Hello. Just joined group today. I'm considering weight loss surgery and have my nurse consultation on Tuesday which is an all day class. My insurance sent approval letter already but i don't know how long the process is. I've been changing my eating habits by going to a nutritionist weekly and getting exercise in. Im scared and nervous just don't know what to expect. So how long was tbe process for everyone?
New to group from Livonia Michigan
- Thread starter Latisha
- Start date
Hi Latisha, I had my first appointment last April with a PPO insurance plan, and was told that it was a 6 month wait with monthly visits to my primary care physician to develop a weight loss plan and lose weight prior to surgery. I ended up fluctuating with my weight so this time was extended beyond the 6 month period. I then switched my insurance plan to an HMO one which started this year. So when I had my first visit with the doctor on the HMO plan I only had to wait 2 weeks for surgery, 10 days of which were for the liquid diet prep. So it happened quickly with the new insurance. It is normal to be scared, I was right up to the time I walked into the OR and prepped for surgery. Your doctor should be able to answer a lot of your questions of the process. It seems like there are various different processes based on the doctor who is doing the surgery.
Well that's good the process went smoothly with the hmo insurance. Well i have hap hmo insurance and that insurance have you go through Henry Ford and they sent info to insurance already with approval but the first step is going through the nurse consultation at Henry ford i go Tuesday then they go over the process from there. And my family doctor is supportive as well. So i guess Tuesday I'll know how long everything will take.
Tracy Lindenmuth
Member
You won't regret it, I had to go through 6 months of appointments with nutritionist, and different classes before surgery, they really prepared me for it, and after surgery there was not alot of pain, I was worrying about that for nothing, you will be fine
Carolyn270
Member
Hi. My insurance requires six months supervised diet but then there are also important tests needed done prior to surgery so I guess that all depends on scheduling and so forth.
Christine Seese
Active Member
Hi Latisha. I had to do a psych evaluation, meet with the surgeon and meet with the nutrionist before I was scheduled for surgery. As the Dr is very busy, I had to wait 1 1/2 months. Then, the day before surgery it was decided I need a stress test. After the test, I was rescheduled out for another 1 1/2 months. I was a nervous wreck the entire time. That lasted until I was done with surgery. Pain after surgery was minimal. Had issues with being light headed for over 2 months. It was determined it was from medicine I was taking. Once I was off of it, I felt 1,000% better. I would do it all over again in a heart beat. I've lost 51# since surgery. Well worth it.
Anna( Lady Truck driver )
Member
I had my surgery at life without limits in Muskegon Michigan. They were all very helpful. The day long visit went by so fast for me. You talk to the nurse. You get weighed and you meet other people that are all thinking about surgery. Most of those people are going through the same meeting for the next 6 months. The doctor comes in and describes the different procedures to the group. Some people asked questions I hadn't thought of. I took lots of notes. It's a big change but they walk you through it one step at a time. The best part is your not giving up food forever. Eventually you can have your favorite food again just not as much.
Alioop
Active Member
Hi, Livonia. I also am new to the group and just went for my first consultation visit (3) days ago. I went in to the consultation with lots of questions ..and in return received lots of answers. In my case I have to have several pre-tests which will take about 30 days to complete, but after that, they tell me surgery could happen by end of April. Try not to be nervous...let us all know how your visit goes. Good luck!
It took over a year for me to get approved by my insurance. I had to do a 6 month doctor supervised diet, see a cardiologist for an echo cardiogram, stress test, and had to have a pulmonary function test. In the meantime, I had several visits with the doctor that was doing the surgery and he explained everything and even drew pictures of the differences of the procedures. He is really nice. I have lost 46 lbs. since Jan. 2nd. I have not regretted my decision to do the surgery. The dietician is very helpful, as well.
Jerri Gilbert
Member
It really depends on your insurance. Mine made me have 6 months of nutrition classes, but the office told me that some don't require any wait. Good luck. I had 3 days of jitters in my 5th month of prep. I'm 67. I didn't have time to try to lose it on my own AGAIN! By the way I live in MA now, but I,too, am a Michigander.
Teresa52
Bariatric Guru
You all are lucky, insurance wasn't paying for the surgery when I got mines done. I'm proud of you guy for having the courage to take the first steps into your future. Good Luck!!!!
Teresa52
Bariatric Guru
Teresa52
Bariatric Guru
I lost almost 30 pounds after the first week after surgery and I was at Disney Land on the seventh day. Thank was really nice....
oh wow that is awful! I only had to pay my doctor $200, and the hospital bill was another $200, so I know I am so fortunate that I didn't have to pay more.
Teresa52
Bariatric Guru
You were blessed... the going rate when I had my surgery was between 35,000 -55,000 for everything. When I got my surgery only the rich and famous people was having it done. Well I was not rich or famous. I was just blessed.
wow that is crazy. I received my insurance statement yesterday with the total cost, $75,100! I really feel fortunate for the small amount I have to pay.
Teresa52
Bariatric Guru
YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOURSELF FOR TAKING THE FIRST STEPS. ALWAYS EXPECT THE BEST AND NEVER SETTLE FOR LESS. REMEMBER... YOU ARE NEVER ALONE. YOU ARE APART OF A COMMUNITY THAT'S HERE FOR YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
CONGRATULATION!!!
Teresa52
Bariatric Guru
Hi Latisha,
How are you doing? I'm just getting back from speaking at a weight loss conferences in Las Vegas. I posted some of my pictures from the conference. I was thinking about you while I was gone. How is everything going?