By: Wilburn Terry

Wilburn Terry — Sat, 30 Jul 2005 04:41:30 +0000

I am currently a pre-op. I have been in the process of researching this surgery
from February 2000 until now (Jan.2003).
Through those years have been waiting for the doctor’s consult (he was very
good, leading to far out appointments), to waiting for approval, getting denial,
appealing, denial again, appealing again, denial again, and it almost came down
to a hearing until they ultimately approved me. During that time, the doctor I
really wanted, fell out of my network. I proceeded to get another consult with
two more doctors, chose one of them, and now FINALLY have my surgery scheduled
for February 19, 2003. From the day I went into “Google” and put in the name
“Carnie Wilson” to see what would come up, and going through that whole “Is
there a Doctor in Your House” (now Spotlight on Health) website, to going to
three seminars, etc. It has and or will be a total of 2 years. I don’t know
why I was thinking this whole process would be done and over with in 6 months!
I know the fight will be worth it, though.
Good luck to you! I hope yours will be quicker and smoother!

By: Merle Gregoria

Merle Gregoria — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 19:08:30 +0000

It depends on a lot of factors. I found my surgeon in July, had my consult
in August, insurance approval by end of September and surgery in October (of
1998). It went quick for me but since then the surgery seems to have
exploded. Carnie WIlson had it and it has been all over the news
(television, magazines, newspapers, internet) so the waits are getting
longer. The good news is more surgeons seem to be doing it, more employers
and doctors are becoming educated about it and that can help cut down wait
times. Can.
Wait to get in to the surgeon for an appointment: Usually at least a month
with some people waiting up to six months.
Insurance approval: People have been approved anywhere from a few hours
after insurance got the information to fighting them over a year and then
changing insurance — depends on your insurance. To get an idea of what your
insurance does you can search obesityhelp.com (click on insurers and then
your state) and see if anyone with your insurance has posted.

Scheduling for surgery after insurance: Again it depends on where you are
going but roughly the average seems to be about two months after insurance
approval surgery is scheduled.
yes this can add up to a year long journey (if not longer) but you have a
lot to do during that time. YOu need to learn EVERYTHING you can about the
surgery you are having and prepare yourself for the first few weeks. You
should make sure you have a will, a living will, and write letters to your
family explaining why you are dong what you are doing in case the worst
happens (which it is a low risk of it — same as during a ceasarean but it
can happen). You need to make a list of milestones (start with 100) that
detail what you want to accomplish after surgery that you can not DO now.
You also need to interview your doctor and his staff and preferably attend
live support group meetings (at least one but preferably more) before you
have your surgery.
Good luck.
Denise Rasley
mailto: drasley@…
BTC, Columbus, 10/7/98

Comments on: Time frames

By: Wilburn Terry

By: Merle Gregoria