gomab43224

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I completed my PAT today and everything went fine. I was offically cleared for my surgery scheduled for May 6th. The Internist said that other than high blood pressure and sleep amenia I am very health and my surgery should be complications free. The pre-admission process wasn't to bad. I was finished in about 4hrs. The hardest part of it was the my session with the respiratory nurse. I had to take a deep breathe and blow into the tube as hard as I could until he said to stop. I literally almost past out. It was no Joke but other than that the rest was a breeze. 

My surgery is schedule for May 6th (approx. 3wks.) This has been a long time coming but I can finally exhale and see the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Not to be all emotional but the first leg of my journey was very unpleasant and difficult. I jumped thru every hoop that was presented to me and then some and it still took me 4yrs to see the fruits of my labor. If not for my greatest supporter and friend (MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE PAM), I would not have made it this far and to her I owe everything. Also, I want to thank all the people who has sent their best wishes it was very much welcomed and appreciated.

Well, I made it thru the sleep study last night. That is the most uncomfortable situation for me. The staff was warm and kind and the facility was clean and relaxing, but the idea of being watched while I slept just unsettled me. Nevertheless, that phase is over and I have officially done everything Dr. Ramos wanted for surgery clearance. Just waiting for Him to receive my test results and sign off and away I go.

I completed my stress test today and I have my sleep study to do tonite. All I need to to do now is finish that and wait for Dr. Ramos to sign off and schedule the surgery date. I'm getting closer everyday ya'll. Keeping praying for me.

03/06/08
Alot has happened since my episodes in 2003. If you read my previous updates I was blindsided by my old insurance company (Meduical Mutual). The first time I applied for the surgery I was denied. That was back in Jan. 2003. I appealed and finally in July '03 it was approved. Don't get get excited yet. During the 6 months it took them to final approve me Medical Mutual changed their policy regarding WLS. They were no longer going to cover 100% of the surgery instead they would only pay 50%. Which I could not afford the surgery. Then in 2005 I changed Jobs and found out that my new insurance company (Athem) would cover WLS but Barix Clinics was out of network so I contacted OSU and started the process with them. I completed the required pych eval and met with the nutritionist but was unable to complete their required 12 week support group sessions. The session was during eveining hours and at the time I worked 2nd shift. So that was a bust. My wife recently changed jobs and starting working for the City of Columbus so I cancelled my insurance and was covered under hers (United Heathcare). So in Jan. '08 I contacted Barix again and had another consult this time with Dr. Ramos and they submitted my info to UHC and it was approved with in 2 days. Dr. Ramos gave the insurance company an tenative date of 04/03/08 for my surgery date now just waiting to receive the official approval letter from UHC

03/10/08
I received a call from Barix on Friday (03/07) informing me that they recv'd the approval letter from UHC. I'm officially EXCITED now. I can see it's really gonna happen this time. I'm stoked ya'll.
I have 2 doctor appointments tomorrow. One with my PCP to have the pre-op testing done that Dr. Ramos has ordered and one with Dr. Samadde (sleep apnea doctor). It's been about 4yrs. since I've seen him, Dr. Ramos want me to consult with him. I really need see Dr. Samadder b/c last week I took my CPAP machine out of the closet after 4 yrs. and there are parts missing, so I hope I can get Dr. Samadder to order me another one

7/01/03
Here's what's going on w/ me. It's been a very,very,very, long road for me to make it the other side. I had my conmsult in January w/ Dr. Viglianco. My first impression wasn't a very good one. He seemed to know his stuff but I don't know if he had a lot of patients to see or what, but he didn't appear that focused to me. But, I hear he's an excellent surgeon and my research of him has been very positive. But, now the hell started. I was never one to go to the doctor very often---almost never until a couple of years ago. That's when I re-married and my wife made me get a family doctor. In other words my medical history was almost none existing. BTC advise me to get any and everything I could find and send it in, including 5 yrs. of pics to replace the weight history. So, I got everything together sent it in and a couple months went by and I haven't heard anything. I called BTC and i was told that my info had not been mailed yet. UHGGGGGG!!!! Finally got everything out and my Ins. Co. required a letter from my family DR. regarding my pysch. stallibilty. Turned everthing in agian and started the wait game. Then the worst possible thing happened, I WAS DENIED. My Ins. Co. said my BMI hasn't over 40 for 5 years. That's crazy! I'm 5'11, 350 lbs. now and I've been in the 300 for atleast 6yrs. I was so crushed when i received the denial letter. I immediately contacted BTC and they begun the appeal process my confidence is high again now. I'm sure they will approve me. Medical Mutual has a pretty good record of approving people for the surgery.
They received the appeal on the 24th of June, so now it's just wait and see. Can't wait until I'm tell ya'll about my surgery date. See ya.

7/03/03
Let me tell you, my attitude is so much better than it was a few day ago. I started chatting with people in the chat room and it was a God send. All my questions was answered first hand. I talked to people who have had similar insurance problem and people who are going through the same thing presently. It's such a relief to hear from people who encourage you not to give up and gives you that needed support.
So, if you have any questions no matter how big or how small get the answers from the horse's mouth(pun)---------the people who went through it. GO TO THE CHAT ROOM!!!!!!!!!!

7/10/03
I just called my Ins. company again to get the progress of my appeal and still I have to wait. They are still reviewing. Technically they have 30 days before they have to answer, so they have 2 more wks. I'm getiing so anxious!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7/14/03
I'M APPROVED, I'M APPROVED, I'M APPROVED, I'M APPROVED
I had to get that out. I called my insurance company today and got the good news. Words can't explain how happy I am right now. If anybody out there is reading this profile and they are having the same problems has me or you're just play the waiting game <<<>>> Don't let anything or anybody prevent you from reaching your goal.
Ok! that enough preaching. After I received the marvellous news I immediately called BTC Insurance dept. and reported the APPROVAL to them. I'll will received a copy of the APPROVAL LETTER before they will, so they want me fax them a copy has soon has I receive it. I also called my surgeons office and made sure they were aware that I had been APPROVED and have done everything for my medical clearance. I'm on the CPAP machine. My doctor ordered a sleep study and I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Well, that about it for right now I'll be updating soon.

7/17/03
Today has been a good day. I received my approval letter in the mail today and faxed it to BTC at warp speed (lol). On the flip side I found out that my doctor was not in my network but the BTC is, so I called my doctor's office to find out exactly what this meant to me in out-of-pocket expense. I'll admit it now, I was concerned for a minute. I strated thinking they were going to charge me thousands of dollars. But thanks to my AMOS sis Mary, she put my worries to rest. I went to Dr. Viglianco's (my surgeon) web page and found profiles of people who had the same insurance company and I found Mary and I emailed her and she put me at ease. Because BTC is in my network they will negotitate with my insurance company so my out-of-pocket fees will be approximately 300-400 bucks. Would you beleive that my insurance company recommend that I find a surgeon in my network, non-of-which specialize in gastric bypass surgery. ARE THEY CRAZY! Do they actually think I will take a chance with my life with some inexperienced doctor to save them and me a few dollars. I'm worth 300 dollars and a whole lot more.

07/23/03
Dr. Vigilanco's nurse called today and asked info regarding my sleep study results. She said it would be another week or two before my surgery is scheduled. Getting closer now! I had the weirdest experience with another AMOS friend. Apparently she has the same type of insurance that I have but her's will not competely cover the operation because it is supposedly a subgroup of Supemed Plus and will only cover her up to $10,000. She was going on saying how she's condemed to death and giving herself a new name for death. I emailed her and tried to give support but she he worte back with the same negativity.