Just beginning

I have made up my mind that I NEED to have this surgery. I am 26 and weigh 323lbs at 5'6". I have severe asthma, my doctor suspects I have sleep apnea (the fatigue is horrible) and the list goes on. I know that if I don't do something drastic, I will die young. I have tried every diet I get my hands onto. What I am worried about is whether or not I will qualify. I just cou;dn't bear going though trying and failing more diets for a year or so just to prove I am a driven candidate. I just signed up filled out the paperwork for the seminar in Albany, and want to get it over with. I am just ondering who out there can help me with this part of the process. Thanks

Hi There. Welcome to the NY board. I think the best thing to do is check with your insurance company to see what their requirements are. Being 100+ pounds overweight, and having co-morbidities like asthma and sleep apnea should qualify you, but each insurance company has different rules. Mine, which is GHI/BCBS required a six month Physician supervised diet/wl record. For me, this simply meant documentation of weights and diets I had tried, which my PCP put in a letter for me. This, along with clearances from a Gastroenterologist, a Cardiologist, a Psychologist, and a nutritionist, were sent to my surgeon, who in turn sent all to my Insurance. Additionally, I had to have a sono of my gall bladder and a DVT on my legs. When I went to an Info seminar at my surgeon, I was given a folder with a list of requirements and a checklist for me to keep to monitor myself. It helped me with making my appts. and kept me on track. I suggest you check with your insurance company first, to see what they require. You may be able to do this through your HR department at work, or you can call them yourself. Good luck to you. S

After all the research I have done, it definetly seems that it is not a simple process. I am happy though that the doctors and everyone are so thourough, that is why most everyone is so successful. I am definetly not the most patient person in the world so I think the hardest part is the approval part of it. I will check with my insurance compant tomorrow, since I have off, just so I know what to expect. Thanks for your helpful info and support! Kayla

Hi Kayla, I am assuming you are going to the seminar at Albany Med. They will give you a full outline of what to expect during the process and what steps you need to take. You just really need ot understand that this is NOT a quick process. There are a ton of clearances to get, some Insurance mandated and some doctor mandated. You will HAVE to lose 10% of your body weight before surgery. The important thing is to keep a good attitude and an open mind through the process. It is a long road but will be SO worth it after we have our surgery... I am on my second round through the process.. You can look at my profile for the story on that! Keep the faith hun... Going to the seminar is the first step of many, but it willl be the best thing you could do for yourself! The group at Albany Med is TOP NOTCH ... Not to mention they just became a Center of Excellence! You will be in good hands with them. There is a support group held on Thursday Evenings from 6-8... It is a nice group and there are people in ALL stages of the process that attend... Good luck with your journey and I hope our paths cross... Lori

I will be attending the seminar at Albany Med. I am so worried that I won't have the patience to deal with this alone, so I glad to have found this group of people. :-) I am sure I will have no problems with losing the 10%...considering the motivation, I do know that each time I try it gets so hard. My knees and ankles are really starting to bother me more and more. :juggle: I have read your profile and you seem to have such a great attitude. I am excited for you that you have a surgery date and I wish you the best. I trust my PCP and have done some research so I am already pretty confident that the group in Albany Med is great. I am unsure how much I will be able to attend the support group as I work full time and go to college Tues and Thurs nights this semester but I will try to make some and hope to meet you there! Kayla :wave:

Hi Kayla, From what you've posted, it seems that the insurance company will approve you. Have your medical doctor fax the insurance company saying that it is medically necessary due to these ailments and all your prior attempts of weight loss. That is waht I did and it was approved ASAP. I had the rny done last week, 7/31. I just wend to see my bariatric surgeon for my first post operative visit and quess what? I've already lost 24 lbs! I still can't believe it. Truthfully, I had a fw painful days, but I am finally starting to feel better. It was all worth it. I wish you a speedy insurance approval. Keep us posted! Good luck, Maryellen

I do hope there will be no problems with the insurance too. Congratulations on your surgery, I hope you are doing well. I am so happy to hear you have already lost 24lbs that is awesome! Kayla :wave:

Hi Kayla Welcome to the NY BOARD and good luck on your journey! Marcia

Kayla, Good luck on your journey. I live just south of Albany and chose a practice in Springfield, Mass (Fiallo and Haag) to do my surgery. They did not require the prior weight loss (even though I've lost 13 lbs so far) and I am now qualified. My surgery is scheduled for 9/7. They might be useful for you. Although I know Dr. Singh and Rosati are available through Albany Med as well. Good luck, and feel free to email should you need more info. Renee

Renee, Thanks for the useful information, I hope I don't need it, but I will save it just in case, lol. I am not the most patient person and slightly OCD, so I tend to worry myself over a lot of things before they happen. Everyone on here, including yourself seem so supportive and kind. I wish you the best of luck on your surgery, make sure you keep us posted. Kayla :wave: