HELP!!! CRYING UNCONTROLABLY!!!!

YESTERDAY I WAS SO EXCITED TO BE TOLD TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE MY FIRST CONSULT.

THIS MORNING I CALLED TO DO THAT AND WAS ASKED IF I HAD ATTENDED THE SEMINAR YET.  I TOLD THEM I WAS SCHEDULED FOR NOV. 11.  THEY SAID I WILL HAVE TO COME AND DO THAT, FILL OUT PAPERS THEN THE DOC. REVIEWS THEM AND AN APPOINTMENT IS MADE.

I ASKED HOW SOON THAT WILL HAPPEN.  SHE SAID IT COULD TAKE UP TO 2-4 MONTHS (AFTER SEEING THE DOCTOR FOR THE FIRST CONSULT) TO HAVE SURGERY.  HERE'S THE CRYING PART.  MY INSURANCE RUNS OUT AT THE END OF JANUARY.  I HAVE TO CHANGE OVER TO ANOTHER COMPANY WHO WILL NOT ALLOW ANYONE WHO HAS PREXISTING CONDITIONS TO HAVE SURGERIES FOR TWELVE MONTHS.

I CAN'T IMAGINE FEELING THE WAY I DO TODAY AND FELLING IT FOR 14 MORE MONTHS THEN START THE PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN.  I FEEL LIKE I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY HAVE ASKED ME TO DO. 

I AM NOT BLAMING ANYONE.IT IS WHAT IT IS.  BUT THE TEARS WON'T STOP.

INFO:  FIRST SURGICAL CONSULTANTS
DR. U
PACIFICARE/HILLS PHYSCIANS

Make sure you let the surgeons office know your cir****tances, they may be able to get you through before the end of the year!

Also, I know its hard to see now, but if you have to wait 12 more months then take it as 12 more months to get yourself as ready as you can be!

I hope it works out for you!


Shells

THANKS.  I GUESS THE HARD PART IS BOTH MY PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAVE BEEN TELLING ME THAT "FOR SURE" IT WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR.  I GUESS MY HOPES GOT UP TO HIGH.

Before you get a head ache from all the crying, check with the new insurance company.  I may be in a similar situation and I spoke with the new company.  They told me gastric bypass would not be considered "preexisting"  because I have insurance and have not just obtained new insurance to have surgery.  Ask the new insurance if you can provide them with a documentation of continuous coverage--this may be enough to get you around the  the preexisting issue.

Good Luck,

Cristi

2 things...

1...I think Cristi is right, there are funky rules about pre-existing conditions when you have been continuously insured, makes it harder for them to deny you...so definitely find out!

2...keep your chin up! it will all work itself out and before you know it you will be sitting next to the rest of us on the losers bench! it can be very easy to get discouraged with this process but just remember, the end result here is a longer, healthier, better life! it is SO worth it!


Shells

Lisa,

The first thing to do is stop crying. You'll hate how puffy your eyes will get & you'll be so tired you'll want to take a nap. The second thing is to contact your doctors office. Let them know the cir****tances, you'll be surprised how they will do their little magic to make everything OK! Third is to relax, so you will be able to think clearly. Everything is always foggy when you are upset & frustrated. Everything will work out!

Julie

THANK YOU JULIE.  MY QUESTIONIS IS WHAT DOCTORS OFFICE?  I HAVE NEVER SEEN, MET OR SPOKEN TO ANYONE IN MY SURGEONS OFFICE.  THEY DO NOT KNOW ME AT ALL.

I STOP CRYING UNTIL SOMEONE CALLS ME SO MY EYES ARE PUFFY BUT STARTING TO RELAX.  THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT.

Have you considered going somewhere that doesn't take so long? For example, my surgical group (LapSF) usually gets people with insurance into surgery about 4 weeks after the surgical consult, which you can generally get scheduled fairly quickly after calling them. They do want you to go to a support group/seminar, but you can do it after your consult if the dates don't work out to do it before.

There are tons of places in the Bay Area that do this sort of surgery so you do have choices.

Thanks for the idea.  I can't do that though.  I have an HMO and they use Hills Physicians who only use First Surgical Consultants for WLS.  Otherwise I would have to pay for out of network surgery and I don't have the money to do that.

Hello,

Stop crying, I was kind of in the same boat in june when i was laid off. I was already approved and date set for aug 15th.. My dr could not move the date up at all.. So i called around and got an apt the next week for a consult, and 5 days later i was in surgery having my bypass.. It will work out and I am sending you good thoughts.

Scott