2/18/04 I officially began my WLS journey on Friday, February 4, 2005 with a visit to The New Life Surgery Center in Kettering, Ohio. I made the trip with my cousin Tonya who is more like my sister. We are only 3 months apart in age and were raised basically together. It was a great ride to Kettering with a lot of laughs and giggles. She is the one who got me on board with DS and asked if I wanted to go along as her support person. Well it turned out the more she told me about the research she had done on DS the more interested I became. My PCP asked me several months ago if I had ever considered WLS and I said no. I was too afraid and put it out of my mind. I decided to go as her support person but also as a candidate for the procedure. So we will be going through this journey together. We hope to have the procedure done close to the same time so we can share expenses staying after surgery, recuperating, and making those long trips to Kettering for follow ups together.
The session was about 3 1/2 hours long and very informative. It was a PowerPoint presentation done by Dr. Rita Anderson. After the session,two other physicians in the practice also came in and answered questions, Dr. John Maguire and Dr. Gary Anderson. They all seemed very kind and knowledgeable. I really like the fact that they stress life long follow up with them. I've been to a half dozen doctors that will hand you a diet and then you never hear another word about it whether you gain or lose. Two post-op patients of theirs spoke to us and answered lots of questions. It was really a great day other than getting turned around the wrong direction going home and ending up in Cincinnati. It took us less than three hours to get there and 5 hours to get home. Yikes! I'm not very good in unfamiliar territory and also directionally challenged. LOL
I still continue to learn all I can about DS. The Obesity Help board is an awesome tool. You can't beat the knowledge from those who have "been there, done that". It's helped me a lot.
I have begun the process of obtaining what I need for my insurance carrier to approve the procedure. I'm just waiting for the surgeons to get everything.(My medical records for the past five years, letter from my PCP, and my psychological test results). I have Medical Mutual of Ohio, PPO and we are self funded. Several others at work have had WLS procedures approved so I am hoping not to have too many problems (keeping my fingers crossed). Well I've rambled for long enough. I'll post more when something exciting happens.
3/23/05 Well something exciting happened, I got my first letter from Medical Mutual saying they needed a copy of my psych report. I spoke with Dr. Maguire's office on March 16th and she said she faxed all my records on the 11th and my psych report on the 14th. I called Medical Mutual and they said they didn't have it yet but it would probably turn up. I called back on the 18th to see if they found it yet and this time they said they didn't have a predetermination at all. I explained what they'd told me on the 16th and she looked again. She came back on and said that she found it but still no psych report and I was missing a weight for 2001. I got off the telephone and called Dr. Maguire's office back asking if they could fax the psych report again and that I was also sending a progress note from 2001 with a weight on it to fax as well. On the 19th I receive the letter from Medical Mutual dated 3/11/05 saying I needed a psych evaluation. I called Med.Mutual back on the 21st to see if they got the fax from Dr. Maguire's office on Friday and they said no. Here we go again. I am about ready to get copies of my stuff and hand deliver it. LOL I am not very good at waiting but it looks like I better start getting use to it.
3/24/05 Well something exciting happened again today....I'M APPROVED!!!!
I called MMO to verify that they received everything they needed and she said "yes you're approved". I guess it didn't really sink in because I reiterated, "So you have everything you need then", and she replied,"yes you've been approved and we will be sending out a letter to you today". I'm so happy it was approved the first time. I absolutely hate waiting. The waiting continues...now I get to wait on the letter before I can get my dates for consultation, pre-op testing, and surgery.
3/28/05 I received my letter from MMO with approval for my BPD/DS! Yeah! I can't believe it was approved the first time. Hopefully everything else goes as smoothly.
3/29/05 I got my surgery date today. Surgeon's office called and gave me my date for surgery, May 24th at 8:00am and my date for consult with surgeon, Dr. Rita Anderson, MD, on May 17th. I can't believe I got my date. A little excited and a lot scared. Yikes!
3/30/05 Today I went on line and pre-registered for the hospital my testing and surgery will be done, Kettering Hospital in Dayton. I also received the date for my pre-admission testing today, May 5th. Now the real waiting begins. I turned in all the dates I will be off for the surgery and work-ups, filled out my FMLA papers and booked hotels for stays in Dayton. I'm sure I missed something. I am a definite planner. I like all my ducks in a row as soon as I possibly can. Makes me feel a little more in control. What ever that's worth.
3/31/05 Spoke with some of the nurses and co-workers where I work today about my surgery, they were all very supportive and excited for me. It makes me feel more at ease when friends tell me things will be okay and will work out.
Hospital Reviews
(Kettering, OH) - Kettering Memorial Hospital
Member Interests:
Family & Friends
Board Games & Puzzles - Easy Crosswords, Cards, Scrabble, Monopoly
Movies - Scary, Action, Comedy
Swimming - Love playing in the pool with my kids
Rock - Def Leppard
Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Rita Anderson
Insurer Info:
Medical Mutual Of Ohio, Super Med Plus
I love MMO. My info was submitted 3/11/05 and psych report sent on 3/14/05 and received approval over the telephone on 3/22/04 and a letter in mail on 3/28/05! First try. I couldn't believe it. I did call MMO a few times to make sure they received everything they needed and everytime I called they told me something different but it all worked out.
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