I thought I’d provide you all an update on where I am with having surgery.\u00a0 Dr. Schwartz’s office called a couple of weeks ago on a Friday evening to let me know that my single case agreement with Aetna had been approved.\u00a0 All I would need to pay for all the surgeries would be the $2900 deductible and everything else would be covered.\u00a0 This is a huge win, especially since all of this occurred with one submission of paperwork.\u00a0 The surgeon had a cancellation for February 17th and I took it.<\/p>\n
The minute you get a surgery date, there are many plans to be made quickly: travel arrangements, care arrangements, pre-op clearances, lists of things to bring, and doctors appointments.<\/p>\n
My husband and I learned early on that the covid restrictions were a little bit hefty for a double trip to CA, to just sit in a room and for him to not be able to go in to any pre, or post-op appointments, or be there on surgery day.\u00a0 We opted to use Pearl Recovery Retreat<\/a><\/strong> and have them pick me up from surgery and provide nursing care after surgery.\u00a0 Of course you know I’ll provide a review after surgery.\u00a0 I immediately booked airlines, and other hotel arrangements using points and airline credits left over from before covid, when I used to be a very frequent traveler.<\/p>\n I had two or three phone calls with the surgeon’s office to ask questions, and a form from work to fill out, which they worked on immediately.\u00a0 I got a big paperwork packet from the office as well that provided some expectations for care before and after surgery.\u00a0 I also got dates for pre-op, surgery time, and two post op appointments set.\u00a0 Dr. Schwartz’s office also arranged for me to have a covid test before surgery with a doctor in the same building.<\/p>\n I consulted with several ladies in my support groups and got lists of things to bring and not bring, which I’m sharing with you below:<\/p>\n For me, I had to move some savings around and that took a couple of days, then I called the office and paid my $2900.\u00a0 I still have some expenses, that I think I will save for a blog after surgery to kind of give you an idea of what it was like for me.\u00a0 Of course, everyone’s expenses are different, but this will just capture one perspective.<\/p>\n Finally, I met with two doctors here to have cardiac clearance and an EKG, extensive labs, and a physical.\u00a0 I also needed a med change for blood pressure due to my classic White Coat Anxiety.\u00a0 Gotta love it.\u00a0 Tomorrow, I will verify that all these tests and clearances have made their way to the doctor’s office and I’m all set.<\/p>\n A day or two before I leave, I will have some meds called in to my local pharmacy – I think an antibiotic, and a pain med, and then something to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis post-surgery like a Lovoanox injection (seriously, no big deal), or Eloquis (?).<\/p>\n Once I get into town, I’ll relax for an evening, then get up for an 8 am pre-op, then covid testing, then I have to go buy some protein shakes to drink after surgery (3x\/day). I should get a couple of calls from the doctor’s office after that to finalize times for the next day.\u00a0 I think that catches up where we are for now.\u00a0 But have I mentioned that I’m super ready to get these legs fixed?\u00a0 I keep looking at befores\/afters and hearing how much other ladies like me have had their mobility restored and pain reduced from even one surgery, I cannot wait!!!<\/p>\n\n