APPROVED!!! but for RNY

Apr 01, 2011

I received my aprroval letter in the mail today from BCBS NJ.  It only took about a week from the time Tracy sent the request until I received the letter.  However, it is for the RNY.  At the time I saw Dr. McKinney for consultation, the vertical gastric sleeve (VSG) was not an option on my plan.  It was then considered investigational.

My mom had a consultation with Dr. McKinney and because of existing problems she has she is not a candidate for RNY, but the VSG.  She did not know much about it, but after the doctor explaining and doing some research on OH, she was extremely excited about it and even more in favor of it than the RNY. 

Well, after her telling me about it, I checked my plan and praise God it is no longer considered investigational and is now a covered procedure.  So I called Tracy first thing (about 1 or 2 days after submitting for RNY) to ask about the VSG.  She read in my chart notes that Dr. McKinney had okayed for me to have that as well and submitted a request for the VSG.

So my thinking now is that if I can gett approved for RNY, surely I can get approved for the VSG.  And hopefully I will get a letter on Saturday or Monday of next week letting me know one way or the other.

I fell that I have come a long way since I first started this process.  I've been trying to eat healthier, but sometimes it's just hard or easy to go back to the old way.  I do really good during the day, but once home, I really struggle.  I guess I never thought that I would actually get approved.  Now that I've seen it in writing, it seems a lot more real. 

I know I will be frequenting OH alot more now for how to ease over into the special foods.  I can't wait to find new recipes and try them on my family!  I'm sure they won't mind, as long as its not asparagus or eggplant (bad experience with them both)!

Have a great evening and a blessed weekend!

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