Question:
Whats next?......

Up to now I've (1)decided I want the surgery (2)went to my doc twice for all possible tests(Unfortunately perfectly healthy except being 336 Lbs..Ironic..my doc is excited too and says she'll do anything I need from her for this) (3)got double insurance(but of course they both have exclusions) (4)Ran off letters for insurance company off the internet (5)Decided on a Surgeon (6)Received packet from them for insurance companies(although they say not to bother if ins excluded...Im going to anyway) .......So now what...I don't know why Im confused at this point but I am.......what is step # (7).....please    — [Anonymous] (posted on June 27, 2000)

June 27, 2000
First of all, I would check with the surgeons office and get the CPT or procedure code for the surgery you will be having. Also ask them for the diagnosis code they use. (it will probably be 278.01, which is MORBID OBESITY). Call your insurance company and tell them you want to check and see if a certain procedure is covered and tell them you have the procedure code and the diagnosis code. Give them these numbers and see what they say. As an example, my insurance company said that as long as I was between the ages of 18 and 60 and that it was deemed medically necessary, it was covered. I was lucky and was approved after only 8 days. Now......if one of your insurances cover it, GREAT! Secondly, make a list of all your health problems. I, too, thought I was a healthy almost-300-lb. woman, until I started reading other peoples problems.....don't forget even small things. Some of the things that are considered indicators for surgery may be: pain in weight bearing joints (hips/knees/ankles/feet), back pain, migraine headaches, infertility, amenorrhea (no periods), stress incontinence (dribbling in your underwear when you laugh or exert yourself in anyway...such as going up stairs, walking fast, etc), sleep apnea, hiatal hernia, reflux (which feels like heartburn or a burning deep in your throat ~~ oftentimes it may wake you up at night feeling like you are choking or can't catch your breath or may feel like you have a burning feeling or bile coming up your throat), diabetes, insulin resistance (this is a precursor to diabetes and is why I am infertile ~~ this is easily checked by blood tests ~~ and is most often remedied by losing weight), heart disease, shortness of breath (like when walking to the mailbox or going up one flight of stairs), swelling in your ankles after being on them during the day. The sleep apnea is a good one to have if you are trying to get approved. This is very often undiagnosed.....symptoms are loud snoring at night, your partner/family may notice that you stop breathing at night then have a horrendous snoring episode, fatigue during the day, falling asleep easily (like when watching TV or just sitting around). Hope this helps!
   — Lynette B.