ObesityHelp

June 3, 1999 - Met with Dr. Cooper. He was very incouraging. Says I will probably be able to go off the high blood pressure medication sometime after the surgery. He is submitting info. to my insurance co. Says that they hardly ever take other health problems into consideration. They just go by the weight. So now we are waiting to hear if I'm approved. I'm hoping that my Blue Shield Ins. will cover the surgery. They have already had to pay for a couple of visits to the E.R. so maybe they will opt for preventive measures.

June 18 - The insurance company is right in the middle of changing it's policies and no one knows what's going on. They say they now want a mental health exam., but they can't agree on who should do it and how much out of pocket I will have to pay.

June 25 - After talking several times with Kathy in Pre Service Review (a really great person and real help) my approval was sent out with the understanding that I would see a psychologist before my surgery date.

June 28 - Got my approval in the mail! Blue Shield will cover 100% ($43,846.00). Dr.'s office says they are booked to Oct. but will be setting up dates soon, and they will call me back.

July 12 - Finnally a date! Surgery sceduled for October 5, 1999. Will see psych on July 19 ($15.00 out of pocket)

July 19 - Saw psych - talked for about 45 minutes. He is sending letter to the surgen saying I'm qualified for the operation. Now all I have to do is wait.

My pre-op appointment with the doctor is Sept. 30. I will do my hospital pre tests that day also.

August 4 - Had a visit from Linda, who is post-op about six months. What a boost. I had contacted her through this web site and had asked her some questions way back when I first started looking into surgery. She is also a patient of Dr Cooper. She looks great! And after only six months! It was good to meet someone face to face and be able to ask questions and share experances. She says the time will pass quickly, but October still seems a long way off.

January 6, 2000 Well here it is a new millennium and I have lost about 55 pounds! Haven't quite reached my goal of 200# by 2000, but close enough. So happy that this year I can be sure of keeping my reselution of losing weight! Feeling great, so happy I was able to have the surgery.