Question:
AUGH!!!!!!! AUGH!!!!!!! AUGH!!!!!!!

Ok, guys. I just got off the phone with my surgeon's office. The lady I was talking to was talking to someone else in the background about me while she was on the phone with me, b/c she was trying to figure out when to schedule me with the in-office psych. She said to me, "Oh, how about we get you in for your psych eval on the 3rd of Sept.?" and then she said to the person helping her schedule, "Oh, no, that's no good. She's scheduled for surgery on the 28th of this month." Then she talked to me again and said, "How about we squeeze you in on the 12th of this month, next Tuesday, at 9:15 am?" and I said that was fine and then I said, "I'm having the surgery THIS month?" because I'm having my initial consult next week and I thought she was confused or something. And she said, "Well, it says here barring any insurance problems or test problems, you'll be having the surgery this month." I asked her for the date and she said my doctor would give it to me at my appointment. She said I had to have my psych evaluation and then my testing before they'll give me that date, in the event I end up not being able to have the surgery due to problems with the aforementioned tests. I guess they don't want to get my hopes up or have me make plans and have them dashed if I turn out not getting the surgery. Holy son of a gun. I was HOPING in my WILDEST dreams to have this surgery sometime in October, maybe November. Now that I may get it this very month IF my insurance approval goes smoothly and IF all my tests come back ok (I know those are big IF's). And I guess it's all hitting home. When there's an indefinite window of when your surgery will be taking place, it's easier to put off your worrying, put off all the crap you have to get done ie: I need to get a cavity filled, I need to find someone to help take care of my 2-year-old, etc. And my mind is giong 500 miles per second and I need HELP getting all this together! What should I do first? Should I take a more fatalist approach and just wait and see? WHAT SHOULD I DO!?!?!?! How do I make sure my insurance process goes as smoothly as possible? That's another thing-I have Tricare Prime and they require you to have 5 yrs of documented obesity. I have 3 years, but have been obese longer-I just don't have it documented. Actually, it probably IS documented, it's just that I can't remember who my doc WAS 5 yrs ago. I was only 16 then and my mom knew all that stuff-who my doc was, where i went to the doc at, etc. But she just passed away and my dad doesn't know any of that...any way I can track that stuff down or any chance of getting approved with what I have? Ok, I think this is enough to post at once-but at least you all have an idea of what's going through my head right now!!!! Thank you!    — jenn_jenn (posted on August 4, 2003)

August 4, 2003
Original Poster here-I realize I put the 28th of this month as when she said my surgery would be and then later on said she wouldn't tell me the date-the reason being when I asked her when it was she wouldn't clarify and I'm pretty sure she said the 28th-but can't be positive as she wasn't speaking into the mouthpiece of the phone at that time and it could've easily been the 20th or something. And she wouldn't clarify what she had said.
   — jenn_jenn

August 4, 2003
If you want to wait until October or November, then that should be fine. I was crazy and had my consult in October to give myself enough time to be on the waiting list so I would have choice dates in June when school got out. I COULD have had it Nov, or Dec, but waited until it fit in with my schedule. BTW, I ended up having surgery in May due to insurance problems.
   — Heather M.

August 4, 2003
The most important thing to remember is that YOU are the patient. It is up to YOU when you have your surgery, within reason, and considering the expiration of your insurance approval. Don't stress about this. It is perfectly acceptable to complete all of your pre-tests and schedule YOUR surgery in the future. Good luck!
   — Jennifer M.

August 4, 2003
i also have tricare prime. they dont require 5yrs documented obesity at all. you can check out the requirements by going to www.tricare.osd.mil/tricarehandbook it will tell you exactly what you need to be approved.good luck in your journey
   — tacy T.

August 4, 2003
That would be great but knowing how these places are I wouldn't be suprised if she was incorrect, I was told August for my surgery but now all I know is it will be by Oct 22, sometimes I get the feeling the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing in these offices.......LOL
   — Saxbyd

August 4, 2003
Dealing with doctors' offices is maddening, isn't it? So just close your eyes, take a deep breath, and RELAX! Take the dates they give you and consider it a blessing that you don't have to wait until October or November to start your new life! While you're waiting for your psych consult, start making a list of the things you need to do to prepare for this surgery, i.e. lining up care for your child, arranging someone to help you at home after surgery, getting your bills paid, etc. Then go to your psych consult. When you get your surgery date, put it on your calendar and give it to all the people who are going to help you. Then all you can do is wait. I know that is the hardest part! I was fortunate that my entire WLS process from the first consultation to the surgery only took 3 months, and I got my surgery date 3 weeks in advance. But whether the wait is three weeks or three months, it really is hard to wait. So spend some of that time coming back here and getting yourself encouraged by all the terrific success stories. Ask for answers to the questions that are heavy on your heart. This is a great place to get support, encouragement and hope. You will do just fine. As far as Tricare Prime, that is the insurance I have as well, and I didn't need to document 5 years of obesity. But do make sure to write down every diet you have ever tried, and when you tried it. Write down every attempt you have ever made at weight loss and any doctor you may have seen for help. And document any physical ailments (comorbidities) you are experiencing as a result of your obesity. Tricare is pretty good about approval but they do want to know that WLS is a last resort and not your first attempt at weight loss! Best of luck to you! ~ Hugs, Jody
   — MomBear2Cubs

August 5, 2003
I remember going through some what of what you are going through. It can be so overwhelming, but this is the best, trust in the Lord and put it all in his hands. He brought you to this point and now he'll take you through it. Have faith. I assure you, it wasn't just a coincedence that you over heard the conversation at the doctors office about your early surgery, the Lord will provide for everything else you need. He'll let you know when and where to start doing things. Good Luck and God Bless.
   — Joan T.

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