StacyJo44
Back on Track
May 19, 2014
After finding out that the clinic contacted the wrong Insurance i'm happy to say that it's been corrected and the differences between the pre-op requirements are minimal and luckily, I didn't have any unauthorized tests or appointments that made me financially liable. No major setbacks and most differences have to do with pre-authorization more than the actual processes. The one other difference is in the required length of a supervised and managed weight loss program. Instead of 2 months, i'll need 6 months. Since I'd already decided that I wasn't going to rush into this process, I'm happy to take as much time as necessary to meet any requirements and to make sure I go into surgery as prepared as possible for a successful procedure, recovery and all the changes that will affect me for the rest of my life. I think that the key to success in this is knowledge. Education by a dietitian for 6 months instead of 2 can only work in my favor. I've been completely nicotine free for 19 days and every day I add to that before surgery only helps reduce my risks of clots and impaired healing as well and the obvious ones of cancer and respiratory problems for the rest of my life. Though I had hoped for a summer surgery date because it's easier to be outside and active in MN in the summer and easier financially to deal with any unexpected missed work days, I won't see a surgery date now before late October. Still, even that is not a major crisis and it allows me time to prepare. I can start putting some money aside just in case I need it. And if I do have a late fall surgery, I have some time yet to look into options for indoor activities during the really cold or snowy days here. I meet with the Dietitian today for the first time and she will be the one managing my WL program so I didn't waste or lose anytime there either. I'll meet with my clinic nurse later this week to discuss the changes and just keep moving forward. The important thing is that the differences didn't affect my initial eligibility for surgery and so I'm back on track and moving forward.
