The Beginning Part 2

JAN 8, 2010
During the 3 weeks between the first informational meeting and my consultation, I found out that my insurance company covers bariatric surgery (Round 1: I win). Shortly after that, I found out the company I work for would be getting a different insurance carrier in 4 weeks (Round 2: I lose). I'll be honest and say that I've never really had to use my insurance for anything major like this, so this 'game' is all new to me (more on insurance later). Despite all the insurance worry, the time had finally come for my consultation. I was weighed and measured and of course found that I was heavier and shorter than I had expected. Nothing like finding out you're an inch and a half shorter than you thought you were. I spoke with the doctor regarding history and options, but mostly we talked about which surgical option would be the best for me. I never really understood complaints about the bureaucratic system that gets between patients and doctors until that day. Basically the answer to the insurance game in this case is to throw a bunch of stuff at a wall and see what sticks. Or in a less imagery-riddled version, my surgeon was going to petition for 2 different kinds of weight loss surgery and my insurance company gets to decide which one is right for me. (The temptation to delve into the current health care debate right now is almost too much to resist. Almost.) In the mean time, while I'm waiting for my insurance friends to decide my surgical fate, I was given the task of getting clearance for surgery by a cardiologist (heart), a pulmonologist (lungs), and a psychologist (mind). Oh, I could tell, this all was going to be good. (And right there would be an excellent use of a 'sarcasm' font. Microsoft, I'm a PC but Windows 7 wasn't my idea. This is my idea. Can you get on that please?)

JAN 11, 2010
It was Monday morning and I was PUMPED. Lets get in to see these doctors. Poke me, prod me, psychoanalyze me. Just clear me for surgery. First up, calling the psychologist. The references I was given included 4 names. Only 2 of which were within an hours drive. Of the 2 remaining, only 1 was covered by my insurance. Ding, Ding, Ding!!! We have our winner. So I called, not fully understanding what exactly I needed to ask for, other than "clearance for bariatric surgery." And I may not have been exactly forthcoming with that information. As the woman answered the phone at this psychologists office, she asked me if I was calling for myself or someone I care about. (Technically, I think I do care about myself, so is the answer both? Just saying). Then I was asked about the urgency of my call and if I needed immediate assistance she could call 911 on another line for me. What?!? Oh right, this doctor must handle some pretty serious cases. Sometimes its easy to forget that my elective bariatric surgery is not as important as say a suicidal psych patient. But after that, I learned that surgical clearance is a 2 day process that includes a 2-3 hour handwritten exam and a 1 hour session with a psychologist. Hi, I know we haven't met, but I'm fat, not crazy. I can tell instantly, I better keep my sarcasm under control or this surgery thing will be no more than a dream. OK, so being serious, I scheduled myself for both appointments and luckily they are only 10 days out, so not too bad.

My next call is to the pulmonogists office. There were about 6 six references, but I could only pronounce 2 of the last names. I know, I know, I'm sure Drs. Jaripati, Gaddihar, and Sankari are all excellent physicians, but I'd rather go with an old Hebrew name like Cohen. And BONUS, the good Jewish doctor is covered by my insurance. (I realize how xenophobic I sound, but I'm really not. Ask my Jewish or Pakistani cousins. They'll tell you the truth.) Anyway, I call and get an appointment for 2 weeks later- again, faster than I expected. The only thing I have to remember is, I need a chest X-Ray to bring to the appointment because apparently the one I had taken a little over a year ago after inhaling stomach acid was no good. OK self, remember GET A CHEST X-Ray. And the great receptionist at the pulmonologists office even called in the orders for me, so all I have to do is walk into the hospital M-F from 8-6 and tell them my name. Most excellent.

Finally, I call the cardiologist. The list of names that I was referred to includes no one that is specifically covered by my insurance. Fan-frickin-tastic. But I learned, if I see a cardiologist at a clinic within the hospital network, they're all covered. Ok, I'm starting to see a pattern in the red tape. So I made an appointment for the 19th. That was 1 week and 1 day away and that means I got ALL 3 consultations scheduled in the first 2 weeks. Is this really the American health care system at work? I'll admit I'm thoroughly impressed.

So now, all appointments and consultations are scheduled. I even got signed up for my first support group meeting through my surgeons office that is about 3 weeks away! At the end of that day, I was feeling pretty good about it all.