January 4, 2006

Happy New year! I hope and pray everyone had a good Christmas. I had a great one and didn't worry about the WLS during this time. But now, it is full speed ahead. 2006 is my year. I am so excited, and at the same time trying to be patient. I spoke with the insurance company again this morning to be sure what they wanted and was told they needed something from my PCP about any weight loss attempts that I've had over the past two years! So, I typed up a letter to my PCP stating what diets I have tried and have asked him to put that in a letter and fax it to the insurance company. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Has anyone else had luck with that actually working? I am trying really hard to deal with my knee pain which is constant in one knee and the other one is hurting more now. I have gotten a new blender so I will have that for my new "gourmet" food. My DH got me an indoor grill, kinda like George Forman, only Hamilton Beach makes it. That will come in handy when I graduate from the"gourmet" food. LOL . I am addicted to the OH website. I can't stop reading it for information. My DH says he doesn't want to read anything on here so that he won't be assessing his situation by someone elses. This surprises me because he is a very analytical person, likes to analyze things that don't amount to a hill of beans. I love him though, he is my rock on this earth. I am trying to read as much as I can so that I will know what to expect and how to handle it when it comes. I've learned alot. Today I learned that the effects of alcohol are intensified after the WLS. Good thing I only like a glass of wine every now and then! I had tried to post a pic, but it's not on here, so maybe I didn't do it right. Will work on that. Better get back to work now. Looking forward to being called a LOSER. Good luck to all who are awaiting approval.





January 5, 2006

I just called my PCP to find out if he accepted requests via fax and he does! So, I faxed him a copy of the letter telling him EXACTLY what I needed. Hopefully he will type it up and get it to the insurance company soon. If I have to do the monthly weigh-in thing, then I'll just have to do it. I just don't want to do it. I want to get this surgery out of the way so I can start living again. My DH and I are going on a cruise next year for our 20 year anniversary and I so want to be at least a size 14 by then. You can find some really cute formal dresses when you get down to that size. Good luck to all who are awaiting approval.





January 10, 2006

Hello, all. I went to the doctor Friday about my knee and they think I have soft tissue damage, a direct result of me carrying all this weight around. I came home and proceeded to get very sick. Losing liquids from both ends, bad headache, achy, couldn't sleep. Must have been flu, not sure. The letter that I had sent to my pcp was paper clipped to my file, so I know they got it on Thursday. I will try to call them today to see if anything has been done on it. Wish me luck! Good luck to all those still waiting. Future Loser, Donna





January 11, 2006

Today is a good day for me. I just got a call from my pcp's nurse. The letter is ready! YIPPEE! She is going to fax it to the insurance company today. PLEASE pray that it will work and this is the last big hurdle I have to jump. I tried Slim Fast's extra protein shake and it is not bad. I think I can live with that one if it meets the protein requirements. Now I have to concentrate on helping hubby get what he needs. I am feeling better today, other than still feeling a little run down. Also, today is my son's 21st birthday. I am starting to feel old. I know this surgery will help with this problem. RIGHT!! Future Loser, Donna





January 12, 2006

I just called the insurance company and they say that it could be 10-14 days before it shows up in their system that they have received the letter. I am going to make a committment to call them every other day. I will bug them until they have to approve me to get me out of their hair. I am not downhearted yet. I expected the first denial. I know that some of you have waited months and now it is my time to play the waiting game. I know they are going to put it off as long as they can, hoping I will just change my mind and drop it. FAT CHANCE!! (lol) They don't know who they are dealing with. I am a very head-strong person and I WILL HAVE THIS SURGERY. My PCP did an excellent job typing my letter. He didn't leave anything out. I am so proud of him. Thank you Dr. Sherley!! Good Luck to those who are in the same boat as I am. Waiting for the day I can be called a Loser, Donna





January 20, 2006

Hello all. Sorry I haven't updated in a few days. I called the insurance company on Wednesday. They told me they hadn't received my letter from my PCP. I called my PCP and sure enough, it wasn't sent until Monday. Why did it take them from Thursday until Monday to fax a letter? To make matters worse, Monday was MLK, JR day, and the insurance company wasn't even working that day. So I called them again yesterday, Thursday, and it isn't noted in my file as being receive yet. I did have a nice gentleman by the name of Adam tell me that while it does sometimes take 10-14 days for the letter to be scanned into their system, there will be a notation in your file within 2-3 days showing that it has at least made it to their office. I will call again in a few to see if it has made it into their office. My knees are not in as much pain since they prescribed me mobic. My spirits are still high! I have been reading every profile I can get my hands on. I want to know the good, the bad, the ugly...I want to know it all. I am fixing to call the insurance company back. I told them yesterday to be prepared to hear from me every day. Every other day is too long to wait. Good luck to all of those still waiting on an approval. Don't give up. If you are as committed as I am , WE WILL HAVE THIS SURGERY!! Future Loser, Donna

P.S. This is the power verse that will help me make it through the surgery with no worries:

2 Kings 20:5 - "I HAVE HEARD YOUR PRAYER, I HAVE SEEN YOUR TEARS. SURELY I WILL HEAL YOU."

Victory is mine, I am claiming it right now in the name of Jesus!!





January 25, 2006

FINALLY! The insurance company just told me that they do have the letter; received it 01/20/06, and that is was in review. Could be 7-14 days before I get my answer. PLEASE SAY A PRAYER IN MY NAME! I will definitely be calling every day now. Today is the 3rd business day and counting! I have started trying to drink 100 oz. of water a day, and boy is it hard. The good thing is I'm not hungry and haven't had much problem with head hunger. I now understand when of members have said it is so hard to get your liquids in. I haven't even had surgery YET and it is hard to get in 100 ozs. I just can't imagine having to drink 64 ozs. of water plus the protein shakes with a stomach the size of a shot glass....but I am so looking forward to doing it! My DH has sent his request for his letter to the PCP, and hopefully they have done it by now, and he is well on his way too. I am hearing that I need to make some goals for myself, so here is my list. Some are immediate, some are in moderate time, and some are long-range. In random order they are:

TOP TWELVE LIST OF PERSONAL GOALS

1. Be approved for WLS - ACCOMPLISHED
2. Weigh less than my husband - ACCOMPLISHED
3. Cross my legs like normal people - ACCOMPLISHED
4. Tie my shoes AFTER I zip up my pants - ACCOMPLISHED
5. Roller skate-HAVEN'T TRIED, BUT SURE I COULD
6. Be at a healthy weight -ACCOMPLISHED
7. Be a size 14 by cruise time with my hubby-ACCOMPLISHED
8. Have energy to burn - ACCOMPLISHED
9. Run, Run, Run - ACCOMPLISHED
10. Ride all amusement park rides, not just ones with wide seats
and big seatbelts. ACCOMPLISHED
11. Fly on an airplane without having to ask for an
extension. ACCOMPLISHED
12. By cute clothes, not just ones that fit - ACCOMPLISHED

I will update as soon as I know something else. I am still looking for a couple who has gone through or is thinking about going through the WLS at or about the same time. Email me, I'd love to talk with you. Good luck to all those still waiting. (2 Kings 20:5) - "I HAVE HEARD YOUR PRAYER, I HAVE SEEN YOUR TEARS. SURELY I WILL HEAL YOU". I have such an overwhelming sense of peace come over me every time I recite this verse. It is this assurance that lets me know that God is on my side and this WLS will go as HE decides it should go. Thank you Lord for your blessings on me!
Good luck to those who are still in limbo. Don't give up!! Half of the battle was won when you made the decision to have WLS. Future Loser, Donna





January 26, 2006

4th business day and still waiting. WAITING definitely is the hard part...tell me yes or tell me no (be ready for an appeal) just tell me something!! I am happy to report that I have my first support on my surgery page. It is from my bestest friend in the whole world. We have been friends for over 20 years now and have managed to stay in touch (she was an army brat, went in herself, and then married one). Thanks Michy, Love ya girl! I can also report that I have lost 9 1/2 pounds because of all the water I'm drinking. My DH is drinking too, so we race to see who can get in more. (I have to admit he won yesterday, but, ah, today is a new day). Remember what I said on a prior post...we like doing things TOGETHER. I love you Brian. I love you more. I love you mostest. You are my source of earthly rock and mean the world to me. WE WILL HAVE THIS SURGERY! I am going to read more profiles now. If you live in TN and have had the WLS, I have read your profile. AL...I am working on you now. I have just been consumed by this site. Thanks again Ange for turning me on to it. It is so cool that you can come on here and read a profile, and shake your head (again and again), and say "yep, I know how you feel." Oh, by the way, Brian had called his PCP and she SAID she faxed his letter today, so we will be checking on that in a couple of days. Move over BC/BS...the Hanvey's are in town. LOL! Good luck to those who are in the same waiting mode as I am. Future loser, Donna (2 Kings 20:5)





January 30, 2006

Just wanted to let everyone know that I kidnapped my DH this weekend and we went to Chattanooga, TN and from there we went to Huntsville, AL. Had lots of fun and did a couple of more "firsts". We went to the IMAX theatre and saw a safari movie in 3-D. Very cool! We also shared a jacuzzi in our private suite. Very, very cool. (BIG GRIN) I am fixing to make my daily call to the insurance company. Will let you know the outcome. APPROVED, APPROVED, APPROVED! Thank you God!! My letter was sent out today. I am anxiously awaiting my copy. I have called Vandy's Pre-determination dept. to find out where I go from here. I am SO excited. Thanks to all who said a prayer in my name. I went from being all calm to having about a zillion butterflies in 60 seconds. This has gone from a far-fetched dream to a reality. I am so psyched! Now we have to make sure DH gets his approval. Good luck to those still waiting. Be persistant...it really does pay off. Future loser for real, Donna (2 Kings 20:5)