JeffMoats
05-04 I received a letter of denial from the insurance company. I stated that there was not enough proof that my weight problem is causing me to have health problems. I need to provide documentation of failed weight loss programs under doctor’s care, any life threatening conditions and any other pertinent information.
06-18-04 I went to my family doctor to find out why I snore so loudly, and after examining me I was told that I could have sleep apnea. The doctor’s office set me up for a sleep study to determine if I have it.
07-21-04 I went back to the doctor from the Liv-lite program. He set me up with an appointment with a dietician. I told him about having the sleep study the next night. He and his nurse told me to be sure and have a copy of the results sent to his office so it could be sent in with the next letter that will be sent to the insurance company.
07-23-04 I went last night for my sleep study. I got there plenty early. I needed to get all the paper work taken care of before the study started. The sleep technician got there and told me it would take her a few minutes to get things set up and she would call me when she was ready. She called me in and explained what was going to be taking place. I had to watch a video about sleep apnea and what happens while you sleep, it also explains about the treatment. So, after the video, she had me change into my sleep clothes and she wired me up. She told me that she wanted me to go to bed at 10:00pm even though I am use to getting to bed about 1:00am. It turns out that I was asleep before the news was over. She woke me up about 5:30am and told me that I definitely have sleep apnea. She said that I snore very loudly, and that I would stop breathing for periods of 12 to 15 seconds at a time and that I did this several times throughout the night.
07-27-04 the respiratory therapist came and set me up with a CPAP machine and fitted me with a breathing mask. For the first time in I don't know how long that I was able to sleep on my back. My wife was very happy because I didn't wake her up with my snoring.
07-28-04 I went to the dietician today and we talked about the types of food that a person needs to eat and the amounts of food that is recommended. She said to eat when I'm hungry but not to over indulge. She said the key is portion control. She never told me to count calories or carbs. She was very considerate about how she treated me. She does want me to keep a food journal for two weeks and bring it with me to the next appointment.
08-20-04 I went back to the dietician today and we discussed the foods that I have been eating. She said she that though that I had lost some weight since my last visit. We talked about some other recipes and she gave me some websites to check out www.Glucerna.com.
I also went to see Dr. Koehler today. When I first got there I was weighed and I had lost 7 lbs. I knew that I had lost but, I wasn't sure how much. I seen the Dr. and he was glad to see that I had lost some weight. He said that 7 pounds in a month was a good start. He asked if I was trying to do any physical activity and I told him no, just trying to watch how much that I eat. He wants me to try out the optifast protein products. I told him that I am on the mailing lists for some free samples of different products from different companies.
12-29-05 I haven't done very well about keeping my profile up to date. I continued to see Dr. Koehler for the six months that the insurance had required and to see a dietician like they asked. In March of '05 Liv-lite program submitted my information for the second time which I was denied again. This time the insurance requested that I see the Dr. for another six months and see the dietician three times a month, I continued to keep track of my walking and the dietician had me keep track of my food intake by filling out a food diary. I would loose weight and gain weight throughout the next six months. Liv-lite submitted my information for the third time; this was at the beginning of September. I was notified at the beginning of October that I had been approved. I was told that my approval was good from 9-29-05 to 12-31-05.
I met the Dr. and the dietician again and then was set up with an appointment with the surgeon. Dr. Burry is the surgeon for the liv-lite program. When I met with him I had put on about 6 pounds, which meant that I would not be getting a surgery date. I asked the surgeon why he was wearing scrubs from another hospital in the city. He explained that he also does the surgery for the St. Mary's program in Evansville, In. I also inquired about the insurance with him. He recommended that I change to the St. Mary's program, I asked if I would still be able to get the surgery by the end of the year or would it will take another 18 months of jumping through hoops for the insurance again to get re-approval.
He told me that they should be able to get me in before the end of the year. I then needed to get a cardiac clearance, a stress test, labs, and chest X-rays. I had all of this done and ended up with bronchitis. The day of the stress test I was suppose to get the cardiac clearance, but the cardiologist, did not do it. So this made a two week delay before I could get back in to see him. By this time it was too late to get me in by Christmas. I finally got in to see the surgeon for the St. Mary's, Dr. Throop, he is very knowledgeable and has a very good bedside manner. I was able to get a date finally, but it is after the first of the year. They told me they would file for an extension, with me already having an approval they seem to think it should not be a problem to get the extension. We'll see! My date is 01-09-06, I go back and see the surgeon and the dietician and the social worker on the 01-05-06. I need to make sure that I don't gain any weight over the holidays or I would have to reschedule my surgery.
01-07-06 I went back Thursday 05 to meet with the surgeon for the second time before surgery. I had to stop my coumadin and aspirin and start taking injections of lovenox for the next three days. I have never given myself injections before, but it not been a problem. It one of those things you do what you need to do. I'm ready to get this rolling it has been a long wait. My wife kids and I went out for pizza and salad, this wouold be the last big meal that I would eans and it would be the last time I would have a carbonated drink.
01-08-06 I had to have just clear liquids today, this is the day before surgery. Its going to be tough but it will be worht it.
I can have as much liquid as I want up until midnight, but nothing after that. I have to be in Evansville by 8:15 am tomorrow, surgery is scheduled for 10:15 am.
01-09-06 I arrived at the hospital at 7:30 am. I was prep for surgery and awaited the arrival of the surgeon. He arrived to meet with me at about 9:50, then the gas Dr. came in and they took me off to surgery. Surgery lasted about 2 hours then I was in recovery for about an hour. Then I was taken up to my room.
01-20-06 I went for my 10 day out checkup and I have lost 26 lbs. I am off of the glucophage (Sp) for type II diabeties. I am also off of the coumadin and am feeling better but not a lot of energy yet.
03-12-06 I am 2 months out and have lost 65 lbs. so far. I have gone down 2 shirt sizes from a 4XL to a 2XL, and have went down 2 inches in pants waist size. I am still not up to 100 % energy yet, though the doctors said it would take at least 6 months to get back up to full energy. I have been back to work since Feb. 13th. The first week was rough, but I am doing alot better now, I am back to working some overtime, so that;s where I am at so far. More updates to come.
07-16-06 I have dropped 86 lbs so far since my surgery. I have went from a 46" waist line to a 38" and from a 4XL size shirt to a 1XL. I have been walking for exercise and drinking water all of the time. Current weight of 266 lbs..
