"I met with Dr. Hegstrom, who is working with Dr. Black. I could get my 1st consult with him before I could with Dr. Black. I chose this way b/c I could go ahead and get the ball rolling with insurance, and have my 2nd consult with Dr. Black. The 1st consult was just basic, go over the diet sheet you had to fill out, talk about the surgery and discuss your willingness to follow the program, and make sure this is really what you want to do. It took about 25 minutes, and that was fine with me because I had already done so much research I didn't have a whole lot of question at that time. It is my understanding that when I go for my second consult, I will meet with Dr. Black, b/c he will be doing the surgery, and we will get into the specifics of how and how much will be bypassed and all. I have been very pleased so far. Marty, the receptionist and insurance lady, has been great!! She submitted all the insurance. Called to make sure they had recieved it, and then called in about a week to see if they had made a determination. And they had!!! She then called me and told me the good news. I had BEEN APPROVED!!!! The whole process went like this. I called at the end of June and was scheduled for my first visit on July 18 (Thursday). My insurance company recieved all the paperwork on July 23 (Tuesday) and she called on Aug. 1 (Thursday) and they told her I was APPROVED!!! I have my second consult on Aug. 21, and I will get my surgery date then. This has really moved quickly and I'm so excited!!! I will post back after I have met Dr. Black."
