Question:
It seems so long the waiting and then more waiting trying to work my way throu

gh the insur. mess is any one else having a problem with waiting, every day seems so long....    — Rho (posted on October 15, 2001)

October 15, 2001
Hi Rose, Yes the waiting is hard. Right now i'm waiting for my surgery date, and i tell you it's all i can do to stay off the phone. Asking "WHATS THE DATE, DATE, DATE ,DATE, I NEED A DATE". Lets just try to be patient,and remember all of us have to travel the same road to get to our dreams. It helps me to know that all our friends that read this know and understand , because they've been there. Hugs and good luck.
   — Nancy S.

October 15, 2001
Yes, it's a hard road to go through, I fought my insurance for 9 months, had surgery scheduled and all my pre-op testing done, only for them to post pone my surgery for at least two more months.. I've had to start anti-depressants in the process because I was waking up every day crying.. and the longer it took, the less I understood.. but the hard part for me is done, the insurance is approved.. now it's the waiting for another date.. try to find a support group, get involved in the chat rooms, keep yourself busy.. going over and over it in your head isn't health.. but for me , hind sight is 20 / 20 ...
   — [Anonymous]

October 15, 2001
I started my process back in Jan. I was denied by my insurance. co. I appealed and was denied again. I changed jobs and couln't wait for Oct. 1st to come and Aetna to kick in. Well.... My PCP will be sending my referral/letter to Aetna and my surgeon this week. I called today, and I will call tomorrow and Wed. and everyday until I know that letter is in their hands!!!! Sometime overeaters are obsessive/compulsion "type" people. I know I'm one! Now I'm obsessing on a date! You're not alone!!!!
   — Cindee A.

October 15, 2001
Okay... I know everyone here is gonna hate me, but I made my first call to a surgeon on October 8, 2001; the surgeon had a cancellation so I met with him on October 9, 2001; I got a call on October 11, 2001 and my insurance had been approved and I was given a surgery date of November 16, 2001. So now, having been diagnosed with OCD, I am having a terrible time waiting for the November 16th. All of my pre-op appointments are set up... I created a website for those of us going throught WLS... I scrubbed my bathroom floor, and I imagine I am going to have the cleanest home in the country by the time my surgery date rolls around. The best advice I can give regarding waiting is KEEP BUSY!! :-)
   — Janet C.

October 15, 2001
Rose, there does seem to be alot of 'hurry up and waiting' going on in WLS. I feel that, within reason, the usual waiting period serves a purpose. It gives us ample time to mentally, physically and emotionally for this major life changing procedure. I called in June for my initial consult and was given a date of Aug. 16. It seemed like forever. Shortly after my consult, I received a surgery date of December 10. THAT felt like a year away. But in reality, the time is flying by. I have researched extensively, but with three children (4 including the hubby lol), 2 dogs, one being only 7 weeks old and a house to care for, I don't have alot of opportunity to dwell on my time line. Also, since my surgery is smack in the middle of the long holiday season, I have alot of shopping, etc. to complete. So like some others have said, the trick is to keep busy and use the time wisely. Soon, you'll be wondering where it all went so fast. Good luck!!
   — Donna L.

October 15, 2001
I started my process in February, I was denied coverage in March. Georgia's obesity law went into effect July 1. I had insurance paperwork sent back through. I was approved July 27. I had upper gi and nurtritionist consult in August, psychologist testing October 9. I have a medical exam and consent form signing on Nov. 9, and from what I have read about my dr. I will be waiting to aroung March or April for surgery. So it is a long haul alot of waiting for appointments to be completed amd reports sent. But just think about the all the good things to happen. Weight, loss, feeling better about yourself, joints not hurting, sleeping better, so on an so on. The waiting is sometimes very hard. Just keep busy and the time will fly. Back in March when I was denied October seems a very long time away and it is already here. Hope this helps you any.
   — pattyw

October 15, 2001
I started my process in July. Didn't have any problems with approval, and my surgery date is Jan. 9th! I look at it this way, I get one last Xmas and New years to have my favorite Xmas cookies etc.......2002 will be the start of my new "life". Gives me time to stock up and prepare also on things I will need after surgery.......I'm sure once it gets close to Jan 9th I will be getting pretty anxious!
   — Kim B.