Re: Happy To Come Out Of Lerking!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheri,

Congratulations on your date. I, too, had BCBS of CA for my

surgery. I live in AR & had my surgery in MS & they covered it. I

had no problems with them, to much relief.

Do you live in MS?

Good luck,

Cheri

> Hello everyone, as you have probably guessed by my first failed

> attempt at this... I have never posted to a list before.

> I have been reading every word you've printed for months now and

have

> been learning so much, thank you to all for sharing and being so

open

> and willing to help!!

> Today I am offically a " pre-op " .... My surgery is scheduled for May

3

> with the wonderufl Dr. K. in Delano. Everything is approved and

> completed and I am just counting down. I didnt want to post until

> all was completed, no sense all of us worrying :>)

> I wanted to share the route I took to get here, since I havent

heard

> anyone else do things this way..........

> When I decided in January I wanted to have this surgery I went on

the

> internet like all of you and educated myself. This list was a

> Godsend!

> I am actually an employee of Blue Shield of California, so I

started

> with my insurance company instead of ending up with them. I

> researched their Policies and Procedures regarding WLS and found

that

> this DS surgery is a covered benefit. Then I cheked into what

their

> requirements for authorization are... and I did them, I made

appoints

> for psych evals, and dietitians, ect. Then I called Dr. K's office

> and asked them what they require, and they were very helpful and

> faxed me a list of tests and clearences I needed. Luckly most were

> the same as my insurance carrier! I then did all of those... just

> told each doctor I was going to have surgery and got them done. I

> had everything in hand and all tests completed before I even met

the

> doctor!! I left his office that day with a surgery date! Today I

> got the final offical approval from Blue Shield of California after

> one day!!! They received my LOMN on Friday and approval was issued

> Friday afternoon!!!

> Again, I wouldnt be where I am today without ALL the help and

advice

> on this list! You all didnt even know you were keeping me going,

but

> without all of you I couldnt have done it.

> So thank you... and I hope to join in the discussions now!! And

> hopefully will be able to help a few others someday.

> Big thanks to Deanna for allowing me to call her at home and ask a

> zillion questions!!!

> Sheri Green

> pre-op 05/03/01

> 285 BMI 49