Well, it has now been almost 8 weeks since my case was turned over to the insurance company, and I am still waiting on a decision. Does everyone who is employed by the company get to read my file? Do I have to wait for it to be translated to every language so everyone in the world can read it? What in GOD's name is taking so long?
To be honest, the girl at the Dr's office has no clue. Every time she calls, they tell her that the case is still in review.
They must be reviewing only one letter at a time. I will pass along the decision, as soon as I get it.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Just Checking In
Well yesterday, after playing phone tag for four day, finally talked to the insurance coordinator at the Dr's office. Yes, you guessed it, I am still waiting.
She said that my case was still in review, but that they got the needed weight history for the company. She promised to let me know as soon as she does, I think I can't take the wait.
I just want to know yes or no. That way I can start planning the next step: Surgery or Appeal.
Argghhhhhhh!!!!
She said that my case was still in review, but that they got the needed weight history for the company. She promised to let me know as soon as she does, I think I can't take the wait.
I just want to know yes or no. That way I can start planning the next step: Surgery or Appeal.
Argghhhhhhh!!!!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Still waiting
Well it have been almost two weeks since I have heard from the Surgeons office. I will be calling tomorrow to see if they have heard anything. I really wish to get either a yea or a nea, so I can plan the next step.
I hate not being able to plan any summer activities.
I hate not being able to plan any summer activities.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Wait Continues
OK, I heard from the Doctor's office. Now I have to wait some more. Apparently, the insurance company wants a detailed weight history. I was afraid of this, but the girl at the office said that there idea of detailed and my idea of detailed are two different things.
I think detailed as my weight every year for five years. Their idea of detailed is what did I weigh five years ago. So I am semi-confident that my records from my old physician will be fine. That with a note from my pcp explaining that I just started seeing her last year.
Until then,
Stay safe.
I think detailed as my weight every year for five years. Their idea of detailed is what did I weigh five years ago. So I am semi-confident that my records from my old physician will be fine. That with a note from my pcp explaining that I just started seeing her last year.
Until then,
Stay safe.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Wait
Ok, I know it has been a while since I have posted and I have a lot to catch you up on. Right now, I am waiting for the Insurance Company to get back to the Dr's office with either my approval or an initial denial. I turned my case over for submission on May 15, so I am not going to call the Dr until Friday.
What has happened since the last time I wrote, well, a lot. On March 9th, I was poked, prodded and pictured. I had most of my testing done on that day. It started with my checking into the hospital for out-patient procedures. My first appointment was the lung test. I had to prove that my lungs were strong enough to handle all the ventilators.
Then the ABG test. Ouch. That is the Arterial Blood Gas test. The stuck a big needle into the artery on my left wrist. The actual taking of blood did not hurt, it was the pressure stopping the artery from bleeding out into my arm that hurt. I mean really hurt. I had a bruise there for over 2 weeks.
Then I had to wait for my turn with the X-rays. I had to have three chest x-rays. That was not painful at all, but the wait was well, you know. The final test of the day was a quick EKG. It took longer to set me up that to actually run the test.
I as in and out of the hospital in under 3 hours. And I took the day off of work for this? Well, I got to go walking, took myself out to lunch and then enjoyed a nice nap in the afternoon.
That ended almost all of my testing. I had blood work to do, and another lung test. Both were done at the ACL clinic in Erie. After all my testing and meetings and doctor appointments, I feel really good about this decision. Now it is a waiting game.
I have been trying to keep active in the process. I am walking almost every day. Either at our local zoo (I have a membership) or out at Presque Isle State Park. When I am at the zoo, I am doing about 35 minutes and around about 1.5 to 1.75 miles. The peninsula walk is 2.2 miles in 45 minutes. Thank goodness they track their paths.
Well as soon as I hear something, I will let you all know. I promise.
Till then, take care.
What has happened since the last time I wrote, well, a lot. On March 9th, I was poked, prodded and pictured. I had most of my testing done on that day. It started with my checking into the hospital for out-patient procedures. My first appointment was the lung test. I had to prove that my lungs were strong enough to handle all the ventilators.
Then the ABG test. Ouch. That is the Arterial Blood Gas test. The stuck a big needle into the artery on my left wrist. The actual taking of blood did not hurt, it was the pressure stopping the artery from bleeding out into my arm that hurt. I mean really hurt. I had a bruise there for over 2 weeks.
Then I had to wait for my turn with the X-rays. I had to have three chest x-rays. That was not painful at all, but the wait was well, you know. The final test of the day was a quick EKG. It took longer to set me up that to actually run the test.
I as in and out of the hospital in under 3 hours. And I took the day off of work for this? Well, I got to go walking, took myself out to lunch and then enjoyed a nice nap in the afternoon.
That ended almost all of my testing. I had blood work to do, and another lung test. Both were done at the ACL clinic in Erie. After all my testing and meetings and doctor appointments, I feel really good about this decision. Now it is a waiting game.
I have been trying to keep active in the process. I am walking almost every day. Either at our local zoo (I have a membership) or out at Presque Isle State Park. When I am at the zoo, I am doing about 35 minutes and around about 1.5 to 1.75 miles. The peninsula walk is 2.2 miles in 45 minutes. Thank goodness they track their paths.
Well as soon as I hear something, I will let you all know. I promise.
Till then, take care.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Psychological Evaluation
Another step completed. Most insurance companies and Surgeons require a psychologial evalulation of the patients before they ok the surgery and perform the surgery. I am no different. I had my appointment with they psychologist yesterday.
Well, the view from his office was amazing. It was the bay and Presque Isle. I bet it is spectacular during the summer. The bay is still slightly frozen, but that won't last long. He asked me several questions. Mostly background questions on my health and mental history. We did spend a good 10 minutes discussing my attempted suicide back in 1996. We discussed what I knew of the surgery, what I expected from it. I told him my ultimate goal was 150 lbs, but I would settle for anything under 200 lbs. I like the range between 180 and 150.
We also discussed my plans for exercizing. I am walking about 3 times a week right now for 30 minutes. I will be adding a day to that, I am also looking into purchasing an ellipical machine. He gave me great advice on that. A lot of the appointment was similar to sitting down and talking with my PCP for the first time. He was very relaxed and very nice.
When he was done interviewing me, I had to take a test to determine my Mental Acuity. 165 True or False questions...like "You crossed the Atlantic over 30 times last year" and "I am answering these questions in a way to make me look good."
Well after all 165 questions were done, my appointment was almost over. He explained that his report would be sent to my surgeon in about a week with his recommendation. I don't see there being a problem, I know what to expect from the surgery, have plenty of help and lots of support.
Well, the view from his office was amazing. It was the bay and Presque Isle. I bet it is spectacular during the summer. The bay is still slightly frozen, but that won't last long. He asked me several questions. Mostly background questions on my health and mental history. We did spend a good 10 minutes discussing my attempted suicide back in 1996. We discussed what I knew of the surgery, what I expected from it. I told him my ultimate goal was 150 lbs, but I would settle for anything under 200 lbs. I like the range between 180 and 150.
We also discussed my plans for exercizing. I am walking about 3 times a week right now for 30 minutes. I will be adding a day to that, I am also looking into purchasing an ellipical machine. He gave me great advice on that. A lot of the appointment was similar to sitting down and talking with my PCP for the first time. He was very relaxed and very nice.
When he was done interviewing me, I had to take a test to determine my Mental Acuity. 165 True or False questions...like "You crossed the Atlantic over 30 times last year" and "I am answering these questions in a way to make me look good."
Well after all 165 questions were done, my appointment was almost over. He explained that his report would be sent to my surgeon in about a week with his recommendation. I don't see there being a problem, I know what to expect from the surgery, have plenty of help and lots of support.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Nutritionist's Group Session
I really should have posted this last week. The appointment was actuall a week ago today. I was just a little under the weather and didn't really feel like it. All better now. My surgeon requires anyone have Bariatric surgery to have two meetings with a nutritionist. One is a group session, and one is one on one. My one on one is in three weeks.
Well there was four of us for this one hour meeting. Heidi, who is the nutritionist, went over several things that we will have to adjust to with our new bellies and our new diets. She advised us on what kinds of vitamins we would need to be taking following the surgery. Where to get them, and what additional supplements would need to be taken. Most of the vitamins taken immediately following surgery, along with all other medications, must either be chewable or ground up.
She suggested the we start a food journal, which I already have. I do, however, need to make a few adjustments to my journal. Which I will do, when I start my new book on March 11. Three months down already. She also suggested that we keep physical activity mentioned in the journal. Any exercise we do. That way we can easily keep track of that.
I have to give up Caffeine!!!!! God No!!!!...Ok, a little exaggeration, because I knew this step was coming. As of Sunday, March 1, I have cut my regular coffee with Decaf. Half and half for the next month. On April 1, I will cut it to 3 parts, 1 part caf, 2 parts non caf. Hopefully by May 1, I will be drinking Decaf. Decaf for the next year.
The only other major change I see happening is the "no drinking while eating" change. Because you can wash away needed nutrients, you should not drink while eating after this kind of surgery. This is something else that is going to take me a couple months to get used to. They call it the 30 rule. No drinking for 30 minutes before the meal, take up to 30 minutes to eat the meal, and no drinking for 30 minutes after the meal. 90 minutes without a drink. I think the only time I do that now is when I am sleeping.
The rest of the information was basically portion control, and common sense stuff. Stay hydrated, exercise, no sugar, test the foods. You may be able to eat stuff you could not eat before and there will be things you love eating now, but will not be able to tolerate afterwards.
I am really looking forward to my one on one with Heidi to see how far I have to go.
Well there was four of us for this one hour meeting. Heidi, who is the nutritionist, went over several things that we will have to adjust to with our new bellies and our new diets. She advised us on what kinds of vitamins we would need to be taking following the surgery. Where to get them, and what additional supplements would need to be taken. Most of the vitamins taken immediately following surgery, along with all other medications, must either be chewable or ground up.
She suggested the we start a food journal, which I already have. I do, however, need to make a few adjustments to my journal. Which I will do, when I start my new book on March 11. Three months down already. She also suggested that we keep physical activity mentioned in the journal. Any exercise we do. That way we can easily keep track of that.
I have to give up Caffeine!!!!! God No!!!!...Ok, a little exaggeration, because I knew this step was coming. As of Sunday, March 1, I have cut my regular coffee with Decaf. Half and half for the next month. On April 1, I will cut it to 3 parts, 1 part caf, 2 parts non caf. Hopefully by May 1, I will be drinking Decaf. Decaf for the next year.
The only other major change I see happening is the "no drinking while eating" change. Because you can wash away needed nutrients, you should not drink while eating after this kind of surgery. This is something else that is going to take me a couple months to get used to. They call it the 30 rule. No drinking for 30 minutes before the meal, take up to 30 minutes to eat the meal, and no drinking for 30 minutes after the meal. 90 minutes without a drink. I think the only time I do that now is when I am sleeping.
The rest of the information was basically portion control, and common sense stuff. Stay hydrated, exercise, no sugar, test the foods. You may be able to eat stuff you could not eat before and there will be things you love eating now, but will not be able to tolerate afterwards.
I am really looking forward to my one on one with Heidi to see how far I have to go.
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