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Hi! I am waiting, waiting, waiting for my chance to have laparoscopic RNY surgery. I do not currently have the resources, but fortunately, time is on my side as I have no co-morbidities aside from BMI. I live and work in Helena, and have quite a busy life. My kids are all grown and gone, so my home can be pretty quiet, as well. I do, however, have four grandchildren that I love to pieces. I love to paint, decorate, collect antiques, watch movies, listen to music, go out or stay in with friends and family, etc. I also have two kitties that keep me company.on July 17, 2008 3:15 pm
Well, I've had my first surgical consult. Dr. Mortenson was very professional, although I was sort of rushed through - he had some kind of emergency enroute and just zipped through his remaining patients. My day was more than a little stressful. I had planned to take the afternoon off, and leave work at noon. My boss called a "quickie ten-minute meeting" at 11:00 that lasted until 12:20! I had to drop off a job app before I left town, then drive like a maniac to get to his office, 85 miles away. I had planned to take part in the Bariatric Clinic's informational seminar, but I was 40 minutes late. The girl at the front desk tried to deny me entrance, but I sort of verbally strong-armed my way past her to participate. I was surprised that I was the most well-informed of the class - thanks to OH!! [Buy a book, people!] At the close of the seminar, the psychologist did a quickie psych exam - guess what? I'm normal. My sister says that only proves that the bell curve for normal is brooooaaad!
After the class, I went to confirm my surgical consult appointment, saw a sign insisting on paying copay in advance, discovered that I had only one check left in my checkbook, and I hadn't had lunch (or breakfast, for that matter), and I needed some gas. I have a deathly aversion to using my credit card for consumables. But I didn't see any other choice. So I bought a little gas and a hot dog (more gas, I suppose), and went back to the appointment, where they never did ask me to write that check for the copay.
But I sat in their waiting room for what seemed like hours, by myself! I was sort of afraid that they'd forgotten me. At last, the nurse came and got me. She sort of intimated that I might have to come back another day if his emergency arrived sooner than expected! She was surprised that I knew so much about my weight, BMI, the surgical options, etc. I guess most of their patients are less motivated to have all that info up front. I had planned to go prepared to this appointment, but it was all I could do just to get there, the way my day went. I guess it should not be surprising that my blood pressure was at an all-time high. I've struggled a bit with borderline high blood pressure for nigh onto ten years, but this was kind of a scary number.
It was all very standard stuff. I went home with a bunch of pamphlet information and a packet of protein powder.
Two weeks later, the insurance company denied me. They say I have not documented my co-morbidities sufficiently, nor have I followed a medically supervised diet. (My surgeon's nurse said their office had documented hypertension, BMI, and degenerative joint disease.) I had spoken to them before to assure that I had or would shortly jump all their hoops, and these were new hoops! So now, I'm in the middle of an attempt at a petition. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Seems denial is the first move in any insurance company's chess game. But I'm in it to win it. Look out, BCBS of MT! This (soon-to-be) skinny girl has a lot of fight in her!
1 comment | Click here to leave a comment.After the class, I went to confirm my surgical consult appointment, saw a sign insisting on paying copay in advance, discovered that I had only one check left in my checkbook, and I hadn't had lunch (or breakfast, for that matter), and I needed some gas. I have a deathly aversion to using my credit card for consumables. But I didn't see any other choice. So I bought a little gas and a hot dog (more gas, I suppose), and went back to the appointment, where they never did ask me to write that check for the copay.
But I sat in their waiting room for what seemed like hours, by myself! I was sort of afraid that they'd forgotten me. At last, the nurse came and got me. She sort of intimated that I might have to come back another day if his emergency arrived sooner than expected! She was surprised that I knew so much about my weight, BMI, the surgical options, etc. I guess most of their patients are less motivated to have all that info up front. I had planned to go prepared to this appointment, but it was all I could do just to get there, the way my day went. I guess it should not be surprising that my blood pressure was at an all-time high. I've struggled a bit with borderline high blood pressure for nigh onto ten years, but this was kind of a scary number.
It was all very standard stuff. I went home with a bunch of pamphlet information and a packet of protein powder.
Two weeks later, the insurance company denied me. They say I have not documented my co-morbidities sufficiently, nor have I followed a medically supervised diet. (My surgeon's nurse said their office had documented hypertension, BMI, and degenerative joint disease.) I had spoken to them before to assure that I had or would shortly jump all their hoops, and these were new hoops! So now, I'm in the middle of an attempt at a petition. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Seems denial is the first move in any insurance company's chess game. But I'm in it to win it. Look out, BCBS of MT! This (soon-to-be) skinny girl has a lot of fight in her!
