I have jumped through the last insurance hoop and all the paperwork should be set to submit to insurance this week. Now we wait. I have a tentative surgery date of 7/8 if the approval comes through as expected. I'm supposed to start my 2 week prep diet on Wednesday which is no carbs. I don't really have a problem with that except it does bug me to start a prep diet before I know insurance will approve. That leads me to something else I find odd. No one in my doc's office seems worried about that. They keep referring to the insurance approval as if it's a foregone conclusion…everyone from the patient advocate to the surgery scheduler to the doctor. They told me they've only had a patient declined once and that they check everything out at the beginning so they don't waste their time bringing a patient through if they won't be approved. As someone who was previously denied weight loss surgery despite jumping through all these hoops, having appropriate coverage and doing everything they told me to do, this surprises me. I guess we shall see.
Either way, the time of waiting is done. I'm looking at the "preop" diet as just a diet and a way to kickstart my weight loss. I'm done eating like there's no tomorrow or consequences for my actions. I've hit several new lows (remember when they used to be a number on the scale?) such as:
- I had to shop at Avenue because regular stores are out of the question again.
- I weighed in at 228.2 - Just 2 lbs shy of my highest non pregnancy weight EVER.
- I'm getting winded just walking around the block.
- I don't want to go places just because I can't find anything to wear and don't like the idea of people looking at me.
- I'm nervous as all get out about a presentation I have to give via video conference tomorrow because of how I look.
These are not good things. These are things I thought I had moved past but obviously haven't. So surgery or no, it's time to turn things around. I can't just sit back and be a bystander anymore. Fingers crossed an approval or denial comes quickly…just so I know where I stand.
10 comments:
Good for you for seeing your pre-op diet as an opportunity. Don't stress about your video conference tomorrow. It will be just fine -- just prepare and remember that even if you don't feel good at your current weight, you are still a bright, attractive person and that is going to come through.
I hope you get the insurance approval very soon - I'm sure that will come as a big relief... and then you'll be on to a newer, healthier phase of your life. :) Rooting for you and sending best wishes for your success!
The low carb pre-op diet is really helpful for jump starting your new life. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and success and gets you through the worst of the carb withdrawal. I would trust your surgeon's office about the approval. They really don't want to do all the pre-op work if they know it will be denied. Definitely reach out to those of us who are post-op. Bonnie, Manda, Anna, Me, Disappearing Darling.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Tracey
Even if you don't share them and don't want to look at them, remember to take pictures and measurments. It sounds like you are ready to come back stronger anyways and no carbs SHOULD jump start you. When I follow the phase one of atkins for 2 weeks I can drop about 10 pounds. Of course my cholesterol is another story after just two weeks...but I digress.
And remember that weight is relative. 228 is a scary weight for you but I started at 330...so you are already ahead of my game. And although I am not weighing this year, I bet you are only about 40 pounds from where I am right now...and I am in a size 12. So you aren't far away from feeling good again. Keep us posted.
I have my fingers and toes crossed. I know what you mean about not knowing about insurance approval. I didn't get my approval until the Monday before my Friday surgery. Talk about nail biting. I'm glad my band versus sleeve post helped. I was so worried that I wouldn't be successful with the sleeve, but so far so good.
Best of luck! You've got this!
The surgeon's office does seem pretty confident, don't they. I hope everything works out! Please keep us posted.
Good luck to you! We're about the same weight at the moment and I know hard it is after being so much smaller. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and continue to follow your story! http://renewedband.blogspot.com
Fingers crossed for you!!! You will do great!
How are things going?
I've got my fingers crossed for ya!
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