[mj2903]

I just joined and thought I would introduce myself.

My name is Melinda and I am going through the insurance approval process which will take quite a while as due to cost saving measures with my husbands company I have to have my own primary insurance so we have to meet the requirements of both companies and get approval before I can go ahead with the surgery. Right now I am hoping for late spring or early summer.

I am 44 years old and have spent most of my life dieting with minimal positive results.

I am still a bit nervous about going the route of surgery, primarily the risks of the surgery itself and the possibility of malnourishment afterwards but am to the point where the long term risks of not getting the weight off are much higher than the risk of complications with the surgery.

Melinda

[Perfesser]

Originally Posted by mj2903

I am still a bit nervous about going the route of surgery, primarily the risks of the surgery itself and the possibility of malnourishment afterwards but am to the point where the long term risks of not getting the weight off are much higher than the risk of complications with the surgery.

Welcome, Melinda! Glad you found us!! This is the greatest resource online for a person with your concerns.

The surgery itself has been refined to the point that complications are infrequent, and life-threatening ones are extremely rare. Once you choose your surgeon, you should sit down and discuss the practice's track record. How many done, what results, how many deaths, what kind of complications.

Take that knowledge and balance against your personal outlook without the surgery. My doctor gave me a choice - lose a massive amount of weight or die. Take your pick!! Stated like that, any risks of surgery got pretty insignificant!! (And my surgery was perfect - no problems of any kind! You can see the results in my stats.)

And don't worry about malnourishment!! You will be better nourished when you start making healthy choices as part of your overall lifestyle changes than you are now!! If you were practicing good nutrition now, would you need surgery? Most of us were overnourished (calorically) but drastically undernourished (nutritionally) when we started the process. That six-month pre-op nutritional counseling will really open your eyes!!

Any questions along the way, just ask. Shouldn't be more than a few dozen folks leaping in to help you! This is the friendliest list there is - lots of love and support - no flames allowed!!

Good luck as you prepare! There are lots of resources here. Just do your research and make sure that the decision is right for you. None of us can make the decision for you, although we're not shy in sharing what we've learned and experienced!!

Take care!!

CT

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
Good luck with your process.
(((((HUGS))))) May your journey go well.

[Namma]

I to am in the insurance approvel stage....but have to say the time does move fast. It also gives you time to really learn and make some changes before you have to!
All the best as you move on with all they ask you to do!!!! Welcome and we can learn togeather!!!
Lexie

[MyTurn2009]

Hi Melinda - I too am in that insurance approval stage for 6 months. At first I was impatient, but, overall it is a good thing. I am learning a lot about what life will be like after, began eating appthe time delay is a good thing. It gives you time to begin your lifestyle changes early, so that you can see that you can learn to live by the rules. I also began to maintain a food diary (which must be shared with the nutritionist), and going to the support group meetings. (I lost 18 lbs throughout the 2 hardest holiday seasons of the year). Best thing I did was to join this website! The people here are awesome! Looks like we are aiming for surgery at just about the same time in 2010.

[mj2903]

So far, I am really just getting started with the process, I went to the required seminar and have had my phone interview and have met with my family doctor once. Once I get the insurance card for my 'new' primary insurance then I will be able to finish my initial work with the WL center and start the approval process through that company as well.

Right now the fun part could be that surgeons at the bariatric center of excellence that is closes (which is a requirement of my policy) are not preferred on my husbands policy so I don't know how that will work. Hopefully I will be able to find out more early in January.

I am looking forward to learning from the experience of those who have gone through this and so selflessly help others on this board.

Thanks Everyone!!

Melinda

[decker1976]

Welcome and thanks for joining us. Being a little anxious about WLS is normal. As CT stated the surgery itself has been refined to the point that there are few complications and deaths are rare. The benefits of WLS (as long as you follow your program) are significant. I feel better (look better too) than I have in 30+ years.

Please visit often and ask anything. We're here to help guide you through your journey.

[poppiestootsie]

Welcome~ Good luck with the insurance process and make sure to keep us updated! I'm sure it will all work out!!

[MsVickie]

Welcome to the site Melinda. Im Vickie. If you need to ask any questions just ask away. Im glad your taking the look into helping your self live again. I will give you a hint.... which ever insurance is primary....... once that one is approved the other one has to follow suit and pay. That might make it a bit easier.

[mj2903]

Originally Posted by MsVickie

Welcome to the site Melinda. Im Vickie. If you need to ask any questions just ask away. Im glad your taking the look into helping your self live again. I will give you a hint.... which ever insurance is primary....... once that one is approved the other one has to follow suit and pay. That might make it a bit easier.

Is that true even when the secondary insurance doesn't coordinate benefits? The nurse I spoke to for my initial interview said that we would have to comply with the requirements with both, my insurance will have their own approval procedure but the bcbs policy that will be secondary will rely on the drs office etc for the pre-approval work. I have to call his company this week so I can make sure I know what they would normally pay to make sure I have enough in my flexible benefits to cover the difference. (coordinated benefits would be much easier).

Thanks for the response, if that is the case it will make it easier.

Melinda