ObesityHelp

I've jumped through many hoops and I think I'm about 2/3 there.  I still have to meet with the cardiologist and pulmonologist to get my approval, but the tests are complete.  There are two appointments still to go with the nutritionist.  Finally, I get to meet with my surgeon prior to the surgery.  Oh yeah, they do an EGD on everyone getting the RNY so I'll have that close to the surgery too.  I'm hoping for a June or July surgery.

I still have to get insurance approval which is a little nerve wracking for me.  I have documentation from my PCP which gives me the six months I need, as well as WW logs from February and gym receipts from January.  That should give me all I need to submit.  However, my doc who is coordinating the surgery is wanting to make sure everything is tied up nice and tight before submitting.  I use Dr. Kirk through Bailey Bariatrics and I just love him.  It doesn't stop me from wanting to move more quickly though.

I have adapted to the CPAP maching really easily and am sleeping better with it, although my partner doens't like my perky attitude in the morning.  Hah!  I do have H Pylori and will start taking those medications as soon as the insurance gets them approved.  My doc wrote a prescription that is for more than the insurance company wants to pay so it may have to get approved, which is a nightmare.  It'll happen though...I just have to wait.  It'll be all worth it in the end.

After almost two weeks of waiting for my appointments, it looks like I'm moving forward.  I have my appointments.  I'm so excited!  Now on to my next steps.

Psych Eval - This Wed and next Wed (Eight visits after surgery as approved by my insurance.)
Chest X-Ray, Echo, PFTs, EKG, ABGs - This Friday
Sleep Study - Next Monday
Exercise and Behavioral - May 3
Support Group - May 9
Dietician - May 11
Cardiac Consult - TBD
Pulmonary Consult - TBD
Surgeon Consult - TBD

 I've made my first changes to my diet and so far so good.  Dr. Kirk started with the hardest first, stopping my Diet Dr. Pepper!  He did let me finish what I had in the house, thank goodness.  So far, three days without DDP and all is well.  It hasn't been as hard as I thought, but then again I'm working towards a big goal....WLS.  I've also been chewing my proteins much more thoroghly and it has helped tremendously with eating slower.

I'm itching to take the next steps in getting approved for surgery.  For some reason, I don't think the people at my surgeons office are near and excited about it as I am.  They've been very helpful, and are very nice, but I could sure use a little extra guidance right now and I don't want to make too big of a fuss right away.  I've emailed them my PCP's letter of support and his documentation of my diet efforts, and called them today to ask if I could go ahead and make my Psych Eval appointment, and they said I could go ahead.  I'm just ready to get the process started.

I guess I just need to wait...even if I can't do it patiently!  

-Danny

After debating WLS for a few years, I finally made the decision to go through with it and have the RNY.  Now things can't happen quickly enough for me.  I'm the type of person who like to plan ahead for everything and I'm really just waiting on my surgeon to tell me what needs to be done.

My biggest concern is getting approved through insurance.  I dont' think it will be a problem but they do want documentation of six months of dieting, and while they aren't as firm as some other insurance companies, I want to have all the right paperwork to them.  I don't want to wait another 6 months, but will if I need to of course.  I think they'll take a letter from my PCP though.

I'm keeping my eye on the prize and doing the next right thing.