll just continue to struggle to try and loose it on my own. Truly I'm not getting my hopes up yet.
Your insight is great to hear though and if you remember anything else I should know. I do know that from the information my Dr. told me when I was at my last appointment, only 1 patient has died after the surgery since they started doing them 5 years ago. I know, I know Kaiser can be so behind the times... they don't do Lap Band, and from what I understand they only perform Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (not that I know exactly what the other kinds of Gastric Surgery for weight loss there are, just my informational booklet says the Roux-en-Y is the most common).
Christy
