Re: What more is left before surgery?

[Guest guest]

Blake-

I think the best advise I can give you at this point, is to make sure

that you are covered in terms of insurance. My surgery date was

supposed to be last Monday, March 8th and two weeks prior, UHC denied

my pre-certificaiton for surgery, even after paying and authorizing

my SARPE (surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion) last June,

knowing full well that I would be having this procedure.

Its very frustrating, as I wait for my appeal to be reviewed. So, as

unfortunate as this may be to hear, I would recommend you begin to

ask your doctors office NOW, if you have not done so already.

In terms of missing work for appointments, I have always tried to

schedule my ortho appts on early Monday mornings, coming into work in

the late morning. As surgery gets closer, you may need to take like 2

hours during the 2-3 weeks before, but it shouldn't be too bad.

Having not gone thru the surgery yet, I too am in the same shoes as

you...excited at this point, and desperately waiting for this

insurance ordeal to be over.

Best of luck,

> Hello all.

>

> I think I'm getting close to my sugery date. MY Ortho said that he

> just needs to close up the bottom gaps in my teeth, and that would

be

> 8-12 weeks. My next OS visit is in 8 weeks. I was told my surgery

> would be in 'June', but I was hopeing it would be earlier. So,

what

> I'm wondering is, in 8 weeks after I see my OS, and he thinks my

> teeth are closed and I'm ready for surgery, how much longer will it

> be after that?

>

> I mean, I think I'll need models made again by my OS. But what

other

> steps will I have to take? Blood tests? Other visits to places?

> Will I be taking a lot of breaks from work to make Doctor

> appointments up until my surgery (like all through May?)

>

> I just want to get an idea of what I'll be doing up until surgery --

> I've read enough about how I'll feel AFTER surgery, that's for

> sure! :-)

>

> Thanks everyone!

> -Blake

[Guest guest]

Blake-

I think the best advise I can give you at this point, is to make sure

that you are covered in terms of insurance. My surgery date was

supposed to be last Monday, March 8th and two weeks prior, UHC denied

my pre-certificaiton for surgery, even after paying and authorizing

my SARPE (surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion) last June,

knowing full well that I would be having this procedure.

Its very frustrating, as I wait for my appeal to be reviewed. So, as

unfortunate as this may be to hear, I would recommend you begin to

ask your doctors office NOW, if you have not done so already.

In terms of missing work for appointments, I have always tried to

schedule my ortho appts on early Monday mornings, coming into work in

the late morning. As surgery gets closer, you may need to take like 2

hours during the 2-3 weeks before, but it shouldn't be too bad.

Having not gone thru the surgery yet, I too am in the same shoes as

you...excited at this point, and desperately waiting for this

insurance ordeal to be over.

Best of luck,

> Hello all.

>

> I think I'm getting close to my sugery date. MY Ortho said that he

> just needs to close up the bottom gaps in my teeth, and that would

be

> 8-12 weeks. My next OS visit is in 8 weeks. I was told my surgery

> would be in 'June', but I was hopeing it would be earlier. So,

what

> I'm wondering is, in 8 weeks after I see my OS, and he thinks my

> teeth are closed and I'm ready for surgery, how much longer will it

> be after that?

>

> I mean, I think I'll need models made again by my OS. But what

other

> steps will I have to take? Blood tests? Other visits to places?

> Will I be taking a lot of breaks from work to make Doctor

> appointments up until my surgery (like all through May?)

>

> I just want to get an idea of what I'll be doing up until surgery --

> I've read enough about how I'll feel AFTER surgery, that's for

> sure! :-)

>

> Thanks everyone!

> -Blake

[Guest guest]

,

MAy I ask you a question? How old are you? I thought SARPE was that

thing they put in the roof of your mouth, and you had to crank it

daily to expande you palate, but after a certain age, it doesn't work

anymore. Is that what you had done? I had that as a kid, and it

relapsed, so now I'm having to get upper and lower.

Anyway, on to insurance. Yes, I also have UHC, and it was a long

fight to get pre-authorization. They kept losing paperwork that THEY

SIGNED FOR over and over again. I finally called my HR department,

(6 months went by, and no answer -- I was still in " Pending Review " )

and they called, and 2 days later, I got authorized! I have my pre-

auth letter, and the doctor's office has theirs also.

We had some sort of insurance consultants recommend UHC (they are a

company called Lassiter-Ware Insurance Consulants) and that was who

my HR person called. They got stuff done quick!

So, what are you going to do about getting denied? What was their

reasoning?? Can you have someone higher up in your organization call

someone over at UHC, or to the company that recommended UHC?

-Blake

> > Hello all.

> >

> > I think I'm getting close to my sugery date. MY Ortho said that

he

> > just needs to close up the bottom gaps in my teeth, and that

would

> be

> > 8-12 weeks. My next OS visit is in 8 weeks. I was told my

surgery

> > would be in 'June', but I was hopeing it would be earlier. So,

> what

> > I'm wondering is, in 8 weeks after I see my OS, and he thinks my

> > teeth are closed and I'm ready for surgery, how much longer will

it

> > be after that?

> >

> > I mean, I think I'll need models made again by my OS. But what

> other

> > steps will I have to take? Blood tests? Other visits to

places?

> > Will I be taking a lot of breaks from work to make Doctor

> > appointments up until my surgery (like all through May?)

> >

> > I just want to get an idea of what I'll be doing up until

surgery --

>

> > I've read enough about how I'll feel AFTER surgery, that's for

> > sure! :-)

> >

> > Thanks everyone!

> > -Blake

[Guest guest]

Blake,

I'll assume you have your surgeon picked out and have met with

him/her already and have your insurance approval. Since I'm about

the same timeframe (June 22nd) for surgery, I'll let you know what

I've already planned with my hospital consultant at my OS.

1. I need a pre-surgical physical, probabaly within one month of my

surgery. Basic history, bloodwork, and potentially and EKG may be

part of this. From what I understand, this is the standard type of

thing for any general surgery.

2. 3 weeks prior to surgery I've scheduled the appointment where

molds will be taken.

3. 1 week prior to surgery I'll again meet with my OS to have final

explanations on the surgery, test fit the splint which will be used

during surgery to set my jaw in place (and hopefully be tossed

instead of being wired in place) and sign consent forms, and get

prescriptions for post/surgery.

4. I expect I'll also have my final appointment with the orthodontist

to get the dreaded surgical hooks installed sometime that week.

5. Eat a big steak,hamburger, etc.

6. Finish my pre-surgical shopping list. See the files section for

my complete list.

Finally, if you haven't scheduled your surgery with your OS yet, do

it today. From what mine told me, the summer is extremely busy for

them since that's when most kids get their wisdom teeth done and have

extractions so it doesn't affect their school timing.

Hope this helps!

Dammit

> Hello all.

>

> I think I'm getting close to my sugery date. MY Ortho said that he

> just needs to close up the bottom gaps in my teeth, and that would

be

> 8-12 weeks. My next OS visit is in 8 weeks. I was told my surgery

> would be in 'June', but I was hopeing it would be earlier. So,

what

> I'm wondering is, in 8 weeks after I see my OS, and he thinks my

> teeth are closed and I'm ready for surgery, how much longer will it

> be after that?

>

> I mean, I think I'll need models made again by my OS. But what

other

> steps will I have to take? Blood tests? Other visits to places?

> Will I be taking a lot of breaks from work to make Doctor

> appointments up until my surgery (like all through May?)

>

> I just want to get an idea of what I'll be doing up until surgery --

> I've read enough about how I'll feel AFTER surgery, that's for

> sure! :-)

>

> Thanks everyone!

> -Blake

[Guest guest]

I'm 26. When you're young (before jaw bones have fused) they can put

the install the expantion device in your mouth and you just turn away

and the soft bones just expand. BUT, a SARPE is where they install

the device, and then they surgically make incisions (under anesthesia)

in your upper jaw, so that when you turn the key, the jaw will move.

So last June UHC approved and paid for that procedure, knowing full

well from the letter my doctor sent that I would be having this

procedure and they still denied it. Anyway, I am pretty much all over

them AND my internal HR department. Incredible, the FedEx package

arrived nearly 12 days ago. The reps on the phone at UHC have NOTHING

in their records, yet my HR person can get status from her contact in

UHC...whoever that is.

My next step after this week, if things do not go well, is to get in

touch with a similar person that helped you. We use a 3rd party

benefits coordinator, who apparently have people employed (ex-

insurance claims people) to deal with these situation on my behalf.

I'd love for them to step in NOW...but I have to wait. Story of my

life. I could always go higher up, but I'm going to wait to see what

happens by the end of this week.

Wish me luck,

> > > Hello all.

> > >

> > > I think I'm getting close to my sugery date. MY Ortho said

that

> he

> > > just needs to close up the bottom gaps in my teeth, and that

> would

> > be

> > > 8-12 weeks. My next OS visit is in 8 weeks. I was told my

> surgery

> > > would be in 'June', but I was hopeing it would be earlier. So,

> > what

> > > I'm wondering is, in 8 weeks after I see my OS, and he thinks

my

> > > teeth are closed and I'm ready for surgery, how much longer

will

> it

> > > be after that?

> > >

> > > I mean, I think I'll need models made again by my OS. But what

> > other

> > > steps will I have to take? Blood tests? Other visits to

> places?

> > > Will I be taking a lot of breaks from work to make Doctor

> > > appointments up until my surgery (like all through May?)

> > >

> > > I just want to get an idea of what I'll be doing up until

> surgery --

> >

> > > I've read enough about how I'll feel AFTER surgery, that's for

> > > sure! :-)

> > >

> > > Thanks everyone!

> > > -Blake

[Guest guest]

I'm 26. When you're young (before jaw bones have fused) they can put

the install the expantion device in your mouth and you just turn away

and the soft bones just expand. BUT, a SARPE is where they install

the device, and then they surgically make incisions (under anesthesia)

in your upper jaw, so that when you turn the key, the jaw will move.

So last June UHC approved and paid for that procedure, knowing full

well from the letter my doctor sent that I would be having this

procedure and they still denied it. Anyway, I am pretty much all over

them AND my internal HR department. Incredible, the FedEx package

arrived nearly 12 days ago. The reps on the phone at UHC have NOTHING

in their records, yet my HR person can get status from her contact in

UHC...whoever that is.

My next step after this week, if things do not go well, is to get in

touch with a similar person that helped you. We use a 3rd party

benefits coordinator, who apparently have people employed (ex-

insurance claims people) to deal with these situation on my behalf.

I'd love for them to step in NOW...but I have to wait. Story of my

life. I could always go higher up, but I'm going to wait to see what

happens by the end of this week.

Wish me luck,

> > > Hello all.

> > >

> > > I think I'm getting close to my sugery date. MY Ortho said

that

> he

> > > just needs to close up the bottom gaps in my teeth, and that

> would

> > be

> > > 8-12 weeks. My next OS visit is in 8 weeks. I was told my

> surgery

> > > would be in 'June', but I was hopeing it would be earlier. So,

> > what

> > > I'm wondering is, in 8 weeks after I see my OS, and he thinks

my

> > > teeth are closed and I'm ready for surgery, how much longer

will

> it

> > > be after that?

> > >

> > > I mean, I think I'll need models made again by my OS. But what

> > other

> > > steps will I have to take? Blood tests? Other visits to

> places?

> > > Will I be taking a lot of breaks from work to make Doctor

> > > appointments up until my surgery (like all through May?)

> > >

> > > I just want to get an idea of what I'll be doing up until

> surgery --

> >

> > > I've read enough about how I'll feel AFTER surgery, that's for

> > > sure! :-)

> > >

> > > Thanks everyone!

> > > -Blake

[Guest guest]

I'm 26. When you're young (before jaw bones have fused) they can put

the install the expantion device in your mouth and you just turn away

and the soft bones just expand. BUT, a SARPE is where they install

the device, and then they surgically make incisions (under anesthesia)

in your upper jaw, so that when you turn the key, the jaw will move.

So last June UHC approved and paid for that procedure, knowing full

well from the letter my doctor sent that I would be having this

procedure and they still denied it. Anyway, I am pretty much all over

them AND my internal HR department. Incredible, the FedEx package

arrived nearly 12 days ago. The reps on the phone at UHC have NOTHING

in their records, yet my HR person can get status from her contact in

UHC...whoever that is.

My next step after this week, if things do not go well, is to get in

touch with a similar person that helped you. We use a 3rd party

benefits coordinator, who apparently have people employed (ex-

insurance claims people) to deal with these situation on my behalf.

I'd love for them to step in NOW...but I have to wait. Story of my

life. I could always go higher up, but I'm going to wait to see what

happens by the end of this week.

Wish me luck,

> > > Hello all.

> > >

> > > I think I'm getting close to my sugery date. MY Ortho said

that

> he

> > > just needs to close up the bottom gaps in my teeth, and that

> would

> > be

> > > 8-12 weeks. My next OS visit is in 8 weeks. I was told my

> surgery

> > > would be in 'June', but I was hopeing it would be earlier. So,

> > what

> > > I'm wondering is, in 8 weeks after I see my OS, and he thinks

my

> > > teeth are closed and I'm ready for surgery, how much longer

will

> it

> > > be after that?

> > >

> > > I mean, I think I'll need models made again by my OS. But what

> > other

> > > steps will I have to take? Blood tests? Other visits to

> places?

> > > Will I be taking a lot of breaks from work to make Doctor

> > > appointments up until my surgery (like all through May?)

> > >

> > > I just want to get an idea of what I'll be doing up until

> surgery --

> >

> > > I've read enough about how I'll feel AFTER surgery, that's for

> > > sure! :-)

> > >

> > > Thanks everyone!

> > > -Blake

[Guest guest]

<<4. I expect I'll also have my final appointment with the

orthodontist to get the dreaded surgical hooks installed >>

I got my hooks installed today and it's no worse than having your o-

rings changed. It's certainly not worth dreading. So far I can

feel them on my lips, but they're not bothersome. I wouldn't worry

about that part of things.

I had a funny-ish moment at the ortho today. He was giving me last

minute advice before surgery, and part of it was to eat a lot. I

said I had packed on 4 lbs, and just yesterday I was pigging out,

thinking, " I really shouldn't be snarfing like this. No, wait, I

should be. Although perhaps Doritos aren't what I need. " As soon

as I said it I realized that Doritos are on the no-no list. I got

scolded - now is NOT the time to be breaking or loosening my

brackets! I told him I don't really chew, I only suck on them,

because I like the coating. I don't know if he believed me or

not. : ) At least I didn't go in with any broken or loose brackets

so he could add to his scolding.

Kris

[Guest guest]

<<4. I expect I'll also have my final appointment with the

orthodontist to get the dreaded surgical hooks installed >>

I got my hooks installed today and it's no worse than having your o-

rings changed. It's certainly not worth dreading. So far I can

feel them on my lips, but they're not bothersome. I wouldn't worry

about that part of things.

I had a funny-ish moment at the ortho today. He was giving me last

minute advice before surgery, and part of it was to eat a lot. I

said I had packed on 4 lbs, and just yesterday I was pigging out,

thinking, " I really shouldn't be snarfing like this. No, wait, I

should be. Although perhaps Doritos aren't what I need. " As soon

as I said it I realized that Doritos are on the no-no list. I got

scolded - now is NOT the time to be breaking or loosening my

brackets! I told him I don't really chew, I only suck on them,

because I like the coating. I don't know if he believed me or

not. : ) At least I didn't go in with any broken or loose brackets

so he could add to his scolding.

Kris

[Guest guest]

<<4. I expect I'll also have my final appointment with the

orthodontist to get the dreaded surgical hooks installed >>

I got my hooks installed today and it's no worse than having your o-

rings changed. It's certainly not worth dreading. So far I can

feel them on my lips, but they're not bothersome. I wouldn't worry

about that part of things.

I had a funny-ish moment at the ortho today. He was giving me last

minute advice before surgery, and part of it was to eat a lot. I

said I had packed on 4 lbs, and just yesterday I was pigging out,

thinking, " I really shouldn't be snarfing like this. No, wait, I

should be. Although perhaps Doritos aren't what I need. " As soon

as I said it I realized that Doritos are on the no-no list. I got

scolded - now is NOT the time to be breaking or loosening my

brackets! I told him I don't really chew, I only suck on them,

because I like the coating. I don't know if he believed me or

not. : ) At least I didn't go in with any broken or loose brackets

so he could add to his scolding.

Kris