Ready4Life14

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So. . .I went for my pre-op registration on Wednesday.  Did the blood work and the EKG.  Everything looks good and ready for surgery.  I got a call from my 'assigned' nurse at the insurance company.  She just wanted to go over the procedure and ask if I had any questions or concerns prior to surgery.  And to make sure I understood all that would be happening before during and after surgery.  She was very patient and informative. . I think we were on the phone together for about an hour.  I thought that was really nice.  She's supposed to be my designated nurse throughout the process and afterwards to ensure success.  Super great!  I asked about the excess skin and possible surgery afterwards.  She said the insurance would cover that too!!  WOW!!  However, it does have to be medically necessary.  Which she thinks it will be.  She mentioned that 9 times out of 10 if they approve the bariatric surgery, they almost always approve the tummy tuck.  I didn't ask about the breast augmentation.  I figured I'd just cross that bridge when I get to it.  The main part is to get to the surgery and get on the road to success!!

Side Note. . . I LOVE this forum!!  I love having the opportunity to tell all that i'm thinking and having it available for me to come back and hear other opinions and experiences.  It's great.  What I've found is that once people have had their surgery and they are living life in their smaller healthier bodies, they tend to drop off from the forum.  I hope I don't fall into that category.  I want to continue to learn from others and be able to share my experiences for those who have yet to go through it.

Wednesday, May 7th, 2014 can't get here soon enough!!

I got the call today.  I have a surgery date - Wednesday, May 7th.  I actually don't know how I feel right now.  I think I'm in denial.  I just don't believe the process has gone that smoothly and quickly for me.  Even though I was impatient through a couple of my steps.  But it's coming together.  I began the process on February 10th and already I have a surgery date!

I have my Surgery Information class on April 30th.  Not really sure what that's all about. . .but it's 3 hours long.  I also have the pre-op testing on the same day.  Will be starting my 5 day pre-op diet on that day.  I'm just so overcome with different emotions, I don't know what to think first.  I know I have to prepare for the pre-op diet and prepare the house for post op foods and just stuff  that I need to prepare myself and my home for these upcoming weeks.  I just don't know what to do first. . .or next. . .or at all!!    I do know that I am excited and I feel super blessed to be at this point!

The nurse mentioned that I cannot gain any more weight between now and surgery time. . .AND I have to be diligent on the Pre-Op diet.  Surgeon requested 5 days pre-op liquid diet.  I will be scouring these forums for as much info as I can find.

But for today. . .I'm just EXCITED

I know I said I'd wait at least the 2 weeks that the patient advocate suggested . . .but. . . I couldn't!  I called the insurance company.  .. . really just to check to be sure that the paperwork had been submitted.  I've read stories where people were under the impression that their paperwork had been submitted and thought they were waiting on the Insurance company to respond.  Only to find out that the insurance company never received the paperwork in the first place! UGH!!!  SO. . .I called my insurance company and guess what!!  I'M APPROVED!!!! 

I don't know what I'm feeling right now.  I'm too excited to think.  She said the approval letter should be in the mail soon. . .one to me and one to the Dr's office.  I think I'm in a state of EUPHORIA!!  if that's possible.  So many thoughts are running through my head. . .

What should I do first?  Buy my bariatric vitamins?  I don't even own a bathroom scale or tape measure!  Should I prepare for my PRE/POST op food items??

I think I'm just too excited and my brain is flooded with thoughts and emotions!! 

I was trying to hold out and not call to check status at least until 2 weeks after my Sleep Study.  But for some reason. . .I just found myself dialing the patient advocate this afternoon.  Only 4 days after the sleep study.  Well the Patient Advocate said she submitted my paperwork on April 8th.  They like to give the insurance companies about 2 weeks before following up.  Typically could take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.  I hope not 6 weeks.  So. . .ok. . I'll hold out on that. . .I'll try.

Secondly, I spoke to the Nurse.  She already has my Sleep Study results.  From their assessment, my results show no evidence of Sleep Apnea.  I think that's a good thing.  I'm not required to have a CPAP machine.  But would that have been a better 'sell' to my insurance company if i DID have Sleep Apnea??

Oh well. . .I'm still waiting.  I'll know something within another week or so.  I'm really going to try not to call the insurance company to check status between now and then. 

It really won't be long now. . . I'm also hoping and praying that once I'm approved, that I can get the surgery date that I want.  Which is early May; but definitely before mid June.

Well, the Patient Advocate told me last week that she would be submitting my paperwork to my insurance company for approval.  She said it could take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks to get a response.  It's barely been a week and I'm twiddling my thumbs.  I want to know NOW!  The results from my Sleep Study (04/11) won't be ready for 2 weeks.  Why does everything take so long!  I'm not sure if the Patient Advocate needed my Sleep Study results before she could submit to the insurance company. . . hmmm. . .that's a thought. . .but she didn't mention that. 

So. . . I'm just waiting . . .

Well, my sleep study is tonight.  When I met with the surgeon he said the sleep study is to determine if I have Sleep Apnea.  And if I do, then I'd need a CPAP machine for after surgery.  I don't think I have Sleep Apnea simply because I don't think I snore.  My sweet hubby says I do. . .but I think he only says it because I tell him HE snores.  I know snoring isn't the only 'symptom' of sleep apnea.  But. . . we'll see.  I'll find out sooner or later.  Can't wait to get to the 'Loser's Bench'. . . Just another step closer to get approved for Surgery.

Good Morning, OH

I just got a call from my Patient Advocate . . she's the one who handles the insurance and making sure patients get set up for all appointments, and pre-op testing, etc.  Well, she called and said all my paperwork is withe the (something) Nurse.  That person is who writes up all the information needed to submit to my insurance company for approval.  The Patient Advocate said she should have my file ready to submit (via fax) by tomorrow! 

This is getting real!! 

Hello OH World!!

Unlike so many others, I have not struggled with my weight my entire life.  Up until the age of 30, I was healthy and fit.  I enjoyed a happy healthy life until I piled on the weight after the birth of my 2nd child.  Both times, with pregnancy, I gained about 30 to 40 lbs.  However, it quickly melted away with my active lifestyle.  Once my son was born, MOST of the weight melted away. . .but I kept about 15 or 20 lbs.  Wasn't so bad until it kept coming and coming and coming.  Fast forward to now. . .over 100 lbs overweight and 40+ BMI.

CURRENTLY: 5'5"  /  244.5lbs  /  BMI 40.8

I've yo-yo'd a thousand times.  I get on a diet and do well for the first month or even two.  Then after that, I ease up on the regimen and it comes back PLUS.

So, I began researching weight loss surgeries.  At first, just kind of for my information only.  Then recently, with surgery as my ultimate goal.  Although I'm just beginning the journey, I'm excited at my anticipated potential.

02/10/2014

Appointment with my PCP.  Discussed the possibility of weight loss surgery.  She strongly advised that this would be a great idea for me.  I'm an ideal candidate because of my weight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and joint and back pains.  Referred me to Dr. Mario Morales at SSM Weight Loss Institute.  She ordered blood work (thyroid) tests to be submitted with my referral.

I researched Dr. Morales and surgery options at (http://www.ssmhealth.com/weightloss).  Took the online courses, registered for the seminar.

I contacted my insurance company to learn that weight loss surgery IS a covered procedure (YAY!!!)

02/20/2014

I submitted 'Get Started' registration paperwork to the the weight loss institute; Patient Medical Questionnaire, Primary Care Referral Paperwork - everything DONE

 03/12/2014

Hubby and I attended seminar.  I decided on the sleeve.  Hubby is nervous about risks.  He keeps saying 'you can do it on your own, you're not as big as half the people in this seminar', you just have no willpower'.

03/17/2014

Appt to meet with the Nurse, Mental Health assessment and Dietician

04/03/2014

Met with the Surgeon (Dr. Mario Morales).  Got ALL my questions answered.  He is very patient and thorough; not very prompt. . .my appt was for 2pm Dr Morales actual came in to see me at 2:45pm.  But he was very very patient.  I may have asked the same question (differently) several times, but he answered each time as if it were the first time.  He scheduled a Sleep Study for 04/11/2014.  No other pre-tests required

That should bring me up-to-date

Hopefully, my experience will be an influence to someone else.  If nothing more, it will be an account for my own knowledge and reference