Insurance taking FOR EV ER! My long Kaiser rant

Don't get me wrong here. I love that I am blessed enough to have a job, which equals insurance, which covers my plus sized needs including WLS which I feel is an immense gift but:

I am sooo frustrated with Kaiser taking so long! I started this process over a year ago knowing full well that I wanted to get VSG. I had to enroll in their classes for 6 months. After waiting for months to start taking the classes, I finally began. I then finished the classes. Then I had to take a fitness test. Weeks later, I took that test. The next step was to have labs done. Well again, it's been a while, and I am still waiting. I keep calling to follow up but need to just wait it out. After my labs come back I will be scheduled (weeks later I am sure) to meet with the bariatric surgeon who will then schedule a surgery- probably for months later.

WHY oh WHY do I have to have Kaiser. It seems like I just get more and more impatient. And although I know this is a great time for me to attempt to lose on my own, I keep reading everyone elses success and looking at "skinny pics" of all of you and old ones of me from a few years ago, and I feel so deflated waiting and waiting. In addition, to add to my misery, I have GAINED weight throughout this process. I was also diagnosed with a thyroid issue but still- now I look like someone who isn't even taking this seriously! Which I can assure you, I am, and I have really tried, but this only adds to the frustration and stress! I feel like such a whiney butt, and I hate to be that person, because that is SO not me normally, but I just keep reading and hearing about others who just pop in and get the surgery and are looking amazing in less time than it has taken me to just get the ball rolling with Kaiser. I really feel that I learned a LOT in the classes, and I'm grateful that I went, but I wish a lot of this other "stuff" could have been done towards the end of the classes so that it didn't take such a long frikin time.

So I am just going to sulk in my own self pity. I know, I know, so unappreciative, but I can't help it!!

That's crazy - i had kaiser, and it was a fairly quick process in Los Angeles (by quick I mean 9 months lol).

Even though it's a pain, having kaiser is generally easier because they eliminate a lot of the insurance approval stuff other people have to go through.

I know losing weight is hard, but trust me, it's really worth it around surgery time. My surgeon told me if we gained weight they wouldn't do the surgery, so just keep that in mind as a possibility.

That is a long time!  I started my Options classes in November, ended them in February and got sleeved May!  I would go above heads and find out what's up!  They journey is long enough!

Good Luck!
Riverside Kaiser Patient
Sabrina

Wow, sorry you're having such a hard time.  I would try to speak to a higher up. 

I went through the Options Program but only had to do 12 weeks.  I elected to go through Pacific Bariatrics and had to go to one of their seminars in early February and then was able to get in to the see the three doctors in late February.  I'm scheduled for surgery next month.   So the process can definitely be easier.

Good Luck!

Hang in there...it took me about 14 months all together from the orientation to Options classes to getting in for surgery. Stay on them tho so you don't get lost in the shuffle...

the waiting is the hardest part, but time flies by so quickly, that in a few more months, you'll be sitting on the losers' bench with everyone else and reading these posts from people who haven't gone through all of the hoop jumping yet and thinking, "wow, i remember being there" and posting your OWN skinny pictures. I know it's hard, and i'm the most impatient person in the WORLD, but you will get there! and it's worth every second! Keep your head up sweetie!

 :(  I think you have a right to whine if you wanna.  LOL

Are you being too patient with them?  I think a bit of the old squeeky wheel may be in order, here!

Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement. I called again today and was really persistent and guess what!?!? They "miraculously" got my paperwork signed off for me to go get lab work done tomorrow morning! WOOOOO HOOOO!

Now I just have to wait it out a few more weeks until meeting the surgeon. I just have to keep the end in mind, and know that before I even realize it months will have flown by and I'll be the skinny B that's inside. Ha-ha

I know that two years from now I will be SO happy and so full of advice for others. I just hope that I can stay strong and be really successful!

I have not had the sleeve yet, I just started coming to this board as I am interested in getting sleeved as I had the crap band.

I would call the insurance company or your future surgeons office and talk with their insurance person. 


I have made a trillion calls before I have walked into the door for the seminar to my new prospective surgeon and mapped out with my insurance carrier and the new surgeons office what they need. Trust me THEY KNOW ME and I have not been there yet.

Phone tag, I know but it will pay off.

I had to go through the insurance hoops and wait 1 year till I got my surgery. Please hang in there. Once you have your surgery, time will fly and all this angst will be but a memory....that has been my personal experience.

Hugs!