treiser

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

So today I did what I have been trying not to do, I called the insurance company and they have not received any information yet from my surgeon.  So I called Dr. Harris' office today and they told me that they are currently working on the prior authorizations and then will get them to the insurance companies.  The lady I spoke with also said that the Dr. will be on vacation this week and all of next week, so now I am sad, mad, frustrated, nervous, a wreck really!   I just want to know what is going to happen, whether my insurance is going to come through, when I can have the surgery, if I get to have the surgery.  I am so very terrible at waiting, I see people on this site that wait for months while dieting to have this surgery and I just don't know if I would have it in me!!  I have waited for three years since being denied the first time, but I had decided I could do it on my own at that time, and what do you know I lost and re-gained that weight, too bad it wasn't doctor supervised.  I do have an appointment today with my doctor since my surgeon recommended I see her and get clearance from her and find out if she would have any additional tests she would like done before surgery.  I am sick about going to the doctor because I have gained so much weight since I was there last (in March).  She has always been so very nice and encouraging, it's me that beats myself up before going I guess.  So, Anyways . . . I will take some deep breaths and try to relax and let things happen as they happen. 

Hi - any help would be greatly appreciated!! I was denied in 2004 for WLS, I now have different surgery and I am going through the process again.  The reason I was denied in 2004 was because I had no co-morbidities.  I still am relatively healthy, I do have depression and heart disease runs in my family, but other than that . . . obesity is it (it's enough).  I have my consultation on July 18th and I am worried sick that I will again be denied for the surgery and I WANT IT SO BAD!!  I have Dakotacare insurance, the policy says that you must have 12 months coverage (I do), BMI over 40 (I do), 3 years obese documented by physician (I think I have?), and 3 years of weight loss attempts documented by physician (I don't have).  I'm so worried that the last two will be what stops me from getting the surgery.  I have seen the doctor for weight loss, I have been on every diet in the book, I have been on prescribed medication for weight loss, but I don't have three years of documented dieting.  I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and been approved.  Also if you think that the doctor sending a letter that states I have been obese and dieted for way over three years would be enough to get approved?  I have checked the insurance board and people that have posted about Dakotacare generally  have positive statements, but most are quite old and not specific.  I just keep thinking and thinking about this surgery and what it would mean to me, and I'm sure I am driving everyone in my family crazy - it's just something I want badly and can't seem to get off my mind!! Sorry this is soooo very long and thanks for any suggestions!  Tanya

I work for a psychiatrist that knows about my plans for bypass surgery, today we were talking about the surgery.  He talked about a few patients that we have that are so obese that they can't take care of themselves and have to have a spouse or loved one help them clean themselves or wipe after going to the bathroom.  He is a very compassionate man and was talking about how degrading this can be to people and how he feels so sorry for people and that this surgery is the answer "until we find what causes obesity and can stop it".  So after having this talk and I think he really understands, he says "Have you ever tried Weight Watchers"?  I said yes, and he said "really, and you didn't lose the weight"?  I explained that it didn't matter what diet I was on, I could lose weight, but always gained it back. So since that conversation, I keep thinking about the health care profession and how little they really understand about obesity. No wonder it is so frustrating to go to a doctor to lose weight when they really don't understand how to help people like us?  I had a doctor say to my mother when I was 6 or 7 years old and had the stomach flu that "it wouldn't hurt if she didn't keep anything down for a couple of weeks", how hurtful this was, and these are supposed to be the ones we turn to and trust?  I know that things have changed alot since then, and I would never tolerate a doctor saying this to me now, but I wonder how many others have had similar experiences with doctors and weight issues? 

Yesterday I tried to get all of my medical records together to take to the doctor on th 18th.  I got the records from my current doctor but when I tried to get records from my previous doctor (which included numerous diet attempts, pills, exercise, dietician) I was told that they are only required to keep records for 10 years and they have been destroyed!  I really thought they would have to microfiche them or something!  I had a several year time period where I did not go to the doctor and then started two years ago with my current doctor, now I'm concerned that I won't have proof that I have been obese for all these years!  I will have to think positively that this will not be an issue and that the insurance will just take the word of my WLS surgeon.  I really hate this waiting game and can't wait until the 18th for my appointment so that I can wait some more . . . 

I feel so sorry for people that have to wait for months and years, I just don't know if I would be able to tolerate that - what determination!