Melsie
2/08/06 Well, this is the beginning of my journey. (sort of) I have been thinking of doing this for years, but have been researching it for about the last 2 years. (off and on). I am seeing my PCP today, to get the ball rolling. I have been overweight since I was 5, that was the start anyway. No matter what I did, I just could not get it off. I have been married twice, still married to #2, but he is #1 in my book!! I have a 16 yr daughter from the first marriage, and a 3 year old with my current husband. They are my joys and I want to be around as long as I can, so I am doing this for me!!
02/09/06 My dr apt went well and I told her I was going to the info seminar for Dr. Martin today. I can't wait. My hubby is going with me, as he did yesterday too. I am very lucky to have such a supportive man in my life. I am truly blessed.
02/13/06 Well I left the seminar and basically said there was no way I was doing this surgery!! Wow, they really don't hold anything back. But, over the weekend, I thought more about it and talked it over with my hubby, and I realized they have to lay it all out, and I knew all the good, the bad and the ugly anyway, so what is the deal with me. I want to do this and know it is the way to go. I have also talked with 2 of my friends that have had it done, and I feel much better about it.
02/20/06 Today I have my session with the Nutritionist, and tomorrow with the Psych and Exercise physiologist. I can't wait til I get everything in so the surgeon so they can turn it into my insurance. Hopefully I will get approved right away. (PRAY!!!)
03/13/06 The surgeon has everything but my chart, so I called my PCP and the dr hadn't even sign off for it to be copied!! I am so mad. They did tell me she would probably do it today, and it will be copied next Monday. (they have a service that only does it on Mondays! grrrrr)
03/17/06 Today, I leave work at noon, to go on a Women's retreat to Hocking Hills state park in Ohio, with some friends from Church. I went last year and had a blast, so I can't wait!!!
03/20/06 Back from my retreat, and it was very relaxing. I told everyone there I was going to have the surgery, and they were all supportive. So far, I have only one negative response to this, but they need to walk a mile in my shoes, to know this was a monumentous decesion. I have been this way my whole life and it is time for ME!!!
03/27/06 Well, I called Dr Martin's office and they still don't have my chart, (the only thing left that they need). I called my PCP again, and medical records said it would take 5 to 7 business days for it to be copied and sent out. So, I will give them til Thursday, and check with the surgeon again. That will be 9 days.
04/19/06 Haven't post in a while, no news. But now, I have an apt with Dr Martin, 04/27/06, for a preop. Not sure to what extent the pre op will be, because I am not officially approved. I called to find out where we were with the paper work, and they finally had all of mine, but the nurse who takes care of that said Aetna was being a stinker with approvals, so they are having me come in for the preop, an Dr Martin is going to write a letter to the Aetna board. She said that seems to be the trick. Hopefully, very soon, I will have a surgery date. I can't wait!!!
06/02/06 Wow, I haven't posted for a while!! I am still waiting for approval from Aetna!! I have been calling them quite a bit, and I actually may learn something today! I am praying for a yes!!! I am so ready for this.
06/05/06 Well, Aetna denied me over basically a technicallity. I called my surgeon, and his assistant was not surprised. She said the dr would be calling to talk to the medical director, and everything should be ok. This waiting is killing me!!!
06/09/06 He still hasn't called but the office is moving to a new location, so it's a bit crazy. She said he would probably be calling next week, Wednesday or so. I will check later that week.
06/16/06 Still no call!!! I am getting so frustrated!! Left a message with the office. Ahhhh!!!!
06/30/06 Called Aetna to see if the dr had called and he did not. I am about to go nuts!! Called and left another message, and the assistant called me back, told me not to worry, he would call. I guess I have to remember the world does not revolve around me and he has other patients. He not only does WLS, but general surgery too.
07/06/06 Called and left a message to please tell me something!! Anything!! Ann called me back to say he did (finally) call and spoke to the Med director, and they want some more info from them, ( guess they need my IQ and my shoe size, because that is just about all they don't have!!) She is getting it out tomorrow or Monday, certified mail.
07/10/06 Called and left a message to just touch base with Ann. Waiting for her to call me back. Hopefully it won't be much longer!!
10/02/06 Boy, I need to up date!!! Well, Aetna deniged be basically 2 times. Turns out they wanted me to see the Nut a total of 3 times. If someone had told be this after the first visit in February, I probably would be a loser by now!@@!!!! Oh well, no use crying over spilt milk!! I have see the nut 2 more times, Aetna has that information and so I am WAITING AGAIN!!!! Boy, don't ever ask God for patience, he sure will deliver!! I know this will happen, but it has been a discouraging journey. I also know that others have had more problems, so I am counting my blessings, and going on. I did lose 13 lbs from the dr visit on 04/27 to the beginning of September, so that is something anyway!! I am calling Aetna on 10/6 so hopefully they have an answer for me. PLEASE PRAY for the right answer!!
10/11/06 Called on the 6th, and she told me that the "approvers" just posted that they received the info! What is up with that???!!!??? They should have had this a week ago! When I called last, I got the impression that they could possibly give me an answer. Well, I was told again to call on 10/10/06. Called yesterday and again, they didn't have anything to tell me. This is getting rediculous, and I am now going to use the advocate here at work. Maybe they can do somthing to speed things up. I am trying to trust that God knows best, but it is difficult. I just want to get healthy and fit, and I know this tool is going to help me acheive this. I am supposed to call Aetna again on Friday.
I do have a good thing happening though. I now have an angel!!! Margo M. is my angel, and I am so happy about this.
Will update again soon.
