Jennyhoff77

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Hi.  It's been a while, and a lot has gone on since the last time I posted.  I'll start back in November which was the last of my 6 month diet.  I was thrilled that I could finally submit my information to the Insurance company (CBC PPO).  In December, I was denied...not by the insurance company, but by Barix.  The long story short is that my insurance company does not require a pre-auth for anything (normally a good thing, right)?  That's what I thought.  Anyway...Barix wouldn't risk doing my surgery and not getting paid for it b/c the insurance co. wouldn't give a pre-auth...b/c they didn't have to.  I thought this would be the end of the road for me.  After all, if Barix wouldn't stick their necks out for me, surely no other hospital would.  I went round and round with CBC about providing a pre-auth...no go.  Needless to say, I was devastated.  

Move ahead to late Deccember, I found a bariatric surgery program at a local hospital and made an appointment to see a doc after I transferred all of my reords.  He was wonderful, this practice had no problem approving me for surgery as CBC is their biggest payer (w/o pre-auth).  I recieved my surgery date that day and learned of my approval 2 weeks after Christmas.  I was scheduled for February 26th.  

Move ahead to the end of January, the Dr. office called to say that the doctor had decided to leave his practice at this hospital and begin a new program at another hiospital which would not be up and running for at least 4 months if not longer....ARE YOU KIDDING ME???  Now I'm beginning to wonder if this isn't a sign from God that I shouldn't be having this surgery...I opted to abandon ship and have my records transferred to another surgeon at the same hospital who also has excellent credentials and results.  I am now scheduled for March 18th, and absolutely cannot wait...I'm waitng for an ateroid to hit the earth now.  Just kidding...although the military did just shoot a rogue sattelite out of space...hmmm.

Well, I have lost none and gained none.  I'm not sure that's what the insurance company is looking for.  I go back to the doc in 2 weeks for my 4 month check up...I just recieved my elliptical trainer at home and plan to use it daily to lose even just 10 lbs. before I submit my paperwork for insurance approval.  I'm getting anxious.  It seems like I've already waited soooo long.  I should really stop my whining...it's a necessary part of the process and I need to get over it!  I completed my psych eval.  Oh and I was diagnosed with muild sleep apnea and have been wearing CPAP for about 3 weeks now...I haven't noticed much difference in my energy level yet...hopefully that will come soon.  I plan on coming to the next pre-op support group meeting in September, I missed the last one due to work.  They re-invigorate me.  
That's all for now folks...sorry I'm not more enthusiastic right now.

So I am officially 2 months into my 6 month physician assisted diet. I haven't lost, but I haven't gained either. My goal is to lose maybe 15 pounds before surgery. I weigh 266 right now. I have increased walking to 3 miles at least 3 days per week. I want to increase this to 4 days per week, but something always seems to get in the way. Since I've started walking I have a new found energy! WooHoo! In discussing things with my family dosctor, I also went for a sleep study to find that I do have mild obstructive sleep apnea. As crazy as that sounds, I'm happy for 2 reasons....1) The diagnoses can only help me get approved for surgery and 2) There is a reason for my daytime sleepiness, and with the CPAP I'm told my energy level should improve also!

So, one week after the group consultation at Barix I'm axiously awaiting the return of my psychiatrist (on Vacation) so I can have the necessary psychological tests done pre-op. I've also started walking with my mom...2 miles PHEW!!! How out of shape am I? I'm planning on walking at least 5 days per week and beginning to watch what I am eating again in preparation for surgery. I check the Barix and OH boards at least daily. I cannot wait, I'll repeat...CANNOT WAIT until I hear something from my insurance company. That's all for now. Jen