Ms S.
January 18, 2008
Jan 17, 2008
Well, they received the op report! Ernesto called yesterday with the word, then emailed for good measure, advising that the medical staff reviewed my records and I can schedule a consult ($300-I'm not complaining).
Soooo, things are moving right along now! OMG, I'm so happy right now. It's been a long time coming party people in the house (old school hip hop term)! I'm so ready for this it's not funny.
All I need is a recliner cuz after surgery, I'm never able to sleep in a regular bed (even with extra pillows) cuz those hospital beds will spoil you for any other bed once you get the hang of the up/down mechanisms...I'm rambling. Later!
Luv Sharon
Here I am, 9 hours later and the good news is Grace, insurance coordinator, verified my insurance benefits and that my upfront payment for RNY to DS revision is 10K. . .and I have that. She was pleasantly surprised that I've done the 6mth multidisciplinary program already and have a 5yr weight history, my exercise log, etc.
I'm scheduled for consult Tuesday the 29th. When it comes down to it, I really really really hope I'm on the other side by February 14. . .love thyself. .
Luv Sharon
Soooo, things are moving right along now! OMG, I'm so happy right now. It's been a long time coming party people in the house (old school hip hop term)! I'm so ready for this it's not funny.
All I need is a recliner cuz after surgery, I'm never able to sleep in a regular bed (even with extra pillows) cuz those hospital beds will spoil you for any other bed once you get the hang of the up/down mechanisms...I'm rambling. Later!
Luv Sharon
Here I am, 9 hours later and the good news is Grace, insurance coordinator, verified my insurance benefits and that my upfront payment for RNY to DS revision is 10K. . .and I have that. She was pleasantly surprised that I've done the 6mth multidisciplinary program already and have a 5yr weight history, my exercise log, etc.
I'm scheduled for consult Tuesday the 29th. When it comes down to it, I really really really hope I'm on the other side by February 14. . .love thyself. .
Luv Sharon
January 16, 2008
Jan 16, 2008
Still waiting. . .
January 15, 2008
Jan 14, 2008
A couple months ago, I was soooo sure I'd be having surgery today. Now, the only thing holding up the process is my operative report. I had everything done last month and the Dr's office has received everything: Psych Eval, UGIS, Upper Endoscopy, MRI, CT Scan, EKG, Bloodwork, Sleep Study....Everything EXCEPT: The OPERATIVE REPORT!!! Aaaaargh! I could pull out my hair!
Dr Rabkins office confirmed non-receipt again so even though the hospital told me they couldnt tell me anything (see previous post), I inquired again today. I spoke with a nice lady-a different lady than before. She questioned me inside and out, then finally, she said they appeared to be delayed in retrieving the op report from storage.
I explained to her the necessity of these documents. She took my info and promised to call me back. I'm soooooo frustrated! This is taking way too long. I got this process started this time last year and here we are-why am I still waiting? I expected to wait for the insurance, not for this. I was advised it would take no more than 15days. . .It'll be a month next week. People who've started long after I did have gone to the other side and are halfway to goal. . . while I sit here, twiddling my thumbs, hoping and waiting for my surgery. Poor Me.
Luv Sharon
Dr Rabkins office confirmed non-receipt again so even though the hospital told me they couldnt tell me anything (see previous post), I inquired again today. I spoke with a nice lady-a different lady than before. She questioned me inside and out, then finally, she said they appeared to be delayed in retrieving the op report from storage.
I explained to her the necessity of these documents. She took my info and promised to call me back. I'm soooooo frustrated! This is taking way too long. I got this process started this time last year and here we are-why am I still waiting? I expected to wait for the insurance, not for this. I was advised it would take no more than 15days. . .It'll be a month next week. People who've started long after I did have gone to the other side and are halfway to goal. . . while I sit here, twiddling my thumbs, hoping and waiting for my surgery. Poor Me.
Luv Sharon
January 9,2008
Jan 09, 2008
Well, talked to Ernesto at Dr Rabkins office this afternoon and they've received my medical records from WeightWise, they've received my insurance card, health questionnaire, exercise history. . .all we're waiting for is the RNY operative report.
I called the hospital to see if it's been sent but they kindly informed me that since I gave the release for them to send it directly to PacLap, they can only tell PacLap whether or not the docs have been sent. I told the lady I'm always kicking my own ass like that!
Ernesto said my records are being reviewed by the insurance coordinator who will be contacting Aetna to verify coverage. Good thing is that my coverage is great so I'm not too concerned (if at all) about that...
Luv Sharon
I called the hospital to see if it's been sent but they kindly informed me that since I gave the release for them to send it directly to PacLap, they can only tell PacLap whether or not the docs have been sent. I told the lady I'm always kicking my own ass like that!
Ernesto said my records are being reviewed by the insurance coordinator who will be contacting Aetna to verify coverage. Good thing is that my coverage is great so I'm not too concerned (if at all) about that...
Luv Sharon
December 22, 2007
Dec 22, 2007
Well, I'm done with every stinkin' thing under the sun relative to insurance prep for this surgery. Weightwise has sent my records to Dr Rabkins office in Frisco and of course, there is a glitch: My initial surgeons office has "shredded" my RNY records! Can U believe it?
Well, no worries cuz Rabkins office advised me to at least get the operative report . . and the hospital informed me they will be more than happpy to send it to Rabkins within 15 days! Dr Rabkins staff is ridiculously kind, courteous, polite, helpful, etc, particularly the guy who answers the phone.
In any case, I figure they'll submit to the insurance before end of year cuz they should have everything in hand by then. I expect a "yes" from insurance (praying on it, fingers crossed, shaking chickens, etc) and should be on the other side no later than end of January/early February.
Luv Sharon
Well, no worries cuz Rabkins office advised me to at least get the operative report . . and the hospital informed me they will be more than happpy to send it to Rabkins within 15 days! Dr Rabkins staff is ridiculously kind, courteous, polite, helpful, etc, particularly the guy who answers the phone.
In any case, I figure they'll submit to the insurance before end of year cuz they should have everything in hand by then. I expect a "yes" from insurance (praying on it, fingers crossed, shaking chickens, etc) and should be on the other side no later than end of January/early February.
Luv Sharon
November 29, 2007
Nov 29, 2007
Finally got the psych eval results: Not crazy. I'm a verified bitch but I'm not crazy. IN YOUR FACE TJ!!! (My 2nd husband)!!! Anywhoo, I am gathering all my records and sending them to WeightWise who will in turn send them to Dr '?'.
I Contacted Dr Selinkoff's office (my RNY surgeon) but they said all records prior to 2000 were shredded including mine. I can get the operative report, nurses notes, progress notes--whatever--from the hospital so thats not too bad but I'm concerned about the insurance aspect. I should be fine though cuz I still have medical records from my OB/Gyn showing my weight history from 2000 til now. We'll see what happens.
I have set myself up to have $12,000 set aside for this surgery next calendar year. It would be perfect if the insurance reimburses me at least 70% of that $12,000 (out of network coinsurance is 30/70). If so, then I'll be financially 'OK' but in the just in case scenario we'd be living off a portion of my paycheck supplemented by my student loans to make up the difference for the whole of next year. Is is worth it? Yes. I am seriously feeling heavier even though I'm losing weight. I don't know if it's age or the weather or what. Either way, I wanna be under the knife no later than January 21, 2008.
Luv Sharon
I Contacted Dr Selinkoff's office (my RNY surgeon) but they said all records prior to 2000 were shredded including mine. I can get the operative report, nurses notes, progress notes--whatever--from the hospital so thats not too bad but I'm concerned about the insurance aspect. I should be fine though cuz I still have medical records from my OB/Gyn showing my weight history from 2000 til now. We'll see what happens.
I have set myself up to have $12,000 set aside for this surgery next calendar year. It would be perfect if the insurance reimburses me at least 70% of that $12,000 (out of network coinsurance is 30/70). If so, then I'll be financially 'OK' but in the just in case scenario we'd be living off a portion of my paycheck supplemented by my student loans to make up the difference for the whole of next year. Is is worth it? Yes. I am seriously feeling heavier even though I'm losing weight. I don't know if it's age or the weather or what. Either way, I wanna be under the knife no later than January 21, 2008.
Luv Sharon
November 9, 2007
Nov 09, 2007
Goddammit! I just typed about 300 words and somehow backed up the stinking browser window - and lost everything! ggggrrrrrr....
Short and to the point: All tests and evaluations are DONE. FINITO! Yay me! I just did the EGD and psych eval today. Sleep study about 3wks ago (sleep hypopnea so I am now on a CPAP machine). UGI a couple months ago. My final appt for the 6mth multidisciplinary is going to be 12/2. After that, all my paper work is being sent to Dr ?.
Nope, still no diggy diggy doctor (old school hip hop term-sorry about that). I did listen to you 'S' and called Dr E on the east coast but his office staff wore my last damn nerve OUT. 'V'(LC), I'm 98.9% sure I'm going back to Cali for this procedure. I know both of you were saying it's too much too far and you're right but ya'll no better than anyone how we have to be happy with our decision or we face kicking ourselves later. I don't wanna kick myself about my shoulda, coulda, woulda's you know? Sooooooo, I'm going to spend the next year robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Either way, I have to say, the people I've met online here are so wonderful. If it weren't for ya'll I'd feel so alone. It's hard to talk to people who A. Couldn't care less, B. Think I'm obsessed when I simply want to be in the 'know' and C. Don't believe I'll succeed this time around. Here, I feel like I can share cuz no one knows you better than your friends.
Luv Sharon
Short and to the point: All tests and evaluations are DONE. FINITO! Yay me! I just did the EGD and psych eval today. Sleep study about 3wks ago (sleep hypopnea so I am now on a CPAP machine). UGI a couple months ago. My final appt for the 6mth multidisciplinary is going to be 12/2. After that, all my paper work is being sent to Dr ?.
Nope, still no diggy diggy doctor (old school hip hop term-sorry about that). I did listen to you 'S' and called Dr E on the east coast but his office staff wore my last damn nerve OUT. 'V'(LC), I'm 98.9% sure I'm going back to Cali for this procedure. I know both of you were saying it's too much too far and you're right but ya'll no better than anyone how we have to be happy with our decision or we face kicking ourselves later. I don't wanna kick myself about my shoulda, coulda, woulda's you know? Sooooooo, I'm going to spend the next year robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Either way, I have to say, the people I've met online here are so wonderful. If it weren't for ya'll I'd feel so alone. It's hard to talk to people who A. Couldn't care less, B. Think I'm obsessed when I simply want to be in the 'know' and C. Don't believe I'll succeed this time around. Here, I feel like I can share cuz no one knows you better than your friends.
Luv Sharon
October 9, 2007
So. You will notice I've picked Dr's as poorly as I picked husbands after all. I pick the first one I think will satisfy my needs only to get told, "Oops! Sorry - can't do nothing for ya."
Well, pleeeeez let this one, Dr Maguire, be THE ONE. Time is running out for this year. If I'm not switched by 12/31/07, I'll have to start all over meeting deductibles and co-insurances and maximum out of pockets which could go up and around $10G's!
I would only have to pay $2344 if I had it done today.
*HOWEVER*
After the psych eval (scheduling later today), the sleep study (scheduled 10/29), Dr Maguire's consult (10/26--got airline tix AND hotel cuz I have the seminar), regular Dr visit (11/1) and endoscopy (also scheduling later today), I shouldn't have to pay more than, oh, $15-$1600?
So, as you can see, time is certainly of the essence. So, the ball is officially rolling. The insurance said this month, 10/31, will be my 6th month.
After I've met Dr Maguire and have sent all the docs to his office, I'll officiall be ready to submit to insurance. I'm almost positive they'll cover. I've done all I can and then some.
I know I won't waste this away. I think being a post op RNY has given an appreciation of the precious 'window' of opportunity. You know how people say things like, "If I had to do it over again, I would...." Well, I have to do it over again, and I know what I will do:
#1) Exercise. Period. Like it or not, I believe I'd have been able to put off a lot more weight had I exercised.
#2) Low Carb - or at least Lower Carb. I didn't know anything about low carb until 2003 - five years post op.
#3) Crystal Lite. Who knew?
#5) Support Groups. I never wanted to participate but I think I 'get it' now.
#6) Celebrate the little wow moments. Don't compare myself w/others but be thrilled with the little wow's cuz the big WOW will come in due time.
#7) Surround myself with positive, supportive people...not those who will harp on every GODDAMN THING I PUT IN MY MOUTH. I wonder if my mom is reading this?
I know there is more but geez, it's 3:30am; I can't think. I'm supposed to be reading for one of my courses. Hmmmmm. Talk to you later...
Luv Sharon
Well, pleeeeez let this one, Dr Maguire, be THE ONE. Time is running out for this year. If I'm not switched by 12/31/07, I'll have to start all over meeting deductibles and co-insurances and maximum out of pockets which could go up and around $10G's!
I would only have to pay $2344 if I had it done today.
*HOWEVER*
After the psych eval (scheduling later today), the sleep study (scheduled 10/29), Dr Maguire's consult (10/26--got airline tix AND hotel cuz I have the seminar), regular Dr visit (11/1) and endoscopy (also scheduling later today), I shouldn't have to pay more than, oh, $15-$1600?
So, as you can see, time is certainly of the essence. So, the ball is officially rolling. The insurance said this month, 10/31, will be my 6th month.
After I've met Dr Maguire and have sent all the docs to his office, I'll officiall be ready to submit to insurance. I'm almost positive they'll cover. I've done all I can and then some.
I know I won't waste this away. I think being a post op RNY has given an appreciation of the precious 'window' of opportunity. You know how people say things like, "If I had to do it over again, I would...." Well, I have to do it over again, and I know what I will do:
#1) Exercise. Period. Like it or not, I believe I'd have been able to put off a lot more weight had I exercised.
#2) Low Carb - or at least Lower Carb. I didn't know anything about low carb until 2003 - five years post op.
#3) Crystal Lite. Who knew?
#5) Support Groups. I never wanted to participate but I think I 'get it' now.
#6) Celebrate the little wow moments. Don't compare myself w/others but be thrilled with the little wow's cuz the big WOW will come in due time.
#7) Surround myself with positive, supportive people...not those who will harp on every GODDAMN THING I PUT IN MY MOUTH. I wonder if my mom is reading this?
I know there is more but geez, it's 3:30am; I can't think. I'm supposed to be reading for one of my courses. Hmmmmm. Talk to you later...
Luv Sharon
September 5, 2007
Sep 05, 2007
I scheduled a consult with Dr. Anthone; is he gonna be: The One?
My consult will be in Omaha, Nebraska 11.0.07 @ 9a. Yaaaay Meeeee!!!
I've never been to Nebraska.
Do they have black people there? No, seriously - well, do they?
It was when I did my bitchy post that a few ladies responded with ''check out my doc" and so I did. Sure enough, as everyone attested, they were kind, genuine, respectful...almost as if they actually remembered that as a patient, I MATTER!
I really have not been particularly excited about this process and I've been doing the same things as pretty much everyone else. I think if I had the support network of WeightWise Bariatrics with the RNY, I may well have succeeded. I'll never know cuz that was then. NOW, I have a team of someone's (aside from self) to be accountable to. I am almost positive that I will meet if not exceed my goals this time around.
Luv Sharon
My consult will be in Omaha, Nebraska 11.0.07 @ 9a. Yaaaay Meeeee!!!
I've never been to Nebraska.
Do they have black people there? No, seriously - well, do they?
It was when I did my bitchy post that a few ladies responded with ''check out my doc" and so I did. Sure enough, as everyone attested, they were kind, genuine, respectful...almost as if they actually remembered that as a patient, I MATTER!
I really have not been particularly excited about this process and I've been doing the same things as pretty much everyone else. I think if I had the support network of WeightWise Bariatrics with the RNY, I may well have succeeded. I'll never know cuz that was then. NOW, I have a team of someone's (aside from self) to be accountable to. I am almost positive that I will meet if not exceed my goals this time around.
Luv Sharon
August 24, 2007
Aug 24, 2007
I just lost a whole lotta info. Got ready to save...then clicked cancel. Goddammit!!!!!!!!!!! Restating this thing...short and to the same point:
Had CT scan and mammogram at the same time as the UGIS. Results? "Unremarkable" UGIS. CT Scan: Two Hernias. My TaTa's? Need another mammo as they found a "density" that is "questionable". Doing that next week. Not worried...too much...breast reduction in '03. Likely just scar tissue.
Dr Kemmeter's office sent me a lovely email after two and a half weeks of waiting:
"Dear Sharon, After reviewing your email, Dr. Kemmeter felt it would be in your best interest to find a surgeon closer to Texas. If you need further interest you can reach us at...."
WTF? I'm from SW Michigan. Can likely find my way around there better than they can. Don't know why my locale could possibly be an issue. It sure as hell cant be that. People travel from all over the world for surgery.
Whatever. I'm not begging ANYONE to take my money. Still Doc Shopping. Going to get in touch w/Dr Anthone, also take a new look at the Frisco/Delaney, CA Doc's and see what theyre talking about...
Luv Sharon
Had CT scan and mammogram at the same time as the UGIS. Results? "Unremarkable" UGIS. CT Scan: Two Hernias. My TaTa's? Need another mammo as they found a "density" that is "questionable". Doing that next week. Not worried...too much...breast reduction in '03. Likely just scar tissue.
Dr Kemmeter's office sent me a lovely email after two and a half weeks of waiting:
"Dear Sharon, After reviewing your email, Dr. Kemmeter felt it would be in your best interest to find a surgeon closer to Texas. If you need further interest you can reach us at...."
WTF? I'm from SW Michigan. Can likely find my way around there better than they can. Don't know why my locale could possibly be an issue. It sure as hell cant be that. People travel from all over the world for surgery.
Whatever. I'm not begging ANYONE to take my money. Still Doc Shopping. Going to get in touch w/Dr Anthone, also take a new look at the Frisco/Delaney, CA Doc's and see what theyre talking about...
Luv Sharon
About Me
24.7
BMI
Surgery
03/13/2008
Surgery Date
Jul 07, 2002
Member Since
