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I copy and pasted the following posts from the old system...still learning the new system. I will post some updates soon for this year. Thanks for reading!!!

God bless you and keep you this new year!

~JAN 2006~
Slight snag with the doctor (already) but have to remember...if this is the only issue...I am luckier than most.

They are not sure if my 1st surgeon pick, John Pilcher in San Antonio, is in my network. When I told them the name of my insurance co they didn't recognize it (Accordia EPO). The lady was nice and all but threw a bunch of acronyms at me and didn't take the time to explain. I know with the medical industry you have to come in with as much info as you can get (and now a days there is no excuse for not knowing) but help me out a little. Lol...she wants me to fax over my dL and med id cards to verify BEFORE I have my orientation date set. They sent out the new med id cards the last week of dec so when I get those I am rushing to kinkos or HEB. Not too worried, it's probably in my mailbox now (haven't checked in over a week) but hope this is the only issue I have, however, I doubt it. Called insurance and they said he is still in network (but to make sure he is still in network) and it is covered ( the doc has to send a pre auth letter to ins saying it's needed) so at least that hasn't changed.

Good news...I figured out how to set up the background of my profile...yay me!!!

 

~FEB 2006~
Well, I decided to contact New Deminsion in San Antonio and I am already having issues. For some reason New Deminsion is having a difficult time verifying coverage. They have asked me to sit with my PCP and get a letter from them. What I am going to do is talk with my PCP and get my diet history and see if I can have a letter written. I am also going to start knocking out some of the required bullet points needed before surgery.

~MARCH 2006~
I know this sounds stupid but I got a little discouraged after having this much trouble verifying my health insurance and decided to just give up. I've spent so much time consuming info that I never "checked in with myself". Now, after carefully reviewing what I wanted and how important this was to me (without outside influences), I am ready to take my first step into my future. I will go through the same surgeon some of my co-workers used. Voravit Wongsa doesn't have a "program" so I have to do everything myself, however, I hear the nurses are very helpful. I kind of like it that way. I am working on getting a letter from my PCP and documenting my diets from the past few years.
~APRIL 2006~
Things are plugging away now. Have a consultation with my first surgeon pick on 4/19/2006. Getting a letter from my PCP about my weight over the last 5 yrs (Insurance wants to show BMI of 40+ for the last 5 years) and my Psych Eval. I feel good. Found out I may need a D & C because of my non-stop cycle...just a precaution...nothing major (I hope). I feel like I have made peace with the issues I was dealing with before. I know that part of loving myself, unconditionally, is realizing when I need help with something I can't do on my own. This surgery is a tool...help and I love myself enough to go for it. I know there are risks...almost the same amount of risks I have now 25lbs away from 400lbs. I am ready and moving full steam ahead...

~APRIL 2006 UPDATE~
Psych Eval on 4/14/2006 and I will have to write a letter for PCP to sign to show my weight and my diet efforts. I will work on the letter this weekend and have it signed by next week friday. Everything is going well so far...

~APRIL 2006 UPDATE 2~
Psych Eval went well...she said I was a perfect candidate. Haven't completed the letter for my PCP because he wants to see me. Not sure what that means but will call my insurance to see if a letter for medical neccessity is something they can accept. Postponed my Surgeon Consultation until 5/17/2006 so I can find out what my PCP wants and get this letter signed. I am glad for the extra time but still would like to wrap things up and get on to becoming a loser.

Because I had to postpone my consultation, I decided to go out to the Zilker Botanical Gardens to take pictures...these are the best ones...

~May 2006~
Had to go in to see my PCP about my records on 5/12/2006. For some reason they were able to find a bill for me from 2001 of 88 dollars but can't find my records for that time. Hmmm...I am going to call my insurance company on monday and see if a letter of Necessity signed by my doctor, showing my weight and diets tried over the last 5 yrs, is enough to approve the surgery. Let's all pray it is.

On 5/17/2006, I go down to San Antonio to talk with Dr Pilcher and get all of my paperwork together for my insurance  pre approval.  I am excited, even though I don't have any questions for the Dr thanks to this website and my Dummy's Guide to WLS.

~May 2006 UPDATE~
I have an opportunity to move to San Diego...this means I won't get to have my surgery here in Texas because A) My PCP is dragging their feet and has lost all of my records and B) I don't want to have the surgery then leave my surgeon and do my follow ups with someone else. I feel that follow ups are very important and should be done by the surgeon who worked on you. So, I have to postpone my surgery. I have mixed feelings about that but feel great about moving to San Diego. I miss it...the ocean, my friends...etc.

JULY 2006

Well, a few months later and my plans for San Diego are a total bust. I have decided to stay in Austin and pursue film here before making that trek to California.

And what about WLS you ask...I am still on the fence about the surgery. I think it would be an easier decision for me if I had co-morbidities but I don't. I am healthy as an ox except for the weight. I don't feel right getting this surgery when I have no other issues with my health. I will still research and review my options. I am also in the process of finding another PCP (one that WON'T lose my records but continue to charge me).