Do This and We Will Do That.

If one wants insurance to cover the costs of weight loss surgery, the approval process is quite daunting.  In fact, it is the main reason I have delayed this decision for so long.  Now, I feel I have reached the do or die stage of this process.  I have enough health issues to put myself in the category of high risk of having a heart attack or stroke.  This isn't my anxiety speaking - this is fact.  The way it is.  If I don't do something drastic to change it, my life is in danger.  I know that.  I feel it.  It terrifies me more than I can admit out loud.

I am blessed to have great medical benefits.  In fact, our insurance - Anthem BC/BS - actually is one of the very few insurance companies that "fast tracks" weight loss surgery approvals.  

I still have to meet certain criteria in order to qualify.  I must have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of at least 40.  Or, I can have a BMI of 35 in addition to other health issues that put me at high risk of premature death.  Those include conditions such as Type II Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, and several others.

At 285 lbs and 5'10" my BMI is 41.  I am considered Morbidly Obese.  That makes me a suitable candidate for weight loss surgery.  Add the fact that I have:  Type II Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, High Blood Pressure, and High Cholesterol and *ding, ding, ding* Jackpot!  I just became an ideal candidate.  Lucky me.

I have begun the approval process with Centennial Bariatrics via the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity in Nashville.  There is a wonderful Insurance Coordinator who is walking me step by step through what I need to do in order to gain the approval of the insurance company.  

They require that I attend an informational seminar.  I am scheduled to attend such an event on Saturday, July 7th.  I have already watched their online seminar, but feel attending one in person will be beneficial.  Especially since I want some family members to attend also.  I want them to be as informed as I am.

Another requirement is to provide medical records for the last 5 years.  I provided the signed release forms and was notified today that they have received the records already from my primary care physician.

I must have a nutritional consultation.  Scheduled for July 9th at Women's Hospital in Nashville.  For this, I am just hoping I can find a shirt to wear without chocolate stains.  No, those are not Oreo crumbs stuck between my teeth!

I am scheduled for a surgical consult with the surgeon of my choice on July 13th.  It's a Friday.  I am not superstitious.  The Center has three very qualified surgeons who perform weight loss surgeries.  I have studied their credentials and read their patient reviews.  I have chosen Dr. Douglas O. Olsen.  His patients say he is tough and straight forward.  No beating around the bush and hand holding.  That is exactly what I want.   If nothing else, he has great initials:  Dr. D.O.O. 

The last requirement is a psychological evaluation.  Whoa Nellie!  I should have zero anxiety over this one.  I have lots of practice, it seems.  Mine is scheduled for tomorrow - July 3rd.  They say it is going to last *4* hours and I should dress comfortably and bring along a book to read.  I am assuming one of my grease stained shirts and my well loved copy of 'Desserts, Desserts & More Desserts' are appropriate accompaniment's?  Almost all kidding aside, I am nervous about this appointment tomorrow.  I don't know what to expect and I don't know what THEY expect.  I guess I will just go and be myself.  Most would probably consider that a bad idea - but I am hoping that is enough to gain their approval.

I will follow up with details about the visit.