[quote="Titrator"]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[/quote]

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
[quote]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.[/quote]

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

Believe me.. I was Shocked when the shrink to me that since I drank coffee everyday and loved it... that I would need to seek counseling before I could pass his criteria...

Sorry, it was just the one line I was laughing it. The entire TOPIC is certainly NOT a laughing matter, as you can judge by my earlier posts in this thread.

No offense intended. It was just that one line that struck my funny bone.

Sorry,
B.

The reason that the doc's are so stingent is that they are rated on their numbers. Stats are everything to a bariatric doc. They want to know that you will be able to handle the surgery. It is a huge deal to get this done. People even die due to the surgery. My primary care doctor's 32 year old nurse died 3 days after that surgery. It isn't a laughing matter. It is very serious. A good bariatric center will take every precaution during the precert to insure a patient is ready before they cut.

I am not trying to discourage anyone, just bringing reality to the conversation.

I wish you all the best and I hope you are a candidate for the surgery. It is life changing.

Ted

Titrator - No doctor in Portland will tell Christy she's a pysch case because she's addicted to coffee. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Christy - if it happens, do post the doc's name, so we can have the Starbucks Police lynch him/her. 8)

That's just a RIOT! Of course, my father has a Waffle House coffee problem. He can't pass a Waffle House without getting a cup of coffee. His sleep architecture must be nuts... :lol:

Thanks for the laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
B.

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

Sent it to work with the Husband... He works in a Mail Room so he should have come up with something...

Hope you found an envelope and stamps. :)

:oops: Just so you know it hasn't gone out in the mail yet... between the football game on Thursday and having to deal with getting my BiPAP exchanged and well more general procrastination it still needs a new envelope, and postage... But I swear it will get mailed on Tuesday...

Christy

Let us know when you hear back!

Off topic, I've been quiet this last week because we buried our old dog
:cry: :cry: :cry:
and then I was completely lost and at sea with no doggy companion. I felt like I'd lost a part of myself.

We were paired with a rescue dog at the local shelter (the trainer there and I are old dog club buddies and she gave selected him personally as ideal for me) and I have been busy keeping him calm, reinforcing his manners and generally bonding with him. We've renamed him "Dexter". So far so good.

Anyway, I'm so pleased you posted this thread Christy. :D I want to keep up with the story, so keep posting please!
regards

Di

OK I got the address, now I'm rechecking the questionnaire for accuracy since things have changed a bit since I filled it out... Like being diagnosed with OSA which has a small section on it.

Then I just need to send it off...

It's after 5 so probably no call today. Got D&D tonight though so I'll be off till tomorrow will keep everyone posted.

Congrats for taking the first big step! Fingers crossed you get a call back soon :)

OK I made the first call and got the case manager's voice mail... So here I wait for a call back.

tic.. toc... tic... toc : :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

{{ good luck }}