Happy To Come Out Of Lerking!!

April 16, 2001

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

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