ModestoK
My anticipated journey towards WLS, a painfully slow process.
Jun 18, 2010
Step 1: 'Hurry Up and Wait' (HUAW), Pt. 1 portion of my journey - waiting for re-referral from my PCP after an appointment. (ETA - June 24, 2010)Should the Fates smile on me, and I get to skip "HUAW Pt. 2: The Re-Orientation" I should be sent directly to my former surgeon consult appointment. I'm guessing ETA for that would be late September. At that appointment, I advise that I want the DS and start the fighting/appeal process - step 4.
Step 2: Resistence is futile. Begin "HUAW, Part 2: The Re-Orientation" , I expect 2-3 month delay until once my PCP sends over the request; at least this time I won't have to get shrunk before he can do so. (ETA: late Sept 2010 at the earliest)
Step 3: After re-acceptance and/or re-orientation, HUAW, Part 3 (aka "Call Me!") begins, probably taking 2-4 months before I am given a scheduled appointment with the bariatric team & surgeon. At this appointment, I will demand the DS and be refused. (ETA: Dec. 2010)
Step 4: Fight the Power! Begin my appeal process. My insurance company typically has a 15- 30 day appeal period at the first level. Second internal level will be another 30-60 day delay. If I have to go to the next level with DMHC, I'm guessing that is another 90 day delay. (ETA: April 2011)
Step 6: Referral to DS surgeon.After my Insurance is told that the DS in medically indicated and ordered to cover it, I will then be referred to Dr. Rabkin. I HOPE that there will only be another 1-2 month delay before surgery. (ETA: May 2011)
Step 7: SURGERY!!! (ETA: June 2011)
Step 8: Active Weight loss, up to 12 months to my goal of 160. I expect to have about 7 months of "OMG, I'm melting away" and "Life SOOO rocks!" moments during the weight loss.
Step 9: If my planning is correct, after approximately 7 months I'll then promptly move into the "Anal-rententive Preparation for Reconstructive Surgery Fight " phase. [EST for recon panic - when I have broken the 170 barrier, assuming I actually do lose 95% of my extra weight.]
I anticipate I won't actually be *switched* until sometime next Summer if things go according to my Insurance Co's timeline (i.e., expect delays and fighting)
I hope and I dream of having it done much, much sooner but realize I shouldn't hold my breath! If I'm lucky and things go smoothly (i.e. immediately accepted back into program, directly scheduled to meet with Dr. Dennen, and don't have to go through multiple appeals with Kaiser and DMHC) I could have a surgery date as early as *gasp* January 2011. Which would awesome, totally awesome.
And no, I do not put this out there as a challenge to the Universe.
Kimmie
