TK1117

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Hi OH Family,

Well I've joined LLS' Team in Training and will train to run my first half marathon for the cause!  I'm running The Nike Women's Half Marathon in Washington, DC on April 27, 2014. I'm running in honor of my BFF's sister who has been like a big sister to me! Please visit my page to donate and to also keep up with my training updates. Share it with the world! Thanks so much in advance for your support!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/nikewhlf14/tishakelly 

I attended Pre-op class on yesterday then went over to the hospital for labs and to meet with the anesthesiologist. I do not have to do a pre-op diet, only a liquid diet the day before surgery. My surgeon allows sleeve and band patients to go home the same day unless of course there are complications. Gastric Bypass patients stay one to two nights. I will be on clear liquids while at hospital.

Once home I start full liquids for 1 week (3 or 4 shake meals and 2 liquid snacks such as light yogurt, SF pudding or jello or clear broths). Weeks 2, 3 and 4 are soft foods. Week 5 I can begin to introduce solid foods. Vitamins will include Multivitamin, Calcium, Sublingual B12 and Iron tablets.

I can't believe how close my date is. I must be at the hospital at 7am for a 9am surgery time. Hoping and praying that my iron levels are still good. Take care! 

WOO HOO!!!  I got my dateeeee! I got my dateeee!!! lol I was the biggest BUGABOO ever in order to get my date and I don't care if I got on her nerves! Hmmph My pre-op class is June 3rd and surgery June 14th! I must be at the hospital at 7am. I'm so friggin' excited!! Thanks again to all of you for your support through this part of my journey. I look forward to your continued support from the Losers Bench!

Love ya'll! 

I decided to call Cigna today to get status on my appeal. Lo and behold the automated system listed an approval for Dr. Hart for Emory Johns Creek Hospital! I wasn't expecting to hear that so I quickly asked to speak with an associate. lol The associate confirmed that I was approved for the Sleeve and that the letter was mailed out on Tues.!!! Thank you Jesus!!! Thank you to all of you that have been so kind and encouraging; I really and truly appreciate each and every one of you!! 

Can't wait to get that paper in my hands so I can schedule my surgery!!! WOO HOO 

My surgeon's office faxed over my appeal package on yesterday. Let the waiting game begin! 

Well, Cigna denied me the first time on 4/2 stating they were missing letter from PCP and 3 month nutritional history. My surgeon's office resent the missing docs and my paperwork was sent for reconsideration on 4/5. I was then denied again on 4/12 because my PCP included on the medical clearance/necessity letter the issue with me being iron deficient and that I had been referred to a hematologist for iron infusions. He also stated on the letter that he does not recommend I have surgery until my levels are up! So at the top of the letter he states I would greatly benefit from having the surgery and list my comorbidities but he also included this issue about my iron. 

My PCP and I discussed this before he wrote the letter and it was agreed that he would not put that on the letter that must go to the insurance. He agreed to send that info to my surgeon who at the end of the day would NOT perform an operation with my iron being low anyway; regardless if the info came from the PCP. My labs with my surgeon showed the same exact thing and he informed me I must get my iron up before surgery could be performed. 

I have had my iron treatments and as of 4/3 my iron levels are now NORMAL! I have an appt for tomorrow 4/15 with my PCP and hope to get the revised letter at that time. I will then take it over to my surgeon office in hopes they can do a peer to peer or resend over the letter with my lab paperwork from the hematologist. I'm VERY frustrated at this point because I thought we were clear on how to complete this medical clearance letter. I'm also frustrated with my surgeon office because when they saw that additional info on the letter, why the hell would you send it??? Why not call to let me know I needed to have my PCP change the letter???? I never saw the letter; my PCP faxed it over to my surgeon. 

I've had time to reflect and calm down. All things happen for a reason and I must accept that and just pray that it will be resolved soon. Still disappointed nonetheless, but still hopeful!  

So I've been having some weird chest pains that come and go for the past few days. I made an appointment with a Cardiologist since my insurance does not require a referral. I wasn't sure if the chest pain was attributed to my anemia but just wanted to be sure. I have had 3 normal EKG's recently; one with my PCP, one as part of the Pre-Op testing at the hospital and today at the cardiologist. My Cardiologist had me also the Stress Test once I told him I had been submitted for WLS. The Stress Test showed ST Depression. My Cardiologist said that he's willing to bet money that it's a false positive but to be sure I also had an Echocardiogram today and will have the Nuclear Stress Test tomorrow morning. 

I should have the Echo results in a few days. He will be sending the results from all tests to my PCP and surgeon. Praying all is well and it is indeed a false positive. So glad I chose to have it checked out. I've not been approved for WLS yet, so if I need to delay surgery due to this complication, I'm fine with that! Better to find out now than in surgery where the potential for something to go wrong could occur. 

Tisha

So Dr. Hart FINALLY signed off on my paperwork although it was completed on Wed. 3/20!!!  I received the email from the office letting me know it was definitely submitted for approval to Cigna. I'm so excited and hope Cigna doesn't take forever to review and provide an answer! 

Well I had my last appointment with my dietitian today and my paperwork is ready to be submitted. Dr. Hart has to sign off on the paperwork before it can be submitted and he was not in the office today. So tomorrow is the big day! I'm praying that Cigna does right by me. Lord knows I'd hate to find their office and make an unexpected visit!!!  LOL Anyway, I guess I will be on pins and needles until I receive my answer. Talk to you guys soon!

I attended the Support Group Meeting today at Emory Johns Creek Hospital and really enjoyed the meeting! Everyone was VERY nice and very open about their experience. I actually did have questions and they were quickly answered. The group was very supportive and gave what I felt to be as very honest answers about what to expect. I was very happy to meet people that had their surgeries by my doctor and got the chance to meet people that are scheduled to have their surgeries by my doctor. I definitely see myself participating in the group sessions post-op! So very happy I was able to attend.